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:
20 years ago a terrible accident destroyed most of Cyan City. Now, Monica returns to uncover the secrets of her childhood!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Disappointing
PostedApril 13, 2012
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I played the demo, read some reviews and thought this would be a good buy. Well, it was ok, but I'm glad I got it on a two-for-one offer with another game I really enjoyed.
What didn't I like:
* sounds trivial, but I got very irritated with the girl's voice (she was so perfect looking as well)
* the storyline was confusing in that it wasn't always obvious what was going on apart from the broad outline
* the tasks weren't really obvious. You'd get to somewhere and you'd wonder what on earth you were supposed to do, and then there was some seemingly random object you could collect. You'l click on something interesting and get no information, then in other places you'd click on something and get information about it.
* the ending was kind of pathetic, and once you'd collected all the bits you needed, was too easy
* sounds trivial, but I got very irritated with the girl's voice (she was so perfect looking as well)
* the storyline was confusing in that it wasn't always obvious what was going on apart from the broad outline
* the tasks weren't really obvious. You'd get to somewhere and you'd wonder what on earth you were supposed to do, and then there was some seemingly random object you could collect. You'l click on something interesting and get no information, then in other places you'd click on something and get information about it.
* the ending was kind of pathetic, and once you'd collected all the bits you needed, was too easy
On the other hand:
* the graphics are beautiful
* I really liked the 'memory' parts of the HO scenes and some of the tasks you needed to do (the Japanese garden for instance) were nicely different from many other games
* the graphics are beautiful
* I really liked the 'memory' parts of the HO scenes and some of the tasks you needed to do (the Japanese garden for instance) were nicely different from many other games
So, just an 'OK' game for me. Might have been a bit more if not for the ending. I suppose I recommend it but not enthusiastically.
I recommend this game!
Stop the villainous Visage from ruining Mardi Gras in Shattered Minds: Masquerade, an incredible Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Fun to play
PostedApril 1, 2012
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
3
/
5
Mad person with grudge against town wants to destroy it all (manic laughter) -- yes it's a plot that has been done before but this is a fresh game with a reasonably coherent plot.
Defeat various members of the family and then the master criminal himself.
The start has you dealing with different types of people (with different masks) and each is in an appropriate location where you have to collect objects to find your way into different rooms and eventually perform the action which will undo what they are trying to do.
The HO scenes are well done and involve some interaction, the objects you have to find are in some bizarre places (but what's the point of playing a game like this if you can get into everything right away?).
I got to find the music a bit irritating in the end but the mad laugh is brilliant.
The mini games and puzzles are quite varied and though they aren't really new, they were done in a fresh way and they lead up to the final showdown with the main villain.
I didn't however find the ending all that satisfying as I wanted to know how all the people had been saved -- perhaps that's in the CE version. Anyway, a minor niggle.
Defeat various members of the family and then the master criminal himself.
The start has you dealing with different types of people (with different masks) and each is in an appropriate location where you have to collect objects to find your way into different rooms and eventually perform the action which will undo what they are trying to do.
The HO scenes are well done and involve some interaction, the objects you have to find are in some bizarre places (but what's the point of playing a game like this if you can get into everything right away?).
I got to find the music a bit irritating in the end but the mad laugh is brilliant.
The mini games and puzzles are quite varied and though they aren't really new, they were done in a fresh way and they lead up to the final showdown with the main villain.
I didn't however find the ending all that satisfying as I wanted to know how all the people had been saved -- perhaps that's in the CE version. Anyway, a minor niggle.
I recommend this game!
After overcoming the Dreamless Castle and Moonfell Wood, you have come to the rugged, mountainous snow-peaked Goblin Kingdom!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
disappointing after the first two
PostedApril 1, 2012
Woodjay
fromWales, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I wanted to really like this game because I loved the first two. But somehow this one didn't have the same charm. I don't think it was because this one is about goblins!
