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 reviews
    0
 
 
Status:
 
 
biscuitsmama's Review History
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 Dark Dimensions: Somber Song Collector's Edition
Dark Dimensions: Somber Song Collector's Edition
Townspeople flee as the black smoke covers their town. Can you close the dark dimension, before it’s too late?
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
41 of 60 found this review helpful
Hauntingly Beautiful
PostedMarch 13, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
Once again you have found another Dark Dimension and this time it is located in Seven Oaks, a once lovely town that is now being consumed by a menacing mass of swirling black smoke. You have arrived at a bed and breakfast inn in Seven Oaks and you open the door to a young girl who is frantically pleading for your help to save her from the smoke that has already taken her father. As the story unfolds you discover the tragedy of a horrific fire that killed seven young children at a local school. This is where the adventure begins and we must solve the mystery of who/what is causing this Dark Dimension and bring peace once again to Seven Oaks.
The graphics are absolutely excellent and quite beautiful even though much of the game, at least in the demo, is set in a fire-ravaged school. We have lip-synced voiceovers that add that extra touch of realism and something I have come to expect with some of the newer HOPA games – thank you devs! The musical score is memorable and truly adds to the ambience and enjoyment of the gameplay.
Instead of the traditional diary we have a video journal, which quite frankly is not my preference. I like a written diary that I can go back and read when needed, although it is nice to be able to replay some of the scenes. Early in the game we find a transporter type map that shows areas of interest. The hint button is a piano that, IMHO, takes up a lot of space on the lower right of your screen. In fact, I accidentally hit it a couple of times thinking it was part of the actual scene – lol.
The HOS are progressive where we must find an item and then figure out where to use it to locate the next item. I enjoy the challenge of this type of HOS because it seems like another puzzle to be solved. Speaking of puzzles, I’ve only encountered a few in the demo but I really like them and feel that as I get further into the game they will become even more challenging.
Where the game is sorely lacking is in the CE content. Because we have a limited SG in the demo of the game, which in all honesty will keep me from purchasing the CE, I have no idea how many extras we can expect. In the extras section I see that there is a match 3 type game that can be played after we complete the main game. As far as collectibles there are pieces of a musical score hidden in various locations and finding three pieces will allow us to view flashbacks (located in the video diary). Since the SG in the demo is limited, we don’t have a clear picture of what to expect in the way of game length, collectibles or achievements. So as I mentioned earlier, I will wait for the SE of this game unless there is an exceptional weekend sale.
Dark Dimensions Somber Song is the fourth game in the Dark Dimensions series and, IMHO, this is most likely the best. The game is hauntingly beautiful in graphics and musical score. I found the storyline interesting and looked forward to finding more as the story unfolded. I know this is an excellent game and that it is a definite purchase for me when the SE is released. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!
+22points
41of 60voted this as helpful.
 
Explore the Mystery Unicorn Castle and save Sophie from the Beastmaster in this exciting HOPA game!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
16 of 21 found this review helpful
Absolutely One of the Best Games of 2014
PostedMarch 9, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
Since I have left it so late to write my review, I don’t feel the need to reiterate all the bells and whistles and other information that others have already described. Suffice it to say that I am writing this only because I have finished that game and think that it is one of the best games to come our way since last year.
I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure and found Mystery of Unicorn Castle the Beastmaster to be a very long game. The puzzles, though easy at first, became more difficult and required more time to solve as I progressed. My only complaint is that the HOS were a bit tedious with many objects being so obscure that I couldn’t complete the scenes without using a hint. In the entire game, I think that there were maybe two HOS scenes that I could complete without hitting that darned hint button.
All in all, I highly recommend this The Mystery of Unicorn Castle the Beastmaster. IMHO, there were many things about the game that made it unique and a very interesting and challenging game to play. I give this game five-stars with no hesitation but I do recommend that you try the demo to see if you like that game as much as I did.
I recommend this game!
+11points
16of 21voted this as helpful.
 
