Woodjay's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:384
- Reviews Submitted:51
- First Review:November 12, 2011
- Most Recent Review:December 9, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Something wicked has taken over Fate’s Carnival!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 5 found this review helpful
Mystery Case Files returns triumphant
PostedDecember 9, 2013
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
After the last dismal offering, Big Fish and Elephant Games have produced a real humdinger of a game to add to other excellent ones in the series. Lots of people have reviewed this already so I won't bother with describing the story etc., but here's why I liked it and why you should play it:
1. The story picks up on one of the early MCF games and brilliantly revisits the artwork and characters from that game. But you don't have to have played Madame Fate, you can enjoy the sense of menace and the wacky people you meet along the way. You also get allusions to the Ravenhearst games, but again, you won't have to worry if you never played them (though if you haven't you should try them).
2. As you'd expect from an Elephant/Big Fish collaboration the artwork is excellent and the music/sound effects add to the atmosphere instead of detracting (I hate it when I have to turn off/down music because it's so irritating).
3. The puzzles and game play though are what make a game and there's plenty for everyone here. It is a challenging game and you often have to think quite hard about where to use the various things you pick up (I was beginning to wonder though if I would ever use the skeleton fish...). Each HOS is played only once and has a good level of interaction in it.
AND for me probably the best thing about the game is is extremely elaborate locks/puzzles where you have to interact with all the different elements to solve them. I loved the very first Ravenhearst game for those same intricate locks and I am DELIGHTED that they have made a comeback here.
4. Add to this the length of gameplay, the collectables (I'm not a great fan of these but they were fun to look out for), the extra puzzles in the diary, and everything else, this really deserves 10/10.
Oh and no less than five difficulty levels. Anyone who wants to play it for the first time in the maximum one has to be mad or brilliant!
1. The story picks up on one of the early MCF games and brilliantly revisits the artwork and characters from that game. But you don't have to have played Madame Fate, you can enjoy the sense of menace and the wacky people you meet along the way. You also get allusions to the Ravenhearst games, but again, you won't have to worry if you never played them (though if you haven't you should try them).
2. As you'd expect from an Elephant/Big Fish collaboration the artwork is excellent and the music/sound effects add to the atmosphere instead of detracting (I hate it when I have to turn off/down music because it's so irritating).
3. The puzzles and game play though are what make a game and there's plenty for everyone here. It is a challenging game and you often have to think quite hard about where to use the various things you pick up (I was beginning to wonder though if I would ever use the skeleton fish...). Each HOS is played only once and has a good level of interaction in it.
AND for me probably the best thing about the game is is extremely elaborate locks/puzzles where you have to interact with all the different elements to solve them. I loved the very first Ravenhearst game for those same intricate locks and I am DELIGHTED that they have made a comeback here.
4. Add to this the length of gameplay, the collectables (I'm not a great fan of these but they were fun to look out for), the extra puzzles in the diary, and everything else, this really deserves 10/10.
Oh and no less than five difficulty levels. Anyone who wants to play it for the first time in the maximum one has to be mad or brilliant!
I recommend this game!
Track down a missing detective and fight an evil curse!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Liked it but a small niggle
PostedJune 28, 2013
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Ok so I do have a niggle with this game, although I'd still recommend it. I was quite excited in the demo to find that there was a HOS which required to you "interact with the objects" -- i.e. you do one thing which starts another and so on until you get the required object. Good, thought I, a change from the usual. But I was disappointed in that there were only 2 in the game. an opportunity missed as far as I'm concerned as I've always liked that kind of puzzle and wish there were more in recent games.
That complaint out of the way, I thought the storyline was fine and the puzzles challenging enough. Though I did think the jump from the house to some place in South America was a bit sharp. Never mind! There are some good puzzles to solve there so you can save your boss and defeat the evil shaman.
Graphics are good. I turned the music down as it got a bit repetitive in places, but then, I often do that.
The bonus chapter is worth getting as it builds nicely on the main part and with extra scenes. It's not necessary for the story though.
Worth spending a couple of credits on (or you could just get the CE).
I recommend this game!
The lighthouse fails and darkness invades Willow Ridge. Your husband runs into the forest for answers, unaware of the shadow hunting him.
Overall rating
5
/
5
28 of 31 found this review helpful
A lovely game with that extra 'something'
PostedJune 28, 2013
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I waited to buy the SE version and while I'm sure I would have enjoyed the CE, I was very happy with this one.
The developers have done a great job on this game. Artistically the graphics are excellent and the cut scenes work well. The storyline is consistent and makes sense (for a world with moving and evil trees...). I felt the story was new (well ok you're saving someone but it's a new twist on that).
The length is good and the places you go to are varied.
The length is good and the places you go to are varied.
More, there are some quite different puzzles, and you get a cute hamster (which you name) to help you. There are some puzzles which are really quite hard to solve!
