Tomsde's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:136
- Reviews Submitted:58
- First Review:January 7, 2012
- Most Recent Review:November 7, 2020
- Featured reviews0
A scream in the night... a brutal crime... a mysterious figure with eyes red as blood. Can you get to the heart of this shocking murder?
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Not For The Faint of Heart--No Pun Intended
PostedAugust 6, 2016
Tomsde
fromNewark, Delaware
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The artwork and story for this game were very good, it's not for the squeamish however as it has more graphic violence and gore than other games in the series. The animations and voice overs were excellent. Some people have complained that the game is too short, but I did not find that to be the case with the bonus chapter--which was very detailed and harder than the main game. This game has two possible endings, I wonder what would have happened if I'd chosen the other solution instead--but since the bonus chapter is a prequel whatever you choose you know will result in the same grim circumstances of the main title.
I like this series, but there seems to be a trend to more gore and graphic violence; it won't stop me from buying them but I think the developers should consider a little less blood in future releases.
I recommend this game!
Who is trying to destroy the Kingdom of Barsia?
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Not Your Typical Storybook Detective Tale
PostedDecember 24, 2015
Tomsde
fromNewark, Delaware
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have played every game in this series and this was one of my least favorites. I found the storyline overly convoluted and difficult to follow; though the art and music were up to Blue Tea's usual high standards. If you liked the other games in this series you'll like this one, it's worth the money for the collector's edition for the bonus story and content.
I recommend this game!
Can you find the key to Ravenhearst's resurrection?
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 5 found this review helpful
ReReturn to Ravenhearst
PostedNovember 5, 2015
Tomsde
fromNewark, Delaware
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have owned and played all the Mystery Case Files games in the series and look forward to the new one every year. The only one of the series I could not get through was Escape from Ravenhearst. If you count Fate's Carnival this is actually the 5th installment of the Ravenhearst Saga. I liked this game, but didn't love it. The introduction of time travel has made it difficult for me to follow a linear storyline to get to this episode. Like all the Mystery Case Files Games, I felt that this game has a high degree of difficulty and I was glad for the skip button for some of the mind numbingly difficult puzzles. The artwork and music was gorgeous. The storyline was, to me at least, confusing as I can no longer keep track of who is supposed to be dead or alive and why. Perhaps if I had been able to get through Escape from Ravenhearst it would have made more sense to me. It was appropriately creepy and gruesome in spots--not a good game for pre-teens. If you are in doubt play the demo first. The animations and interactive environments are much improved and immersive, but I do very much hope that the next Mystery Case Files game is a totally new story and not a prequel or a sequel.
I recommend this game!
A murderous figure in a red mask haunts the streets of a small French town, and the mayor needs your help to track him down. But you soon discover that the mysterious Red Masque might not be the real criminal…
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Just Okay
PostedSeptember 27, 2015
Tomsde
fromNewark, Delaware
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I've played the other games in this series and as usual the plot line has virtually nothing to do with the original Poe story. My favorite in the series remains the Black Cat to date. This game has the usual ERS Steampunk Europe environments, the artwork was excellent, the music was nothing special (I think I've heard it all before). The storyline is confusing--the add-ons like finding stuff for your pet kitten seem a bit out of place for a horror genre game. My final verdict is that if you liked the other games in this series, you'll probably like this, I suppose had they done something similar to the original story it would have been too gruesome. The map view here is virtually useless, don't bother with it. I suspect there might be an alternate ending depending on how the final judgement is cast; I wish I'd picked the other one if that was the case--I'm just not fond of vigilante type storylines.
I recommend this game!
PuppetShow: Lightning Strikes Collector's Edition
The women of Paris are being turned into puppets! Can you find out who's pulling the strings?
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
A New Beginning
PostedJuly 6, 2015
Tomsde
fromNewark, Delaware
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
PuppetShow: The Price of Immortality Collector's Edition
(81)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
After closing the story arc of the original Puppet Show series, this seems to be a transitional game to a new series where a magical Egyptian Artifact turns people into "puppets" but they are more like Steampunk Robots. Though well executed I disliked the story and visual style of this game. The next one in the series is much better and combines the best of the old and new styles, The Price of Immortality. My advice is to play the demo first, if you like it, buy it. I consider this to be the weakest game in the entire Puppet Show Series (which I wish had had a better ending); others may like it more. If you're looking for chills, there is nothing really horrifying in this game--others in the series are much more grim.
I don't recommend this game.
Rescue your canine companion, and solve the mystery of Houndspoint!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
It's A Dog's Life
PostedMay 31, 2015
Tomsde
fromNewark, Delaware
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I enjoyed the game, the artwork was very well done and the figures well animated. The music was music I remember from other games, but it suited the mood the story; unfortunately they don't allow you to save it. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I'm able to save and add the score to my game music collection.. It was not excessively violent or gory, so it would be an okay game for teens to play, but I wouldn't recommend it t children. It was also a very long game with the bonus game being almost as long as the main one. It has a rather steampunk look and feel. Overall I recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Gardenscapes: Mansion Makeover™
Welcome back to Gardenscapes! Turn the hall into a masterpiece!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Pure Fun!
PostedSeptember 9, 2012
Tomsde
fromNewark, Delaware
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I loved this game and it's predecessor. It is a fun and relaxing game with good graphics and a cute storyline. It is a game suitable for children as well as adults with nothing violent or disturbing.
I recommend this game!
Journey into the mythical Snowfall Kingdom and investigate the disappearance of children in Dark Parables: Rise of the Snow Queen!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
The Best Blue Tea Game Ever
PostedJanuary 7, 2012
Tomsde
fromNewark, Delaware
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Next to the Curse of the Nightengale I would say this was the best Blue Tea Game ever. The animation and artwork were fabulous, of cinematic quality, the storyline was good, and it was sufficeintly challenging to keep me entertained, but not so hard as to be frustrating. The bonus chapter is worth the extra money and is a whole new story, not just an advertisement for the next game in the series. If you liked the other fair tale detective games, you should love this one.
I recommend this game!