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 escape the mysterious musician’s melody?
Overall rating
4
/
5
38 of 48 found this review helpful
WHO IS BEHIND THAT "KILLER" GUITAR MUSIC
PostedMarch 19, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromOh no! Don't listen to that guitarist no matter how haunting the sound.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
After being apart for many years, you have received a message from your brother inviting you to play at his new top of the line nightclub in Havana. You are only briefly reunited with Jesse before he is killed by a crazed sailor and, even worse, his murder is pinned on you. Behind all of this is a sinister and dark story but you must prove your innocence before you can find out who killed your brother.
The game offers four modes of gameplay with Improviser being the custom mode – Novice, Artist, Virtuoso, and Improviser. In custom mode you can set your hints and skips to recharge in a range of 15 to 90 seconds. The graphics are terrific and I love the sound package that whisks me back in time to 1950s Cuba.
The best thing about this game is the HOP scenes that offer a large variety, while at the other end of the scale we have uninspired mini-games. While many game developers have increased the difficulty we find in the mini-games, this one has not followed and as a result the minis seem boring and nothing more than time fillers. It is sad because with all the other great things about the game here is the weak point and one that most of us will remember. I realize that there are many gamers out there who are not as passionate about having great and challenging mini-games so they might really enjoy Havana Nights.
The CE includes collectibles, morphing objects, achievements and the other standard goodies but this is not a stellar CE package. I know many gamers would rather wait for the SE release and, IMHO, they would not be missing much aside from the in-game strategy guide.
The game offers four modes of gameplay with Improviser being the custom mode – Novice, Artist, Virtuoso, and Improviser. In custom mode you can set your hints and skips to recharge in a range of 15 to 90 seconds. The graphics are terrific and I love the sound package that whisks me back in time to 1950s Cuba.
The best thing about this game is the HOP scenes that offer a large variety, while at the other end of the scale we have uninspired mini-games. While many game developers have increased the difficulty we find in the mini-games, this one has not followed and as a result the minis seem boring and nothing more than time fillers. It is sad because with all the other great things about the game here is the weak point and one that most of us will remember. I realize that there are many gamers out there who are not as passionate about having great and challenging mini-games so they might really enjoy Havana Nights.
The CE includes collectibles, morphing objects, achievements and the other standard goodies but this is not a stellar CE package. I know many gamers would rather wait for the SE release and, IMHO, they would not be missing much aside from the in-game strategy guide.
This Cadenza might just be my favorite in the series. I love the background music that is sometimes haunting and sometimes has that wonderful Cuban flair. I know that most games have changed over the years and seem to follow a formula but I still enjoy almost every HOPA game that comes along. The storyline captured my interest and that is always a big deal for me. Even though this is another must have game for me, please, try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!
Is fear the price or the reward?
Overall rating
5
/
5
84 of 109 found this review helpful
YES . . . LET THERE BE GHOSTS!
PostedMarch 17, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromLooking for my old friends the "Ghostbusters" to help out on this one!
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Emma Roberts is back and this time her boss has asked her to track down a co-worker who is missing. Not only is Jack a co-worker but Emma considers him a friend as well. When Emma arrives at the Black River Ranch it doesn’t take her long to figure out that things are terribly wrong. She cannot get a straight answer from the reclusive owner of the ranch and there is something very odd about the maid, Lisa. Sign on for another episode in the Fear for Sale franchise and discover what Emma will do to save the day in this latest game, The House on Black River.
Even though there is a custom mode, IMHO, it is rather useless. The hint and skip buttons are sliders with the right end of the slider turning off the hint and skip times. The graphics are very good but there is a bit too much orange/blue tone for my liking. The graphics are a bit foggy in the opening scenes but improve considerably once Emma arrives in Eastwood to start her investigation.
Your tools include an interactive map that you acquire early in the game. The thing I like about the maps in this devs games is that they show where we have found all of the collectibles or where some might be missing. The voiceovers are very good with the Emma/Carrie voice used by this developer being very familiar.