One particular thing I liked was the way the story was moved on by a sort of newsreel in cartoon format. You had to complete details on these, which I suppose is a sort of HOS. You only get to these after solving some sort of puzzle.
And while we're on the subject of HOS, this game uses different kinds of HOS: silhouette (looking for a number of a certain object), the normal kind and one where you move other objects to find a piece to complete the thing you're going to need. Nice!
I'll look out for more by this developer.
I recommend this game!
Something’s driven everyone away from Linden Shades.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Worth buying
PostedJune 28, 2013
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Yes this is a good game. I didn't like it quite as much as the developer's previous Death on the Silver Screen, but it kept my attention. However as I managed to play it on the 'insane' mode I don't think it can be too difficult!
As to the game play the story is well set out (see other reviews) and the cut scenes good. It's fairly obviously what you have to do and where you have to use the objects, so you can progress through the various scenes. I thought it was a good length too.
The HOS are well done and I liked the idea of having some things to find which involved you having to replace items into or on another item in the scene.
The various other hidden collectibles are more of a challenge and the crayons in particular are well concealed. i don't know where I stand on collectibles really as I can happily do without them but it certainly makes you look at a scene very carefully!
I did think it was a bit odd that you had to go across a river to get to the other part of the orphanage, but hey, it adds a bit to the game play.
One thing, do look at the credits at the end: much the best way to do them and keep people reading! If you do the bonus chapter (not necessary to the plot, but does add something to it), you also get an amusing 'making of' the game which includes the red ghost.
Recommended.
I recommend this game!
Become the fabled detective and rescue the Final Cinderella from the evil Godmother's clutches!
Overall rating
5
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
Another excellent Dark Parables game
PostedJune 10, 2013
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I love these games for their gorgeous graphics, their twist on old stories and length of gameplay. This one definitely doesn't disappoint. I think it is better than the last one (Riding Hood).
As with all Dark Parables games the FROG scenes are beautifully rendered, the pieces skillfully hidden and the objects produced, lovingly and lavishly created. One wouldn't buy these games for their mini-game puzzles, some of which aren't all that interesting (the ones you can play again in the collector's edition bonus part), but there are a number of places where you have to interact with something to produce a result and these are fun to do.
As with most games of this kind, you need to find objects to use in different places -- and remember where you went and what might need specific objects.
The storyline here as with other Dark Parable games manages to combine several old tales and works well. My only niggle would be that sometimes you find things and the comment doesn't make sense for a while until you uncover a bit more of the story. However the 'parables' (stories really) which you have to collect, let you understand what's going on. I liked the way you have to collect objects to find out about 'other' cinderellas.
In the collector's edition the bonus chapter is not only satisfyingly long but is a sort of back story. The reuse of the cottage from the main part was brilliantly done.
If you don't like FROGs then probably you won't want it, but otherwise, definitely recommended!
I recommend this game!
Several young women have gone missing in Paris. Now only you can stop a maniac's murderous trail of fragrance and deception!
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
always play the demo...
PostedMay 10, 2013
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I haven't actually finished the game yet, and frankly I nearly gave up even sooner than the point I've reached. I bought the same after reading reviews and liked what I'd read.
Ok so it's a fairly good HOG with the usual things to find, puzzle out where to put, etc, and scents to create to add to the fun.
But WHY did the game creators have to put an identical sentence on everything you look at "I could use something here". Well, doh, yes, I realised that already. In fact I KNOW there is something I could be using, I just haven't found it yet. It's driving me crazy -- couldn't at least there be something like "the bolt is missing" or "it's stuck to the wall". Generally you can see these things from the picture, so it's not exactly giving anything away to be a bit more creative.
Any, although I like the idea of the game, in addition to this major irritation it hasn't gripped me so much that I really want to go on. I haven't found any of the puzzles very difficult either. Pity. However, other people obviously like it.
Help Kiera Vale discover her ancestor’s history as she explores Blackwater Asylum in Nightmare Adventures: The Witch’s Prison!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
A really good puzzle game
PostedMay 10, 2013
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I recently replayed this game (after the sequel came out) so thought I'd write a review. Replaying confirms that it is indeed an excellent puzzle game of the sort you have to figure out how to use the various objects you find to solve puzzles that take you forward. And these puzzles are challenging! However, there is always something which will give you a good hint -- you just have to find that something!
The story is told as a kind of episodic flashback "this is what happened". From the game-play point of view this enables it to be broken up into segments, so there's none of the great amount of walking back and forth you get in other games; you have to solve the 'level' and then you move on.
I really like the way that the story slowly unfolds, with many questions along the way.
The only thing I thought very slightly detracted were some of the visuals. Not the scenes themselves but the portrayal of people when they are talking to each other. But highly recommended.
I recommend this game!
