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:
In this reality TV show, find out if a series of mishaps is the result of cheating competitors or something really beyond this world.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
The medallion may be shattered, but the gameplay is coherent and innovative.
PostedMay 22, 2017
LunaNik
fromMay this dev's creative light shine for all eternity.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Review based on: completed game
Overall rating: ✭✭✭✭✭
What my rating means: It’s so superb that I’d gladly pay full price for it.
Overall rating: ✭✭✭✭✭
What my rating means: It’s so superb that I’d gladly pay full price for it.
SHORT & SWEET SUMMARY REVIEW
While the storyline unfolds a bit differently, and the real mystery is not decisively explained at the end, neither of those elements detracted from the game as a whole. Gameplay will be familiar to fans of the series; the challenging puzzles and mini-games, complex tasks, information gathering, and necessity for deductive reasoning are all present. I thoroughly enjoyed my Pacific Run. Go, Team Tui!
While the storyline unfolds a bit differently, and the real mystery is not decisively explained at the end, neither of those elements detracted from the game as a whole. Gameplay will be familiar to fans of the series; the challenging puzzles and mini-games, complex tasks, information gathering, and necessity for deductive reasoning are all present. I thoroughly enjoyed my Pacific Run. Go, Team Tui!
More details on the specific elements of the game below the fold…
————————————————————
STORYLINE
Nancy teams up with George to compete in the hit reality show, Pacific Run. This season, the challenges are set in New Zealand. At first, it appears to be a typical competition. But Sonny Joon is running the show, and some of the contestants have rather unusual backgrounds. Then the accidents begin occurring, and it looks like deliberate sabotage. Plus, at least one person is interfering with the challenges, and Sonny seems to have quite specific ulterior motives. Fortunately, Nancy Drew is on the case!
————————————————————
STORYLINE
Nancy teams up with George to compete in the hit reality show, Pacific Run. This season, the challenges are set in New Zealand. At first, it appears to be a typical competition. But Sonny Joon is running the show, and some of the contestants have rather unusual backgrounds. Then the accidents begin occurring, and it looks like deliberate sabotage. Plus, at least one person is interfering with the challenges, and Sonny seems to have quite specific ulterior motives. Fortunately, Nancy Drew is on the case!
GAMEPLAY
Since this is an adventure game, gathering information is a crucial task, and lots of it will come from interviewing people. Additionally, you’ll discover books, journals, notes, and letters here and there. You’ll also find items for your inventory and explore the environment. Keep your eyes open! You never know where you might find something useful.
Since this is an adventure game, gathering information is a crucial task, and lots of it will come from interviewing people. Additionally, you’ll discover books, journals, notes, and letters here and there. You’ll also find items for your inventory and explore the environment. Keep your eyes open! You never know where you might find something useful.
A variety of puzzles and games will test your problem-solving skills, timing, dexterity, and more. They range from medium to difficult in level of challenge, and often require information you’ve found elsewhere. Some offer only minimal instructions, meaning you’ll need to tinker with the puzzle to figure out how to solve it, even if you know what the goal is. I love this type of gaming! There’s no hand-holding at all; you actually have to use your brain.
DESIGN
Your phone will notify you of Pacific Run challenges and information, allow you to receive messages and phone calls, and includes a diary and a camera. A well-designed task list keeps you on track, and you’re responsible for checking off what you’ve completed. There’s also a notes list for clues.
Your phone will notify you of Pacific Run challenges and information, allow you to receive messages and phone calls, and includes a diary and a camera. A well-designed task list keeps you on track, and you’re responsible for checking off what you’ve completed. There’s also a notes list for clues.
My sole complaint is the cumbersome navigation, which is the same in every game. The “go forward” arrow often appears to be pointing to one area, but when I click, I end up someplace else. (It was particularly cumbersome during the kayak race!) It would be better to eliminate all directional arrows in favor of the panoramic view plus having the cursor change to an arrow ONLY when you mouse over a place to which you can actually navigate.
PRODUCTION
Graphics consisted of this series’ usual static backgrounds, which I don’t mind. I know some people prefer wind blowing through the trees, water movement, and floating particulate matter in the air and water to lend realism, but the lack of such things isn’t a deal-breaker for me. Characters are well-animated and the lip synching is excellent. Close-up animation, like in the puzzles, is also done well.
Graphics consisted of this series’ usual static backgrounds, which I don’t mind. I know some people prefer wind blowing through the trees, water movement, and floating particulate matter in the air and water to lend realism, but the lack of such things isn’t a deal-breaker for me. Characters are well-animated and the lip synching is excellent. Close-up animation, like in the puzzles, is also done well.
