cplatten's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.3
- Helpful Votes:79
- Reviews Submitted:13
- First Review:December 7, 2011
- Most Recent Review:February 10, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Help Mary save her friend Lora’s wedding! Lora’s inheritance has been stolen, and now Mary must crack the case and catch the crook!
Overall rating
2
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
Afraid too basic for me
PostedFebruary 10, 2013
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I shouldn't be reviewing it as I only lasted 5 minutes into the trial but I was already bored. I do like more of an immersive game these days and feel this one would only be suitable for beginners. Clear, bright graphics, though, for the HOGs.
I don't recommend this game.
After a group of young students go missing, the Mystery Trackers are called in to search the city of Raincliff!
Overall rating
1
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
One of the most frustrating and boring games I have played
PostedFebruary 2, 2013
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
My review seems to go against the tide here but I really couldn't understand this game - despite playing 2/3rds of it! I have never given up on a game so far in before.
It just seemed to get more confusing and frustrating as I went on. The mini-puzzles became impossible and very samey and out-numbered the quite good HOGs. I would pick up tools and not have any idea what they were for so found myself consulting the hint button too much.
A typical example is this: at one stage I had a "disk saw" in my inventory for hours (it's called an angle grinder in the UK) which needed a disk. So I was pleased to find a disk which I thought went with it, only to find that the disk in question was used as a puzzle piece somewhere else.
In this game you had to do the strangest things - like make sand from a bit of stone which I had to grind through a meat grinder and put in some paper (to be made from the paper airplane in my inventory)! I believe that earlier I actually dug through sand down in the sewer - in other games I would have got some sand from that pile - not made it!
The icy lake was very confusing as the Hint Button said I needed an "Ice Drill". I didn't have one so after much travelling back and forth looking around again (there is a lot of it in this game and no map and no indication you are done with an area!) I downloaded the Strategy Guide. There it said to take the "Fishing Auger" to the ice to drill the hole for me - but why didn't the Hint say I needed a "Fishing Auger"? Why did I need a Strategy Guide and, most of all, a DICTIONARY to understand my own Inventory! (We don't do a lot of ice fishing in London).
The convoluted thought processes this game required were so time-consuming and tiring I just gave up. And the constant whooshing background sounds just gave me another headache! When I silenced it I lost all the puzzle sounds as well as the background and game sounds had not been separated.
I don't think I will try another Mystery Trackers after this one. Time is too short for frustrating games when Blue Tea Games are an option.
I don't recommend this game.
A recently unearthed artifact proves a dark legend to be true! Follow the trail of a group of missing graduate students.
Overall rating
4
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
Very good game - maybe too long, though.
PostedJanuary 23, 2013
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game was very good but I held back from giving it 5 stars for a few reasons.
The main one was that there was an awful lot of back-tracking in the game and the locations were very far apart. A map would have been very useful.
The Hint button only worked in HOGs so I found I consulted the Walkthrough far more than I would normally as there were quite a few things to do that were not obvious.
However, the graphics were probably the best I have seen yet. The use of the film and the live actors was really well done. At one stage I thought the films were just silly and was skipping them, but then I realised that I needed to listen as they contained clues.
I played the game in the midst of winter and the graphics of the snow and the noise of the wind were so good I felt cold the whole time!
Just one more thing - Developers - when setting a game in a certain country please make sure you get some details of place correct. Words such as "township" and "municipalities" are not used here and the "football" in one of the HOGs is not what the rest of the world recognises as a "football"! I know this is nit-picking - but it does grate. I offer my services as a consultant in the future!
I recommend this game!
Antiques Roadshow ™
It's Antiques Roadshow like you've never experienced it before! Go on a Hidden Object journey and search for valuable antiques!
Overall rating
1
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
AVOID!
PostedDecember 22, 2012
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I think that just about sums it up. Don't waste your time. It is a shame that the developers when to the time and money to secure the use of the name of the famous TV show - only to assign it to such a lousy game.
I don't recommend this game.
Find your missing fiancé in the deepest parts of the ocean. Discover the forgotten underwater city hiding many spine-chilling secrets.
Overall rating
5
/
5
A stand-out game
PostedDecember 4, 2012
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The fact that I am bothering to write a review speaks volumes for how good the game is because I don't write many and then only for those that are worth my time and money and which I want to recommend to others. I don't have a lot of time to play games so when I do, I tend to play the trial and read the reviews before deciding whether to actually buy it and spend time on it.