Is it just a high fever or something much worse? One doctor's house call is about to become an investigation!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Worth playing
PostedJanuary 28, 2013
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Although some of the reviews have talked about vampires I don't think that's particularly helpful. If you like vampire games you may be disappointed, but if you don't, well let's just say there's a twist to it.
This game has lots of locations -- it's easy to forget where everything is, especially if you leave the game and come back the next day. But you do have a map and can jump to where you want (just be careful you don't miss something in another location). Sometimes it's easy to forget where things are.
I enjoyed the game although there were a few niggles such as
* in HOS a teacup being called a 'mug' and others similarly, which means you're searching for the wrong thing. Still, instead of the HOS you can decide to play a bouncing blocks game which helps to find objects.
* one that;s not just in this game: finding an object and the text comes up something like "I should pick this flower/cut a piece of this fabric/whatever" when you have really no idea why you might need it. Obviously in games like this you try to collect everything you can, but sometimes it does strain credulity a bit.
* in HOS a teacup being called a 'mug' and others similarly, which means you're searching for the wrong thing. Still, instead of the HOS you can decide to play a bouncing blocks game which helps to find objects.
* one that;s not just in this game: finding an object and the text comes up something like "I should pick this flower/cut a piece of this fabric/whatever" when you have really no idea why you might need it. Obviously in games like this you try to collect everything you can, but sometimes it does strain credulity a bit.
I thought the storyline was good, moved on by the occasional cut scene, with appropriate voices. The game is satisfying in length and the puzzles, while not being very new, are just challenging enough (I don't like having to skip them).
Recommended.
I recommend this game!
Long-forgotten memories bubble to the surface when the past invades the present in the Collector's Edition of Lake House: Children of Silence!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
a high-standard game
PostedJanuary 28, 2013
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Other reviews have discussed what the game is about, so I just want to mention some plus and minus points which others might find useful.
Plus: * excellent graphics, very atmospheric game. OK so some of the locations are a little extreme, but still, atmosphere is what you want in a game.
* some really nice touches such as the posters in the cinema (you'll need to have played other games by this developer to really enjoy them)
* nothing startlingly new in the puzzles, but they are all done well.
* a good length. And the main version ends in a very satisfactory way so buyers of the CE version won't be disappointed. However, I liked that the bonus chapter also seemed long and led to some new locations.
* flashbacks (videos) added to the atmosphere and helped to explain the plot (but see below)
* some really nice touches such as the posters in the cinema (you'll need to have played other games by this developer to really enjoy them)
* nothing startlingly new in the puzzles, but they are all done well.
* a good length. And the main version ends in a very satisfactory way so buyers of the CE version won't be disappointed. However, I liked that the bonus chapter also seemed long and led to some new locations.
* flashbacks (videos) added to the atmosphere and helped to explain the plot (but see below)
Minus: Actually not really 'minus', just a few niggles.
The plot eventually made sense but did have what I thought were some odd disconnected bits. And some of the things you found out seemed to be not quite in the right order, but perhaps that was just me.
The plot eventually made sense but did have what I thought were some odd disconnected bits. And some of the things you found out seemed to be not quite in the right order, but perhaps that was just me.
This isn't really a minus but it is amazing how in these abandoned towns things still seem to work... (where does the power come from?)
Anyway a good game and certainly worth spending the money on.
I recommend this game!
To save her father, Bella vowed to stay with the beast, but is he truly evil? Help Bella follow her heart!
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 28 found this review helpful
More than fairly excellent tale
PostedDecember 31, 2012
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I tried the demo and then had to buy the game. it's an excellent revisiting of the Beauty and the Beast story and I have given it 5 stars for the storyline, which really drives the game forward. You interact with quite a number of characters on the way: all represented just by a picture when you talk to them, but well-voiced. I really liked the way you find out more about all these people as you go through. There is a good element of suspense in that you don't really know what's going on and have to find out.
Other good points are the luscious graphics, and the music. Often I find the latter really annoying but this works with the story and doesn't distract.
You get an interactive map, which is good as you cover a large area, although sometimes you might miss a clue if you jump back and forward too quickly (I nearly missed talking to someone as I'd gone straight to the wrong place).
The HOS are of two kinds: find-things-on-the-list (with some interaction) and find-all-the-bits-of-the-object. Not only are the objects in the first sort appropriate to where you're looking, but if you found them once they disappear from the scene the next time. My only complaint about the HOS would be that you sometimes have to backtrack to a place you thought you'd finished with in order to find another object. I did resort to the help button a few times, to find where on earth I should try (played on hard mode).
The other thing I mention, though it doesn't just happen in this game, is that you find something but haven't any idea why you need it. All is revealed later but occasionally you want to say to the game, "but why do I need to cut/open/pick x?"
The various puzzles are challenging enough without being too difficult and the whole game feels more like a CE than an SE. All in all an excellent game.
I recommend this game!