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:
Haunted Legends: The Stone Guest Collector's Edition
Someone is stealing the hearts of children – literally! Is it a brilliant inventor, seeking to cure his ailing son? Or has dark magic taken over the village...
Overall rating
3
/
5
25 of 27 found this review helpful
The Stone Guest Falls Like a Brick
PostedNovember 15, 2014
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Once again that evil little dwarf we love to hate is back and intent on creating mayhem and havoc in another Haunted Legends game. This time you have been called upon to help a friend who is in danger because, since creation of an artificial heart that saved the life of his son, he has been now been accused of kidnapping and killing innocent children.
The graphics and sound are all typical ERS. There have been half-hearted attempts at lip-syncing (IMHO) since it is sometimes present and at others not. There are only three modes of gameplay to select and what the developer determines for those settings is what we get.
There is an interactive transporter type map but I can’t find a diary so I am guessing, at least at this point, that there isn’t one. There is an odd amulet that shows up at the beginning of the game but I have no idea about its purpose but presumably once all of its components are acquired that will become clear and it will be used in some way. In some respects, the game feels unfinished as if it were just thrown together at the last minute without a lot of thought to what tools might be required. The diary is something I always consider one of my most important tools and I like to look back to review what has been happening in the game up to a certain point. I am very disappointed when a diary isn't available in a game.
The HOPs are varied but we’ve seen them all before so there is no need to go into a great deal of detail. Happily, for me the puzzles seem a bit more difficult, or at least understanding what to do with them is a bit more vague than usual, but once figured out they are fairly straightforward.
Honestly, there is not much aside from the strategy guide that would qualify this game as a true CE. IMHO, one would derive the same amount of entertainment and gameplay value from the SE version. If developers and BFG want to sell CEs then those games should contain something that sets them apart and makes them worth the extra investment, even with a sale.
I am a big fan of ERS and of the Haunted Legends series but I have to say that The Stone Guest is a bit creepy and odd to say the least. ERS has always been great at telling the story but this game just doesn’t come together for me. I find some things I really like about the game but as a whole it fails. My opinion might change as I make my way through the game but for now, it is just not the same quality that I have come to expect from this series or this developer. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I don't recommend this game.
You've been called to investigate a strange purple tide. And that's when the mermaid shows up...
Overall rating
5
/
5
57 of 75 found this review helpful
Come Swim With Me Through This New Dark Parables Game
PostedNovember 13, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
In a marriage between Blue Tea and EIPIX we now have an excellent addition to my favorite fairy tale series. Although this reimagining of the Little Mermaid is initially more reminiscent of the rebirth of Atlantis than it is of my favorite childhood fairy tale, it is nevertheless a beautiful fantasy presentation. As our story begins our trusty detective is off to investigate a Purple Tide with sightings of mermaids and sea serpents. Dive in and explore beautiful underwater seascapes as our intrepid detective is off to solve yet another mystery.
The graphics are needless to say gorgeous and a feast for the eyes. I love the saturation of color that is to be found in almost every scene. The voiceovers are very good and add to the overall cinematic feel of the game. We have the option of selecting a custom mode of gameplay that I always appreciate so that I can turn off certain features at will.
The HOPs are of course the FROG (fragmented object) type, and I am not sure if it is only my imagination but I am having a more difficult time finding the objects than I did in previous Dark Parables games. In the past I rarely had to rely on using hints but it seems almost impossible to complete one of the FROGs in The Little Mermaid without hitting the hint button. I am not sure if this is a good change but I know that since some of the fragments seem almost invisible, it is definitely harder on my eyes. The puzzles I have encountered seem mediocre at best, and there have been none that seemed overly difficult. That being said and even though puzzles are generally my favorite addition to HOPA games there is still something about this game that is irresistible.
I am not sure how many other gamers will think that the extras are anything special since there are only collectibles, parable pieces and gameplay based achievements. Of course we also have those generally useless other extras included but, IMHO and some may disagree, the wallpapers alone are worth the price of the CE. Even the concept art that is generally nothing more than pencil sketches is exceptional. Throw in the ability to replay the HOPs and puzzles, if that is something you like, then the game truly is as a great CE value. I didn’t even wait for a sale but hit the buy button based simply on what I saw in the demo.