The game comes to us from one of my very favorite devs who has created another series that I really love. One of the things that I enjoy most about their games is that their HOP scenes are excellent and they were the first to offer “the uncover so many of a certain item to open the HOP scene” style that has since been emulated by other devs. Of course if you have played other games by this developer, then you probably enjoy their HOPS as much as I do with this game offering a few new twists to the scenes. The HOPS are not overly interactive but some items can be tricky to figure out. For the most part, the scenes are list type but there is certainly some variety as well. The puzzles are not difficult, but eing very familiar with this dev’s games, I do know that the puzzles vary in difficulty and some will quite be challenging. I don’t think it is necessary to share the details of most HOPS or the puzzles because, IMHO, discovery is half the fun in playing a game. If you want the details there is another reviewer who pretty much lets you in on all the secrets and I recommend her excellent reviews.
Extras in the CE version of the game include several sets of collectibles and morphing objects to find. Of course there are achievements to earn as well. The remaining extras are fairly standard and include the Strategy guide, Bonus Chapter or Game, Wallpapers, Concept Art, Screensavers, and Music, Movies, Games, Puzzles, Artwork. IMHO this is a great CE package and worth the extra cost.
I love the Fear for Sale series and most of the games have been extremely good, although I must admit that I didn’t particularly care for the last one and maybe one other. That being said, this game is intriguing and the storyline captured my interest early in the game. What could be better, an eerie house, a reclusive artist, and a very strange maid. All of these elements add up to one great game. Of course with the Fear for Sale games being from one of my favorite game developers, it is perfect for me. Please try the demo to see if The House on Black River is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Terror strikes deep into the heart of this family's cursed estate!
Overall rating
5
/
5
79 of 89 found this review helpful
WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SAVE YOUR LOVE?
PostedMarch 13, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromTrying to avoid all the traps and those dratted machines
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Tales of Terror Estate of the Heart is an awesome ghost story and a game that captures my heart after a string of so, so follow the dot games. Estate of the Heart begins as a trio who investigates paranormal activity is about to embark on their newest venture at Heart’s Estate, a mansion that has been abandoned since 1904. Jesse is all over this story as he knows that it will make a great addition to the book he is writing, and then there is Arthur who is always looking for a logical explanation. Margie seems to have a lot of patience with her dad’s down to earth attitude while at the same time supporting Jesse in his endeavors. The Heart Estate certainly looks creepy and it has been widely reported that anyone who enters the estate is never seen again but that doesn’t seem to worry our intrepid team as they begin their adventure. Of course, being a ghost story, it isn’t long before things start happening and before too long, you are left on your own to save the others.
The game has top-notch graphics that are colorful and crisp with none of those misty washed out scenes that we see in some ghostly games. Another thing that is excellent with Estate of the Heart is the realistic, voiceovers. The voices actually have some emotion and are not the usual flat “reading from a script” voices we normally encounter. The entire sound package sets the stage for a ghostly tale of terror. The modes of gameplay include the custom mode so you can set up the game for how you like to play. And yes, we have the magic number of five chapters plus the bonus chapter in the CE version of the game.
Your tools include an interactive map that is found early in the game and a device that detects electromagnetic energy. Fortunately there is no furry pet helper in sight to ruin a great ghostly tale!
Estate of the Heart includes various types of interactive HOPs and I love them. Some items we will find by silhouette and others by list but all of the scenes are interactive with some more so than others. The HOPS in this game are well-crafted and vary in style. There is a hidden surprise to find in each HOP scene so look closely at everything. The mini-games, although not over the top difficult, are a bit tricky. One of the first ones took a bit of fiddling with the movable pieces to get everything in the right spot.
I LOVE this game. I like the storyline and the gameplay. I had a couple of jump-scare moments that got the adrenaline pumping and those are what make a ghostly game terrific. Tales of Terror Estate of the Heart is a game I have been eagerly awaiting and it proved to be as excellent as I had hoped. The game had a few challenges and was at least a bit different than the same old storyline. Even though the game was an instant buy for me, as always, please try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!
Your own mind can be your worst enemy.
