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:
Hop aboard to cross the border between life and death!
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 46 found this review helpful
Excellent, Humorous and Fun Game!!
PostedJune 22, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Calavera Day of the Dead
The story begins as you propose you your girlfriend and she says yes but she must have her father’s blessing, so off you go to Mexico! Shortly after your arrival in Mexico, Catalina is kidnapped and that is where your adventure truly begins. I really liked the storyline and with the game taking place in Mexico, it is a nice change.
Others have done a great job of listing the game’s technical aspects so I won’t go into those except to note that the by unclicking the widescreen button the game then opened in widescreen. I was a bit puzzled because in the beta version the game automatically opened in widescreen without any additional action being required. The graphics are very good and crisp with a lot of color. The sound and music are really quite good and the music enhanced the atmosphere of the game.
Your diary is a book that you will receive soon after beginning the game and it contains several sections including your map. When you get into the game you will see why I love the diary. As you progress a bit further into the game you will receive an interactive map that will allow you to navigate instantly to previously visited locations.
The HOS are fairly standard with a little interaction but nothing too elaborate. I found that most items were not too difficult to find. Now where this game gets really good is the puzzles. The puzzles are not all the standard type that we normally see but some are arcade type games. I found my dexterity being a bit challenged on some puzzles. That being said, I loved the puzzles and the challenge. All I can say is really bring your patience and timing when working on some of the puzzles in the game.
In the CE there are 20 achievements to be earned – one of which is to unlock all the other achievements. You need to find three sets of collectibles throughout the game in order to earn bonus achievements. I won’t let you in on the secret of what they are because that would spoil some of the fun for you.
There are several things that I really like about Calavera Day of the Dead. Not only is it a very good and entertaining game, the developers have provided some quite humorous moments that had me laughing. You will need to try the demo to see if you would like the CE version of the game. I purchased the game because I wanted to continue with the fun and not wait for the SE to be released.
By the way, kudos to the development team – IMHO, it is the best game you have created! I would definitely buy another game that had the same quality and fun factor as Calavera offers.
I definitely recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game that you will like.
I recommend this game!
Uncover the true murderer as you investigate a haunted house!
Overall rating
5
/
5
28 of 36 found this review helpful
He's Baack!
PostedJune 20, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Our nemesis, the nasty SG, is back in Haunted Legends the Curse of Vox. The tale begins when the sneaky little thief breaks into a home and takes the Book of Wishes. The homeowner, a wealthy collector, is killed and GS takes off with the book. Is all as it seems? Who murdered Airiman Filler? Play this new Haunted Legends game to see if you can solve the mystery behind the Curse of Vox.
I won’t get into the technical details since they have been already detailed by others but will say that the game is the usual high-quality that I have come to expect from ERS. The visual aspect of a game is very important for my enjoyment, and the bunny team continues to provide the beautiful artwork and package that never disappoint me.
As you move through the adventure you encounter several types of iHOS including list and progressive silhouette types. The puzzles are great and become successively more difficult as you progress in the game. Aside from a great story, I always look for great puzzles in a game and these are excellent. The puzzles are not really something that experienced gamers have not seen in the past but nevertheless, they are still very good.
The CE game has many of the standard extras such as the strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, and screen savers but we can also replay the HOS, puzzles and cutscenes. As you progress in the game you need to find 13 poltergeists and, although they are not exactly morphing objects, they are special energy fields that can be a challenge to find. You will also earn achievements that are related to a garden that will open shortly into the game. If you love experimenting, you will certainly like your garden where you will cross pollinate plants to create new hybrids and earn money to purchase more seeds. I found the garden to be a lot of fun and a very entertaining extra touch to the game. If you are looking for added value in a CE, I think you will find it in the Curse of Vox CE.
All in all, I believe this is a great game. Fans of the Haunted Legends series and of ERS will most likely love the game. Seasoned gamers may find the game predictable but I think that ERS is striving to meet the challenge of bringing something new to the market. It is difficult to always please some who may have unrealistic expectations but for most of us, I believe that this game is fun and will provide hours of quality entertainment. I highly recommend the game but, as always, please try the demo to see if this is a game you would like.
I recommend this game!
The Queen has chosen your sister as her successor.
Overall rating
5
/
5
53 of 65 found this review helpful
Don’t Eat the Apples!