The music perfectly accents gameplay, remaining mostly in the background, but adding interest. Voiceovers are, as usual, spot on professional.
CONCLUSION
The Shattered Medallion is another successful, challenging, and enjoyable entry in the Nancy Drew series. To be honest, I wish more developers made games like this, targeted toward the expert gamer who wants her skills to be challenged with innovative, difficult, and well-designed gameplay. I recommend every game in this series, and hope to see many more games from this dev.
The Shattered Medallion is another successful, challenging, and enjoyable entry in the Nancy Drew series. To be honest, I wish more developers made games like this, targeted toward the expert gamer who wants her skills to be challenged with innovative, difficult, and well-designed gameplay. I recommend every game in this series, and hope to see many more games from this dev.
I recommend this game!
An unexpected invitation sends you to research mythical standing stones in Brittany.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
4½★ Let's have a sequel!
PostedMay 19, 2017
LunaNik
fromHmmm...that Wand of Dominion would come in handy at times.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Review based on: completed game
Overall rating: ✭✭✭✭
What my rating means: This game is totally worth the Game Club price.
Overall rating: ✭✭✭✭
What my rating means: This game is totally worth the Game Club price.
SHORT & SWEET SUMMARY REVIEW
Graven has a fantastic storyline that blends myth and reality, history and the modern day. Its themes include a prophecy of apocalypse, the corruption of goodness, and the rise of a savior. Gameplay offers incredible variety, both in type and level of challenge. The graphics are beautiful and immersive. It’s sole shortcoming is somewhat repetitive music. Other than that, it’s a fairly long game that’s thoroughly entertaining.
Graven has a fantastic storyline that blends myth and reality, history and the modern day. Its themes include a prophecy of apocalypse, the corruption of goodness, and the rise of a savior. Gameplay offers incredible variety, both in type and level of challenge. The graphics are beautiful and immersive. It’s sole shortcoming is somewhat repetitive music. Other than that, it’s a fairly long game that’s thoroughly entertaining.
More details on the specific elements of the game below the fold…
————————————————————
STORYLINE
You receive some archaeological papers from Michael, along with an invitation to a small town in Brittany to investigate elemental standing stones. When you arrive, the town is mostly abandoned, and you discover it is the site of a druidic prophecy involving an ancient evil. The prophecy is mere hours away, heralded by a comet. Time is not on your side, it’s not clear whom you can trust, and your life is about to change forever.
————————————————————
STORYLINE
You receive some archaeological papers from Michael, along with an invitation to a small town in Brittany to investigate elemental standing stones. When you arrive, the town is mostly abandoned, and you discover it is the site of a druidic prophecy involving an ancient evil. The prophecy is mere hours away, heralded by a comet. Time is not on your side, it’s not clear whom you can trust, and your life is about to change forever.
EXPLORATION
There are a myriad of areas to explore, both in this world and in Avalon, and each area presents varied tasks, including gathering information, repairing and assembling things, gaining access to new areas, talking with various NPCs, and more. Gameplay is intuitive and logical, but there is quite a bit of traveling involved.
There are a myriad of areas to explore, both in this world and in Avalon, and each area presents varied tasks, including gathering information, repairing and assembling things, gaining access to new areas, talking with various NPCs, and more. Gameplay is intuitive and logical, but there is quite a bit of traveling involved.
HIDDEN OBJECT SCENES
I counted 19 HO scenes which included silhouette find and use, FROG, word list, and silhouette list. Every scene had several zoom areas, and all scenes were interactive. Most of them took at least a couple minutes to complete.
I counted 19 HO scenes which included silhouette find and use, FROG, word list, and silhouette list. Every scene had several zoom areas, and all scenes were interactive. Most of them took at least a couple minutes to complete.
PUZZLES
I counted 18 puzzles and mini-games, including the following types:
• restore the pattern by various methods…easy to difficult
• categorize the given items by various methods…easy to medium
• find the differences in a detailed, ornate design…medium
• remove the items that don’t belong from a complex design…medium
• lock mazes of different types…easy to medium
• match pairs of complex images…three levels of increasing complexity
• nonogrids…three levels of increasing complexity
…and several more types. There was quite a bit of variety in both puzzle type and difficulty level.
I counted 18 puzzles and mini-games, including the following types:
• restore the pattern by various methods…easy to difficult
• categorize the given items by various methods…easy to medium
• find the differences in a detailed, ornate design…medium
• remove the items that don’t belong from a complex design…medium
• lock mazes of different types…easy to medium
• match pairs of complex images…three levels of increasing complexity
• nonogrids…three levels of increasing complexity
…and several more types. There was quite a bit of variety in both puzzle type and difficulty level.
