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 solve an old murder case and save your sister?
Overall rating
5
/
5
36 of 43 found this review helpful
EXCELLENT GAME AND A PUZZLE LOVERS DELIGHT
PostedNovember 24, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromA creepy game with a few terrific jump-scare moments.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the second game in the Harrowed Halls series and in this one you play the game as Rick whose sister Dana collapsed one evening after work and is now in a semi-coma. When you arrive at the hospital she keeps repeating that “it is calling her back”. You know that she is referring to the old house that you and Dana explored when you were kids; an adventure that could have been deadly had you not run for your lives. Somehow Dana in her subconscious seems to hear that old house, or whatever evil resides in it, calling to her. Now it seems that you must confront your fear and re-enter the house after all of these years. Hopefully, by finding what lies hidden in that house, you will be able to save Dana.
The game is very creative and the HOPS in this game are used to move the story forward. Even though a lot of the HOPS are the storybook type, they are very interesting and well-designed. I am not a huge fan of the story type of HOPS but in this game they work. There are some terrific puzzles in the game but IMHO, there are maybe too many puzzles in the game. Sometimes it felt like the puzzles outweighed the storyline. In this case the story is so good that I wanted to find out more and quite frankly I felt that having to stop and play a puzzle, no matter how good, interfered with the game’s momentum. I was disappointed that there is no replay of HOPS or of the puzzles in the game – mainly because I wanted to skip some of the puzzles in order to move forward with the storyline, thinking I could replay them in the extras but that is not an option in this game.
This second game in the Harrowed Halls series is excellent and one that is very fitting for the upcoming Halloween celebrations. There are some great jump-scare moments and one that I really didn’t expect at all. I love the game and think it is destined to become a Halloween classic and one that many of you might like to replay each year. Even though I found the game close to being perfect, as always, I recommend that you play the demo to see if it is one you will enjoy. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
The city is being taken over by dark forces!
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 22 found this review helpful
IT WILL TAKE YOUR WITS AND SPELLS TO SAVE THIS MAGIC FOREST AND SAVE THE KINGDOM
PostedNovember 24, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromWho is that hooded evil mage and why is he destroying the beautiful magic forest?
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love fantasy games and Dreampath Guardian of the Forest is an absolutely wonderful game. In fact, although I enjoyed the last one in the series Curse of the Swamps, this one is even better. I found the story to be excellent with gameplay that kept my attention all the way through the bonus game.
In Guardian of the Forest you play the game as an apprentice wizard to Regis the Master Wizard of the kingdom. You have been called by Regis to continue your education since you show great promise but it isn’t long before you will be tested and will need to use every bit of magic and spell you have or may gain to save Regis as well as the kingdom from the grip of an evil wizard who is now controlling the king. Not only is this new evil controlling the king he is destroying the beautiful magic forest that surrounds the kingdom. As you play the game you will learn the story of a deep hatred and jealousy that drives this evil wizard.
Since there are so many reviews already posted you most likely know of all the details by now so there is no need for me to go into them. I will simply say that I enjoyed all of the HOPS and mini-games that were scattered along my path as I played the game. Most of the mini-games were fairly easy but still fun. I enjoy playing a beautiful fantasy game where I can take my time with the puzzles and the HOPS rather than having a puzzle that I need to skip. If there is any shortcoming to the game it is that there are either no instructions or very minimal ones at best on the puzzles. Most of them can be solved or figured out without instructions but there were times when I really had no idea how to start and simply had to fiddle my way around to figure out how to solve the puzzle.
If you are like me and love a great fantasy game, I recommend that you give Guardian of the Forest a try along with other games in the series. It is a beautiful game with a good storyline and a good gameplay factor. As always I recommend that you try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy.
Can you stop an otherworldly force before it’s too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
WOULD OPENING THE DOOR TO ANOTHER UNIVERSE BE AS SIMPLE AS FINDING THE RIGHT CAMERA LENS?
PostedNovember 24, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromA special Halloween party invitation you probably shouldn't have accepted since someone had a hidden agenda
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You and a friend are exploring the now vacant but once acclaimed Kilbourn Observatory. Ryan and Anne Kilbourn worked there for years until there was a terrible accident that tragically took the life of Anne. Not long after the accident Ryan went missing and it is as if he vanished from the face of the earth. Ryan and Anne were said to have created a device that would open a door to another universe but maybe that is not such a good thing. Enveloped in grief over Anne’s death Ryan began refining the device with hope that he would even be able to reunite with Anne one day.
