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:
Experience an authentic Slavic legend! Save the creatures from destruction!
Overall rating
5
/
5
126 of 161 found this review helpful
A GORGEOUS GAME DESTINED TO BECOME A FAMILY CLASSIC
PostedNovember 26, 2015
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Eventide Slavic Fable is one of those beautiful games that we are fortunate to have every so often, and sometimes it seems that a game as wonderful as this one doesn’t show up often enough. You play the game as Mary a young botanist who has been called upon by her grandmother who loves and cares for a very rare plant that is now dying. Not only is the plant dying, the fate of Heritage Park is in danger as well. Since you rarely hear from your grandmother you know it must be important so off you go to Moorland to save the plant and Heritage Park. When you arrive you are attacked by a flying monster that then flies off with your grandmother. Now your task is to save Grandma as well as the flower.
The game offers only three standard modes of gameplay: Casual, Advanced, and Expert. I don’t know about you but I love the custom mode offered by some game devs and think it should be included in all games. The graphics are gorgeous and rich. I love the depth of color and the way the artists have created the various creatures that we meet on our journey. The voiceovers are so awesome that they bring the characters in the game to life.
You have an interactive map that you will find early in the game and a journal (well sort of) that shows your objectives. At least in the demo, I didn’t come across any gimmicky time-filler tools so it looks like we are fairly much on our own.
The HOPS include a variety with some of them being interactive. We encounter the first one as we need to escape from a difficult situation and it took me a minute to realize I was even in a HOP scene. I love the puzzles in the game and, yes, they seem fairly easy but with a game this gorgeous I don’t really care.
The CE version of the game has collectibles to find and I don’t want to spoil your fun by telling you what they are. Of course, we have those inevitable achievements to earn (does anyone really care about earning them?) and all of the standard extras including the Strategy Guide and bonus game.
The game is beautiful, fun, and enchanting. I love the storyline and all of the various characters I meet. This game is a true classic that you can enjoy with the entire family. To say I love it is an understatement. After some of the more graphic games we have had recently, it is a nice change to encounter a heartwarming game. The gameplay is a bit different and things to be done are not always obvious so not only is the game gorgeous, it is definitely good for using the old gray matter. Even though I love the game, I recommend you try the demo to see if Eventide Slavic Fable is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Travel to ancient Greece to relive a tale of romance between of a modest hunter deeply in love with the goddess Artemis.
Overall rating
2
/
5
41 of 49 found this review helpful
A RATHER HO-HUM HIDDEN OBJECT GAME
PostedNovember 25, 2015
biscuitsmama
fromZeus needs to lock this one up on a shelf in his treasury
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Beyond the Legend Mysteries of Olympus is basically a hidden object game with minimal adventure thrown in to spice it up a bit. At its heart it is the love story of Theron, a mere mortal, and Artemis, daughter of Zeus. Of course we know that dad, as is the case with most dads, thinks that Theron is not good enough for his daughter and being Zeus he locks Artemis up on Mt. Olympus. Hermes and Hera seeing Theron’s misery decide to help him reunite with Artemis and thus our journey begins.
The game has three modes of gameplay: Easy, Casual and Extreme. The settings are very basic with not a lot of options. Graphics are just mediocre and there are no voiceovers aside from the narration at the beginning of the game.
There are HOS at almost every twist and turn in the game as well as many puzzles. Both the HOP and the puzzles are easy so there is not much challenge in the game. If you like straightforward HOS then you will most likely enjoy Mysteries of Olympus.
For me the game is just a bit too easy and lacks the polish and challenge that I look for in a great HOPA game. It is a game suited more to players who are just dipping their toes into the HO genre and will seem boring to more seasoned gamers who suffer from the HOPA addiction. Even though the game is not for me, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy.
I don't recommend this game.
A great evil unlocks deep within Ravenhearst!
