biscuitsmama's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:67,036
- Reviews Submitted:1148
- First Review:July 13, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 16, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you defeat an evil fairy queen to avenge your father?
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 47 found this review helpful
A DUTIFUL SON OBEYS HIS MOTHER – BUT SHOULD HE?
PostedOctober 4, 2019
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Dark Romance the Ethereal Gardens is the 11th game in the series, evidence of BFG’s ongoing love affair with never-ending serial, cookie-cutter games. I guess if something worked once you simply kept on doing it again and again and again. The thing with series is that the individual games within said series all have the same premise and basic storyline. In the Dark Romance series, the theme is boy meets girl, falls in love, but either their families or an evil entity strives to keep them apart, but love eventually conquers all. That being said The Ethereal Gardens is a game that I very much enjoyed and think is the best of the last several games in the series.
This developer, who I think creates some of the longest and best CE games, is one who listens to the gamers and what we want. They have a Custom setting that allows the gamer to set their favorite way to play a game, plus they allow us to select our preferred range for hint and skip times beginning at “ZERO” seconds.
The HOPS are excellent and I enjoyed all of them but my favorites include the traditional list finds and the ones where we must find a specific pattern that will be found somewhere in one of the paintings on the wall. Most of the scenes were very creative beginning with the first HOP in the game. Surprisingly, I even enjoyed the storybook scenes in this game even though they are usually my least favorite. The PUZZLES are good but some were very difficult for me since the directions were not much help. I had to skip one early in the game, but fortunately that puzzle is included in the Extras section and I will be able to spend time figuring it out later.
For me the game is a long one and I have not yet played the Bonus Game. For the most part, I have found the game enjoyable but it did seem to lag in some parts. Overall, the game is excellent and one that I think other gamers will find entertaining. I happen to enjoy most games from this development team that gives us a lot for the money. Each game is packed full of extras, which is something we no longer find with most CEs from other developers. Even though I think this is an excellent game, please try the demo to see if The Ethereal Gardens is a game that you will enjoy. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
A crime film becomes reality when the leading role is murdered!
Overall rating
5
/
5
46 of 59 found this review helpful
THE MEMOIRS KEEP GETTING BETTER WITH EACH NEW GAME
PostedSeptember 29, 2019
biscuitsmama
fromWith everything Kevin has gone through in twenty years, you’d think he should have acquired a gray hair or two!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Memoirs of Murder Behind the Scenes is the third game in a series that didn’t grab me enough to write reviews for the first two games. Since I generally play at least the demo of every HOPA game, I decided to go ahead and try this one. Well, after my initial eye-roll over the sheriff’s voice, I was pleasantly surprised and soon found myself involved in the gameplay.
As I became involved in the game, it became clear to me that the developer has created some of the best HOPS that can be found. I loved having to find some of the items and then use them to open other items to finish the scenes. The HOPS were creative and some included mini puzzles to solve. Recently HOPS have become a bit boring with having to find miniscule items that are difficult to find. Not so with Behind the Scenes because although the items to be found are cleverly hidden they are still visible which is what makes this game so much fun.
Not only are the HOPS wonderful, the Puzzles are as well. The puzzles were not so difficult to solve that they became headache inducing, which made them much more enjoyable. I found that when I needed instructions on what to do, they were easy to understand.
As in the first two games in the series, we switch between the characters when playing, which is a feature found in a few other HOPA games. As the story develops, we switch between the two main characters and each has their separate tasks to accomplish. The story for me was so interesting that I was immersed in the gameplay and after playing hundreds of HOPA games that isn’t always the case.
The graphics are excellent and, aside from the voiceover for the sheriff, the others were all very good. The only thing that I found a bit puzzling is if the original murder took place twenty years previous to the investigation, why did Kevin still look and sound like he was in high school. At the point where the game begins, Kevin should be approaching middle age and he should have looked not quite so young.
All in all, this is a great game and one that I highly recommend. Even though the game was one that I purchased before the demo ended, you should try the game for yourself to see if it is one that you will enjoy. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
Can you rescue your brother from an ancient and deadly fate?
