textrekkie's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:993
- Reviews Submitted:13
- First Review:November 10, 2011
- Most Recent Review:December 1, 2011
- Featured reviews1
Status:
There's a terrible secret hidden deep within Lockwood Manor!
Overall rating
5
/
5
224 of 235 found this review helpful
Outstanding Hidden Object Game
PostedNovember 14, 2011
textrekkie
fromDallas, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Mystery of the Ancients: Lockwood Manor is definitely one for the "dark and eerie" side. As a warning, those who are offended by demons, possession, dark arts, etc., will want to avoid this one (don't even demo).
The story is one of a friend disappearing. She turns up in a run-down mansion with a history of the owner family practicing the "dark arts". It is soon learned from exploration and diary pages that she is being held captive by her boyfriend, who seems quite intent on using her in his next dark ritual and as more than just an on-looker, if you get my drift.
The graphics are excellent, crisp, dark and brooding, as befitting the atmosphere. I loved the musical score and found it mesmerizing (if not hypnotic) and very befitting the mood and atmosphere. The game play itself is very smooth with no delay between scenes. The cut scenes play seamlessly, without delay or jerkiness. The HOS scenes are junk pile style, without an over abundance of junk. At first the puzzles are on the easy side, but they are done with freshness and there are some unique ones in the mix. As you get further into the game, many of the puzzles are more difficult, but still doable. Plus, I didn't feel bored at all, probably because of some very well placed "jump outta 'da chair moments".
The sound track is so amazing - for the first time I think I'm gonna download a soundtrack from a game. If Edgar Allan Poe composed music, this is probably what it would sound like - not funeral dirge depressing, but at times suspenseful, sometimes mournful, then maybe threatening, now racing...you get the idea. I listened to it all the way through the game and I still wanna hear some more.
The bonus chapter is an extended ending, sort of a "just how strong is this demon" kind of thing, so it's not necessary to enjoy the game on its own, but it is really good. It takes place mostly in the upstairs of the house and it is not something that the developer just slapped together to get a bonus chapter done. It was given as much thought as the rest of the game and has good puzzles and objectives - so it is a very solid piece of work. (Kudos to the developer for that!)
All in all, I found this game most enjoyable. It's a dark and eerie iHOG, which isn't something I clamor for, but it's extremely well done. I think the storyline is well-developed (what a treat!), it's technically superior to many games coming to market and I didn't get the feeling I was doing a lot of running around just to stretch the game. Total play time for me, in Advanced mode, using no hints, no skips and no strategy guide (and getting all the achievements) was 5.5 hours, PLUS 1.75 hours of bonus time for a total of 7.25 hours.
I recommend this game!
Track down your real parents in The Keepers: Lost Progeny! After growing up an orphan, a mysterious photo showing your parents arrives!
Overall rating
3
/
5
57 of 75 found this review helpful
Great Choice for a Dark and Eerie Game
PostedNovember 14, 2011
textrekkie
fromDallas, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This review is based on the demo version.
The Keepers: Lost Progeny by Blam is a first interactive hidden object game for this developer.
There are 3 modes of play: Casual - sparkles, quicker charging hint/skip buttons; Advanced - no sparkles, longer charging hint/skip buttons; Hardcore - no sparkles and no hint/skip buttons.
In the story, an orphan receives an unexpected and mysterious picture of a couple with only the name of a nearby town. Upon traveling to the town, it is discovered that it is besieged by murder, disappearances and something much more terrifying.
The story is quite well developed and grabs you from the start, assisted by very clear graphics and fitting music. The voice overs and cut scenes are done extremely well and add additional elements of surprise and suspense throughout the game. The HOS are sparsely populated junk-pile style; however, there are plenty of other inventory items to find as you walk the dark and deserted streets and visit the spooky buildings.
The puzzles are on the easy side but clever with sufficient hints given so that they can be easily worked out.
As far as dark and eerie ones go, this looks like a real gem. Kudos to Blam for a very well done game. The only reason I'm not purchasing this today is because I've reached my personal limit on dark and eerie this week - but it's on my list of definite future buys because it is a sure winner.
I recommend this game!
Journey across Italy as best-selling novelist Dana Knightstone in Death Under Tuscan Skies: A Dana Knightstone Novel!
Overall rating
4
/
5
97 of 104 found this review helpful
Beautiful Interactive Hidden Object Game
PostedNovember 10, 2011
textrekkie
fromDallas, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Death Under the Tuscan Skies: A Dana Knightstone Novel is the second Dana Knightstone (Death at Fairing Point) by BoomZap.
This game is truly lush with visual experiences. Further adding to the atmosphere is the music, which I thought to be the perfect combination of haunting and melancholy with a touch of lightness thrown in so you could feel that Tuscan sun.
The puzzles were plentiful and the hidden object scenes did not dominate the game. The story was very well done, told via cutscenes, and I enjoyed every minute of the game. I know I will play it again as it truly delights the senses.
Total game time for me, in Advanced Mode, using no hints, no skips, no strategy guide (and getting all the achievements) was 5 hours and 5 minutes. The epilogue (bonus chapter) added an additional 55 minutes, bringing my total game time to 6.0 hours.
I heartily recommend this game. BoomZap is a favorite developer for me. I simply adore everything they do. Their games never disappoint and this one is a beauty. It is a delight to play and for those who like stories, this one is a must have.
I recommend this game!