Overall rating
5
/
5
181 of 315 found this review helpful
AN AMAZING SEQUEL TO THE RAVENHEARST SAGA
PostedNovember 24, 2015
biscuitsmama
fromLooking for the shard of Madame Fate's crystal ball before Alister can get his hands on it
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Prepare yourself for another game in the ongoing saga of Ravenhearst. Battered and delirious after the explosive end of the previous game, you find yourself now ensconced at the local Manchester Lunatic Asylum where you can heal your body and mind. When you come to your senses you find that you are now in the cell that was once inhabited by none other than your arch nemesis Alister Dalimar. Not only are you held in the asylum, you now come face to face with Charlotte, one of the demented Dalimar twins. It seems that Charlotte has plans for you so you need to escape NOW before you can become a pawn in her twisted plans.
The game has 6 chapters plus the bonus game and it offers four modes of gameplay: Regular, Hard, Insane, and Custom. If you choose the Custom setting you can fiddle with different settings to set up the game for the way you like to play. In the Custom mode the hints will recharge in a range of 10 – 120 seconds and the puzzle skips can be set in a range of 10 – 400 seconds. You can also turn of the tutorial and click penalty options.
Your tools include the map that you will receive from another asylum patient early in the game. Alister’s Enigma is back and you will find that a bit into the game. So aside from the map and Enigma, your only other tool is your awesome brain power and the desire to find solutions.
The HOPs are excellent and some are quite interactive containing mini puzzles. One scene was very interactive and took some time to figure out where to find the items. The puzzles are terrific as well and although they are not difficult they are tricky. One puzzle that was multi-level included a familiar arcade type game that was quite a bit of fun. At the end of the demo is one of those very tricky, super puzzles that took me quite a bit of time to work through.
In the CE version of the game there are 40 posters to collect and achievements to earn as well as the other standard extras such as an art gallery, music, replay of HOPS and puzzles, Bonus Game, Strategy Guide and the Souvenir Room. I would absolutely recommend the CE version so that you have the in-game strategy guide.
Ravenhearst Unlocked is a memorable game and one that I LOVE. I had thought that I was so done with this series but The Key to Ravenhearst renewed my interest and the demo of this game was enough to convince me that I had to have it. Okay, I was convinced before even playing the demo since I think that this developer has worked wonders with putting new life into a series that I thought should have been retired long ago. Ravenhearst Unlocked has so many things that make it a great game from the excellent HOPS to the puzzles, and then the gameplay. Even though I purchased the game the second it was released, please try the demo to see if you find this game to be one you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Set off on an epic solitaire card adventure with Prince Ram in his quest to free his wife from the clutches of the Demon King Raavan!
Overall rating
2
/
5
51 of 60 found this review helpful
JUST ANOTHER SO, SO SOLITAIRE GAME
PostedNovember 23, 2015
biscuitsmama
fromUgh, another one-up, one-down solitaire game. Boring
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Solitaire Stories The Quest for Seeta is another in an overload of those one up, one down solitaire games. Although the graphics are colorful and there is a storyline it is just another so, so typical game. I long for a true solitaire game package that will offer a variety of different types of games to play.
The graphics are very cartoonish although quite sharp and colorful. There are no voiceovers, only dialogue to read. It seems that this might be a first effort at a game by the dev and lacks a lot of the polish that I look for in a game.
If you like this type of solitaire game then you might like this one but I think there are far better choices here at BFG. For me the game just didn’t capture my interest so it won’t be one that I will add to my game manager. Even though I didn’t care for the game, it might be one that your will enjoy so please try the demo.
I don't recommend this game.
Toxic flowers have been claiming victims and withering plant life in the Netherlands. Can you cultivate the answers to this mystery?
Overall rating
5
/
5
74 of 85 found this review helpful
FLOWERS ON A RAMPAGE - A GREAT GAME
PostedNovember 22, 2015
biscuitsmama
fromArmed with my mini-lab, I am off to investigate these wild vines and deadly blossoms
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
European Mystery Flowers of Death is the third game in the series. Mysterious flowers are out of control and have killed several citizens in the town. You have been asked to investigate but maybe this is a case where you don’t want to find the answers. You really don’t know who you should trust because someone is up to no good.
The game offers four modes of gameplay: Casual, Advanced Hardcore, and Custom. In the custom mode you can set both the hint and skip buttons to recharge in a range of 15 to 90 seconds. There is also an option to turn off the rapid search penalty. The graphics are excellent and at times beautiful. The lip-synced voiceovers are also quite good and, along with the sound package, add a lot to the game.