The seven deadly sins have plunged peaceful Riddlestone into chaos! Rescue the royal family and save their people from destruction.
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
73 of 82 found this review helpful
The Seven Deadly Sins Come to Life
PostedMarch 6, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Good
4 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Good
4 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Poor
2 / 5
Storyline 
Good
4 / 5
Riddlestone was once a prosperous and peaceful town that was ruled wisely by the Rockwood dynasty. Slowly, and with hardly a notice, things began to change and the town’s residents became mean and slipped into depravity, bringing the town to the point of collapse. You play as a detective who has been called upon by Queen Olivia Rockwood who implores you to find her missing daughter, Princess Anne. So many things have gone wrong in Rockwood that even the beloved royal family is feeling the effects. Will you be able to help the queen find her daughter and restore the kingdom to harmony?
With Riddles of Fate being developed by the pachyderm team I thought that the graphics would be top-notch but I was disappointed to see that they were rather mediocre. The game does have beautiful hand drawn artwork but the graphics quality lacked the punch that this developer is capable of. Overall the sound package was very good including the voiceovers, music and ambient effects but again the tone of the game seemed very old school, as if this game had been sitting on the self for several years. Maybe it was because there was no lip-syncing.
I didn’t find a journal or diary but with the help of the interactive, transportable map and the task button, I was able to keep on track so I didn’t miss the journal.
At least in the demo of the game, the HOS seemed to be all standard list type with minimal interaction. That being said, I really enjoyed the artwork in the HOS and finding the objects, none of which were overly difficult to find. The puzzles in the game were another story and a huge disappointment since they were ridiculously simple; either that or I am getting very good at solving the puzzles in HOPA games - lol. However, I doubt this is the case and the developer made the puzzles very easy in order to appeal to a wider audience. I enjoy a challenge in a game and for me that challenge usually comes in the form of the puzzles I encounter on my journey, so with the simplicity of the puzzles, the game was a bit of a disappointment in that respect.
Aside from a few achievements to be earned (all related to gameplay), some almost obscure crowns to find scattered about, and ghostly objects to find, the game has nothing (IMHO) that makes it worthy of being called a CE. It is a hastily thrown together game that somehow seems unfinished, as if the dev ran out of steam and didn’t care about adding a lot of extras.
Aside from my disappointment with the simplicity of the mini-games or puzzles in Riddles of Fate Into Oblivion, this second installment in the series is still a good game. I think that given the storyline and the beautiful hand drawn artwork coupled with the gameplay, many gamers will find this an entertaining game. Although I enjoyed the adventure and the unfolding story, it seems like the game is a step back from some of the newer and much better CE offerings we have had. I hate to see a developer I love and who is capable of so much more create games that are sort of ho-hum and fairly old school. It is just my opinion but I think I will wait for the SE to be released. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!
+64points
73of 82voted this as helpful.
 
What if everything you knew about your life, everything your family ever told you, turned out to be a lie?
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
12 of 20 found this review helpful
CREEPY
PostedMarch 1, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Good
4 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Good
4 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Good
4 / 5
The game opens with a gruesome cutscene that is thankfully done as a charcoal type drawing instead of the bloody scene that was presented in the beta for the game. The cutscene is the nightmare that you are having when you suddenly wake up to hear someone knocking on your door (just another bit of creepiness, a delivery during the middle of the night). You receive a strange letter from your sister whom you haven’t seen in ten years since the death of your mother. Your sister invites you to meet her at the address enclosed in the letter so that she can explain some things that she thinks you should know about your mother, herself and also about you. Of course you drive to the address and that is where your creepy adventure begins.
Graphics are very good and crisp although they somewhat dull but they do set the spooky atmosphere for the game and coupled with the sound, I am sure you will jump more than once during your adventure. .
The iHOS are list type with some action required to find certain items and the puzzles do not seem very difficult. In many ways the game seems like it has been sitting on the shelf and was dusted off to satisfy those who have been looking for what they refer to as a “gritty” game.
We have the usual CE package that includes the standard fluff along with a few achievements and collectibles thrown in for good measure. Overall there is nothing to get excited about in the CE content. The only thing that makes this game worth purchasing as a CE is the exceptional weekend sale.
Overall, the game is very good and really spooky. Many times I found myself afraid to walk into a room or open a door because I wasn’t sure what I might find or what might possibly jump out at me and give me a good scare. The game is so different in storyline from what we normally encounter and that difference makes this a game worth having if you don’t mind the intense spookiness. As always I recommend that you at least try the demo.
I recommend this game!
+4points
12of 20voted this as helpful.
 