With maybe only one misstep in the past, every game in the Dark Parables series has been awesome and I own each one. The Little Mermaid offers some subtle changes that come as a result of the shared input from two great development teams but none of those changes are so glaring that the intent of the original developer is changed. In many ways the gameplay seems to flow more smoothly and we have the wonderful interpretation of a classic tale. I love the game and know that I will relish each and every moment that I get to indulge in my childhood fantasy. As always, I recommend that you try the game for yourself to see if it is one of those that has your name written on it.
I recommend this game!
You’re the only one who can save Taleworld from an evil queen.
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 45 found this review helpful
No Complete SG in the Demo gets only 3-Stars
PostedNovember 8, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Nevertales is back and Alice is now a young adult living in “Realworld” and working toward her goal of becoming the CEO for a major corporation. Of course, in game world we know a crisis will inevitably occur and inevitably our heroine must return home after an urgent summons from mom. It seems that dad has found himself in a mess of trouble after being accused of treason. Will Alice be able to save the day and restore harmony in Taleworld? Play this new adventure
I was so delighted to see that Mad Head Games is back to genius level with this new offering in the Nevertales series. I was put off by the previous game and really wasn’t sure that I wanted to try Smoke and Mirrors but I’m happy that I decided to try the beta and I was impressed by some of the changes. We no longer are faced with a continual palette of pink and purple and the artists have used some more vibrant colors when designing Smoke and Mirrors.
The HOPs were interesting and varied and, thankfully, did not seem to rely as heavily upon the “find hidden symbols on the pages” type. Overall, the game did not seem quite as easy and I had to think about where to go and what to do next. The puzzles, although not difficult, were interesting and entertaining with some being more challenging than others.
We have a tablet that serves as our diary and there will be an interactive map to be obtained at some point in the game
Something that I found VERY objectionable is the lack of a complete strategy guide in the demo version of the CE for Smoke and Mirrors. As far as I am concerned, had there not been a good sale today, I would not have purchased the CE. Developers, if you want gamers to purchase your CEs please make the SG totally viewable in the demo so we can see what to expect. I have a feeling this game is woefully short on CE extras and that is why the developer chose not to add a complete SG. That being said, I would recommend waiting for the SE version of the game since we have no idea of how many chapters are available or of what extras to expect aside from meaningless achievements and some sort of collectible.
The gameplay in Smoke and Mirrors is great and I love the changes that have been incorporated into the HOPs. As I mentioned above I would not have purchased the CE had there not been a good sale today. Because of the missing COMPLETE strategy guide in the demo, I am rating this game only 3-stars rather than 5-stars but, 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!
A shadow from the Gray family's past has returned for revenge. Can you save your family from their worst nightmares?
Overall rating
5
/
5
93 of 117 found this review helpful
A Wonderful Game! Color of Fright is Perfect in Every Way.
PostedNovember 6, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
In a new game in the Grim Tales series, one of my favorite developers has stepped it up a notch and presents a game that is worthy competition to some of my all-time favorites. The Gray family is back, and in Color of Fright we learn more about the family and their hidden secrets.
Of course with the game being from a top developer the graphics are excellent. One of the new features included in this game is that we have the ability to “pan” around in most scenes but not all of them so be sure to keep your eyes open for the faint arrows at the top of the scenes when this feature is available. The lip-synced voiceovers are very good and I found the background narration from the culprit excellent with the perfect amount of sarcasm and anger to set the tone for this creepy game. We are offered only three modes of gameplay with no custom option included. I don’t think that this developer usually includes the custom option of gameplay but I wish they did since we do find it available more frequently and I appreciate the ability to set certain features to suit the way I like to play a game.
