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:
A mysterious Owl Man is terrorizing citizens!
Overall rating
5
/
5
56 of 76 found this review helpful
Whoo-hooo's Up For Some Horror?
PostedMarch 26, 2015
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Setting: A boy named Oliver Johnson is missing from the town of Willowsville Louisiana. There is tension between the residents of Willowsville and the neighboring town of Nightsville. You (and your faithful helper Elf) have been called in to find the truth about what happened to the boy and how it may relate to a mysterious figure known as the Owl Man *whoo-hoo*.
Given the game's story and setting, the scenes are dark and spooky, showing a lot of blues and grays but not exclusively so. There is a certain rustic style incorporated as well, which serves as a constant reminder that you are deep in the bayou. Music is subtle and dreamy, becoming more pronounced during the HO scenes. The voice acting is excellent, each character seems to have his own actor and the dialog is convincing even though they may not sound like Louisianans. Sound effects were good and show an attention to detail.
This game will present a little bit of a challenge if you are used to the easier games. Not necessarily on the HO scenes, which are standard list, put back and silhouette types. By contrast, some of the puzzles are the Ravenhearst-lite type; i.e they will have several sections and one has to determine where to begin and how to proceed to complete each section. But they are not overly difficult to solve. One puzzle involving dials and numbers looks intimidating at first, but is actually quite easy.
There is also the Foresight power granted to you in the beginning. This is used to reconstruct what occurred at a particular scene based on objects that are out of place - what a detective is supposed to do. At times, objects need to be collected before the power can be used. I liked this feature as it reminded me a little of the 9 Clues series and gives the game a more realistic feel.
Difficulty; there are four levels including the Custom which I chose, where the Hint and Skip can each be set between 15 to 90 seconds and the tutorial, tips, active zones, map indicators, changing cursor, etc. can all be turned on or off at your preference.
CE Extras: 10 collectible monster figures, 22 morphing objects, 20 achievements, a Secret Room (what is it? I don't know, it's a ..) and a Vending Machine. For the last, throughout the game coins are collected to buy mini-figures of the game's characters. There is a Bonus Level and Strategy Guide, but apparently no replay of HO's or mini-games. Finally, there's the pseudo stuff like wallpapers and music for those who enjoy them.
I tested a beta version weeks ago and back then I was not wowed. However, playing the demo today I was more favorably impressed. Oliver comes from a bi-racial family but it's not clear in the demo if the story will attempt to deal with racial issues. The detecting part of the game play distinguishes this from the usual "mysterious dark figure" games. And there are a few scares too.
With the decent bonus content, four and 1/2 stars.
I recommend this game!
Pinecreek Hills just keeps getting better! Help the Rangers protect Animals and Visitors, clean up the Park and spot Wildlife.
Overall rating
5
/
5
47 of 58 found this review helpful
Join The Rangers!
PostedMarch 24, 2015
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board
Current Favorite:
Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Mystery of Marie Roget
(13)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Well I am new to this series but it looks like I've been missing out. This is great.
This is a nicely made, fun yet challenging game. Artwork is excellent quality and realistic. Don't expect a storyline here, this is HOs and puzzles with Ranger conversations in between. Each HO scene has a number of wildlife and recyclable items to spot. These HOs are not as easy as the ones you find in the standard HO adventure games. There is an option to replay each one.
It has an old-school style, but there is a lot to do, a variety of puzzles, nice relaxing music and as a bonus, the great outdoors.
This should appeal to just about all players. See you at the campfire!
I recommend this game!
When Julia reaches an abandoned laboratory to rescue her sister, she discovers there is more to this mystery than a mere abduction.
Overall rating
2
/
5
30 of 50 found this review helpful
The (Should Have Been) Forbidden Experiment
PostedMarch 23, 2015
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Setting: Your twin sister Sophia vanished long ago. But you've just received a cryptic phone call about a mailed package and evidence that she is still alive. Must investigate!
Let's start with the good. This takes place in the present. The artwork is clean and clear. Music is dark and suspenseful and sounds are OK. And.... well that's about it.
The villains in this game, the Oracles of Doom, are comical - some sort of beings in tight leather suits with green-eyed gas masks and deep, synthesized voices. When they speak, you don't know whether to laugh or cry (I laughed). The cut scenes are very stiff and dated; the characters move very little, and what movement there is is very stiff.