Overall rating
5
/
5
95 of 125 found this review helpful
GETS MY VOTE FOR BEST GAME OF THE YEAR!
PostedSeptember 28, 2019
biscuitsmama
fromI love anything sci-fi and wish more developers would jump in and create wonderful sci-fi HOPA games
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Wanderlust Shadow of the Monolith is the third game in the series and, IMHO, it is the best. What a terrific and creative game that made me feel like I was truly a part of the adventure. There were surprises at every turn, so fasten your seat belts and prepare to blast off into a sci-fi game that will have you globe-trotting and racing through different time periods. I love Shadow of the Monolith, mostly because of the excitement I felt while playing this ultra-creative offering from a favorite developer.
Many of the HOP scenes are puzzle-like in design and I wasn’t sure if I was actually playing a puzzle or a HOP. Although there is a gimmicky book to use where we must translate various symbols, I actually enjoyed using it. The other HOPS are lists or silhouettes of objects to find, and some storybook scenes. I loved the HOPS but they are rather overshadowed by the puzzles, many of which I skipped because I disliked them and didn’t want to waste my time. That being said there were a lot of puzzles that I did enjoy – those that involved using the old gray-matter to solve.
The storyline is excellent and I couldn’t stop playing as I wanted to see how it ended as I played through this terrific game. It has been a long time since I played a game that was as exciting as Shadow of the Monolith. The feeling of actually being present in the game is something I don’t believe I’ve felt before and I’ve played close to 2,000 of them. There were a few jump-scares in the game and one involved a snake but unless you have ophidiophobia, it won’t be too overwhelming. This is certainly a unique game that showcases the talent of this amazing development team. Wanderlust: Shadow of the Monolith is a game that can replayed and will most likely become a classic favorite with gamers. Although I love the game and purchased the CE immediately when it was available, please try the demo to see if Wanderlust Shadow of the Monolith is a game you will enjoy as well. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
A surprise visitor brings news of a grievous future!
Overall rating
2
/
5
39 of 49 found this review helpful
SAME FAMILY SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN AND AGAIN
PostedSeptember 27, 2019
biscuitsmama
fromUnfortunately,there is nothing new in the future just more of the same old thing
Skill Level:Expert
Once upon a time there was the very wealthy Gray family whose lineage dates back to the earliest of times. So with a family history such as theirs, one must stop and wonder why it is that every time we meet them, we must spend hours searching for missing bits and pieces of the odd items they use to lock their mailboxes, open their doors, desks, or safes; and better yet, why do they hide these items in the most nonsensical places. So here we begin another cookie cutter Grim Tales that has all of those missing pieces to find before we can build a story. Yes, I own and have played every Grim Tales game since the series began back in 2011. I know we all love the family, but I need to ask when is enough really enough?
In Guest from the Future we have the venerable family detective Anna Gray on yet another mission to save her family. One has to wonder why one family can possibly get into so much trouble. This time Anna meets a daughter she doesn’t realize she has who transports her to the future to save her family from an unknown fever that spells the end of the Gray dynasty. Of course, Anna isn’t alone because she has her dad Richard and her daughter Alice along for the ride.
There is absolutely nothing new in Grim Tales Guest from the Future. It is simply another cookie cutter endless series game. The good news is that the game has wonderful graphics and a passable storyline. The bad news is that the game is nothing more than the same old game from a never-ending series.
Although the HOPS have lovely graphics, I found the items to find very difficult to spot and most were found by constant clicking in a scene. How are we supposed to find a fly in a scene of flowers when it is only a miniscule dot in a flower’s center? Unfortunately, very tiny or indescribable blobs to find seems to be the case with most of the HOPS and I quickly lost interest in the game. Where the game offered a bit more fun was with the puzzles or mini-games that at least added some entertainment value to the game. Again, we’ve seen most of the puzzles in other games from this developer, but they were still well-designed and fun to solve.