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 34 found this review helpful
BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN ATTENDING THE BALLET IT MIGHT BE YOUR FINAL CURTAIN
PostedMarch 11, 2016
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Danse Macabre Lethal Letters is a tale of intrigue and murder. You play the game as Dr. Hawthorn, a renowned psychologist, who has been hired by Count Antanov to consult with his fiancé who has been suffering lapses in memory. Unfortunately, no sooner have you met the Count than he meets his doom at the hands of his beloved. Pull out your handy pocket watch (the major tool of all hypnotists and psychiatrists) to see if you can solve the mystery behind Lethal Letters and save Irina.
Lethal Letters has the familiar technical aspects of games from this top developer including a custom mode that you can tinker with to set up the game for how you like to play. Although the graphics are lovely, the voiceovers fall a bit short and were quite a disappointment. For a game that takes place in St. Petersburg, all of the accents are decidedly American. The game has five chapters plus the bonus game.
Your tools include a transportable map that you find early in the game. Of course no reputable psychiatrist would travel without her pocket watch and yours becomes another tool you use throughout the game. As is the case with most game gimmicks, we have to play a puzzle to activate the watch before use.
The interactive HOPs are familiar and there are no surprises but, IMHO, they are just cluttered junkpiles with items that are difficult to spot. On the other hand, Lethal Letters has some great puzzles and, although they might not be anything new, they are excellent with a few twists that are new.
The CE version includes collectibles and souvenirs to find. You can also replay the puzzles, match-3 games and HOPS. There are achievements, a souvenir room, wallpapers, videos, and soundtrack included as well.
Had it not been for an intriguing story and the great puzzles, I would have passed on the gameThe game is nothing more than the same old thing with very little to commend it as something special aside from the puzzles and storyline. I love the Danse Macabre series and lately the series has diminished in its appeal. That being said, Lethal Letters is still a game that I will enjoy even if it isn’t as spectacular as I had hoped. As always, please try the demo to see if Lethal Letters is something special for you and a game that you will enjoy.
When your father is arrested, it's up to you to save him and the city of Prague from sinister forces.
Overall rating
5
/
5
66 of 93 found this review helpful
CAN AN ALCHEMIST GIVE CLAY A SOUL?
PostedMarch 10, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromRushing off to save dad and find his secret notes
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It’s time to pull out those dusty chemistry sets and find some special ingredients as we become master alchemists in this new Myths of the World game. Prague is in turmoil and what’s even worse; your father has been arrested and sentenced to death. He is suspected of creating the monsters that are decimating the city so it is now up to you to save your father in this absolutely terrific new Myths of the World Born of Clay and Fire. You play the game as Ilona, the daughter of a respected alchemist in Prague. As you try to save your father you open up some secrets and uncover what might have gone wrong with his work to create golems that would serve the king and citizens of the city.
There are four modes of gameplay that you can choose: Apprentice, Scholar, Grandmaster, and Alchemist (custom mode). In custom mode the hints can be set to recharge in a range of 10 to 120 seconds and the skips offer a range of 10 to 400 seconds. The terrific graphics should not come as a surprise and coupled with the voiceovers and sound we have the total package that creates an excellent game. The game has six chapters and in the CE is accompanied by a 48 page strategy guide – a good indication that this is a game of decent length.
The interactive map is found at beginning of game. Early in the game you acquire Chalk that provides you with a special ability. Thankfully, I didn’t have to complete a mini-game to activate it before use and I wouldn’t classify it as a gimmick.
There are four modes of gameplay that you can choose: Apprentice, Scholar, Grandmaster, and Alchemist (custom mode). In custom mode the hints can be set to recharge in a range of 10 to 120 seconds and the skips offer a range of 10 to 400 seconds. The terrific graphics should not come as a surprise and coupled with the voiceovers and sound we have the total package that creates an excellent game. The game has six chapters and in the CE is accompanied by a 48 page strategy guide – a good indication that this is a game of decent length.