We have a very helpful interactive map that allows us to move freely between scenes and realities. When opened, the map also includes a tab for your diary so you can keep track of pertinent information. There is another interesting new tool but it took me a while to catch on to its use so I am not going to say anything about how it works aside from the fact that it is an interesting inclusion in this game.
The HOPs have taken on a new flavor in Color of Fright as well and I am happy to say that our first HOP is not the proverbial suitcase. Not only are some of the HOPs different it looks like the Elephant team is moving in a new direction with some of them, and they have “borrowed” a method or two from another favorite developer of mine and included them in this game. The puzzles are better than what we have seen lately in HOPA games and many had a bit more challenge than usual, although I have to admit that I found some to be very tedious at times since they are not my favorite types of puzzles.
We can look forward to lots of collectibles, morphing objects and various achievements so; IMHO, this is a game worthy of the CE designation. It is a matter of personal preference as to whether you would opt for the CE or the SE because I don’t think that aside from the collectibles much else will change.
When I first played the beta for the game I found myself a bit confused and frustrated as I was having a great deal of difficulty moving forward. It seemed that using some objects was so far-fetched that it made the game slow at first. That being said, by the time I finished, I had totally changed my opinion and knew that Grim Tales Color of Fright is a must-have game for me and one that I will definitely enjoy. There are lots of challenges, an interesting storyline, and new gameplay features that are sure to keep many of us who are seasoned HOPA gamers very happy. Although the game is a must-have purchase for me, 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!
When minotaurs attack, only you can save the day.
Overall rating
5
/
5
59 of 82 found this review helpful
A Wonderful Prequel to the Awakenings Series. A Must Have Game!
PostedNovember 1, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
In a new Awakenings game our story begins long before Princess Sophia was born. It was a time when the human kingdom lived in peace but as our story begins that peace and harmony is soon to be shattered as Minotaur warriors arrive at your village looking for the Human Prince. With the help of your new ranger friend Cedric, you and Caity narrowly escape the Minotaurs and reunite with the convoy of villagers who escaped. Soon you learn that all is not as it appears and everyone has their secrets.
The graphics are beautiful in Awakenings: The Golden Age. Not only do we have a new storyline that is more of a prequel to the previous games but, IMHO, the graphics seem so much better as well. The overall soundtrack for the game is very good with excellent voiceovers that are unfortunately not lip-synced. The options for gameplay are very basic with not a lot of customization offered as far as settings.
Very early in the game we acquire our magic map that will help us navigate the kingdom. You have other tools at your disposal as well, one of them being the All Seeing Pendant that helps you find hidden magic. You also receive a bird early on that becomes your hint button. During the demo I didn’t receive any “special” help from the bird, although we do name him, but I don’t think it officially qualifies as a pet helper.
There are various types of interactive HOPs, some are the standard list type and others are find matching pairs or hidden items in a story scenario. The puzzles do not seem overly difficult and are much the same as ones we have seen quite often although they have their own spin or presentation on the standard theme. Overall the puzzles and HOPs are entertaining and well done with an emphasis on more mini puzzles than HOPs in the game.
There is very little aside from the bonus chapter and the strategy guide that would make this game an exceptional CE value, although we can replay the HOPs and puzzles as part of the bonus content once we complete the main game, and there is a wonderful assortment of wallpapers included as well.
Overall the Awakening series is not one of my favorites but I am finding this new storyline very good and one I am enjoying. It is only my opinion but everything from the HOPs to the puzzles, gameplay, story, and the visual presentation combine perfectly to make this a game that is perfect for me but, as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this game is your cup of tea.
I recommend this game!
The citizens of Gizmo Land find themselves in great danger after an attempt to celebrate Halloween goes very wrong.
Overall rating
3
/
5
20 of 25 found this review helpful
Could Be Much Better
PostedOctober 27, 2014
biscuitsmama
fromCalifornia, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I love nanogram or griddler type puzzles as they are always my go to type of game when I don't want to get involved in a long adventure game.