If you are new to playing HOPA games then you will most likely love this game. The game developer creates beautiful games with some of the best graphics to be found. As for me I guess I am simply bored with more of the same thing. Unfortunately, purchasing the full game is a pass for me because I feel like I’ve already played it many times before. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if Guest from the Future is a game you will enjoy. Happy gaming!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save the townspeople from a maniacal specter in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
95 of 128 found this review helpful
ANOTHER EXCELLENT PARANORMAL FILES THAT WILL “HOOK” YOU ON THE SERIES
PostedSeptember 26, 2019
biscuitsmama
fromA wonderful ghostly mystery to kick off the Halloween season
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hunky paranormal detective Rick Rogers is back in the third Paranormal Files: The Hook Man’s Legend, a terrific ghostly whodunit mystery. You will have to sort fact from fiction as you strive to find what is real and what isn’t in Ashen Valley. I loved the previous two Paranormal Files games, both of which were rated four plus stars by other gamers and I predict that this one will reach the top of the charts as well.
The HOPS were very creative and I particularly enjoyed the one with a slider component. I hate to give away the details in a game so will only say that I believe all of the HOPS are terrific and for me one of the best components of the game, or more accurately they are the best.
Not only are the HOPS excellent, the well-designed Puzzles are possibly even better, and this comes from someone who is not a fan of puzzles. Even though some were based on puzzles I’ve seen in the past, they were somehow changed to make them even better. The great thing about both the HOPS and Puzzles is that there is a fairly equal balance between the two so we don’t have a game that has far too many more puzzles than HOPS.
As with the previous two games the storyline is well developed and told in a manner that unfolds as you find the usual clues and bits and pieces as you move through the game. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and soon found myself so interested that I kept wanting to learn more about The Hook Man. The gameplay did involve a fair amount of back and forth but as I was hunting for the items I might need, but I liked that I did not have to stop frequently to play a Puzzle or HOP scene that seemed to interrupt the game flow.
Another thing that I really like in some of the more recent games is that more developers are going back to having larger inventories where we are carrying a lot more items with us as we more back and forth between the scenes so that we need to remember where a particular inventory item might be used. In the earlier days of HOPA games, we sometimes had ten or more items in inventory and there was a lot of back and forth in the games as well, which is something that I really liked. At some point, the games became more linear and with that feature they became much easier and so straightforward, losing some of the challenge that was once found in the HOPA games. Now, at least with the larger amounts of inventory items some of the challenge has returned.
Paranormal Files The Hook Man’s Legend is a game that I highly recommend but, as always, please try the demo to see if it is a game that you will enjoy as well. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
A journey into the mirror world unleashes a powerful villain!
Overall rating
5
/
5
113 of 142 found this review helpful
ALICE IS BACK FIGHTING THE DARKNESS IN ONE OF THE BEST GAMES THIS YEAR
PostedSeptember 21, 2019
biscuitsmama
fromThere are few games that have it all and this one is sure to be a winner
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Darkness and Flame returns with one of the most incredible games to date. Enemy in Reflection finds Alice in awakening to a new reality and one that will require her wits to survive. If you enjoy a game with a great storyline and some excellent HOPS then you will find your self as involved in the gameplay.
I own every game from this developer and when I see a new one, I grab it as soon as its released. I’ve come to find over the years that this developer does not cut corners and simply crank out one cookie cutter game after another. The last game in the series was released well over a year ago so its been a long wait to follow Alice on her journey to fight the darkness that lurks at every turn.
If you are familiar with games from this developer then you will know what to expect as you play the HOPS. The scenes take a long time to complete as you must first locate the items either from a list or by silhouette and then you must figure out what to do with the found item before you will be able to find the next one. I love the creativity this developer puts into their HOPS that are some of the best you will find in HOPA game land.
Puzzles abound in this game, which is my only complaint. That being said the puzzles will delight most gamers who long for them in HOPA games. My preference would be for an equitable balance between the HOPS and Puzzles but that seldom happens. Even though I am not a fan of too many puzzles, I think that most of them are very, very good even the ones that I struggled with. In the end I skipped most of them because they were far too time consuming to play on my first go-round with the game. I will play the game again and then will take the time to solve even those stinker puzzles that cause brain-drain.
Darkness and Flame Enemy in Reflection is a game worth owning and then enjoying for hours if not days. I purchased the game the minute it was released and don’t regret it at all. Now my Saturday hours will be filled with a wonderful game from my favorite game developer. Who could ask for a better way to spend the day than playing a well-crafted game? As always, please try the demo to see if you agree. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a dangerous curse from destroying the realm?