With Fright Chasers Dark Exposure being a game from a very talented developer it of course includes wonderful graphics as well as an excellent sound package that includes believable voiceovers that relay all of the emotion that the characters “feel” in the game.
Your tools include a transporter type map and, hold your breath – wait for it . . . yes, you guessed it a gimmick. This time we have a camera that when fitted with a special lens will allow us to see the spirit world. The camera isn’t that annoying as far as gimmicks go and it does serve a purpose in the game. There is also another tool that can qualify as a gimmick since you will use it for protection but there is a puzzle associated with its use.
I enjoyed the HOPS in this game more than in recent games and found many of them to be very creative and well-designed so that they fit well into the storyline. Even more than the HOPS, I absolutely loved the puzzles. Some of the puzzles were different and I think one of my favorites was the safe puzzle where we must recreate the pattern from some photos in order to open the safe. It is a bit tricky and lots of fun to figure out the right combination. The puzzles are also a bit more difficult than usual at times so I wish they could be replayed in the CE extras but that ability doesn’t seem to be built into the game.
If you prefer the CE version of a game this one includes Collectibles include the same old boring Mad Head Signature Swirl to find, There are Morphing Objects to be found in the usual places as well.. Of course there are Achievements to earn as well. Wallpapers, Concept Art, Soundtracks, replay of 21 HOP Scenes, Case Files to assemble, a Bonus Chapter, and a 46-page Strategy Guide.
I found this game to be very good with some great gameplay moments. Coupled with excellent puzzles and creative HOPS I think this is probably one of the best games to be released in recent weeks. That being said the game theme became much different than I originally hoped it would be. Unfortunately, we have another evil that is taking control and I am really over that theme. It looks like Fright Chasers is going to continue as a series but I hope that the developer might find some different content for future game themes. All in all, even though I am not fond of where the game went, it was done quite well and had moments that provided a lot of entertainment and a need to think along the way. Even though I really enjoyed this game, please try the demo to see if it is one you will enjoy as well. Happy Gaming!
The birds and cats are back in an all-new puzzle adventure!
Overall rating
2
/
5
23 of 26 found this review helpful
MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH CLAWS AND FEATHERS IS OVER
PostedNovember 20, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromI have no idea why I waited so long for this game because it is dreadful
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I love Claws & Feathers 1&2 but I wish I had never purchased this one.
As far as I'm concerned the game screams look at how smart we are as developers you will never win most of the levels. I have played the first games in the series over and over and waited for this one but now I wonder why. I absolutely hate this game. The frustration level is far too high and I consider myself a an excellent, strategist when it comes to the first games.
If a game is programmed so tight, that there is no way to beat some of the levels, then the game ceases to be fun.
WAKE UP DEVS. IF YOU WANT US TO LOVE YOUR GAMES THEN AT LEAST MAKE MOST OF THE LEVELS DOABLE!
If you want fun games try Claws & Feathers 1 & 2 but run away from this one.
Can you save your sister on the Day of the Dead?
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 21 found this review helpful
BEHIND THE VEIL IS A VISUAL TREAT
PostedNovember 17, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromFinally a game that is alive with color and a storyline to match
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It is unusual for me to post a review several days after a game has been released but real life got in the way of playing the game earlier. My review is based on the entire game and it looks as if I am in the minority here because I absolutely loved Myths of the World Behind the Veil.
With the recent trend of games being so drab, Behind the Veil grabbed my attention because the graphics are beautiful and the scenes are full of vibrant color. Not only is the game colorful and a visual treat it is complemented by a wonderful sound track and excellent voice acting.
There have already been so many reviews posted that I don’t need to go into all of the details in my review but will only say that I enjoyed the gameplay and particularly the mini-games. The mini-game that we must play when we use the special tool is one of my favorite puzzles in the game. I have always loved untangle the ropes puzzles so I found this one a lot of fun. Some of the other puzzles were a bit difficult to figure out because the instructions were not very helpful, which is one of the major problems with most games from this developer. IMHO, the developer should put a bit more thought and detail into their instructions so at least we know how to proceed.
There have already been so many reviews posted that I don’t need to go into all of the details in my review but will only say that I enjoyed the gameplay and particularly the mini-games. The mini-game that we must play when we use the special tool is one of my favorite puzzles in the game. I have always loved untangle the ropes puzzles so I found this one a lot of fun. Some of the other puzzles were a bit difficult to figure out because the instructions were not very helpful, which is one of the major problems with most games from this developer. IMHO, the developer should put a bit more thought and detail into their instructions so at least we know how to proceed.