DESIGN
Clues are stored for you in a journal of sorts, and there is a map that transports, but it doesn’t indicate available actions or goals. Personally, I preferred having to figure out what to do next, or which area to return to in order to use a particular item. When your hand is held all the time, it’s not a game; it’s an interactive story.
Clues are stored for you in a journal of sorts, and there is a map that transports, but it doesn’t indicate available actions or goals. Personally, I preferred having to figure out what to do next, or which area to return to in order to use a particular item. When your hand is held all the time, it’s not a game; it’s an interactive story.
PRODUCTION
Static backgrounds and objects in close-up views were rendered beautifully and realistically in a natural palette. Animation was smooth. NPCs were posers without a lot of detail, especially in close-up, and did not lip synch. The voiceovers were done well, but the music was rather repetitive.
Static backgrounds and objects in close-up views were rendered beautifully and realistically in a natural palette. Animation was smooth. NPCs were posers without a lot of detail, especially in close-up, and did not lip synch. The voiceovers were done well, but the music was rather repetitive.
EXTRAS
Yes, it’s an SE with extras. Keep your eyes open for 40 mosaic pieces you’ll need to unlock a secret passage, and 70 sprigs of mistletoe. There are also 19 performance achievements.
Yes, it’s an SE with extras. Keep your eyes open for 40 mosaic pieces you’ll need to unlock a secret passage, and 70 sprigs of mistletoe. There are also 19 performance achievements.
CONCLUSION
I recommend this game wholeheartedly. It was enjoyable to play and the storyline was compelling. Frankly, we don’t see enough games from this dev. I wish they’d do more adventure games like their Spirit Walkers: Curse of the Cypress Witch, which I also recommend.
I recommend this game wholeheartedly. It was enjoyable to play and the storyline was compelling. Frankly, we don’t see enough games from this dev. I wish they’d do more adventure games like their Spirit Walkers: Curse of the Cypress Witch, which I also recommend.
I recommend this game!
He can’t be stopped. And he’s digging your grave!
Overall rating
2
/
5
89 of 114 found this review helpful
Disappointed that Mariaglorum bought cookie cutters.
PostedMay 18, 2017
LunaNik
from"Honey, where are the car keys?" "They're inside your bowling trophy, dear. You'll need a medallion to open it, which I broke into pieces. I sewed one piece inside the couch cushion, dropped one down our well, and buried one in the garden."
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Review based on: full demo
Overall rating: ✭✭
What my rating means: It has a few good parts, but not enough to justify spending money on it.
Overall rating: ✭✭
What my rating means: It has a few good parts, but not enough to justify spending money on it.
I was thrilled to see a brand new series from Mariaglorum, especially one dealing with campfire stories…until I started playing. So much of this game was insanely illogical that I couldn’t stay immersed in the story. For example:
• You’re going to investigate a property that’s been abandoned for a decade, and you don’t bring a flashlight? Good thing you don’t need it, because the lights are on. Who’s been paying for the electricity these past ten years?
• Similarly, you bring no tools to help you break into a locked up property and buildings. Lucky for you, all you have to do is think like an insane person to find the tools that have been conveniently left around, but mostly haven’t rusted.
• Speaking of hidden items, plan to look in the most ridiculous places you can think of if you want to find ordinary, everyday items…like the fuse I found hidden inside a trophy, or the rusty knife I found inside a telephone. Who thinks up this nonsense?
Moving on to the gameplay, it’s best described by three words: reused, predictable, and easy. All of the six puzzles in the demo are ones we’ve seen a million times before: the nine-piece slider, the 5x5 Sudoku, rotate the pipes, draw paths between matching tokens without crossing paths, aim and shoot by clicking when the lines cross the target, deduce the safe code based on the given clue.
The usual game devices were all present, including the dreaded missing zipper pull, the vines that needed trimming, the animal that isn’t scared of you but is afraid of loud noises, the locked first aid kit, and so on. And the HO scenes were, as usual, unhidden object scenes.
This game was truly disappointing, especially as I have nearly all of Mariaglorum’s games, and they’re usually challenging and innovative. This one plays like every other cookie cutter game that’s been released in the past few years, with the exact same easy puzzles, unhidden objects, and irrational nonsense. I don’t recommend it, even for beginners to the genre.
I don't recommend this game.
Lifeline is a playable, branching story of survival against all odds! Help Taylor make life or death decisions, and face the consequences together. Or see what happens when you make a different choice.
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
Needs a better demo.