Our tools for the game include an interactive transporter type map and an Evidence Board. We also have a mini-lab as in the previous games where we can concoct various antidotes to counteract the poisonous pollens we encounter. Yes those out of control plants are deadly!
What I enjoyed most in this game are the HOPS that have quite a bit of variety. Some are silhouette while others are the list type but no matter which type, they are interactive and some are quite different. IMHO, the HOPS made the game a lot of fun. Even a few of the puzzles were different than those we normally see but it did seem that there were more HOPS than puzzles.
The CE version of the game has collectible flower cards to find in various scenes in the game. I don’t know if it is just me but I think they might morph as well. Either that or I need to have my eyes checked – lol. Of course there are those ever-present, meaningless achievements to be earned. I think we could sleep through the game and still earn many of them. The remainder of the extras includes the standards such as the Strategy Guide and the bonus gameplay.
The first game in the European Mystery series was quite good but I didn’t care as much for the second game. Fortunately, Flowers of Death seems quite improved and I found it quite enjoyable. As I mentioned above the HOPS were excellent and not just time fillers so that we could find an item that is needed. I purchased the game as soon as it was released and enjoyed the full game. The story has quite a mystery that evolves as we play the game. Even though I enjoyed the game, as always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if you will enjoy this game.
I recommend this game!
The people of Lightfalls are disappearing, and it’s up to you to save them!
Overall rating
4
/
5
57 of 79 found this review helpful
GRAB YOUR SNORKEL AND DIVE INTO THIS NEW SURFACE GAME
PostedNovember 21, 2015
biscuitsmama
fromGathering my scuba gear as I rush off to save my family
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
In this latest game in the Surface series, Return to Another World, you revisit the previous game and once again play the game as Jill. After moving away from home you receive an urgent call from your mother telling you that your hometown of Lightfalls is in terrible danger. What is there to do but head for the little Beetle and rush home to see if you can help. Once you arrive you realize that mom wasn’t joking and some type of energy wave that emanates from the water is destroying the town. Not only is some supernatural force on a rampage, there is no one to be found except a boy roaming the streets. As you begin to piece the clues together a sad and terrifying story begins to emerge. Could the machinations of one misunderstood boy have created the disaster that has hit your home town? You will need to play this newest Surface game to find the answers you seek.
The game offers four modes of gameplay: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, and Custom. In the custom mode you can set the hint and skip buttons to recharge in a range of 15 to 90 seconds. Although the graphics are okay they at times appear blurry and washed out. Overall the graphics are just not as crisp as in some games from this dev and I wondered if they outsourced the artwork.
Tools for the game include an interactive map that is available at the beginning of the game, and my favorite of all tools – a diary. Call me a traditionalist when it comes to games but I love to follow the storyline as it evolves and is placed in the diary for review. It often proves quite helpful to look back in the diary to see clues that I might have missed, or to refresh my memory.
As is generally the case in games from this dev, no sooner than we reach our destination we will find a suitcase, car door or car trunk to open in order to access our first HOP scene. In this case we open the Beetle’s trunk to find what we need. The items are shown in silhouette but they are clearly depicted and easy to find with no interaction required. For some reason I thoroughly enjoyed the HOPS in this game more than usual. Not only were the HOPS terrific but so were some of the puzzles. Not all of the puzzles were difficult but the demo did include on super puzzle and I hope there are more of those in the game.
The CE version of the game includes finding the flowers that are the signature for the series. There are also morphing objects, and achievements to be earned. Other extras include the standard items such as the Strategy Guide, Bonus Game, Concept Art, wallpapers, music, and videos. Unless there is a great sale many will prefer the SE version of the game.
It came as a surprise to me that I enjoyed this game. As is often the case, the game started out slow but did pick up as I got to the end of the demo. Because the storyline is interesting I decided that I wanted to know more. Overall the game is not on par with some of the Surface games and I feel like the devs are running out of ideas for this series. Perhaps it is time that the Surface series is retired. Although I did get the game, I highly recommend you try the demo on this one because you will either love it or hate it.
I recommend this game!