The interactive map is found at beginning of game. Early in the game you acquire Chalk that provides you with a special ability. Thankfully, I didn’t have to complete a mini-game to activate it before use and I wouldn’t classify it as a gimmick.
The HOS are nothing new but are interactive and excellent. The HOS include a nice mix of scenes including silhouette, list, very interactive and storybook that help to keep things interesting. If you enjoy the mini-games then you will find some excellent ones in Born of Clay and Fire. IMHO, the mini-games seem to be a bit more challenging and some I haven’t seen before. Although I hate to do it, I had to skip one of the minis early in the game because I couldn’t figure out how it worked. Guess I will have to cheat and peek at the SG I know that many gamers are much better at understanding and completing some mini-games so for them they might seem easy but for me they were more challenging than usual, which I do happen to like.
The CE extras include collectibles, morphing objects, achievements, bonus chapter, strategy guide, replay of puzzles and HOPS, a souvenir boat, skipping stones, videos, pictures, music, and the HOP skip mini-game – skipping stones. At least for me, this is a fairly good CE package that will make it worth the extra dollars.
Myths of the World has become one of my favorite series and I eagerly look forward to each new game knowing that fun times lie ahead. Born of Clay and Fire is no exception and I was captured by the demo and knew this was a game I had to add to my library. The story is put together in a logical manner and is quite interesting, which coupled with the gameplay and all of the other features make the entire game excellent. This developer has a knack of creating some of the most interesting games on the market and this one seems to be close to the top of the list. After playing the beta for the game, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the full release to see how it all plays out. Even though I happen to love the game, please try the demo to see if it is one you will enjoy.
Myths of the World has become one of my favorite series and I eagerly look forward to each new game knowing that fun times lie ahead. Born of Clay and Fire is no exception and I was captured by the demo and knew this was a game I had to add to my library. The story is put together in a logical manner and is quite interesting, which coupled with the gameplay and all of the other features make the entire game excellent. This developer has a knack of creating some of the most interesting games on the market and this one seems to be close to the top of the list. After playing the beta for the game, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the full release to see how it all plays out. Even though I happen to love the game, please try the demo to see if it is one you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
In Wishville, all dreams come true, for a price.
Overall rating
3
/
5
47 of 68 found this review helpful
THIS LEGEND SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE ROSES
PostedMarch 3, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Living Legends Bound by Wishes is a huge disappointment after some recent games that were much better. The Living Legends series, as is the case with so many others, started off with an excellent game and went downhill from there.
The graphics in the game are just okay with the characters being very flat and the depiction of Mayor Tom seeming almost cartoonish. What is worse than the cartoonish mayor is that the movements of the characters in the game are stiff and laughable.
Although the storyline might be interesting for some gamers, it is pieced together in a way that is probably intentional in order to leave us guessing; however, the end result is that it becomes fractured and makes little sense. The odd thing for me is that although I didn’t care for the storyline, by the end of the demo I was curious to see how it played out. Unfortunately, even that bit of curiosity didn’t leave me enthused enough about the game to open my wallet.
In the end there was nothing in the demo that left me with the desire to play further. It doesn’t happen very often that I pass up on a CE game, maybe only one or two times since CEs became the primary release vehicle for new HOPA games. I didn’t find the HOPA scenes stimulating enough and the puzzles were rather ho-hum, so on all fronts the game just fell flat. I am sure there are a lot of gamers who will find this game just right and what they are looking for but for me it was a no go. As always, please try the demo because Bound by Wishes might be a game you will love.
I recommend this game!
Will your curse save or destroy you?
Overall rating
5
/
5
113 of 215 found this review helpful
THE CURSE OF WOLFHILL TAKES ME BACK TO WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE FIRST GAME IN THE SERIES
PostedFebruary 27, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromSaving my cousin and his family from a druid intent on exacting a very high payment
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
What a surprise. Just when I thought that I was done playing any future games in the Shadow Wolf series, along comes The Curse of Wolfhill that brings me back to everything that I thought was excellent with the first game – The Curse of the Full Moon. In The Curse of Wolfhill we go to Scotland to save our cousin and his family. It seems that the chief druid in the village of Wolfhill really has something against the werewolf family and your father whisked you away as an infant to escape the druid’s taste for blood. As we move forward in time you are now an adult and your cousin Neil needs your father’s help to save his family from the druid who tried to kill you when you were an infant. Now that you have returned to Wolfhill it’s not too long before you find that not only must you save Neil and his family but dad is in dire straits as well. Will you be able to use your wits and your wolf powers to save the family?