PostedMay 15, 2017
LunaNik
fromI still love text adventures.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm sure everyone who only played the demo had the same experience I did: a short period interacting with Taylor, followed by a long wait while he traveled, then the demo ended. It's difficult to review a game based on that, and I feel the demo should have been designed to skip or shorten those waiting periods so we'd have a better idea of what the game is like.
However, as you can see, I'm giving this game five stars anyway, based solely on the small portion I did get to play. Why? Because Lifeline's story, presentation, and gameplay are creative and out of the box. When I compare that to an infinite pile of cookie cutter HOPAs, Lifeline stands out as innovative game development, and that deserves five stars.
It also deserves my money, so I'm purchasing this. I love text adventures, and have loved them since Zork was released 36 years ago. Lifeline's story already has me curious, and its game universe immersed me without graphics. That's talent.
I recommend this game!
Search the Siberian forests for your missing husband.
Overall rating
4
/
5
28 of 37 found this review helpful
3½✭...engaging story + relaxing gameplay + beautiful production = great rainy day game
PostedMay 13, 2017
LunaNik
from...in a place where substance is more important than shiny.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review based on: full demo
Overall rating: ✭✭✭½
What my rating means: It’s a good rainy day game; easy gameplay, but good story.
Overall rating: ✭✭✭½
What my rating means: It’s a good rainy day game; easy gameplay, but good story.
Reflections of Life is another series that has had its ups and downs. Equilibrium is the best episode, since it offered quite a bit of original gameplay and a unique storyline. Dark Architect is a close second. The rest...not so much.
As for Hearts Taken, I must have played a different demo from other reviewers, because mine had six HO scenes and ten puzzles, the graphics were clear and realistic, gameplay was intuitive, and the storyline was compelling. Yes, it's a variation on the overused "person gone missing" theme, but presented in the context of an unfamiliar myth and culture. That adds quite a bit to the interest in terms of both the story itself and the graphics.
Each scene included 1-3 collectible owls, with one being a morphing object. A slide-in banner let you know the total for the scene as well as how many you'd found. If you returned to a scene after an event changed it, there were additional owls to find there...a nice touch.
The HO scenes were mostly interactive lists, but less insulting than other devs' scenes since most didn’t include gigantic objects in plain view. The full-sized scenes actually took a few minutes to complete, which isn't as good as the HO scenes of yesteryear, but it's a huge improvement over the devs who habitually get five stars.
The ten puzzles during the demo came in four flavors: jigsaws, matching, pattern recognition, and logic. I’d like to see fewer jigsaw and matching puzzles—none, actually—because these are games for adults. But, again, it was an improvement over the usual Simon Says, Towers of Hanoi, and other puzzles that are reused ad nauseum.
Jigsaw Puzzles:
• From the pieces, assemble the six torn cards.
• Choose the correct symbol fragments to complete the central inscription.
• Place the given rope fragments correctly to make a long rope.
Jigsaw Puzzles:
• From the pieces, assemble the six torn cards.
• Choose the correct symbol fragments to complete the central inscription.
• Place the given rope fragments correctly to make a long rope.
Matching Puzzles:
• Match the item cards to the costumed dolls.
• Walk safely through the magical swamp by matching pairs of unsafe plants.
• Match the item cards to the costumed dolls.
• Walk safely through the magical swamp by matching pairs of unsafe plants.
Pattern Recognition Puzzles:
• Examine each of the six cards for symbols, then press the corresponding stones in order.
• Match the pattern of beads to the given image by swapping columns of beads.
• Examine each of the six cards for symbols, then press the corresponding stones in order.
• Match the pattern of beads to the given image by swapping columns of beads.
Logic Puzzles:
• Swap the accessories to match them to the figurines. Some accessories are hidden and can only be revealed once a figurine’s exterior has been completed.
• Move the token along the correct path by following the visual clues.
• Place the directional arrows in the correct places by deciphering the logic puzzle.
• Swap the accessories to match them to the figurines. Some accessories are hidden and can only be revealed once a figurine’s exterior has been completed.
• Move the token along the correct path by following the visual clues.
• Place the directional arrows in the correct places by deciphering the logic puzzle.
The production was high quality, characterized by beautiful scenery with lots of color, detail, and texture, along with lifelike characters. The music offered a lot of variety. “Echoes in the Woods” is a percussive, ambient soundscape, while “Flowers in Bloom” has ethereal wordless singing, strings, and recorder. “Spring” sounds like a traditional folk dance, and “Twisting Path” is a majestic, full orchestra plus sound effects. Voiceovers were mostly professional with the exception of exclamations, which were badly acted.
