steve_san's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.3
- Helpful Votes:5,408
- Reviews Submitted:242
- First Review:November 28, 2011
- Most Recent Review:January 3, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait Collector's Edition
A father returns home to find his children missing - all but one, who refuses to say a word...
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 21 found this review helpful
Family Portrait is Actually Paint By Numbers
PostedJuly 18, 2014
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
You return home to your castle to find that your children have been taken by some sinister red-eyed being who uses paintings to release his minions of gargoyles, bats, vicious dogs and fill in the blank. It all began when one of your children pulled a book off the shelf and opened a secret room and unleashed this monster.
The story certainly makes use of the usual inhabitants of these games - missing children, scary animals, swirling black clouds, mysterious books, and things popping out of paintings. Problem is, it's all been done over and over ad nauseum. I can't see how anyone could describe this as imaginative - for one, this is the second game this week with a growling gargoyle.
The voice acting is stiff and atrocious, with no apparent thought to the context of what is being said. The characters are not very compelling, you don't know anything about them except they live in a castle. The drawing and cut scenes are fine, but we've seen similar quality dozens of times before. Similarly, the game play introduces nothing new, its just derivative of what's already been done.
If you have played 10 games in the last year, then you surely have played this one a few times. I could accept it if they had at least come up with something original in the story but alas, no.
I was hoping Family Portrait would be an original but, unfortunately, its a copy.
I don't recommend this game.
Resolve a family squabble before the gates to the realm of the dead swing open and horrors beyond imagination pour into this world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 21 found this review helpful
The Other Side Of Silly
PostedJuly 16, 2014
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
According to the story, ancient alchemists opened a portal that allowed the dead to come over from the "other side." The portal can be blocked temporarily by sacrificing a soul. There are two sisters who dislike each other, one of whom summoned you to the portal tower because you are a supernatural detective. And there is a cat helper that communicates to you through telepathy. It was all introduced very seriously, but all I could think of was, "What?"
Sometimes weak stories can be tolerated when there is good game play. But you won't find that in this game either. I never had more than three items in my inventory at a time while playing all the way to the end of the demo. Most of the time there was only one item there. Find and use. And even with that, if there was any doubt about how to use anything, when an item was added a hint popped up to tell me exactly where to use it. So, I recommend selecting the harder of the two settings.
The hidden objects were large and easy to find, but the scenes do have some depth of interaction to them in a whimsical way. The puzzles were not bad, they were different but still fairly easy. Probably the best part of the game - but that is a low bar.
There are collectible cat's paws - as you might have imagined they are easy to find. There are achievements too, lots of them. So many in fact that it seemed every time I did something, another achievement was popping up. After the first few I ignored them.
I feel this game is designed as a children's game, though they may need assistance with some of the puzzles.
As for me, I'll be reading a book on alchemy.
I don't recommend this game.
Real estate agent Angie Dee must get her first home ready for sale. Explore, solve puzzles and clean cobwebs to unravel the house’s mystery in this amusing adventure.
Overall rating
3
/
5
31 of 60 found this review helpful
For Sale: House on Usher - Price: Your Eyesight
PostedJuly 14, 2014
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I felt compelled to review this game because I have been disappointed with the level of challenge lately provided by the average game.
To be sure, this game provides a challenge - unfortunately it is to your eyes, not your brain. There is some thought required to decipher the names of some of the objects, but mostly it is reminiscent of artwork of five years ago - drab, blurry and flat.
Too bad, because the game itself was interesting and kind of fun once you get into the spirit of it. I could do without the pink and flowery cell phone, but the concept of fixing up a dilapidated house, ceilings collapsing around you, finding unexpected things everywhere, with a demanding boss constantly hassling you and expecting miracles was fairly amusing.
With some determination, I managed to find all the cobwebs and bugs in all but one scene during the trial time (yes, I played to the end - do I get a prize for that? ).
All the while I felt I was playing something someone found in an old house on Usher and decided to release. Send this one back to the development team to fix up. I'll pass on the House, and keep my eyesight.
I don't recommend this game.
Dreampath: The Two Kingdoms
Your sister, the Queen, has fallen deathly ill. Now you must travel to a faraway kingdom to find the cure.
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 46 found this review helpful
Are Two Kingdoms Twice As Nice?
PostedJuly 13, 2014
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
A gold kingdom, a silver kingdom, and the secret that links them. Good vs.evil. Dragons, castles, fire, magic and the Elixir of Life. All here in one game.