Enter an enchanting world of legends, mystery and magic, where your destiny was written in blood and the soft murmurs of true love...
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
15 of 22 found this review helpful
What Evil Lurks in the Depths of the Abyss?
PostedFebruary 27, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Good
4 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
In the beginning cutscene we see a young, heartbroken woman who has been abandoned by her faithless lover and, in grief, she throws her ring into an abyss while cursing her suitor and his heartless kin. We see that the ring is caught by something sinister that dwells deep within the dark shadows of the abyss. Our adventure begins 25 years later as you are on your way to your twin sister’s wedding but you are waylaid by a bear that attacks your wagon. Shortly after you arrive at the village and greet your sister and her fiancé misfortune strikes yet again as your sister is carried off into the forest by the same bear that attacked your carriage. The adventure begins as you join Edward to track the bear and find your sister.
The graphics are very crisp and colorful with beautiful hand drawn artwork. The cutscenes are excellent and add a lot to the quality of the game. We have characters with lip-synced voiceovers but quite frankly I was rather tired of the constant, obvious comments from Edward pointing out what needed to be done. At the point where I didn’t think I could take any more of his comments I found myself alone and things improved. As far as the rest of the sound package is concerned I found that I enjoyed the background music and wonderful ambient sounds.
Early in the game you meet up with a furry little kitten who becomes your helper. As you travel on your adventure you will acquire an interactive map and although the map is interactive, I didn’t find it very helpful. We also have a journal that keeps track of our objectives.
The HOS during the demo are FROGS and the silhouette type where you must find an item and then use it to find another. Later in the game we may encounter the regular list type HOS but I didn't find that type in the demo. If you don’t want to complete the FROGS or look for items in the HOS you do have an option to play an interesting domino type game. During the demo I encountered far more puzzles than FROGS or HOS so I hope that continues. None of the puzzles were difficult but they were fun and added to the adventure.
As far as the CE content is concerned we do have elusive (morphing) objects to find as well as achievements to earn and collectible spirit items to find. Along with those we also have two bonus chapters to play as well as the standard extras that we generally expect to find in a CE. Overall it seems like there are enough extras thrown in that Grim Legends is a fairly decent CE value.
Overall Grim Legends the Forsaken Bride is a very good game and one that I wanted to continue playing when the demo ended. The storyline is interesting and I have to find out who or what is hidden in the depths of the abyss. As always I recommend that you try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
+8points
15of 22voted this as helpful.
 
Your sister disappears the night of her star debut – and there are ghosts in the theater! Will this dance ever end?
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
Obsessive Love
PostedFebruary 20, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Good
4 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
Danse Macabre is the story of a curse that exceeds the bonds of time and burns from the soul of a spurned love. Your sister a prima ballerina has been caught in the curse and now you must free her and others from its wicked grasp.
Over the past year or two, EIPIX has emerged as one of the top developers of casual games, consistently presenting us with top quality games. In Danse Macabre the Last Adagio we again have the excellent, crisp and colorful graphics that are typical of EIPIX. I love ballet and opera so when I find a game centered around the opera house theme it grabs me. As much as I love this developer, it is unfortunate that the voice overs in this game are terrible. The exaggerated accents are so phony and as a consequence just a bit too much to seem realistic. The other issue is that sometimes we have lip-syncing and at other times none.
There is a diary that contains our objectives as well as notes that will help us as we progress in our adventure. The interactive transporter map that indicates where we have tasks to accomplish is located on the lower right of the screen.
There are various types of interactive HOS, some are the standard list type and others are a grayscale silhouette type. Although the puzzles are nothing new, they are still fun and some do present a challenge. During the demo the puzzles were easy enough but I suspect they will progress in difficulty as I move forward in the game.
EIPIX certainly loaded this CE with an abundance of extras. Not only can we replay the puzzles and HOPS from the game, there are also bonus HOPS included with the extras. There are game based achievements to be earned and morphing objects to be found. During the course of the game we will find 44 collectible roses for Marie’s bouquet but not to worry if we don’t happen to find all of them because there is another opportunity at the end to find the ones that might have been missed. Whether you choose the CE or SE release is a matter of personal preference but EIPIX has surely added so many extras to Danse Macabre that, IMHO, it is a true CE value.
In spite of the flawed voice overs, I love this game and when the demo ended I wanted to keep playing. Danse Macabre the Last Adagio is a worthy CE and one that I want in my game collection. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!
+9points
11of 13voted this as helpful.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
125 of 157 found this review helpful
A Grown-Up Version of the Jack. Wow!
PostedFebruary 6, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
Detective, you have been called to Alblasserwaard, Holland after a sudden appearance of the fabled Sky Kingdom over the town has caused much destruction and fear in the area after part of it crashed to earth. Although loosely based on “Jack and the Beanstalk”, the Dark Parables version comes with a grown up Jack who is more reminiscent of Indiana Jones than the young boy of legend. Step into another opulent creation from the Blue Tea team as you investigate the Sky Kingdom and solve the mystery of Jack and his friends.
The graphics are exactly what I love about Blue Tea games – they are colorful and absolutely gorgeous. The developer’s use of rich color complete with mounds of rich treasure provides a visual feast as I make my way through the adventure. Oh yes, and did I mention Jack? Jack is one of the most realistic artistic renderings of a character I have ever seen in a game, and I felt like he could come to life at any moment and reach through the screen and whisk me back into the game with him. Unfortunately, that tantalizing up front action scene with Jack seemed to fade into obscurity as the game progressed and Jack seemed to become very dependent on my help for almost everything. So my larger than life hero morphed into a small character on the screen but perhaps we will have more interaction with him later (sigh – one can hope).
The only tools you have are an interactive map and a directional hint button and that’s about it! Although the strategy guide says the map will allow you to travel to a location, it doesn’t seem to work for me. Maybe it is a technical issue.
Since this is a Blue Tea game it is a given that the HOS are FROGS. However with Jack and the Sky Kingdom the developer has stepped it up a notch and, since I don’t want to spoil your fun by telling you what that difference is, I will leave it for you to figure out what has changed. I will say that it took me a bit to stumble upon the difference but then I finally had my “aha” moment - lol. Most Blue Tea games are not heavy on mini-puzzles and rely more on the FROGS and that appears to be the case with the Sky Kingdom as well since I only encountered three very easy min-puzzles during the demo.
The CE package is fairly standard for the Dark Parables games. Throughout, you will collect parable notes that fill in pieces of the story until you have five stories. You also will need to find twenty cursed (morphing) objects scattered in different scenes of the game. Aside from those mentioned you have puzzles, wallpapers, movies, and the integrated strategy guide.
One of my favorite Dark Parables games was the Red Riding Hood Sisters and Jack and the Sky Kingdom may prove to be right up there as another top-notch game in the series. Since I am addicted to the Dark Parables games as a whole, I have never been able to wait a month for the SE version to be released and I always jump at the game the day it is released. This new Dark Parables is no exception and I purchased it outright. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!
+93points
125of 157voted this as helpful.
 