Extras included the bonus chapter plus a hidden chapter, the aforementioned collectible owls, performance achievements, strategy guide, replayable HO scenes and puzzles, wallpapers, soundtracks, movies, and concept art.
I'm purchasing this even though I've rated it below four stars, because the storyline is intriguing, the production is gorgeous, and, while the gameplay was easy, it wasn't annoying. That adds up to a great rainy day game, and it chances to be raining in New England.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the cemetery’s dark keeper in time?
Overall rating
1
/
5
45 of 93 found this review helpful
ERS has redeemed neither itself nor this series.
PostedMay 11, 2017
LunaNik
fromOh, I get it now. It's the BFG equivalent of posting "First!" *eyeroll*
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Review based on: full demo
Overall rating: ✭
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
Overall rating: ✭
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
SHORT & SWEET SUMMARY REVIEW
This is the tenth episode of Redemption Cemetery and, frankly, this story arc has LONG been played out. Embodiment of Evil offers absolutely nothing new to the series, just characters that are stereotypes and a tedious, reused plotline. And it offers nothing innovative in gameplay, just the same ridiculously easy puzzles we’ve seen a million times before and junk pile HO scenes with the objects in plain view.
This is the tenth episode of Redemption Cemetery and, frankly, this story arc has LONG been played out. Embodiment of Evil offers absolutely nothing new to the series, just characters that are stereotypes and a tedious, reused plotline. And it offers nothing innovative in gameplay, just the same ridiculously easy puzzles we’ve seen a million times before and junk pile HO scenes with the objects in plain view.
The demo offered only four HOs, and scenes were visited twice. Of the 21 puzzles in the demo (and I’m counting a three-part puzzle as three puzzles), eight were basic jigsaw puzzles. There’s a serious disconnect here: The storyline is clearly horror and even includes jump scares, but the gameplay is appropriate for elementary school children. Who on earth is your target market, ERS?
My recommendation is to uninstall and delete this disaster and, if you must have a Redemption Cemetery game in your collection, purchase Clock of Fate. With its Butterfly Effect-esque time tricks, Clock of Fate demanded that you actually fire neurons and make synaptic connections in order to play. Unlike this episode, which is an insult even to beginners.
—————————————————————————
MORE DETAILS…
Exploration/adventure consisted mostly of finding and using shaped keys. Quite a few were broken into parts, just to add to the inanity. There were frequent interruptions in gameplay for cutscenes and full-screen performance achievement banners.
MORE DETAILS…
Exploration/adventure consisted mostly of finding and using shaped keys. Quite a few were broken into parts, just to add to the inanity. There were frequent interruptions in gameplay for cutscenes and full-screen performance achievement banners.
The four HO scenes:
• Find the highlighted words in the narrative (some are interactive). Each found object will reveal a crystal necessary for uncovering the final object.
• Find four objects related to three categories: air, fire, and water. This will unlock three panels revealing keys to a treasure chest holding the final object.
• Interactive list.
• Interactive silhouette list.
• Find the highlighted words in the narrative (some are interactive). Each found object will reveal a crystal necessary for uncovering the final object.
• Find four objects related to three categories: air, fire, and water. This will unlock three panels revealing keys to a treasure chest holding the final object.
• Interactive list.
• Interactive silhouette list.
The puzzles, listed by level of challenge…
Not a puzzle, just a throwaway:
• Swap the tokens on the clown’s hands, copying the given clue.
• Make five baskets in the basketball arcade game.
• Play the crane arcade game.
Not a puzzle, just a throwaway:
• Swap the tokens on the clown’s hands, copying the given clue.
• Make five baskets in the basketball arcade game.
• Play the crane arcade game.
Not a puzzle for adults:
• Swap rows/columns jigsaws…three levels.
• Combine fragments to recreate the central symbol. Then play connect-the-dots to recreate the constellations. Finally, play matching pairs with runes.
• Stained glass jigsaws (no rotation)…three levels.
• Use the arrow keys to position the skeleton to catch the falling skulls.
• Place the roller coaster track segments in the correct places (another jigsaw). Then, drag the blue cars through the maze, moving the other cars as necessary. Finally, swap the hexagonal track segments until the track is restored (another jigsaw).
• Untangle the ropes…two levels.
• Swap rows/columns jigsaws…three levels.
• Combine fragments to recreate the central symbol. Then play connect-the-dots to recreate the constellations. Finally, play matching pairs with runes.
• Stained glass jigsaws (no rotation)…three levels.
• Use the arrow keys to position the skeleton to catch the falling skulls.