Having played the entire game I can say that I loved the storyline (one that actually made sense and didn’t’ seem to fall apart toward the end of the game), the gameplay was enjoyable and sometimes a bit tricky. After what seems like months of dreary, dusty, colorless games it is such a treat to have a game that is vibrant. I hope the trend will continue because I am quite sick of the drab, evil-themed games. For me, Behind the Veil is one of the best games in the Myths of the World series, with my other favorites being The Heart of Desolation, and of Fiends and Fairies. Kudos to EIPIX for taking us to a new part of the world in Behind the Veil and for bringing a beautiful part of Mexican culture to life – your team did an awesome job with this game.
I recommend this game!
Can you save yourself and your daughter in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
57 of 83 found this review helpful
FIND OUT WHAT LURKS IN GRAY FALLS!
PostedNovember 9, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromExcellent story but the CE extras lack substance. Maybe the extras were swallowed up in Gray Falls
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The graphics are very good even though a bit dusty and filthy. I am so very sick of insect-ridden, nasty, filthy graphics, which is my biggest complaint about some mystery or horror lite games. Why can’t we have a horror game where things are tidy and neat? Guess those two things don’t go hand in hand in HOPA Land – huh?
The HOPS are just about what we come to expect in all these games – nothing more and nothing less. When you have played as many HOPA games as I have in the past 14 years then there really isn’t much that is new out there. That being said, I still enjoy the genre and am a huge HOPA lover. The same thing goes for the mini-games or puzzles. The ones in Project Dawn are a bit easy but that is okay with me. I actually like some of the puzzles from this developer and they are not all toggle this or spin that to reach the end. I like that there are puzzles where one actually has to think about what to do in order to solve most of the puzzles.
If you love the CE version of a game this one is fairly typical of other games in the Surface series. Yes, those collectible flowers are back and you will find them hidden in each scene. There are also morphing statuettes to be found in some scenes BUT I really think that this developer rather skirted their way around the extra content by including a rather short list of items. Yes, all of the standard fluff is there but when there are really only 12 collectible statuettes to find and not that many flowers to find (if the strategy guide is to be trusted), then it makes for a rather less than excellent CE quality game. The Strategy Guide only includes about 43 pages with 3 pages listing the collectibles so it is probably a very short game as well. Maybe if the developers would include better CE packages and longer games, the gamers would be willing to pay more for their games – just sayin’. Of course the reverse is true and if we would pay more for the games, maybe the devs might work harder to create more.
With a short game and a storyline that seems to steal its gameplay from the Redemption Cemetery playbook with freeing guilt-ridden souls, I don’t think this is one of the best games in the Surface series. Of course, Surface has not been a favorite series of mine, but still I expected a bit more from this developer. The game isn’t a bad game but it simply can’t compare to earlier games as far as I am concerned. Newer gamers will most likely love the game because it still is terrific as far as the game itself. I am simply disappointed in the length of the game and the lack of collectibles from a top-tier developer. I am finding that some of the lesser known developers are working a lot harder and creating games that are far superior to the ones we are recently being offered by this developer (and a few others) who seem to be “resting on their laurels”. As always, please try the demo because Surface Project Dawn might just be perfect for you. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
Can you catch a murderer that’s terrorizing a local university?
Overall rating
3
/
5
34 of 55 found this review helpful
A GREAT STORYLINE CANNOT OVERCOME POORLY CONSTRUCTED HOPS AND TERRIBLE PUZZLE INSTRUCTIONS
PostedNovember 4, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromI loved the story but hated the HOPS. I wish this developer would go back to making the wonderful HOPS that they did in years past.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Congratulations Ms. Douglas you have been selected by Discipulus College to receive their Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature. After your soaring arrival on campus, things heat up with a murder since this is a Dead Reckoning game. As far as games in this series go, this is actually a very good one and a bit better than some others; however, I did have a lot of up and down moments with the game – going back and forth between whether I liked or did not like the game. At times I loved the game and at others I found it very frustrating and those moments were mostly related to the HOPS, which are what I look forward to the most in a HOPA game.
As far as I’m concerned the best part of the game is the storyline that is full of twists and “I didn’t see that coming” moments. This is probably one of the best storylines in the Dead Reckoning series so kudos to the developer.
The HOP scenes are very creative but, IMHO, they are poorly designed. I struggled with most of them because the items were too itsy-bitsy to easily spot or in the case of the really interactive scenes, the items were so well hidden there was no clear way to start the ball rolling. I found that I hated the HOPS in the game and that is saying a lot. It is one thing to make a game more difficult but when you do it at the expense of the HOPS then it takes all of the fun out of the game.