Admittedly, the story contains nothing really new or novel, however it is interesting in its simplicity. The character's voices are excellently done, not overacted, and the dialog is sensible. There is a helper in the form of a cat who walks upright, but he doesn't try to be too cute. In addition to assisting you with various tasks, he shares some of the back story with you.
Drawing is very high quality. Animations and cut scenes are first rate as well. The style is very colorful - in contrast with the story which is somewhat dark. Sound effects are also very good, as is the music which is minimal.
The game stands out for its EASY PLAYABILITY for both hidden objects and puzzles. Though simple, the puzzles are well designed and nevertheless interesting owing to their seamless integration into the game's theme. Items in your inventory will occasionally need to be combined. You won't overtax your brain on this, though. The easy play causes the story to move along very quickly, so my concern is that this could be a short game.
In the Collector's Edition, there are collectible gold and silver tokens, achievements, and the usual array of other pseudo-extras (TM).
While it doesn't quite have the story, difficulty or originality to merit the highest rating, it still delivers decent game play.
Two times two stars for Two Kingdoms.
I recommend this game!
Was Veronica West’s death an accident… or a cold-blooded murder?
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 51 found this review helpful
She's Dead, I Reckon
PostedJuly 12, 2014
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
There is the inexplicable "She's dead, call 9-1-1" line in the opening cut scene, but forgetting that for a moment, this is a solid period-piece game set in the 1920's - 30's with a decent whodunit story, lots of characters, evidence, deductions, and interactions. (Note to developer: 9-1-1 was not invented until the late 1960's).
Special note: this game opens on the "name your profile" screen - one of our fellow fishes complained about games that do that owing those who have trouble using the keyboard.
The developers, historical mistakes aside (the Polaroid camera was invented in 1972), obviously took significant time to integrate the artwork, story and music to create a realistically believable environment - this is not a fantasy story, it is gritty realism. You and your police detective partner Agent Daniels are summoned to Silvermoon Isle estate to investigate the death of Veronica West, a famous and wealthy actress.
There are several suspects, and you will meet and "interrogate" each one. You'll have to use your detective skills to determine if what they say is true. You will also find evidence along the way which goes into your evidence book, along with your info on the suspects.
What's nice is not only is there a well written story, there is also a nice variety of game play. Hidden Object scenes are various types, pretty much using period objects. They are of moderate difficulty. There is also a bubble shooter option which was not of interest to this reviewer. Puzzles were not especially new or original, but did require some thought to solve, and fit in nicely with the surroundings. There is also a map - well it's not really a map, but you can use it to jump to a location and it indicates if there is an action to complete.
There are collectible stars, which are fairly well hidden. There are also morphing objects, achievements and the usual array of what I refer to as pseudo-extras(TM) because they do not interest me.
If you love a good detective story, I suggest you use your Dead Reckoning to get to Silvermoon Isle as soon as possible.
I recommend this game!
Beyond the Unknown: A Matter of Time Collector's Edition
It’s time to solve the secret of this mysterious island!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 25 found this review helpful
A Matter of (Wasted) Time
PostedJuly 10, 2014
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I suppose my title is a little too harsh. Why is it a waste of time? This game is so easy, it makes the last few week's worth of games look like rocket science. You literally pick up an object and use it right away. Now, to their credit, the developers included an Easy and Hard setting for the puzzles. But perhaps more accurate would have been Easy and A Wee Bit Harder.
There is so much potential here. The characters are fairly interesting, the voice acting is very good, the artwork and animations are first class and the story is not too bad either. I was definitely drawn in to the story and the environments even though its one of those where you are the ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE THE WORLD, etc. But still, I can't help feeling this could have been a really great game with a few tweaks, instead of what it is - an average one.
So this is a nice relaxing game you can play when you don't want to do too much thinking. Those kind of games certainly have their place. But there is already a lot of them. *sigh*
I will probably buy the standard edition when it comes out, it's only A Matter Of Time.
I don't recommend this game.
The rat catcher's after more than rats this time. He's kidnapping fairy folk!
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 10 found this review helpful
I Am A Fiend
PostedJuly 8, 2014
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I was going to write a full review, but on second thought the opening event encapsulates my "review."
The first thing you do is make a dress for a fairy.
That says enough for me. Except that this game was clearly not designed with me in mind.
However, tastes do differ so give it a try.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you bring Maria back from a shadowy realm?
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 17 found this review helpful
Flower of Shadow, Will It Bloom or Wilt?
PostedJuly 5, 2014
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have only played Eclipse Mountain of the earlier games in this series.