• Place the roller coaster track segments in the correct places (another jigsaw). Then, drag the blue cars through the maze, moving the other cars as necessary. Finally, swap the hexagonal track segments until the track is restored (another jigsaw).
• Untangle the ropes…two levels.
Not challenging, just time-consuming:
• Drag the skulls left and right to open the latches. Moving one may affect others.
• Set up your players on the foosball-style hockey game, then press play to try your setting.
• Drag the skulls left and right to open the latches. Moving one may affect others.
• Set up your players on the foosball-style hockey game, then press play to try your setting.
Production was inconsistent. Background scenery was more painterly, objects close-in were beautifully rendered, but characters were cartoonish. Animation included both movie quality, smooth scenes with a high frame rate, and stuttering, stop motion scenes. The palette was appropriately dark in the cemetery and more garish in the amusement park. The music was thematic and accented gameplay well, but the voiceovers were awful, especially when the characters were frightened.
Extras: Bonus chapter, strategy guide, performance achievements, collectible skull coins, replayable HO scenes and puzzles, wallpapers, screensavers, soundtracks, movies, and concept art.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save the realms from a vengeful god?
Overall rating
1
/
5
19 of 25 found this review helpful
No labyrinths, no logic, no challenge.
PostedMay 6, 2017
LunaNik
fromIRL: Random stick + piece of metal + ribbon = axe sturdy enough to clear a forest. What? That wouldn't work?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Review based on: full demo
Overall rating: ★
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
Major drawbacks: Too many to list.
Overall rating: ★
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
Major drawbacks: Too many to list.
There is absolutely no logic to this disaster of a game. I found myself alternately frustrated by the lethargic pace, laughing aloud at the inanity, and astounded by the five-star reviews.
Let’s begin with the intro, during which my sister looks me in the eye and monologues for several minutes…while driving. We arrive at Devil’s Tower and I check the trunk of the car to find a full cup of hot tea, not one drop spilled. A bit further on, though, came the pièce de resistance: I chopped a tree trunk into milled lumber with a MacGyver’d axe. Seriously?
There were no hidden object scenes. The UNhidden objects scenes were presented in various ways and ridiculously easy. Even on “hard” mode, most of the puzzles were retreads and easy…jigsaws, pick-up stick with vines, “moving one affects others.” There was one unique puzzle, but it was easy. (Place gems on the board so the rays extending from them interlock with each other.) Two puzzles presented a modest challenge, but both were mazes with obstacles, so both tested mouse dexterity and timing, not problem-solving or intellect. Other than that, this game was a study in HOPA clichés, a masterpiece of “broken zipper pull” game development.
Graphics were too neon for my taste, even while I was still on Earth. Characters had no facial expressions whatsoever, and voiceovers were horrid. My sister’s every word was suffused with melodrama. Sanderion, the villain, sounded like a smirking frat boy. And poor Herring, the horse, was given the voice of a prepubescent girl. Even funnier, they made her lip synch. Takh Taash’s voice had no affect at all, nor did Devona’s, which was odd given what they’d been through.
Everything it was possible to do to slow down the game was done. All characters spoke incredibly slowly, and their subtitles appeared one letter at a time, limiting the pace at which you could click through conversations without missing anything. Banners popped up every time you moved, and their letters appeared one at a time too. Further, the cursor was frozen until the banner disappeared. Quite a bit of time was spent just waiting for text to appear, banners to disappear, and animations to finish. When all I’m waiting for is another unhidden object scene I can complete in 30 seconds, or another stupidly simple puzzle, no thanks. About the only thing this game is good for is seeing how ridiculously the devs violated the laws of physics and the principles of common sense.
I don't recommend this game.
Strange vines have taken over a popular National Park!
Overall rating
1
/
5
34 of 48 found this review helpful
Hilariously bad storyline, ridiculously illogical gameplay.
PostedMay 6, 2017
LunaNik
fromHey, I finally have a working weapon against this thing! I'm going to use it once, then throw it away! Logic Rating: Negative 3,000,000
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Review based on: full demo
Overall rating: ✭
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
Major drawbacks: Lack of logic, too easy gameplay, silly story.
Overall rating: ✭
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
Major drawbacks: Lack of logic, too easy gameplay, silly story.
SHORT & SWEET SUMMARY REVIEW
I’m beginning to think devs have a Rubric filled with storyline elements, and they throw a number of dice, then base their game on whichever elements the dice indicate, regardless of whether those elements are coherent. Then, they head to their subroutine folder to see which puzzles to reuse. The result is a game that’s merely a remix of their previous games. Nothing new. No innovation or creativity. Just the same cookie cutter story with the same tired, overly easy gameplay.