There are two issues that will keep me from purchasing this game the first being the puzzle grid background. Many gamers are older and our eyes are not as sharp so it is very hard on the eyes to have a picture lurking behind the grid cells. It makes it extremely difficult to see what cells have not yet been filled. The other item is that I hate playing "beat the clock." Sorry but I had enough of high-pressure time management when I was working and I don't want that "feeling" in any game that I play. Aside from these two issues the game is okay and I would buy it.
Sorry devs you missed the mark for me. Come up with some solid background grids and get rid of the time limits and I will definitely buy your games.
I don't recommend this game.
Track down a vampire hiding on a Mississippi riverboat cruise.
Overall rating
5
/
5
134 of 152 found this review helpful
Another Great Game for Halloween
PostedOctober 25, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Just in time for Halloween we have a new Myths of the World – Black Rose that is a ghoulish tale of vampires. I will be the first to admit that I don’t care much for games about vampires but every once in a while I have run into a good game that proves me wrong. When I first saw Black Rose I didn’t have much interest but as I played the game and encountered some wonderful HOPs and puzzles, I was hooked.
For those of you who play a lot of HOPA games you already know that EIPIX is one of the top developers in the genre and their graphics are hard to beat. In Black Rose we have those wonderful, albeit sometimes dark, crisp and colorful graphics. Coupled with the excellent lip-synced voiceovers and soundtrack we have a game that is sure to please many of you out there in BFG game land.
The tools in the game consist of an integrated map, a Vampire Hunters Guide and a Vial of Light that we acquire shortly into the game. It looks like some of the game developers seem to have heard you shout, loud and clear, that you are tired of the cute and furry pet helpers or helpers in general because I don't see one lurking around in Black Rose.
What I love about this developer are the great interactive various types of HOPs and for some reason, IMHO, they seem better than ever in Black Rose. At some point I generally groan when I encounter too many interactive HOPs but EIPIX knows how to do them just right since many of them contain puzzles as well as the items to find. I really enjoy the puzzles I have encountered which seem to be multi-tiered and contain a bit more challenge that has been present in recent games. As of late, puzzles have been laughably easy and almost mindless in their presentation but finally I can put my brain to work.
The game is loaded with extras and, IMHO, worthy of being labeled as a CE. Throughout the game we will find morphing objects and two different types of collectibles and not all of them easy to find. Among the extras we will find a bubble-shooter game, puzzles, souvenir box, HOPs, the bonus game, strategy guide, pictures, movies and something I like – the making of section. All in all we have a game that deserves the CE label.
As I mentioned earlier, vampire themed games are not ones I usually enjoy but this is one of the few that I think is very good. I found that when the demo ended I wanted to continue playing and have not been disappointed that I purchased the CE version. In fact, I had to tear myself away from the game to write this review so that I could get back to playing. I know that I have several hours of fun and challenge ahead with Black Rose. However, as always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy as much as I do. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
You are the key to solving a chilling supernatural mystery!
Overall rating
5
/
5
90 of 115 found this review helpful
A Great Spooky Game to Set the Stage for Halloween
PostedOctober 23, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Ahhh, just in time to ring in Halloween, we have a great spooky ghost story. You play the game as a journalist, Emma Roberts, and you have been invited to investigate a possible haunting. What could be more fun as we count down the days to what some of us consider our favorite holiday?
I love this developer who always gives us excellent graphics with top-notch clarity and crispness. The game has superb, lip-synced voiceovers and a sound track that is sure to please those looking for just the right atmosphere in a haunted game.
In 13 Keys the map seems to be the only tool we have since I couldn’t find a journal or diary. The map is the interactive transporter type and, if you don’t turn it off in options, will show where you have tasks available and will also indicate when you have found all of the collectibles and morphing objects. Many of you will be pleased to know that there will be no cute furry pet helpers to accompany us on our journey. This review is based only on the game's demo so this might change later in the game but I doubt it as this developer doesn't seem to rely on the furry pet helper to sell its games.