This time, sixteen year old Marie is captured via a flower she receives from an unknown source for her 16th birthday. The flower generates a portal to another world. In this world, an evil being was spawned from a certain flower. Some time later, the being was defeated but her servant is trying to revive her. He needs three pure souls to feed to the flower in order to regenerate the evil being. Marie's father, Joseph Kolak, is a former military pilot who has called you in to investigate and get his daughter back. Something occurred during his military service that made him and Marie a target of the the being. Village fortune-teller Stephanie is available to help guide you.
Despite the explosion of pink and purple to open the game, the artwork and cut scenes are fairly well done - except for a small plane which is quite out of scale. You'll transport between the two worlds several times as you progress. The world inside the portal is quite dark, and relies more on greens, grays and browns.
Game play is not heavy on hidden objects The ones there are are not simple lists, but require interaction. Puzzles are fairly standard, a little more difficult than the easy ones we've seen recently, but not hard. You have a device to dispel the barriers the spirit puts in your way, it's very simple to use.
Music, sound effects and voices are good, but the character's lips do not move.
There are collectible flowers and morphing objects, but these are so large and obvious that they practically say "HERE I AM."
In my opinion, while there is nothing distinctive about the story or play, it seems to be made well and at least has some degree of difficulty. However, I would wait for the standard edition before picking this flower.
I recommend this game!
Is Martha really a werewolf - or has she been wrongly accused?
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 53 found this review helpful
Upon Further Review
PostedJuly 4, 2014
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I wasn't "over the moon" about this game when the CE came out, but I gave the SE another chance. Based on playing it again, I would like to revise my original review.
You are a detective investigating the wolf or werewolf attacks that began a short time ago in a small town in France. The year is 1897. There are many animals around. In addition to wolves, during the trial there is a small dog, a cat, a snake, a frog, an owl and a monkey.
The "Sherlock Holmes" style of observing clues when introduced to each character is a nice touch - not difficult, but adds interest and back story to each. The play is not difficult, but neither is it as easy as most recent games have been. The drawing is very colorful , but without a definable palette or style that would set the game apart. Sound effects and voices are good to very good. The werewolf aspect of the story is prone to excess, but hey it IS a game after all.
A minor issue: in the beginning when you "observe" the young woman Ellis Cote, you note that her locket is missing because "it appears in all the pictures of her." However, in the large portrait on the wall, she is definitely NOT wearing a locket.
The game play is more weighted toward puzzles than hidden objects and there is a variety of type, but nothing really new. In addition to your "observations" there is a device called an object identifier. You place objects into it and answer a few questions to determine what the object is. This was the weakest aspect of the game as the answers are mostly trial and error.
As the song goes, "the moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free." This one is worth a small investment.
I recommend this game!
The expedition continues... Track down the fragments of King Solomon's crown and foil a madman's plot in this exciting follow-up to the bestselling series!
Overall rating
3
/
5
29 of 55 found this review helpful
Not Worthy of the Crown
PostedJuly 3, 2014
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The Hidden Expedition series has been a fairly strong one, with the last offering, Hope Diamond, one of the best in this reviewer's opinion.
First off, let me say what this game is NOT. It is not a story about a princess, fairies, or talking animals (so far, so good). It is also not historical - yes, Solomon was a historical figure, but there is no legend about his crown. But okay, I'll play along.
You are a member of H.E.L.P., an organization that recruited you in the last episode - but it's not necessary to have played it for this installment. As the title suggests, the goal is to retrieve all the pieces of Solomon's crown, which is supposed to have incredible power, i.e.,wisdom of Solomon. Of course, evil smugglers are also trying to get the pieces and you must not let that happen or - End Of The World. You have a communication device to keep in touch with the H.E.L.P. team.
The drawing and artwork is colorful but grainy, not quite as good as Hope Diamond. Voices are fairly good. Puzzles and hidden objects (there are not too many) are very, very (did I say very?) easy. Objects in your inventory are used pretty much right after collecting them, so that's easy too.
Since this is a Collector's Edition (CE) there are collectible crowns, morphing objects, a slew of achievements, (including watching the entire credits) and a souvenir room. And the usual bonus play and strategy guide.
I was frankly disappointed. Yes, there is a lot to do, but the locations are not compelling, the artwork is not distinctive, the play is far too easy and the story way too predictable. It's an ordinary game, playable but soon forgettable. It may please beginners, but not more experienced players.
Wisdom of Solomon? Not required. Three stars.
I don't recommend this game.