PostedJune 13, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The story is partly based on the Snow White theme and begins as a young woman is told that if she passes the tests set by the current queen, she will be the successor to the throne. Of course, the young woman is thrilled to have been chosen but this is where the trouble and our story begin. There is a lot of adventure to be found and much to do as you work to save your sister from the evil queen and learn the story of your mother.
There are three modes of play – casual, advanced and expert. The graphics are excellent, very crisp and with a lot of color. The artwork in Frozen Beauty is quite beautiful, and it is very easy to step into the fantasy world created for us by the developer. As far as sound, the voiceovers are top quality and I like the background effects and music that add to the overall experience.
During your journey you will encounter different types of HOP (hidden object puzzles), including the progressive silhouette type where you locate an item and then use it to find another item. You will find many puzzles in the game and they are not overly difficult: just a lot of fun to play and add to the adventure!
As you progress you can earn many achievements - I counted 17 but I’m sure there are more. Throughout the game you can find 264 gold coins that you will be able to use to purchase items in the shop for a pet that you will acquire during your journey.
Since I enjoyed the first Living Legends game, I purchased “Frozen Beauty” and find that this is so much better. These games are from a fairly new developer who has put heart and soul into creating a top quality product. Fantasy, fairy tale games are some of my favorites so this game is just perfect for me. Some may not find it to their liking but for those of you who like a little escape from real life, this is sure to provide hours of fun.
With all of the extras in the CE, I think it is worth the extra punch. Please at least try the demo to see if Frozen Beauty is a “keeper” for you.
I recommend this game!
Something’s driven everyone away from Linden Shades.
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 16 found this review helpful
Do You Believe in the Boogeyman?
PostedJune 8, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The story begins as your editor asks you to do him a favor and follow up on one of his old assignments. He requests that you investigate old reports of a bloody-red boogeyman who was terrorizing children at the Linden Shades Orphanage. You return to the now abandoned orphanage to see what you can dig up, and it is not too long before you begin to believe that something was indeed going on at Linden Shades. Can you find out what is behind the mystery of Linden Shades?
The game uses live actors for the cut scenes. The graphics are good and consist of a blend of hand drawn and computerized artwork. The soundtrack is okay but the “music” in the HOPs drove me nuts. There is a repetitive piano-key tune that is extremely annoying and creates the impression a timer in the HOPs, even though they are untimed. Eventually, I had to turn the music off to save my sanity. In fact many of the sound effects were just over the top annoying, like the tractor in the barn that would not turn off.
Your diary is located on the bottom left of your screen where you see the typewriter. Inside the diary is your strategy guide. Your interactive map is on the lower right next to the inkwell that serves as your hint button. As I progressed through the game I was irritated that the typewriter and inkwell areas took up so much space and intruded into the gameplay area. Many times I accidentally clicked on them because they were in the way.
The interactive hidden object scenes are referred to as HOPs in the game since they all include some minor puzzle action. You will find a lot of HOPs in the game but they are well done and the items are not too difficult to find. The puzzles are a lot of fun and probably the best thing about the game (aside from the interesting storyline). The puzzles are not too difficult and some are easy but I really enjoyed the “mechanics.”
During the game you need to find bonus items: 12 letters, 16 toys, and 37 crayons. Many times I found them by accident when I was looking for other items so it was a surprise when the dialog box would pop up and let me know I found 1 of something. There are also 20 achievements to be earned, so if you like achievements – here you go.
Other extras include replay of HOPs and puzzles. Bonus HOPs are also included along with the bonus game. Aside from those we have the standard extras that I never bother with such as artwork, and music. IMHO, coupled with the achievements, bonus items, and the fact that I can replay the puzzles, this game is well worth the CE price.
Overall I liked the game and recommend that you at least try the demo to see if it is a game that you might enjoy as well.
I recommend this game!
Dark Dimensions: City of Ash Collector's Edition
A dark dimension has fallen over Phoenix Hill, turning its residents into volcanic ash. Help them rise from the ashes.
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 35 found this review helpful
Who or What is Behind This Latest Dark Dimension?
PostedJune 1, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The game begins as you are on your way to Phoenix Hill to investigate another “dark dimension” phenomenon. As you approach the town, you have an accident and then encounter an apparition who asks you to stop the spread of an evil that swallowed her town. Yes, you have found another dark dimension: can you find what terrible event triggered it?