Overall rating
5
/
5
123 of 163 found this review helpful
PORTRAIT OF THE STAINED PRINCESS IS A TRIBUTE TO THOSE EARLIER DARK PARABLES GAMES
PostedSeptember 19, 2019
biscuitsmama
fromFinally the Dark Parables game I've been waiting to play. A game that takes me back to those early DP games.
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Dark Parables Portrait of the Stained Princess is one of the best DP games to come along in several years. It takes me back to a time when the original developer of the series created some masterpiece games. At one time I waited for each new Dark Parables to be released as they were brilliant games but that all changed when the series was “farmed” out to a new developer. Gone were the gorgeous FROGS that sparkled with a luminescence that at times kept me enthralled as I played each scene. Now, with the Portrait of the Stained Princess the new developer has almost hit the mark with a game that is very reminiscent of those original Dark Parables.
After playing the beta release for the Stained Princess I have been waiting to purchase the full game and I did as soon as it was released for sale. No second thoughts here as the game is wonderful and has captured everything I loved about those earlier games. My only TINY complaint is that some of the FROGS seemed a bit muddy and lacked the sparkle of those original scenes. It is minor because overall this game shows attention to detail and is a tribute to what made the Dark Parables games excellent.
At this point, I’ve not yet completed the game but what I have played has kept me interested and wanting more. As with those earlier games, I imagine that this one will take several days to complete. I don’t want to skip any of the puzzles as I find them very good and not quite as easy as some might find them. Although I do enjoy puzzles, I am not fond of the brain-drain types and the ones in Portrait of the Stained Princess are perfect for me.
The items in the FROGS are at times difficult to find and I have used the hint button once or twice. At times the items to find are large but for the most part they are well concealed within the cluttered scenes. Although some of the luster is missing the FROGS are still beautiful and enjoyable to play.
Thank you to BFG and the developer for creating a Dark Parables game that is everything I hoped it would be. As always, please try the demo to see if Portrait of the Stained Princess is a game you will enjoy. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a dangerous foe from turning art against the realms?
Overall rating
1
/
5
42 of 62 found this review helpful
ANOTHER GAME BOGGED DOWN WITH A GIMMICKY DEVICE THAT IS USED OVER AND OVER AND OVER
PostedSeptember 15, 2019
biscuitsmama
fromIf you love gimmicks then this is the game for you
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Reflections of Life Dreambox is another in a series of games that are too garish in color for me to enjoy. Although I do enjoy bright colors in a game this one was simply too much with all of the orange and yellow tones. At times I loved the Reflections of Life games and I found myself eagerly awaiting each new game but that is no longer the case.
When the beta for Dreambox was released, I struggled to get through it and hoped that the demo would somehow be much better, but I found it just as tedious as the game's beta release. I realize that this is a fantasy game, but I am so sick of the underlying theme of these games – some evil that must be stopped – that I think I have reached my limit. Surely there are other fantasy themes that can be used rather than recycling the same old thing.
In spite of my dislike of the theme I was tempted to purchase the game and had there been a significant reduction in cost, I might have done so. However, there is no way I would pay full price for this game only to find out how it all plays out.
The HOPS were creative in design but there was nothing new. The puzzles in the demo were way too easy but I did like that there was one in the demo where I could select either casual or hard.
Overall the game was far too easy for someone who has literally played close to 2,000 HOPA games. When I find an item and immediately use it within the same scene, it makes a game far too easy. As I played the demo my feeling was that the pre-teen set would enjoy the game far more than most seasoned players.
There is a gimmick in this Reflections of Life game as in others in the series but after using the Vermin Catcher a few times, I was sick of having to use it again and again and again only to have one lens or the other break, which would then need to be replaced before I could use it again. When it would shatter at each use, I would almost groan at having to find yet another replacement lens. This was only in the demo and I can’t begin to imagine then number of times it would be used in the full game. If developers persist with the gimmicky tools, perhaps they should consider using one that doesn’t break so easily. Yes, I realize this is a gameplay extender but to me it felt like a replacement for any real storyline. Perhaps if the gamer is too busy finding replacement lenses, they would not notice that the story is practically non-existent – well, at least in the demo.