So if I hated the HOPS it didn’t leave much aside from the puzzles and the storyline to add to my gaming enjoyment. Well, I guess for me the storyline is what really carried the game because the puzzles were confusing and had very poor instructions so I couldn’t really understand what needed to be done to solve them. Yes, there were maybe one or two terrific puzzles that I could actually understand and figure out but the rest certainly left a lot to be desired. Maybe those gamers who are a lot smarter than me will be able to understand how to solve some of the puzzles because I was at a loss and ended up using the skip button.
I managed to make my way through the entire game with the help of my trusty hint button and I fully intend to replay it at a later date to see if I have the same reaction now that I understand some of those mysterious instructions. So you might ask why I am giving this game a passing grade, and the truth is my evaluation of the game’s merit is based almost solely on the storyline. Yes, there were some HOPS that were better than others and at least passable but nothing on the scale of the excellent HOPS created by this developer in years past. I was also able to solve some of the puzzles and I did consider those to be fun and even require some thought to solve. In the end, because I think this developer is selling out to those who want difficult games at the expense of those who prefer entertainment value, I am only giving the game 3 stars. Had the game not been so tedious and difficult in the HOPS and puzzles, I would have given it a much higher rating. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if this will be a game you will enjoy because Dead Reckoning Lethal Knowledge might be just right for you. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
Save your cousin and his new bride from a horrible beast!
Overall rating
5
/
5
142 of 174 found this review helpful
A BEAUTIFUL ROMANTIC/FANTASY GAME
PostedNovember 1, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromI love this story. What a gorgeous game and lots of fun as I make my way through the castle
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
In another spin on the Beauty and the Beast theme comes Living Legends 6: Uninvited Guest. I am very fond of the Living Legends series and found the last game just as excellent as the first. This newest offering so far holds up to that same standard. Also I am an incurable romantic at heart and so I love this particular game.
You play the game as Kate who hasn’t seen your cousin Leo since childhood. You have received an invitation to his wedding and it presents a wonderful chance to renew your childhood friendship so you undertake the journey to his castle. Of course being a HOPA game your trip is beset by little things that inevitably make you late, which in this case is good. As you arrive for the wedding the gate to the castle is blocked and you find out that something horrible has befallen the castle and now you must use your wits to save your cousin Leo.
I find only one technical issue in the game and it is something that also occurred in another game by this same developer – Immortal Love the Price of a Miracle. There is a quick, bright flash that seems to occur when there is a transition within the same scene such as entering the tent in this one. I only mention it because it is a bit annoying. That being said, the graphics are gorgeous as they create a fantasy world. Although the castle has been besieged and is damaged at least the scenes are not dreary brown and black. The artists have still used a great deal of color in creating Leo’s castle.
Your tools include an interactive map that allows quick travel between scenes and locations. You also have a Magic Mirror but of course some might think of it as a gimmick because you will periodically need to find Soul Stones to feed it to receive its help. The game has 5 chapters plus the bonus chapter and I am finding each chapter longer than normal. There is a lot to do and a lot of things to discover. Of course looking for those collectibles and morphs are keeping me busy and slowing me down a bit.
The HOPS are nothing new but I still like them because most are the list type that to this day remains my favorite type of HOPS. The scenes in this game are very lovely with some touches of creativity and a bit of interaction. Thankfully, they are not all so interactive that I want to rip my eyelashes off.
The puzzles are not difficult and I am enjoying each one that I come across. Sometimes having puzzles that don’t fry my brain is a good thing. There are times when I really enjoy the challenge of some more difficult puzzles but the nature of this game seems more fitting for easier puzzles. As is always the case, I have no doubt that there will be one or two more difficult puzzles later in the game but for now I am happy. Not everyone likes easy or slightly challenging puzzles but many gamers who dislike puzzles will most likely enjoy this game.
The CE version of the game includes all of the extras I would want in a CE with 68 collectible owls and 34 morphing objects to find. Some of the collectibles are easy to spot but others are well-concealed and it takes a bit of hunting to find them. For those of you who are interested there are achievements to earn as well. The other extras include the standards such as Wallpapers, Concept Art, Screen Savers, Movies, Music a Bonus Chapter and the Strategy Guide. This developer has also included the ability to replay Mini-games and HOPS, which is something that not all developers include so, IMHO, this is a great CE package.
Living Legends 6 Uninvited Guest is a beautiful game and I have been enjoying each moment that I have played. I highly recommend this game if you want an excellent fantasy/romantic type game to play. There have been some times where I didn’t know what to do but that was because I wasn’t looking everywhere and even checking back into my inventory. So if you decide this game is for you don’t leave any stone unturned or book unopened as the case may be. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if this will be a game you enjoy. Happy gaming!!