Step into a dream machine and piece together the events of a mysterious tragedy!
 
Overall rating 
It was OK.
3 / 5
27 of 31 found this review helpful
Sparkles and Arrows Galore!!
PostedFebruary 3, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor 
OK
3 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
OK
3 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
Echoes of Sorrow II is the story of love, loss and betrayal. The story begins with a tale of rivalry, then a marriage and subsequent murder of our heroine’s father. The storyline is interesting and I would like to see where this one goes even though I think I already have it figured out but I could be wrong.
The technical aspects of the game are okay and only functional with nothing more than basic options being offered. There are not many settings to choose in either game play mode or sound – just basically two options for sound and two for mode of play. The game does have voiceovers but they are only okay and nothing spectacular. The graphics are very good and crisp with no graininess, which is a plus for me. What I hate about the game is that there are annoying directional arrows flashing everywhere, particularly if you are in a location that has several different areas to visit. The game also has an overabundance of sparkles - way too many for my liking. I changed the game mode from casual to expert and the sparkles are still there. What is up with all the sparkles and arrows? It seems like someone didn’t have enough to do and added random arrows and sparkles all over the place just to be busy.
Unfortunately, this game seems like it’s been sitting on the shelf for a very long time. The game’s developer was at one time one of the top in the casual game industry but in recent months it seems like they have been putting out one mediocre game after another. I don’t know where they went wrong but things don’t seem the same with the A-Team. This slip into mediocrity is evidenced by nothing innovative in the game. The HO scenes are old-school list type with nothing going on. Although the puzzles in the game are interesting there is nothing new and none of them are difficult to solve.
Overall the game is a disappointment with its story being the only redeeming factor. I may use a free punch to get the game simply because I want to see how the story plays out. Hopefully, I won’t find the arrows and sparkles to be so distracting that I don’t complete the game. As always, I recommend that you try the game to see if it might be one you will like. I chose to recommend the game because of they storyline and because some of you may not be as distracted by the arrows and sparkles as I was.
I recommend this game!
+23points
27of 31voted this as helpful.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
93 of 105 found this review helpful
Mystery of the Ancients Three Guardians - Best Game in the Series
PostedJanuary 30, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
In the prologue to the game your niece Elena is on an outing in the forest with her boyfriend Stephen. Just as he is about to propose, something interrupts the moment and Stephen rushes off to find out what is going on. Elena, left alone in the forest surrounded by menacing crows and something even worse, picks up a rifle to fight off the attacking birds as the cutscene ends. As the game begins you have received a phone call from Elena telling you that Stephen has disappeared and she needs your help to find him. Being the wonderful aunt that you are you rush to help but just as your train arrives at the station in Green Hill it crashes into the station and this is where your adventure begins. Will you be able to find Elena and Stephen and solve the mystery of what is happening in Green Hill?
From the minute we open the game and see the very first video we know that this is a game from one of the top-notch game developers and that we are in for a treat. The graphics are excellent with wonderful hand-drawn artwork and liberal use of color. The voice overs are extremely well done, well at least most of them. I have to comment though that although the setting and overall feel of the game screams European village, it is very strange to hear the village sheriff speak with a distinct southern drawl. Even with that, bit of oddity though the voices are excellent and I particularly love the one that sounds like one of my favorite actors, James Earl Jones. The rest of the sound package with the music and ambient effects is excellent.
The iHOS are silhouette and list type, with the silhouette ones being done in a grayish tone with clear depiction of the item to be found. The other great thing about the HOS is that they all have one or more mini-puzzles that must be solved to find some of the items. The mini puzzles outside of the HOS are fun and not too challenging but be warned that some are quite tricky.
You have the standard set of tools consisting of a diary and an interactive map but the diary is a bit different than usual. The diary seems to be made up of character cards and video clips that provide information as you travel through the game. In addition you also have an amulet that will bestow some magical powers that will assist you on your adventure. As needed, the amulet will be charged with energy by finding its components and by performing certain actions that will enhance its power.
In the CE you have collectibles to find and achievements to earn. As far as the collectibles we have puzzle pieces, statuettes and squirrels. The puzzle pieces will presumably be used at some point later in the game or bonus section.
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable game with an interesting story line and wonderful gameplay. IMHO, this developer always rises to the challenge and presents us with some of the best games in the HOPA genre, and this sequel to the Mystery of the Ancients is no exception. Although I loved the second game in the series, I find that this one is even better with a story line that held my interest from the beginning and only got better as the game progressed and for me it was an instant purchase. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if Mystery of the Ancients Three Guardians is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
+81points
93of 105voted this as helpful.
 