The game has everything I love and expect from this developer. Gone are the cartoonish type graphics that had appeared in some more recent games from the Bunny Team. The characters are so well-depicted that they become very realistic. Even the animals are drawn to perfection and come to life. The voiceovers and the entire sound package are top-notch and add so much to the game. The game includes the custom level so you can set your hint and mini-game recharge time to as little as 5 seconds or as long as 200 seconds. You can also turn on the rapid click penalty if you like. I have always disliked being penalized for rapid clicking so I am very happy any time a game allows me to get rid of it.
Your tools include a map and wolf powers that are activated as you find berries from the Viscum Lupinorum a very rare mistletoe plant. Yes the wolf powers are a gimmick but they are so well integrated into the game that using them flows seamlessly into the gameplay.
The varied HOPS are excellent and enjoyable to play. Some HOPS are very interactive while others have only minimal interaction required to complete the scenes. Not only do we have the standard list type HOPS but there are the storybook and silhouette types as well. The mini-games are excellent and many seem quite difficult. I really had to take my time with the puzzles so I am pleased to see that one of my favorite game devs has stepped up and given many of us what we love. Not all, but most of the puzzles offer the option of casual or hard settings so that if you want more difficulty it is available just by selecting the option in those games.
The CE version of the game offers few extras but we can replay the mini-games and HOPS. There are only 16 collectible items to find and they are bits and pieces of items that relate to some of the game’s characters. The CE content is fairly slim but there is the bonus game and the strategy guide that will prove very helpful to those who are new to the genre. IMHO, if you choose to wait for the SE you won’t be missing a lot. I happen to go for the CEs particularly when there is a sale because, even though I don’t always use it, I want the in-game strategy guide available. As a note, the strategy guide has 50 pages and even with playing past the demo point I am only at page 15, which is an indication that the game will be quite long for me.
The original Shadow Wolf game is one of my favorite games of all time so it was very disappointing as I watched many of the subsequent games fade in comparison. The Curse of Wolfhill brings me back to what I love in this series. Everything about it is terrific and I had to tear myself away so that I could finish my review. In recent months I have become bored with some of the HOPA games but both of the games this week are excellent. I know that there are many of you out there in BFG game land who can zoom through games but I play slowly as I enjoy looking at everything. If you loved the early games in the Shadow Wolf series, I think you might really like The Curse of Wolfhill. Even though I absolutely LOVE this game, please try the demo to see if it is one you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Someone's made it their personal vendetta to bring down the Mystery Trackers.
Overall rating
5
/
5
42 of 57 found this review helpful
IS HE REALLY A GHOST?
PostedFebruary 26, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromIt will be really bad if I don't save the bosses daughter
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The legendary Paxton Creek Avenger has returned (or has he) and he has a major grudge against the Mystery Trackers organization. Our Avenger seems to believe that the Mystery Trackers is somehow responsible for all the “sins” in the world. So what does he do? During a performance at the opera he kidnaps the daughter of the MT organization’s chief so now it is time for you to step up to the plate and rescue Ann before it is too late. With your loyal pal, Elf, by your side, you set off on an adventure to rescue Ann and put an end to the Avengers crime spree.
The gameplay modes include: Elf, A la mode, Avenger, and Detective. The Detective mode is customizable and you can set your hint and skip times by using the slider bars. However, the times are not specified so you must rely on what you think they might be but I found that the lower end of the bar is almost an immediate reset. The graphics are wonderful and the lip-synced voiceovers are excellent.