I recommend this game!
An earthquake reveals a hidden palace full of deadly secrets!
Overall rating
5
/
5
65 of 75 found this review helpful
A SLOW START ISN’T ALWAYS A BAD THING!
PostedOctober 28, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromTrust me this game gets better after the demo and has lots of fun and entertainment to offer.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
When I played the beta for this latest Hidden Expedition the Curse of Mithridates, I honestly fell asleep. Well I tried again a few days ago and the same thing happened so I was either too tired or the game was just downright boring. Hating to give up and with a good sale today I ended up purchasing the game. When I started playing a strange thing happened – I ended up thinking this is far better than I thought it would be. By the time that I got out of Turkey and into Malta I was becoming convinced that the game was actually better than I thought it would be. As of the time I write this review, I have almost finished the full game and have to admit that my first impression was totally wrong and this is an excellent new Hidden Expedition game and, in fact, it is much better that the last few offerings in the series.
I am not going to bother writing about the storyline or all of the other basics as others have covered that by now in their reviews but let me just say that a game that started out as an archaeologic find has me now globetrotting to save my fellow H.E.L.P. members. It is a fun adventure with lots of great HOPS thrown in for good measure. My only complaint is that some of the puzzles were downright confusing mainly because the instructions left a lot to be desired. Fortunately, purchasing the full game I had my trusty strategy guide on hand and that did offer a bit of help in solving or at least figuring out what I was supposed to do to solve some puzzles. Many of the puzzles were straight forward and easy while others were scratching my head difficult. All in all, there is something for everyone in the game.
One of the reasons that I think so many gamers might be down on this game is because it really does get off to a slow start. I have recommended that the developer try to put a bit more forward movement into the beginning of their games and that might generate a bit more enthusiasm on the part of their audience. When a game moves so slowly and is bogged down by so many little items in the beginning the gamer wants to say enough already and gives up, or goes to take a nap – anything to get away from the snail pace action. The only thing I can recommend is that you stick with that very slow beginning and then enjoy the excitement as the game truly gets going.
Since I am almost at the end of the game I am now looking forward to playing the bonus chapter that promises to be just as good as the full game. As always, even though I love this game I recommend that you give the demo a try (please stick it out to the end of the demo) to see if this is a game you will enjoy as much as I do. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
Can you solve an old murder case and save your sister?
Overall rating
5
/
5
90 of 125 found this review helpful
EXCELLENT GAME AND A PUZZLE LOVERS DELIGHT
PostedOctober 25, 2017
biscuitsmama
fromA warm-up for Halloween with a few terrific jump-scare moments.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the second game in the Harrowed Halls series and in this one you play the game as Rick whose sister Dana collapsed one evening after work and is now in a semi-coma. When you arrive at the hospital she keeps repeating that “it is calling her back”. You know that she is referring to the old house that you and Dana explored when you were kids; an adventure that could have been deadly had you not run for your lives. Somehow Dana in her subconscious seems to hear that old house, or whatever evil resides in it, calling to her. Now it seems that you must confront your fear and re-enter the house after all of these years. Hopefully, by finding what lies hidden in that house, you will be able to save Dana.
The game is very creative and the HOPS in this game are used to move the story forward. Even though a lot of the HOPS are the storybook type, they are very interesting and well-designed. I am not a huge fan of the story type of HOPS but in this game they work. There are some terrific puzzles in the game but IMHO, there are maybe too many puzzles in the game. Sometimes it felt like the puzzles outweighed the storyline. In this case the story is so good that I wanted to find out more and quite frankly I felt that having to stop and play a puzzle, no matter how good, interfered with the games momentum. I was disappointed that there is no replay of HOPS or of the puzzles in the game – mainly because I wanted to skip some of the puzzles in order to move forward with the storyline, thinking I could replay them in the extras but that is not an option in this game.
The CE content has morphing puzzles pieces to find and they are very difficult to spot in some scenes. We also will find collectible coins that can later be used to play various types of arcade games. As usual, there are achievements to earn that we rack up simply by playing the game. The other extras are almost paltry in comparison to other games and include all of the standard fluff so I am not going to bother with them here.
This second game in the Harrowed Halls series is excellent and one that is very fitting for the upcoming Halloween celebrations. There are some great jump-scare moments and one that I really didn’t expect at all. I love the game and think it is destined to become a Halloween classic and one that many of you might like to replay each year. Even though I found the game close to being perfect, as always, I recommend that you play the demo to see if it is one you will enjoy. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!