You're the sole survivor of a shipwreck, but you can't leave the island until the captain's cursed ring is destroyed.
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
18 of 19 found this review helpful
Yo, Ho, Ho and a Cursed Ring.
PostedJanuary 29, 2014
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Good
4 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
Our story begins as your ship was caught in a fierce storm and run aground on an island and it appears that you are the only survivor. Although your crew is gone you do find survivors on the island. Who are they and where did they come from? Even more questions arise as you see the “pirate” with the glowing green eyes. Through gathering bits of information you find the story of a pirate, Roger Langley and his lost love Claire.
There is not a lot to say about the technical aspects of the game but I did find that even using the custom settings option, and selecting the “fast” setting for the hint refill button it still takes at least two minutes, which is way too long IMHO.
The graphics are basic but very good since they appear to be very crisp and colorful. The only thing that seemed apparent with the graphics, and this is what makes them seem very basic, is that they lack depth or a 3D factor that we see in some of the more sophisticated games. The sound package is good but some of the voiceovers are a bit odd although they are lip-synced – something I think adds a lot to the quality of a game.
You will find the basic tools available as you navigate through the game - you have a diary that contains your objectives as well as your notes that will help you as you progress on your adventure. There is also an interactive transporter map that indicates where you have tasks to accomplish. After you get into the game you will acquire a macaw that will help you when needed as you progress on your adventure.
The gameplay flows smoothly and is clearly a lot of fun with the addition of the standard, interactive HOS. The HOS are easy to complete since they are very basic with the listed items being clearly visible and not too obscure; although, if you don’t want to hunt for items you do have the option to switch to a mahjong type game as an alternative. There are also lots of mini-puzzles to be found during your adventure and none of them are difficult. Since there are only so many types of puzzles that developers can come up with, most of them will be familiar but they are nevertheless still fun and add a lot to the gameplay.
I had the opportunity to do the beta test for this game last year and because there were doubloons scattered around the island to be used to repair my damaged ship, I had thought that this game would be released as a CE. I am guessing, however, that the developer chose not to take the game a step further with the addition of a strategy guide and other CE content and instead released the game as a SE.
Overall the game is a solid four-star game with a great story and one that I knew I wanted to add to my collection. The gameplay was fun and seemed to flow easily with the story, so at the end of the demo I found myself really wanting to hit the buy button so I could continue. As I mentioned above I was surprised that this game was released as a standard edition since with a little work it could easily have been a CE; however, I am thankful for the SE release as it gives me a chance to use one of my PCCs. It is not often that we get a SE first release with a great story so I consider this a very nice gift from BFG. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!
+17points
18of 19voted this as helpful.
 
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