Online dating has got Dracula in a bind! Can he escape?
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 41 found this review helpful
AN AMAZING TM GAME - GREAT FOR ANY TIME OF YEAR
PostedNovember 20, 2015
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
If you are a fan of TM games then you are sure to love Incredible Dracula Chasing Love. What an “incredible” game. As far as TM games go, this is probably one of the best I have seen and has totally changed my mind about TM games. I LOVE this game and find myself going to it whenever I have bit of time to spare. If I can love a TM game, I bet this is the game that just might hook you as well.
The graphics are excellent and what makes this game so much fun is the awesome voiceovers and sound effects. I love the heavy sigh of your helper as he collects the various items you require. Another nice feature, particularly for me, is the ability to play the game in a relaxed mode. I enjoy all the specifics such as collecting food, gold, and bricks but I hate rushing around to beat the clock.
The premise of the game is the same as in all TM games we collect resources that allow us to complete specific tasks. When we collect certain resources in Incredible Dracula we have the ability to create potions so we can change into a bat or perform some other task.
If you enjoy playing TM games with the younger members of your family, Incredible Dracula is a game that will keep them entertained for hours. A great game to play any time of the year but one that will be extra special as Halloween treat. As many of you may know I am not a big fan of the TM genre but when a game as fun and entertaining as Incredible Dracula comes my way, it is hard to ignore it. I recommend this game to anyone who wants to have fun and enjoy helping Dracula escape the bonds of matrimony. Congratulations to the developer who created an awesome TM game. I hope to see more like this one. Even though I really enjoy the game, I recommend you try the demo to see if you agree.
I recommend this game!
Who is trying to destroy the Kingdom of Barsia?
Overall rating
5
/
5
103 of 151 found this review helpful
A FANTASTIC SPIN ON A CLASSIC TALE
PostedNovember 19, 2015
biscuitsmama
fromThis is certainly not your grandma's bedtime story
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This certainly isn’t the same Goldilocks story that I remember but I rather like the Dark Parables spin on the much loved tale. As usual you are a detective that investigates unusual occurrences and even when on vacation it seems that your help is required. A young boy tells a tale of being attacked by strange mechanical beasts but did that really happen? The thing is he has shown up with an artifact that might have been the reason for the attack. As you begin your investigation you too are attacked so there just might be something to the boy’s story after all. As you extract yourself from a dangerous situation and begin your investigation you find that there seems to be some sort of feud between the Barsians and the Olesians. The situation becomes even more tangled as you encounter your old friend Jack from the Sky Kingdom. As you step into Goldilocks and the Fallen Star, be aware that things are not always as they seem.
The game includes four modes of gameplay: Casual, Hard, Insane and Custom. If you select 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 have the option select what type tutorial you want, if any, as well as the option to turn off the of the HOP error click penalty if you don’t want to be penalized for random clicking in the HOPS. As usual the graphics are very good and the sound package compliments the game including the excellent voiceovers. The only thing I find disappointing with the change in devs of the Dark Parables games is that the FROGS now lack the richness and gorgeous color that was present in the original games.
Your tools include an interactive map that is found early in the game. At least during the demo I did not encounter any gimmicky tools so that at least is a good thing. I do have a feeling though that the artifact I found early in the game may have some future purpose but hopefully it isn’t an item that must be charged by playing a mini-game before each use. I personally find those sorts of things nothing more than frustrating time-fillers to pad out a game but this is simply my opinion and others might not agree.
The newer Dark Parables games include the traditional FROGS as well as HOPS. As I mentioned earlier the FROGS lack the luster of the previous games and seem dull by comparison. The HOPS are varied including the interactive story type where we must replace objects in the scene to open more of the story to ultimately receive our needed item. At least in the demo it seemed like there were a lot of mini-games and the ones encountered were fairly simple. One puzzle involved turning stones so that the runes on them were all visible, but turning one affected the adjacent runes as well. Personally, I dislike this type of puzzle and find them frustrating even though I eventually get the right combo. Another puzzle involved smelting bronze to create an artifact by following the instructions. The puzzles will become more difficult as the game progresses so I know there will be some to keep me on my toes.