The game play is not much better. The hidden object scenes are about average. Items in blue are either hidden or require using another object to collect. Some HO's are silhouette. Puzzles are ok as well, they are not difficult but will take a few minutes to work out (ex. rotating tiles, setting gauges to zero, guessing lock code).
Unfortunately, there are some problems of logic and flow that do not make sense, chief of which was the location of a feather duster. And a scorpion. We also find out that you received the mysterious package last week - but inexplicably you did not open it, but simply placed in a drawer and forgot all about it. ???
This one is really bad, but I do recommend playing the demo - its good for a laugh. Maybe as a DD or when you are so tired of all the "period" games that you want to escape to the present. The Oracles of Doom will have you in stitches.
I don't recommend this game.
Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Mystery of Marie Roget
A newlywed is threatened, and supernatural forces are afoot!
Overall rating
5
/
5
36 of 41 found this review helpful
What's Our Next Move, Inspector?
PostedMarch 20, 2015
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Setting: the story is loosely based on a short story by Edgar Allen Poe (who is erroneously shown writing left-handed in the opening). You and the esteemed Detective Auguste Dupin are summoned to the aid of Dupin's college friend, Jacque. Marie Roget is Jacque's wife and her aunt, Madam Boulangerie, owns the local bakery. Of late Marie has been depressed and there have been strange occurrences at home. The story's location is not stated, but clearly everyone has a French-sounding name.
To begin this seventh Dark Tales adventure, Dupin finally hands you an official Inspector's badge - which you sheepishly admit you've always wanted.
The artwork, both in the still and cut scenes, is of the style and quality that is typical of this developer. The scenes tend to be fairly straightforward; that is, each one contains only a few active areas to explore. Despite this, my impression was that the overall play was slightly more complex than the average game.
The voice acting was adequate. With all the french names, I felt the American accents sounded somewhat out-of-place. Dupin's friend is called "Jack." I couldn't help thinking that the story would have had even more draw-in power if the characters had even nominal french accents.
The first puzzle was literally as simple as 1-2-3, but after that both the hidden object scenes (19) and mini-games (12) were not quite as easy-peasy as many games have become. That is not to say that they are difficult, but the brain cells will get at least a little bit of exercise. Hidden objects scenes are standard interactive.
There are four difficulty settings including one Custom. Hint and Skip can be set anywhere between 5 and 200 seconds to refill. There are also game notes and a very, very nice transportable 3-D map.
In the other version (CE) there are morphing creatures (12) which will populate an aquarium. There are also 12 achievements, bonus level and strategy guide. Then there are the usual pseudo-extras like wallpapers, music and concept art.
This game is very well made like most others in this series. It has an engaging story line and the play is refreshing because it is not quite so easy. Because of the so-so bonus content, I rated the CE version only 4 stars but this SE version deserves more. Five stars and that coveted Inspector's badge for The Mystery of Marie Roget.
I recommend this game!
PuppetShow: The Price of Immortality Collector's Edition
Your friend vanishes after investigating the mysterious Theater of Emotions
Overall rating
3
/
5
23 of 33 found this review helpful
Immortality Proves Hard To Pull Off
PostedMarch 19, 2015
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Setting: Your are a reporter. Fellow reporter and friend Enrique Torres disappeared in the town of Immortale outside Paris. Before disappearing, Enrique wrote to you for help. The town has a Theater of Emotions around which the mystery seems to revolve.
This is the seventh PuppetShow, and I own 5 of the first 6 so I like this series. Except for the sixth - Lightning Strikes - where I felt the play was childishly simple, these games have been well-designed but inevitably a little repetitive.
The drawing style and quality is typical of this series; a very colorful palette, very few straight lines and the scenes have a storybook look and feel. You can choose to play either a male or female character, and then from 3 different appearances. Voices were mostly good, except if you choose the male. The voice acting for the male character is noticeably wooden and stiff.
You have a little doll helper. She is not named, but she has a comical appearance with a tall hat as large as her body and a squeaky childlike voice.
There are 16 Hidden Object (HO) scenes. They vary in type from find x# of this, put back items, and basic list type with interaction. There are 21 mini games, they are very easy to complete and most players will not need to skip or look at the strategy guide. The games have same storybook look and feel as the rest of the game.