As for technical aspects there are 3 modes of gameplay – casual, advanced and hard. The game opened automatically in widescreen on my Windows8 laptop, but there is an option for widescreen when the fullscreen button is selected. Although it is widescreen the graphics do appear a bit stretched so the developer should have included aspect correction. Where this bothered me the most was in the HOS since it did skew the appearance of some items a bit, but not so much that it was actually troublesome.
The graphics are crisp and colorful – no drab washed out color palette here. Even when a game may have a “dark” theme, it is so much better when the development team chooses to incorporate intense color. The visual aspect always increases my enjoyment of a game and I appreciate the beautiful, colorful graphics used by the developer in Dark Dimensions. We also have good voiceovers and a very nice musical score that fits the theme of the game.
There is a jumpable map that shows areas where something needs to be done and you also have a diary. The strategy guide is located in the upper left corner of your screen.
The HOS are very interactive, with almost every item triggering another item which removes two items from your list. The mini puzzles are not too different but are good and some a bit challenging.
Aside from a collection where you find golden animals and the bonus game, there is not much else in the way of bonus content so some of you might want to wait and get the SE. As for me, the game is so good that I will go ahead and purchase the CE version.
In the final analysis, Dark Dimensions: City of Ash is a high quality game with a very interesting story. I found that at the end of the demo I had to continue playing to find out what caused the dark dimension in Phoenix Hill.
I recommend this game!
In order to save your life, your twin sister traded her soul to a witch. Now you must race through the looking glass to rescue her!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 21 found this review helpful
Through the Looking Glass
PostedMay 30, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You are gravely ill with leukemia and to save you your sister sells her youth and soul to a witch. The witch takes your sister through an antique mirror and within minutes you are cured but what a price to pay. You follow your sister through the mirror to save her from the witch, and thus begins your fantastic journey through the beautiful world of Dreamland. You encounter a handsome prince and the many fantastic creatures that inhabit this land. Will you be able to save your sister from the evil witch and return to your world?
There are 3 modes of gameplay – casual, advanced and hard which you can change during the game if you wish to do so. The game opened automatically in widescreen on my Windows8 laptop but there are buttons available for full and widescreen. The graphics are excellent, colorful, and beautiful. The voiceovers are wonderful, and I especially love the magic rabbit. The music is a bit different from what we normally have in an ERS game and it is a welcome change. I also like that ERS seems to have moved away from the constant music that we normally find in their games. Everything about Reveries transports us to a beautiful world for hours of entertainment.
We have interactive HOS some silhouette and some list type but all are fun and it is not overly difficult to find the items. In the progressive silhouette type HOS it takes a bit of imagination to figure out what to use where. There are some different and creative mini puzzles, and I liked the one involving the rabbit. Your hint button is a ballerina but you will acquire shortly into the game. You have an interactive map and a diary.
Reveries Sisterly Love has lots of achievements to be earned I am not sure that I counted all of them but there it looks like 16 plus. As you are playing the game you will find golden nuts that have fortunes tucked inside. In the bonus section you have the wallpapers, concept art, movies, replay of HOS and puzzles AND a calendar featuring our handsome prince.
For me Reveries is the total package – a great story, beautiful artwork, music, HOS and puzzles that allow me to be so immersed in a game that the real world disappears for a few hours. Kudos to ERS for an outstanding game - well done!! Happy 50th game ERS – I love all of your games but this one is the icing on that anniversary cake and well worth the wait.
I recommend this game!
The evil Alura is back, and this time she’s attacking your homeland!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
At Long Last The Prince Returns
PostedMay 26, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
After years of fighting the evil witch Alura, you return home to find that she has also devastated your lands as well. Now you must find a way to put an end to her evil for all time.
There are 3 modes of gameplay – casual, advanced and hard. The game opened automatically in widescreen on my Windows8 laptop. The graphics are good as are the voiceovers and musical score for the game. I love games with colorful graphics that add to my enjoyment of a game, and this game certainly has plenty of color although it is not over the top, which is good. Even though some scenes appear misty, overall the graphics are still very nice. You have a diary located on the bottom right and an icon for the interactive map on the left but you can also access the map in the diary.
I think the developer has included every type of HOS possible so they are varied. We also have mini puzzle that are not too difficult but some seem frustrating because they are spin this and then something else moves. Quite frankly, those are not my favorite type of mini puzzle so fortunately they are not all like that.
As far as CE content goes we have a bonus game and a strategy guide along with a bunch of useless extras, so many of you might want to wait for the SE. IMHO, having a strategy guide is nice but not something I use unless I am extremely stuck. There are no achievements or morphing objects. I purchased the CE only because there was a sale this weekend. It is a nice game but IMHO, not really worthy of being a CE. If you don’t want or expect too much in a CE game, it is still a very nice game.