The CE version of the game contains collectibles – snowflakes as well as parable pieces. There are also those inevitable achievements to earn. The remaining extras include the Bonus Gameplay, Strategy Guide, Replay of HOPS and Puzzles, Wallpapers, Music, Movies, and Artwork. Generally this developer pack a lot into their CE releases so I am sure that looking for collectibles and morphing objects will keep me busy.
Of course the demo ends on a cliff hanger and whets our appetite for what is to come. Overall, I love the way this team puts a game together and am rarely disappointed. I had my doubts at the beginning of Goldilocks as it seemed to get off to a very slow start but it eventually picked up and I was disappointed when the demo came to an end. Because I love the Dark Parables games and their spin on some of my favorite stories, the game was an instant buy for me. Even though I know the game is one I will enjoy, 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!
Help restore the charm to this French bakery world in Sweetest Thing 2: Patisserie!
Overall rating
2
/
5
20 of 26 found this review helpful
THIS SWEETEST THING IS NOT SO SWEET
PostedNovember 17, 2015
biscuitsmama
fromI don't care if the ants run amok and take over this Candy Land
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Sweetest Thing 2: Patisserie is not so sweet but that is only my opinion. What is wrong with the game? For me, no relaxed mode or untimed mode makes it an instant non-purchase. My days of beat the clock are over and I have no desire to play a game where there is a time limit to complete the level.
When I started the game the only options are for sound so that should have been my clue. Imagine my surprise when on level three the game ended and I needed to restart the level. No, no, no that doesn’t work for me. The game seemed like it could be a bit of fun but I did have to turn off the music as it was very annoying. The graphics were okay but I have seen much better in more recent TM games.
For those of you who love TM games then this is most likely a game you will enjoy but for me, unfortunately, the game ended abruptly and it was a definite no buy for me. I can only recommend the game for those who love the genre. For the rest of us, it gets a thumbs down. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy.
I don't recommend this game.
Your wedding day goes dark... and your fiancée has no idea who's behind it all.
Overall rating
4
/
5
38 of 45 found this review helpful
WHAT A DADDY WILL DO TO ENSURE HIS DAUGHTER IS A REAL PRINCESS
PostedNovember 15, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Dark Romance the Swan Sonata is a love story with a twist. It is the tale of Siegfried and Odette and of course there is an evil magician and his equally evil daughter in the mix. The magician with his attitude is hilarious even though he is an evil character. As in the previous Dark Romance game you switch roles playing the game sometimes as Odette and at others playing the game as Siegried. The path to true love is riddled with challenges along the way as Rothbart attempts to keep you away from your prince.
The game has four modes of gameplay to choose from: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, and Custom. In the custom mode the hints and skips can be set to recharge in a range of 15 to 90 seconds. The graphics are beautiful consisting of excellent hand-drawn artwork and some computer generated graphics that uses a wonderful intense and rich color palette. Not only are the graphics colorful, they are very crisp and clear. I must admit that I really enjoyed clicking different items in each scene since they are not stagnant and many responded various ways when clicked. At times the game seems to use live characters and at others they are artist created. The sound package includes lip-synced voiceovers that are generally very good.
Our tools include an interactive map and a journal that keeps track of notes. At least during the demo I didn’t need to use any magical tools or other gimmicks.
The HOPs are varied and the first one is a FROG type scene where we find various parts of our broken carriage. If you don’t want to find the various items in the HOPs you do have the option of a match 3 game, but I found the HOPS interesting and entertaining so chose to find the items. The mini puzzles are not too difficult but I did struggle with the first lock puzzle.
The CE version of the game includes various collectibles to find, achievements to earn along with all of the other standard extras we usually expect to find The CE package is just so-so, but with a decent sale it might be worth it just to have the in game strategy guide.
Although the package is beautiful and the game does have some interesting features, we once again are dealing with an evil magician who is bent on wreaking havoc. As far as this type of game goes, Dark Romance the Swan Sonata is excellent but in many ways seems geared towards teen girls. I know that many gamers like these types of games but I am not sure it will appeal to a broader crowd so, although I like the game I recommend that you try the demo to see if you will enjoy it as well.
I recommend this game!