I’m beginning to think devs have a Rubric filled with storyline elements, and they throw a number of dice, then base their game on whichever elements the dice indicate, regardless of whether those elements are coherent. Then, they head to their subroutine folder to see which puzzles to reuse. The result is a game that’s merely a remix of their previous games. Nothing new. No innovation or creativity. Just the same cookie cutter story with the same tired, overly easy gameplay.
For this game, the dice landed on:
• person gone missing, presumably in danger
• rescue team dispatched, also now in danger
• eldritch, non-human evil villain
• resourceful hero who seems imperious to villain
• ancient civilization with useful secrets
• person gone missing, presumably in danger
• rescue team dispatched, also now in danger
• eldritch, non-human evil villain
• resourceful hero who seems imperious to villain
• ancient civilization with useful secrets
The level of sheer illogic in this game would have caused Mr. Spock to have an aneurysm. We manage to be a crack shot with a slingshot cobbled together from a bicycle part and a rubber sling, using as our ammo an object that’s not remotely aerodynamic. A thick, ancient gold coin gets us that bike part, somehow managing to fit into a slotted screw, provide enough torque, and not bend into uselessness in the process. We manage to sharpen the delicate teeth of a rusty hacksaw with a large, rough rasp. (Well, you may have managed it; I had trouble stopping my hysterical laughter.) And the famous magnet-on-a-string trick allows us to retrieve a brass cartridge for a pistol, despite the fact that brass isn’t remotely magnetic. Lastly, why on Earth did we discard the taser after only using it once?
There were five HO scenes during the demo: one silhouette find-and-use, two find highlighted words in the narrative, and two find five of each to unlock the list panels. For that last style, the first was straight list, while the second was find and use in the scene. All were “unhidden object scenes,” as the objects were in plain view.
There were ten puzzles during the demo, and none were original. We’ve seen them all a million times. Those that weren’t even puzzles, but just throwaways included:
• Restore the journal’s pages by finding and replacing the torn pieces.
• Click the five flower petals until the vine colors all match. *smh*
• A basic 5x5 Sudoku.
• Use the binocular’s directional arrows and focusing apparatus to find seven places.
• Restore the journal’s pages by finding and replacing the torn pieces.
• Click the five flower petals until the vine colors all match. *smh*
• A basic 5x5 Sudoku.
• Use the binocular’s directional arrows and focusing apparatus to find seven places.
Those with a pattern that wasn’t difficult to figure out included:
• Light up the skulls; one may affect others. Three levels.
• Use L/R arrows to configure the radio’s sound waves to match the given clue.
• Light up the skulls; one may affect others. Three levels.
• Use L/R arrows to configure the radio’s sound waves to match the given clue.
Those that were not difficult, merely time-consuming included:
• Draw a single line from crystal to flower, lighting up all portraits along the way. No line may be traveled twice.
• Slide the stones along the paths until they’re all in the correct places.
• Position the crystals so that the lasers shooting from them light up all the flowers.
• A version of pipes to fuel the helicopter.
• Draw a single line from crystal to flower, lighting up all portraits along the way. No line may be traveled twice.
• Slide the stones along the paths until they’re all in the correct places.
• Position the crystals so that the lasers shooting from them light up all the flowers.
• A version of pipes to fuel the helicopter.
No issues with game mechanics, and the production was decent. But that’s not enough to make up for the fact that the storyline was subpar, the gameplay was far too easy for adults, and the logic was nonexistent. I really think that devs should attempt in real life some of the ridiculous things they program into their games. Go see if you have fun “solving” a 12-piece jigsaw IRL. Trust me; you won’t. Try using a coin as a screwdriver. I guarantee it won’t work. It’s time to rethink the way you’re developing games, devs.
I don't recommend this game.
Follow trails, uncover secrets in hidden object scenes, and solve various puzzles on your quest to break the curse of the Willmore clan!
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
A game mechanics nightmare...
PostedMay 6, 2017
LunaNik
fromMore adventure games, please!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Review based on: 16 minutes of demo
Overall rating: ✭
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
Major drawbacks: Game mechanics
Overall rating: ✭
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
Major drawbacks: Game mechanics
I was unable to become immersed in the story and gameplay because I was constantly distracted by the awkward, slow, and difficult game mechanics.
Being an adventure game fanatic, I don’t mind reading tons of text in a game. But there must be consistency in how it’s presented. In this game, text was presented three ways:
1. Our heroine’s remarks appeared in the inventory panel, and you were prevented from playing until you’d clicked an icon labeled “forward” under her portrait at the bottom right of the screen.