This one was well worth the time and trouble - the graphics were exemplary and there was a really nice balance between HOGs, mini-puzzles and using inventory items in order to progress through the game. I never got bored and was amazed at how many times I thought I was nearing the end of it only to find yet another room or series of puzzles or HOGs or another bit of story, etc. It was very long and I mean that in a good way. Even when it was all finished I discovered another bonus chapter - a prequel to the story we just encountered.
It really does come highly recommended because of the graphics. The scenes are so detailed and the world of Eden so well drawn throughout. The hidden object scenes are clear and the items in them mostly logical - not too many piles of junk - and if you don't want HOGs there is always the option to play dominoes.
Dive right in!
Uncover dark secrets, find hidden clues, and solve nefarious puzzles, in PuppetShow: Mystery of Joyville.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Very good game - but feeling dated
PostedNovember 17, 2012
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played this game again recently and felt that it was seemed dated compared to the two sequels that followed it. That is only to be expected as graphics have improved so much in the last 3 years. It is worth playing, though, if you want a fast, quick and easy introduction to adventure HOG games and if you want to learn the first part of the Joyville / Felicia story.
And that is what redeems this older game. The story of the puppets of Joyville is creepy but actually a bit more inventive than so many other HOG adventure games out there and the story continues well with the other 2 games in the series.
Help the secret organization of Mystery Trackers find 3 missing celebrities in the mysterious Void family mansion!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Not complicated enough for me
PostedNovember 1, 2012
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I thought the graphics of the game were wonderful but overall expected a bit more from the game. I played the full hour trial but didn't feel like I wanted to go any further. I liked the hidden object scenes because they were beautifully rendered and the objects were not too hard to find so I didn't find them tiring or a strain on the eyes. However, I found the game a bit too simplistic when everything I found was used almost immediately so the inventory didn't fill up with curious objects.
The game wasn't bad, but when there are just so many fantastic HOGs out there, I felt my time and money would be better placed elsewhere.
I don't recommend this game.
A mysterious fortune teller has foreseen her demise at midnight this very day. Can you find the soul who seeks to kill Madame Fate? You be the detective.
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
Looking dated now
PostedNovember 1, 2012
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Coming back to this game after a few years I was surprised to see how dated it is looking. Other reviewers mentioned how difficult some objects are to find in the hidden object scenes and I have to agree with the comments on eye strain.
I also feel the graphics haven't stood the test of time as so much fine detail is blurry - not a problem with newer games.
I'm glad I downloaded the trial and didn't purchase this one. I much prefer the Dark Parables games where you are searching for pieces of objects that mean something to the game.
Chocolatier 3: Decadence by Design
Travel the globe in search of flavorful and exotic ingredients to customize your own chocolate creations.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 9 found this review helpful
Only game I have ever played twice
PostedNovember 1, 2012
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the only game I have ever played twice - after about a year's break. Of course, that could be because there hasn't been a Chocolatier 4 - unfortunately!!!
I loved collecting ingredients to make the gourmet chocolates and coffees, taking them around to the various shops in order to get the highest price, fulfilling orders and creating new products.
The story is engaging and this game is excellent value for money as it has a long playing time as you build up a chocolate empire.
The only downside is that it really, really makes you want to eat chocolate and drink coffee while playing!!!
I recommend this game!
Discover a small village of fairy creatures and embark on a fascinating adventure! Help the inhabitants to restore their world!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Beautiful to look at but not very challenging
PostedOctober 31, 2012
cplatten
fromUK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Like the other reviewers I was entranced by the look of the game. The graphics are truly outstanding and the world beautifully rendered. I did not have any technical issues, unlike one of the other reviewers, no matter how much activity was going on.
The thing I found hardest was basically having to leave the game to run on its own. I am more used to playing a game continuously. With this, however, it can be a bit like watching paint dry while the folk carry out the tasks you have set them. You really have to go away and come back when they are finished, with just occasional monitoring to make sure they are still working and not being bothered by the mists.
I enjoyed the game a lot but think I prefer something that I can watch and join in continuously.
There also was one problem which the developer should address. At the end of the game, after all the quests were finished, I was still collecting the various moonstones, runes and breaths. However, I found that I would collect the same moonstones and breaths multiple times but they would not register in the Tome. This was the only technical glitch I found, other than that, everything else to that point ran smoothly.
I recommend this game!