There are 4 levels of difficulty with Custom where everything can be turned on or off. Hint and Skip are separately configurable from between 5 and 200 seconds refill each.
CE Extras: There are dolls to collect but they are not hidden, you pick them up as you play. Similarly, you collect tokens with which you are able to purchase upgrades for the dolls. As you might expect, neither of these features interested me. There are also 15 achievements, the strategy guide, bonus level and the pseudo stuff like wallpapers.
All in all, this is a slight improvement over the last installment, but the story is here very simplistic and practically everything is revealed during the trial. If collecting dolls intrigues you and you haven't played any other games in this series, this could be for you. Otherwise, I think you will be better off with the SE where The Price of Immortality will be lower.
I don't recommend this game.
A meteorite devastates a town, yanking Emily from her normal life.
Overall rating
3
/
5
12 of 15 found this review helpful
The Evil Inside Is Not What You Think
PostedMarch 16, 2015
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Setting: A meteorite has struck the earth in the 1940's town of West Hills. It has brought a strange infection which can affect both animate and inanimate objects. You also discover you are secretly a member of the Lancaster family. Other family members are gifted, but you are the only one in this family who can stop the infection.
You have a helper in the form of your cat Arya.
The defining feature of the game is the Hand of Light with which you "heal" things of the infection. This feature is cool the first few times, but after repeating this healing action over and over again it becomes tiresome.
To be fair, it is important to note that you DO NOT have to keep the mouse button depressed when tracing the Hand of Light path. That helps make the physical action easier, but it still does not make it fun to do.
It's too bad because the 48 hidden faces are hard to find and add a nice challenge.
Difficulty: four levels w/custom, Hint and Skip adjustable between 15-90 secs.
CE extras: 48 well-hidden evil faces, 20 achievements, strategy guide, bonus level, but no apparent replay of puzzles or HO's, and pseudo stuff.
Always try before you buy. For me, these three Hands of Light have their thumbs down.
I don't recommend this game.
A murder mystery party turns deadly in real life!
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 21 found this review helpful
Second Round of Reckoning
PostedMarch 13, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Setting: Brassfield Manor is the home of wealthy investor Reginald Greer. Mr. Greer was throwing a party at his estate when he died, apparently by poisoning. You are a police detective summoned to investigate.
Like the first DR game, Silverwood Isle, this one is also set in the art-deco era. Unlike the first game, the palette is very bright, but not favoring any particular schema. The overall look is not too appealing but, colors aside, the artwork is dramatically detailed and broad in scope. The scenes have a somewhat overdone feel as there are relatively few active areas compared to the grand scale displayed.
Voices are very well acted. There is also lip-synching and it's done well enough that it should satisfy most players who place importance on this feature.
There are four levels of play including custom. Hints refills can be set between 10-120 seconds, the Skip between 10-400. They can also be turned off as can Glints and the HO click penalty.
Hidden object scenes (15) and puzzles (25) are clever variations on the standard. The themes used were appropriate to the murder story. Difficulty was moderate to easy. The HO's have a Bubble Shooter option for those so inclined.
As with the first DR game, play also consists of notes, evidence and episodes of interrogation - questioning suspects and spotting clues that determine whether or not they are telling the truth. The suspects are the usual variety - family members, business associates, secret love interests, etc.
CE Extras: There are 15 morphing objects (difficult) and 42 Tarot cards (mostly easy) to find. There are 15 achievements and a number of souvenirs (locked in trial). There's a bonus level, strategy guide. and the rest I refer to as pseudo extras.
I enjoyed Silverwood Isle and, as a murder mystery fan, I probably will purchase a version of this game. But how much "brass" is it worth? I'm still doing the detective work on that question.
Shadows-kidnappers have arrived! Unravel the mystery of the Shadows and free the town from their dreadful fears!
Overall rating
4
/
5
30 of 45 found this review helpful
Get Ready To Go Beyond
PostedMarch 10, 2015
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Setting: Shadows have appeared in the medieval town of Woodville, causing residents to disappear. One little orphan girl says she has the secret to rid the town of the Shadows, but first you must rescue her.
The drawing style could be called "creep-fest" i.e. dark, dreary and 2D, but with a lot of intricate detail. The palette is very strong in blues and grays.