The graphics are again excellent, but I found that there were too many similar puzzles and that they weren't very imaginative (BTW I do dislike Match 3 puzzles!).
It seemed to me that this time the developers hadn't made that extra effort but were more or less rolling out the same stuff as before.
I also thought that there was a bit too much hand-holding and some things you had to do were rather obvious.
A pity, because there are lots of things I did like about it, particularly the graphics and the idea that's in place for the next one is really good, so I hope that the fourth installment will rise to better things.
I am not sure whether I really recommend this game. On balance probably yes, but with the reservations above.
The graphics are again excellent, but I found that there were too many similar puzzles and that they weren't very imaginative (BTW I do dislike Match 3 puzzles!).
It seemed to me that this time the developers hadn't made that extra effort but were more or less rolling out the same stuff as before.
I also thought that there was a bit too much hand-holding and some things you had to do were rather obvious.
A pity, because there are lots of things I did like about it, particularly the graphics and the idea that's in place for the next one is really good, so I hope that the fourth installment will rise to better things.
I am not sure whether I really recommend this game. On balance probably yes, but with the reservations above.
I recommend this game!
The demons of the Seven Deadly Sins have broken free of their fiery prison and taken up residence in Sacra Terra!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
A great game
PostedApril 1, 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
4
/
5
Since many others have already reviewed this game (not just this but the CE version) this ins't going to go into great detail but just say some of the reasons I think it's a great game.
Ok it starts in a way many other games do : you wake up (in a hospital) not knowing how you got there. Mysteriously you are freed from the straps which tie you to your bed and then it's up to you to find out where you are, what's going on, and what you should do about it.
So...
* graphically it's good. I particularly liked the way the demons are portrayed, not just the way they're drawn but also the various things associated with them (so, the demon of Sloth just lies on a couch with fast food trash round him watching TV).
* the story works. It shouldn't really, and sometimes it is a bit confusing (as other reviewers have said), but it kind of makes sense and carries you along.
* there's a good balance between finding objects in various places and in the HO scenes.
* the map. This doesn't move you from place to place but shows you where you are and is beautifully drawn -- I have to say I still turned left when I should have turned right quite a few times
* the ending. There may be more in the CE version but there is a very satisfactory ending for the SE one.
Ok it starts in a way many other games do : you wake up (in a hospital) not knowing how you got there. Mysteriously you are freed from the straps which tie you to your bed and then it's up to you to find out where you are, what's going on, and what you should do about it.
So...
* graphically it's good. I particularly liked the way the demons are portrayed, not just the way they're drawn but also the various things associated with them (so, the demon of Sloth just lies on a couch with fast food trash round him watching TV).
* the story works. It shouldn't really, and sometimes it is a bit confusing (as other reviewers have said), but it kind of makes sense and carries you along.
* there's a good balance between finding objects in various places and in the HO scenes.
* the map. This doesn't move you from place to place but shows you where you are and is beautifully drawn -- I have to say I still turned left when I should have turned right quite a few times
* the ending. There may be more in the CE version but there is a very satisfactory ending for the SE one.
A few negatives:
* you go back to the HO scenes rather a lot
* I wish you could keep some of the useful objects all through the game (but I always wish that!).
* you go back to the HO scenes rather a lot
* I wish you could keep some of the useful objects all through the game (but I always wish that!).
All in all, I really enjoyed playing Sacra Terra and defeating the demons -- would that the real sins of pride, greed, sloth etc could be defeated so easily!
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 15 found this review helpful
Didn't finish it
PostedMarch 3, 2012
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
3
/
5
I was going to write a review when I'd finished the game, but I just haven't gone back to it so here goes. I don't usually leave a game unfinished -- usually I do the demo and decide it's not for me. And I enjoyed the previous Grim Tales (The Bride). So why didn't this work for me?