I generally love games from this developer but maybe it is time that the Reflections of Life series ends and the great team at Grandma Games can then use their creativity in developing a good mystery game.
My recommendation is that you try the demo to see if Dreambox is one you will enjoy. Happy gaming
A rock band reunion takes a deadly detour into a nightmare!
Overall rating
5
/
5
96 of 132 found this review helpful
TREAT YOURSELF TO AN ENTERTAINING NEW CADENZA AS YOU JOIN VELVET WHISPER ON THEIR REUNION TOUR
PostedSeptember 14, 2019
biscuitsmama
fromA trip back in time to 60s rock as you tour with Velvet Whisper
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Jump into a game that will take you back in time as the 60s rock band Velvet Whisper reunites after a twenty-year split. I found myself enjoying this trip back in time with the band as I played the very good HOPS. Thankfully, this developer got it right and didn’t include nearly as many puzzles in the mix. The puzzles were entertaining and not overly difficult, and it didn’t seem as if they were thrown into the game as time fillers. Of course, I play HOPA games for the HOS and not the puzzles that in recent years have replaced many of the excellent HOS we once found in the genre.
The HOPS are creative and enjoyable to play with most of them being the more traditional list type although there is some variety in style. The items are cleverly hidden and I did end up using the hint button to find some items in the piano because I couldn’t figure out where they were hiding – lol.
Yes, some might think that the puzzles were too easy but I happen to enjoy being able to actually complete a puzzle without too much brain drain. One of my favorite puzzles was the one where we needed to align different colored bits to recreate the pattern provided. That puzzle took a bit of time but it was fun to figure it out.
The storyline is very good and it didn’t seem overly confusing. The story opens up as we play through the various scenes and begin to realize what is happening and why Velvet Whisper has been “invited” to the Evergreen Hotel.
Some might find the game to be short but for me it seemed just about average game time. Of course, I play slowly and have to take in every detail in each scene and always need to find all of the collectibles and morphing objects. I love that this developer provides so many morphing objects and not all of them are easy to find. Maybe if I raced through a game without looking for the collectibles and morphs then the game would seem much shorter than it really is.
The Cadenza series of games have been hit or miss over the years but I happen to really like this game. Perhaps it is the throwback to the 60s music theme that made the game more enjoyable but I found the gameplay overall to be a lot of fun. I purchased the game and am very happy that The Following has everything that I enjoy the most in HOPA games. Although the game was a purchase for me, please try the demo to see if it is one that you will enjoy. Happy gaming!
A murder investigation uncovers ancient secrets and dark magic!
Overall rating
1
/
5
36 of 56 found this review helpful
ANOTHER COOKIE-CUTTER, COPYCAT GAME
PostedSeptember 13, 2019
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Haunted Legends: The Scars of Lamia has two recurring themes that stood out the minute I started playing the game – cookie-cutter and copycat were the two things that ran through my mind. It seems that every game from this developer is the same in the beginning. As the detective who has been summoned or sent to help, you must gain entry into the home to save the person who requested your assistance. This is the same beginning that is present without fail in every game from this developer no matter if it is Haunted Legend or Dark Tales, they all begin the same. The copycat come from the graphics and representations of characters that are all recycled and tweaked to make changes from game to game. Quite frankly, I would be surprised if one of this developer’s games began with a different scenario.
Although The Scars of Lamia has a decent storyline, I found it at times confusing. But again, the same thought kept running through my mind, cookie-cutter. I have no idea why I purchased the game because there is nothing new and it is simply more of the same old thing from the HOPS to the recycled mini games.
Perhaps it is because I have played too many HOPA games over the years that they all feel the same but in the end The Scars of Lamia had nothing different or refreshing that made me want to finish the game. At one time, Haunted Legends was a series I looked forward to playing but not recently. The Scars of Lamia is simply more of the same old thing and I think this reviewer has had enough. As always, I recommend that you try the demo because you might enjoy the game. Happy gaming!
I don't recommend this game.