Something I appreciate in games from this developer is that they include a wonderful mix of HOPs. We will find the standard list type as well as the progressive silhouette. The list type HOPs always have that special something extra included as we search to claim our prize. Along with the great variety of HOPs we can also look forward to puzzles that are not as mindless as those easy-peasy obligatory puzzles that other developers seem so fond of including in their games. The puzzles in The 13 Keys are excellent and include some thought-provoking challenge. Not all of the puzzles are designed for MENSA members but they are a bit more difficult than the norm.
We have morphing objects, finally. Lately they seem to have fallen by the wayside in the recent CE games and some of us love the extra challenge of finding each and every one of them. Just for good measure, along with the morphing objects we also have several different collectible collections hidden throughout the game. The remainder of the CE content is fairly standard.
I love games from this developer and for me they seem to have everything I look for in a good game: a great storyline, wonderful graphics, fun HOPs, intriguing puzzles, and most importantly excellent gameplay. Since playing the beta several months ago this game has been one I have been waiting for so it was an instant purchase for me. Even though the game is one I know that 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!
Death needs help from the only detective he trusts – you!
Overall rating
5
/
5
44 of 61 found this review helpful
Absolutely Wonderful New Riddles of Fate Game!
PostedOctober 16, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Death has returned from a previous Riddles of Fate game and this time he needs your help detective. I don’t want to say too much and give away the premise of the game but he sets an interesting task before you. Will you be able to meet the challenge?
The graphics from the Elephant team are always excellent and top quality being extremely crisp. In this game, the color palette is intense rather than relying on the muted, misty graphics that some devs use in their fantasy type games. The game has excellent and very realistic lip-synced voiceovers that always add to my enjoyment. In fact, the entire sound package sets the stage and creates just the right atmosphere for this new game in the Riddles of Fate series. The one area where the game falls short is that we are only offered three basic gameplay settings to select from when playing – casual, advanced, and hardcore. I keep hoping that this developer will soon begin to offer a custom mode so that I have option to set my hint and skip times rather than having to “accept” what the developer feels is optimal.
Very early in the game you receive Death’s Sphere that is your most valuable tool for navigating the game, and it isn’t too long before you will also receive your journal. The inventory box has a small “button” for your tasks that you can use that to keep you on track if you need to be reminded of what your objectives might be at any given time. Many of you will be happy to know that you do not have a fur-buddy helper during the game or, if there is one, I haven’t found it yet.
The HOS are very typical of this developer and are mostly the old style list type with very little interaction that quite frankly I appreciate after playing a recent game where every HOS was so interactive that I became frustrated. IMHO, it is very refreshing to return to the standard list type HOP where I am not constantly playing a guessing game of what to use where in order to get through the scene. I like the innovation that some developers use when creating their HOPS but VARIETY is the key. Too much of any one style becomes boring and tedious. The puzzles I have encountered are not too difficult and they flow well with the storyline. Hopefully, I will run into a bit more challenge with subsequent puzzles in the game.
In the CE version of the game we have achievements to earn and collectibles to find as well as the inclusion of the bonus game, wallpapers, strategy guide, music, Secret Room and a game of solitaire. The extras are fairly typical of what this developer includes in their games and on par with what we find in most CE games.
The storyline for Riddles of Fate Memento Mori is very interesting as we set about the challenge of assisting Death with his task. I love the graphics, including the depiction of Death who is rather brooding, and attractive in his great set of armor. As I mentioned above, I enjoy the great old style hidden object scenes that include not too much interaction so for me the game was an instant purchase but, 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!
A mysterious device has crashed into Kurt the Mechanic's garage. Help Kurt and his friends decipher its strange message!
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 15 found this review helpful
What Keeps This From Being Excellent
PostedOctober 12, 2014
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I am a huge fan of pictogram or nanogram puzzle games and have played most of them. There are several of these games at the top of my list but this is unfortunately not one of them. Two things keep this from being an excellent game: one the background being a picture makes it very difficult to see what tiles are blank and need to be filled in, and the other is that we play against a timer. I do not like playing with a timer in any game. If the developer would change these two items the next time they present this type of game, I will definitely purchase it. For now, it is a no go for me.
I don't recommend this game.