I'll list some of my other niggles later, but I had got to a point in the game where it seemed that it was all over and we just had to drive on out of the castle. And then... you have to go back to find yet more things. I don't mind getting to a car and finding I've no keys or it won't go, but when you've loaded up the car with people and they are ready to go, it seems like you've got to the end. So as I'd been doing such a lot of running back and forth I stopped for a bit and didn't have an incentive to keep going.
Some other things:
Minus:
* The story-line is not always very clear. Could do with a book or some comments on things from the protagonist.
* You pick up something and you get told, I can use this with X. X = something you haven't yet found or know you need.
* There's a lot of going back and forward (the map helps). But it's not always clear why you're doing everything.
* Why is the baby left out in the rain? this is a problem of the story-line.
* Inconsistent puzzles: Opening the Elkements door was REALLY hard and I had to skip it (I didn't want to spend the time). But the zodiac door was really easy and came afterwards in the game play. Later elements should be harder.
Pluses:
* the HO scenes do have some random junk but they're well done in putting what you'd expect to be there -- and you can see most of the objects when not in the scene.
* Good sound effects and not irritating music
Minus:
* The story-line is not always very clear. Could do with a book or some comments on things from the protagonist.
* You pick up something and you get told, I can use this with X. X = something you haven't yet found or know you need.
* There's a lot of going back and forward (the map helps). But it's not always clear why you're doing everything.
* Why is the baby left out in the rain? this is a problem of the story-line.
* Inconsistent puzzles: Opening the Elkements door was REALLY hard and I had to skip it (I didn't want to spend the time). But the zodiac door was really easy and came afterwards in the game play. Later elements should be harder.
Pluses:
* the HO scenes do have some random junk but they're well done in putting what you'd expect to be there -- and you can see most of the objects when not in the scene.
* Good sound effects and not irritating music
I would still recommend this game as I think a lot of people won't be put off by some of the things that I didn't like.
I recommend this game!
Use a mystical locket to explore a magical world and save a young girl in Other world: Spring of Shadows!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 22 found this review helpful
An excellent game
PostedMarch 3, 2012
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
5
/
5
I looked at a number of reviews before trying this and was a little hesitant. Then I tried the demo and was hooked. I have given it 5 stars (which I rarely do) for several reasons:
1. The storyline works really well. Okay, it's a variation on the rescue theme, but there's nothing wrong with that. What I like about it is that it makes sense -- takes you a little while to work out what's going on, and then you get drawn in. And there's not really any of the 'here's something I might use but haven't a clue why' when you find things.
2. The graphics are great. All the characters you encounter whether 'faerie' or human are excellently drawn. I particularly like the way the non-humans are drawn, and the villain, the Shade is very imaginative. The various scenes are well depicted too. I seem to have played a lot of games recently where it rains all the time (just because the developers can do it I suppose) so it's good to find one where the sun more or less shines.
3. I thought that a fair bit of imagination had gone into the various creatures you encounter and the puzzles. Not that any of the puzzles are particularly difficult (to me anyway) or vastly new, but the way everything is put together is well worked out. You have to find objects lying around (on the Advanced mode this means searching carefully) and work out where to use them, andI like that.
4. Near the start of the game you find an 'antique knife' and a jug (pitcher). And you keep them right to the end of the game! Wow. I am so tired of having that useful screwdriver/ crowbar disappear after one use. That's what I call good game writing/imagination as you use these objects in different situations.
5. the HO scenes are different as other reviewers have pointed out. Also, all the objects are appropriate to where you find them.
6. It takes a long time to play and though there are a lot of locations, there's not too much going backwards and forwards because in practice you are restricted to one or two locations on the map.
7. The ending is satisfying and leaves room for a sequel.
I recommend this game!
After your son, Bobby, mysteriously disappears, it’s up to you to find him in Surface: The Mystery of Another World!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Not boring, something different
PostedFebruary 20, 2012
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 read quite a few reviews before I even tried the demo, but having tried that I was hooked. I'm not going to go over what other people have said but focus on the things that make this game stand out.