While there are no voices, this forces your imagination to provide a voice for each character. On the other hand, there are plenty of sound effects, and they are expertly done making you feel like you are right in the middle of everything.
In the very beginning you acquire a helper, Reed, who requires a magic "charge" each time he can assist you.
The play is quite varied. I played three (I think) HOS during the full 60 minute (!) trial. They were pretty standard, a few objects required interaction. There were also three or four puzzles which were fairly simple to solve but required a little thinking. They all were cleverly designed to fit nicely into the medieval theme.
The main challenge is figuring out which inventory item to use and where to use it. There are many locations, and it is very important to scan every scene for areas of interest because some are easy to miss. And if you do miss one, you will be stuck. Fortunately, the Hint system will show you exactly what to do in those instances. There is also a whole lot of backtracking (I did not use the map - didn't know there was one).
You must choose from four levels of play: Beginner (Hints, Help, and Highlights), Advanced (slower Hints, Help, no Highlights), Expert (no Hints, no Highlights) and Hard (no Hints, no Highlights and you cannot change the difficulty). I recommend Beginner or, if you feel especially daring, Advanced.
While the story is very simplistic and kind of gets lost in the game play, it still works because the game play is so interesting. I enjoyed playing the full trial even though I wasn't too engaged in the story. If you are looking for a light, easy distraction, this is NOT that type of game. You will have to pay close attention and maybe even take notes, otherwise you'll just be bored waiting for the hint to refill.
Beyond the Invisible will require you to go beyond your comfort zone. Four and 1/2 creepy shadows.
I recommend this game!
Redemption Cemetery: The Island of the Lost Collector's Edition
You crash-land on an island populated by ghosts. Like them, are you trapped here forever?
Overall rating
3
/
5
47 of 56 found this review helpful
Has Anybody Seen My Lost Collector's Edition?
PostedMarch 5, 2015
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Setting: You crash land on an island inhabited by lost souls who are entrapped by a powerful undead creature.
All the externals are good; the drawing, voices, sounds, and music. That's about it though, in my opinion.
I am very disappointed in the story. It is just the same old "free the captive spirits" theme. There isn't much else here to draw your interest or compel you to play further. The play is also very, very easy in all aspects.
There are 18 HO scenes and 16 mini-games. Hint and skip refills are controlled by one slider which must total 60 seconds - so decreasing one increases the other. There is also a "map."
Because of the quality, I could envision players enjoying this if they are relatively new to this genre or haven't played the dozens of similar games.
I did not see anything in this game to merit awarding it the pseudo-distinction of "Editor's Choice."
If you happen to love this game, that's great and I say to you, Enjoy! You may run into me on the island looking for my lost collector's edition.
I don't recommend this game.
The Big Secret of a Small Town
Find out what is hidden behind the mysterious disappearance of the Mayor.
Overall rating
4
/
5
54 of 62 found this review helpful
Big Trouble in Little Town
PostedMarch 2, 2015
steve_san
fromPhiladelphia PA USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Setting: You are a detective called to a small town. The town has a mysterious source of energy powering an industrial complex. The town's mayor, a suspicious-looking man with a tall hat, mustache and green coat, has just disappeared.
The drawing style is like a comic book, basically 2D with a slightly grainy appearance. Palette includes lots of yellows and browns. Navigation arrows are placed logically, but will differ in location from scene to scene.
You will need sharp eyes to play. Many of the objects are incredibly tiny and hard to spot - even those in plain sight. You cannot tell exactly what the object is until you collect it and read the description. So you find yourself looking for anything unusual - and small.
Play consists mostly of solving puzzles. However, to solve them you will need to find clues which are scattered about. A pen and notebook is recommended because there is no in-game journal. Some puzzles require you to first collect missing items. As you play, you will encounter cut-scenes which fill in the story behind the town and the mayor.
The hint system (fortunately for this player) is very good. There are two levels of difficulty with the difference being the time for hint refill. On the Easy setting, it takes about 30 seconds. The hints are well written - i.e.,they give you enough information to proceed without too much hand-holding.
This is an intriguing game for adventure game and puzzle lovers. It has an old-school feel due to the style and play. There are a lot of mechanical items reminiscent of an earlier era. As an added bonus, there are achievements and something called "Meanwhile."
Just what is the big secret? If you have the patience, this quest could provide many hours of entertainment.
I recommend this game!