I recommend this game!
Become the fabled detective and rescue the Final Cinderella from the evil Godmother's clutches!
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 21 found this review helpful
A Cinderella for Grown-ups
PostedMay 23, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It’s finally here and well worth the wait! The team at Blue Tea has given us as a different and interesting Cinderella - the grown-up version for those of us who love a great story and mystery to solve. I don’t want to go into the story and spoil it for others but will say that this is not your typical Cinderella.
The graphics are traditional Blue Tea style and gorgeous as always. I become so immersed in the graphics, beauty and total environment of the Dark Parables games that I can forget about almost anything else that might be going on in my world when I step into one of these games.
The HO scenes are the standard FROG type. We have mini puzzles that are interesting, fun and not too difficult. Yes, the game is what we normally expect from this developer and yet I never get tired of what they present.
The Final Cinderella is a CE game with the extras we love to find and certainly well-worth purchasing.
I recommend this game!
The lighthouse fails and darkness invades Willow Ridge. Your husband runs into the forest for answers, unaware of the shadow hunting him.
Overall rating
5
/
5
63 of 71 found this review helpful
What Secrets Lie Deep Within the Forest?
PostedMay 16, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You live in the town of Willow Ridge that is held captive by a dark and foreboding forest, and the town’s lighthouse is the only thing that keeps the forest from consuming the town and its inhabitants. Well, you’ve guessed it, calamity strikes and there is a disaster at the lighthouse. Your husband has gone into the forest in an attempt to put an end to the forest’s hold over the town and you have followed against his wishes. The game has a very interesting story that gets better as you move along. It took me a bit of time to get going but once I did, I just had to continue because the game really gets good and I didn’t want to quit playing.
There are 4 modes of gameplay – casual, experienced, masterful and custom. The game opened automatically in widescreen on my Windows8 laptop but there is a button for aspect correction if needed. The graphics are very colorful and crisp even though they are a bit darker. Thankfully, they are not the horrible brown palette we have been seeing lately. The game has voiceovers and the music is very fitting for the style of the game and adds to the eerie nature of the story.
During the game you can earn ten achievements for either a bronze, silver or gold star ranking. You also hunt for acorns throughout the game that will be used later. There is a jumpable map that shows areas where something needs to be done.
The HO scenes are very interactive and very nicely done. I found that most items were not too difficult to find. What I really enjoyed in the HO scenes was the clever interaction required to find all items. There are mini puzzles that are a bit different and interesting. Some require a bit of dexterity to accomplish, and since I tend to be a mouse klutz, they were challenging but fun.
IMHO, this is an excellent game with a creative story and much better than some that we have seen recently. In fact the game is so interesting, I don't want to wait for the SE to be released. This game is such a welcome change after several weeks of mediocrity, and I am guessing that most of us will be really happy with this game.
I recommend this game!
Solve this maritime mystery to reunite a pirate with his lost love!
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 16 found this review helpful
This Game Should Have Gone Down With the Ship
PostedMay 11, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The story begins with tale of a loving couple - a sea captain and his bride, Isabelle. One day Isabelle disappears and William apparently dies of a broken heart. As you begin the game, Isabelle’s ghost appears and asks you to reveal the truth of their story.
The game automatically opened in widescreen but in options you will find buttons for either fullscreen or widescreen as well as three volume adjustments and one for screen brightness. There are two modes of gameplay – casual and normal. The graphics are very good and clear but the people appear somehow cartoonish - not my favorite. The game also seems dull and dingy with a lot of brown monotones at least at the beginning. Your journal or diary is in the lower left and contains notes and objectives. Each page has a small box where a mark will appear when you have completed that objective. The hint button seems agonizingly slow to recharge, which is another strike against this game.
Throughout the game you look for gold coins that then allow you to open chests and acquire important objects. I admit that although the story is interesting, I can’t get past the rainy, dreary dark scenes at the beginning of the game to generate enough interest on my part to go ahead and purchase the game. I think devs need to realize that we need to be drawn into a game and the story if they are to sell their games. I am so tired of dark and gloomy graphics and rain in games. It is time for some more colorful games.
IMHO, this one is a pass for me, unless other gamers can spark my interest and convince me it is worth two game credits or even the sale price.
I don't recommend this game.