OK, so it's a rescue the kidnapped person sort of game (son in this case), but none the worse for that. I don't quite get why the game starts on a steam train but I can live with that.
I particularly liked:
* the HOS need interaction with objects in your inventory. Sometimes you actually need to go to some lengths to get the thing which will enable you to finish the HO scene. A nice touch! I also like the way you only play each scene once and it blends into the background when you've done.
* the mini games are not just the same standard ones and those that are variations on swapping tiles, putting things in order etc, are done in an interesting way
* the way video clips (which you can reply in your diary) are used. OK so the acting is cheesy and I thought having speech come up in very large type at the top of the screen was a bit pointless, but they do help to make the story move on.
* the story line is coherent and as you discover what's going on it makes sense. Also the other world is just slightly different enough.
* There was humour in the story too although at one point I jumped enough to nearly spill tea all over my keyboard (near the start)
* I have to admit to being amused by games which give you achievements for what you do. I didn't collect all the flowers unfortunately.
My only question is: why did the villain of the piece look like Michael Jackson?
OK, so it's a rescue the kidnapped person sort of game (son in this case), but none the worse for that. I don't quite get why the game starts on a steam train but I can live with that.
I particularly liked:
* the HOS need interaction with objects in your inventory. Sometimes you actually need to go to some lengths to get the thing which will enable you to finish the HO scene. A nice touch! I also like the way you only play each scene once and it blends into the background when you've done.
* the mini games are not just the same standard ones and those that are variations on swapping tiles, putting things in order etc, are done in an interesting way
* the way video clips (which you can reply in your diary) are used. OK so the acting is cheesy and I thought having speech come up in very large type at the top of the screen was a bit pointless, but they do help to make the story move on.
* the story line is coherent and as you discover what's going on it makes sense. Also the other world is just slightly different enough.
* There was humour in the story too although at one point I jumped enough to nearly spill tea all over my keyboard (near the start)
* I have to admit to being amused by games which give you achievements for what you do. I didn't collect all the flowers unfortunately.
My only question is: why did the villain of the piece look like Michael Jackson?
I recommend this game!
Explore the Portals to the Unknown with rescue pilot Veronica Rivers in this mysterious Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
Dear to my heart
PostedFebruary 6, 2012
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
Let me admit I have a soft spot for this game because it's the first one I bought from Big Fish. I probably wouldn't buy it now, but it does have some good points.
1. The story line works. It's very linear: basically you follow some geologists through mysterious portals until a final denouement.
2. The cut scenes which more recent games do as video clips are more like cartoons but work well.
3. The portals are admittedly quite similar but get more difficult as you go on. I love the way they spin and turn when you've got them right.
4. The sense of humour! (see below)
1. The story line works. It's very linear: basically you follow some geologists through mysterious portals until a final denouement.
2. The cut scenes which more recent games do as video clips are more like cartoons but work well.
3. The portals are admittedly quite similar but get more difficult as you go on. I love the way they spin and turn when you've got them right.
4. The sense of humour! (see below)
Things that might put you off:
1. You basically have two kinds of HO scenes: one where you find things and the other where you compare scenes. But you also have to take photos and find the place in a scene, and to find alien artifacts. Each time you find an object in one of the main HO scenes Veronica makes a comment about it, which I find quite amusing.
2. The mini games are rather repetitive. You have to draw alien symbols (that bit I DON'T like as it's easy to get them wrong and you might have to draw one a few times), locate your GPS position (untangling lines) and open
3. The locations are ok but the 'African' desert should be somewhere in North America (I think her GPS cracked up on that one).
1. You basically have two kinds of HO scenes: one where you find things and the other where you compare scenes. But you also have to take photos and find the place in a scene, and to find alien artifacts. Each time you find an object in one of the main HO scenes Veronica makes a comment about it, which I find quite amusing.
2. The mini games are rather repetitive. You have to draw alien symbols (that bit I DON'T like as it's easy to get them wrong and you might have to draw one a few times), locate your GPS position (untangling lines) and open
3. The locations are ok but the 'African' desert should be somewhere in North America (I think her GPS cracked up on that one).