The game’s tools include an interactive map and your canine companion. Even though I have become tired of animal helpers or other game gimmicks, the MT series just wouldn’t be the same without Elf. Of course since I have a little chihuahua that looks almost identical to Elf, I can’t help but love him.
The gameplay modes include: Elf, A la mode, Avenger, and Detective. The Detective mode is customizable and you can set your hint and skip times by using the slider bars. However, the times are not specified so you must rely on what you think they might be but I found that the lower end of the bar is almost an immediate reset. The graphics are wonderful and the lip-synced voiceovers are excellent.
The game’s tools include an interactive map and your canine companion. Even though I have become tired of animal helpers or other game gimmicks, the MT series just wouldn’t be the same without Elf. Of course since I have a little chihuahua that looks almost identical to Elf, I can’t help but love him.
There are various types of interactive HOPs that we are all familiar with by now. There are no surprises here but I love HOPS no matter the type and that is why I am a huge fan of these games. The mini-games are also familiar but very well-crafted and were better than I expected. There are some multi-level puzzles that extend the gameplay and make us think a bit more. I am such a fan of puzzles in a game and they are terrific in Avenger.
The CE content includes collectibles, photo pieces and morphing objects. Of course the standards are included as well. All in all Mystery Trackers Paxton Creek Avenger is a great CE value and one I recommend.
Mystery Trackers Paxton Creek Avenger is a five-star game that I would rate higher if possible. Every move is not obvious and it requires some thought to figure out what the next step should be. The entire package from the graphics to the sound is excellent. After a couple of games in the series that left me rather bored, I am happy to see an MT game that goes back to the basics of great gameplay with excellent HOPS and mini-games. To say I loved the game is almost an understatement. I know that many of you are extremely underwhelmed with Elf but I can’t imagine a Mystery Trackers game without him. His antics are very cute and I think he is quite dapper in his little doggie tuxedo. Even though I love this game, please try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!
Some family heirlooms are more trouble than they're worth...
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 104 found this review helpful
SAVE YOUR NEPHEW AND HIS FAMILY IN THIS NEW GRIM TALES GAME
PostedFebruary 25, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromSearching every corner of the old family castle to save Brandon and Billy. Will I make it before times runs out?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Yes, Aunt Gray is back and she has been called upon by her nephew, Brandon, to help find his missing son. When you arrive at Gray Castle you find Bandon’s wife in a coma and Brandon has gone ahead to search for Billy. A story of a ghostly figure emerges as you use your special ability of seeing the past to search for Billy and now Brandon. Encounter an old nemesis and search out the source of a deep evil hidden within the walls of Gray Castle. You will need your wits and nerves of steel to save your beloved nephew and his family in this great new Grim Tales game.
The game offers four levels of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore and Custom. In the Custom mode the hints and skips can be set in a range of 15 – 90 seconds. The graphics are excellent as are the lip-synced voiceovers. The entire sound package adds to your enjoyment of searching through a spooky castle to find Brandon and Billy. There are seven chapters plus the bonus chapter and even with a very long demo we only complete chapter three. Given the amount of time it took to go through the demo, I believe the game is going to be quite long. However, I tend to gawk at everything in a game and even some of those games that seem short for others still take me a long time to complete. I hate to skip mini-games and if they present a challenge I can work at them for quite a while before moving forward.
The game offers four levels of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore and Custom. In the Custom mode the hints and skips can be set in a range of 15 – 90 seconds. The graphics are excellent as are the lip-synced voiceovers. The entire sound package adds to your enjoyment of searching through a spooky castle to find Brandon and Billy. There are seven chapters plus the bonus chapter and even with a very long demo we only complete chapter three. Given the amount of time it took to go through the demo, I believe the game is going to be quite long. However, I tend to gawk at everything in a game and even some of those games that seem short for others still take me a long time to complete. I hate to skip mini-games and if they present a challenge I can work at them for quite a while before moving forward.
Your tools include an interactive map that is present at the beginning of the game and a bit later you will receive an hour-glass that can be used to see the future. So not only can you use your ability to see the past, you now have a tool to see the future.