2. Game instructions appeared at the top of the screen. Again, you were prevented from playing until you’d clicked an icon, this time at the top right of the screen.
3. The journal automatically opened when you collected information, necessitating clicking an icon to close it. This was unnecessary, since you were afforded an opportunity to read the information when you collected it.
1. Our heroine’s remarks appeared in the inventory panel, and you were prevented from playing until you’d clicked an icon labeled “forward” under her portrait at the bottom right of the screen.
2. Game instructions appeared at the top of the screen. Again, you were prevented from playing until you’d clicked an icon, this time at the top right of the screen.
3. The journal automatically opened when you collected information, necessitating clicking an icon to close it. This was unnecessary, since you were afforded an opportunity to read the information when you collected it.
Navigation is another game element that must be consistent. In this game, it was all over the place…forward, to the sides, etc. Instead of the “go back” area being located logically just above the inventory panel, it was a small icon at the top right of the screen. (And when you have a large screen, it feels like you’re moving your mouse for DAYS…lol.)
Zoom boxes were not identified with the usual magnifying glass, but by a “go forward” navigation arrow, leading you to believe you were entering a new area. The game did not close zoom boxes or HO scenes when you were finished either; you had to click an icon in the top right of the screen to close them.
Inventory items had to be dragged from the inventory panel to the screen, and the game was rather touchy about where you placed them. And I found that, in HO scenes, the hotspots were rather large; I often clicked on an adjacent object rather than the one for which I was aiming.
Lastly, my system cursor appeared and became superimposed over the game cursor, but lagging a bit behind it with every movement. I was going to try and make it through the entire demo, but that was the last straw for me. Too many distractions! In trying to keep up with the crazy game mechanics, I lost interest in the storyline and gameplay.
I don't recommend this game.
An open-and-shut case is suddenly reopened by a violent murder!
Overall rating
1
/
5
20 of 33 found this review helpful
Writing this review was more interesting and fun.
PostedMay 5, 2017
LunaNik
fromDoesn't any dev make challenging games for adults?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Review based on 20 minutes of demo
Overall rating = ✭
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
Overall rating = ✭
What my rating means: You couldn’t pay me to play this game all the way through.
Another vengeful ghost story.
Another blindingly oversaturated palette.
Another bunch of stupidly easy puzzles this dev has used a million times.
Another collectible razzle-dazzle to try and distract from the low quality of the game.
Another blindingly oversaturated palette.
Another bunch of stupidly easy puzzles this dev has used a million times.
Another collectible razzle-dazzle to try and distract from the low quality of the game.
And another time I’ve noticed that, just a few years ago, we had more than 200 game reviews on the daily, but now barely have a dozen. It’s not me, fishies. These games really are awful.
If you have purchased an Elephant game in the past five years, my advice is to go play that one. It probably includes all the exact same puzzles and “obstacles” as this one, but with better gameplay and graphics. And, possibly, fewer shaped keys.
In this game, I found myself knowing what was going to happen before it occurred. It was that predictable. The nailed up boards needing a crowbar. The item bound with rope needing a knife. No doubt there will be an object down a grating needing a magnet and a broken zipper pull, among other tired, ridiculous game devices we’ve seen a million times.
The puzzles in this game were all repeats and all stupidly easy. Simon Says. Match up the given pair of dots to the pattern. Drag knots along strings. A torn note jigsaw. A lockpick puzzle where you configure the hairpin to make the lines match up. If you got through elementary school, you won’t have any trouble.
There was only one HO scene in the first 20 minutes. You’re presented with a pictorial scene and a narrative with missing words. Find the objects in the scene that correspond with the missing words. While this was original, it was ruined by having to wait after each scene while a sonorous voice slowly read the narrative to you. Like you hadn’t read it yourself while looking for the words?
The first game in this series, Tune of Revenge, had a palette rich with jewel tones, subtle plays of light, and realistic textures. Mark of Death, in comparison, looks harsh and ugly. The first scene was largely pinks and purples, including pink paving stones, while the second scene could have stopped traffic with its technicolor oranges, including what appeared to be a 500-watt lamp on the desk. Look, it’s not that I dislike bright colors; I dislike it when the real world looks like it’s been decorated by an 8-year-old girl on a sugar rush with a box of neon crayons.
Mark of Death failed to captivate me with its gameplay (tedious and easy), its storyline (predictable and poorly written), or its production (ow, my eyes). Devs, it’s time to abandon this losing formula and start writing interesting stories, creating innovative and challenging gameplay, and developing beautifully realistic graphics. You’re losing us, in case you hadn’t noticed.
I don't recommend this game.