I can see that some people might find it boring, but on the other hand you don't have to spend time trying to work out where to use an object and wandering back and forwards between scenes. As I said, I still have a soft spot for a game which I have played more than once.
I recommend this game!
After being summoned to a mysterious manor, you must unravel the story of an ancient evil and discover your destiny before it’s too late!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Good game but some quirks
PostedFebruary 4, 2012
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
4
/
5
I tried the demo for this game and liked it enough that I bought it. I was intrigued by the mixture of finding pieces of an object and using HO scenes to get other objects (plus the ones which are lying around of course).
The graphics are lovely and I really like the way that the different areas you visit have such a different atmosphere, also that you need to get objects from one area to use in another. the mini puzzles are generally good and present you with some different from the usual and the HO scenes not all the same (and you have to open and interact with some of them).
But there were some things I thought were odd. First, I played in the advanced mode, but kept getting helpful hints about what I ought to be doing under 'goals' (one of the tabs at the bottom along with 'inventory' and 'objects'. I got to find that irritating.If I want to know what to do, in the end i'm going to look at the strategy guide, I don't want to be told the things that are obvious (or I'd rather they were hidden so I didn't have to look). I suppose it's useful if you can't remember where the item you want is.
Second, though I think it's a great idea that the bonus play is integrated into the game rather than tacked on at the end, I really don't see how the game can end properly for a SE version. You don't actually solve the game unless you do the bit you need the golden CE key for which is worth waiting for as it has some very imaginative bits in it.
Also, why does one of the characters speak to you and the others don't? Their words just come up in text.
I give the visual/sound 'good' because while the graphics were great, some of the music got a bit irritating. However, there is different music for each section and it wasn't so irritating that I turned it off!
Plus points: you get a box of matches at the start and keep it for just about the whole game! (I have this dream of a game where you come prepared with your Swiss army detective knife that has at least a knife, lockpick and scissors).
And it takes a long time to play.
Generally I enjoyed playing this game and I would recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Explore a haunted amusement park in Weird Park: Broken Tune! Investigate a rash of “accidental” deaths and solve the case!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A good game with a twist to it
PostedJanuary 28, 2012
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
4
/
5
I started out on the demo of this game then had an extra credit and decided to buy it. It starts pretty much like a lot of games -- yes, someone has vanished and it's up to you to find them. The scene is a deserted amusement park so plenty of scope for fairground scenes, which are done well. The HOG scenes are ok, though with the usual things that you really wonder what they are doing in that particular place. One of my niggles though (and not just with this game) is that you find all sorts of things which the next time you look at the scene -- and in this game it's at least 2 if not 3 times -- they all all back in place. I don't mind thinking I've tossed back the useless items, but then there's the item I've just used in another place sitting there. Well, rant over. There were also scenes where you had to find different bits of objects, which made a change.
The nice thing about this game is that you don't just depend on the HO scenes to find objects as there's a lot of opening things, finding objects and working out what to do with them. The mini-game puzzles are fine and generally not too hard.
In this game you have a mysterious small jester-like character and have to collect pieces of a broken record (hence Broken Tune I suppose). I thought, ok, I've nearly got all the pieces so I've nearly finished. But no. The really interesting part comes after you finish the record and play it on an old gramophone. This really made the game for me and I loved the graphics of the scenes after that. There were some really nice touches although I suppose the game play was about the same (I think the minigames got slightly harder).
Niggles? Some of the characters speak but it's all just text on the screen. It would have made the game better if there had been proper speech. the music is ok but a bit repetitive in places. I'd give 5 star for graphics but only 3.5 for sound.
Really I'd like to give this game 4.5 stars overall.
Oh and the game ends quite satisfactorily for the SE with just a hint that there could be a sequel. If there is, I think I will be splashing out on the CE version.
I recommend this game!