It looks like the Mammoth team has finally moved away from the traditional list style of HOPS. The game demo included a mix of hidden object styles - matching objects, finding different colors and types of flowers, and one where we find objects by their silhouette. The silhouette style of HOS is my least favorite so I am happy to find that not all of them are that style. Another change is that I finally don’t have to open a suitcase to start the first HOS in a game. There are a lot more mini-games than there are HOP scenes, so if you are a fan of the mini-games you have hit the jackpot. While almost all of the mini-games are familiar, many of them seem to have a stepped-up difficulty level so that we do not have a game padded with super easy mini-games. The following mini-games are only a few of those that were found in the demo: rotate valves to set gauge levels, lead a zebra through a labyrinth press the buttons on a car toy in the correct order according to a clue, swap pieces to complete a picture, and many more.
The CE version of the game includes most of the normal extras with the in-game strategy guide being the most important particularly if you are new to HOPA games. The other extras include collectibles, morphing objects, puzzle pieces to find to build the wallpapers, achievements that are earned just by playing game and the secret room. Of course you will find the standard fluff that is always included in CE games.
The CE version of the game includes most of the normal extras with the in-game strategy guide being the most important particularly if you are new to HOPA games. The other extras include collectibles, morphing objects, puzzle pieces to find to build the wallpapers, achievements that are earned just by playing game and the secret room. Of course you will find the standard fluff that is always included in CE games.
This latest offering in the Gray family saga is quite a bit better than some of the more recent games in the series. Fortunately, The Heir seems to take a step back into being more like the older Grim Tales games. The story is interesting and who doesn’t like searching through a dark old castle filled with cobwebs and all sorts of creepy things. I loved the demo of the game and knew that Grim Tales The Heir was a keeper so I hit the buy button right away. Even though I love the game, please try the demo and see if it is one you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
The famous Johnny Abilli has been murdered at the Broadbeach Resort. You've been called in to crack the case.
Overall rating
5
/
5
64 of 158 found this review helpful
DID LIVING ON THE EDGE COST JOHNNY HIS LIFE?
PostedFebruary 20, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You have been called to work on a case in the Sunshine State at the Broadbeach Resort. The victim is the well-known high-roller playboy Johnny Abilli, a man who from his own description has seen it all and is rather bored with life. His only thrill comes from living on the edge and even that has lost its appeal. As you gather the evidence you come up with a resort full of suspects and at the top of the list is a soon to be ex-wife who wants her share of the assets. Step back in time to circa 1950s as you solve the crime and prove once again why you are a master detective.
The game options include four modes of gameplay: Easy, Medium, Hard and Custom. In the custom mode the hints can be set to recharge anywhere from 10 to 120 seconds and the puzzle skips can be set to recharge in a range of 10 to 400 seconds. You can also turn of the HOP error click penalty. It should be no surprise that the graphics are excellent as are the voiceovers.
Your tools include an interactive map and an evidence board where you collect notes and other objects you find that will help you identify the killer.
There are various types of interactive HOPs, some are the standard list type and others are silhouette type. If you don’t want to look for items in the HOPS you have to option to play a bubble shooter type game. There is not much to say other than the game was baked using the same cookie cutter molds that are familiar from this game developer. At one time their games were unique but now they are much the same with the same recycled puzzles even though some have increased in difficulty. The puzzles are still doable without too much effort so there is something here for everyone. If you play every HOPA game released then, like me, you might have that feeling of been here and done that before; however, for all their sameness, I still love HOPA games.
The CE content is standard and there are no surprises here either. There are collectibles, morphing objects (although I haven’t spotted them), achievements, strategy guide, wallpapers, videos, etc. You either prefer the CEs or choose to wait for the SE release and that is a matter of preference.
Even though there is nothing new here, I love a good mystery and Broadbeach Cove seems to have it all. Finding evidence and sorting through the possibilities is sure to present hours of good old-fashioned sleuthing entertainment. If you happen to love every new HOPA game that comes along you probably hit that buy button as quickly as I did. Even though I love the game, please at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!