KeithS's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:238
- Reviews Submitted:12
- First Review:December 2, 2011
- Most Recent Review:January 4, 2012
- Featured reviews0
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
Don't Let the Title of the Game Scare You Off!
PostedJanuary 4, 2012
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I was a little hesitant to play this game due to the nature of the title, but my fears went away shortly after starting the game.
As with the previous titles in the series, the player is partnered up with another detective, who basically takes caring of handling all interactions and encounters with other characters throughout the game. The game includes a voiceover track, and together with your partner, this feature really helps the storyline flow.
The art and backdrops are nice; they are somewhat dark but a good style that fits right in with the storyline. The hidden object scenes are challenging, but not to the point of being frustrating. The same can be said for most of the puzzles.
Overall, I think this is a solid title. The developers put together a good package of features with a decent storyline to give the player, or detective, a fun little mystery to solve.
I recommend this game!
Return once more to the haunted grounds of Ravenhearst Manor to uncover new details about this poignant saga. What you find could very well be the final chapter of this riveting story-if you escape.
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Not Your Typical Casual Game, Pay Attention to the Warning from BFG!
PostedJanuary 4, 2012
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I was excited to see a new title in the Mystery Case Files line of games. I have played all of the previous titles on the PC, as well as the Wii title and the DS title. The warning Big Fish gave was intriguing as well. I sort of figured this would be creepy along the same lines as the first Shiver game. However, the simplest way to put it is, I was let down.
The game is a sharp contrast in storyline as far as the previous titles in the Ravenhearst series. This game is very creepy, but one piece in particular I found just downright gross. It really turned me off of the game.
I found myself less enjoying the game, and more just trying to complete it so we could move on to another more enjoyable title. It became more of a chore to run around and collect this and that to complete a task, and that is a bad thing.
Also, I really missed the traditional hide and seek of the previous titles in the series. The morphing was a new concept that was intriguing at first, but it was too repetitive. A mix of both types of puzzles would have been a better fit for the game, I think.
As far as being a "Collector's Edition," I was not impressed. Where are the extras? Where is the concept art?
I would recommend this game EXCEPT for the content I found to be gross. Unfortunately, that moved this title into the "Do Not Recommend" category for me.
I don't recommend this game.
The legendary Crystal Skulls have been lost for centuries. Can Sandra Fleming retrieve the skulls from all over the world?
Overall rating
2
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
Some More Polish and This Game Might Have Been Great......
PostedDecember 28, 2011
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I wanted to like this game. The description makes it sound like the player will start an amazing journey. I think the only positive comment I can make is that the graphics were well done.
I like when game designers add some voice acting to the games, adds some more charm. Unfortunately, in this game, the designers did not utilize a voice actor for the "the player" which feels extremely awkward in the gameplay. A character will speak with subtiles, and then the player's character speaks, except it is silent with just the subtitles. I think that really damages the flow of the games.
Onto the gameplay itself. FRUSTRATING. Hidden objects are very hidden in some cases. At least an ample amount of hints are available by collecting coins. Puzzles to advance in the game are not very intuative. The clues to keep the gameflow going are just not there, and without the assistance of a walkthrough to help guide a player as to what to do next, this game would just seem like it dead ends at points.
A diary would also have assisted with the gameplay. Some of the puzzles depend on scenes the player previously visited, so the player either needs to sketch out what something looked like to recreate it, or have photographic memory. This would not be to bad except for having to move back and forth between locations that are 3 or more scenes apart multiple times to fix one little detail that is hard enough to see in the original picture...... Very frustrating.
Also, the story did not seem to work well at all for me. The story unfolded way too quickly, with an ending just designed to tie up loose ends more than anything else.
I guess, to me at least, this seems like a game that was close to 80% completed. While there are no bugs, the game flow and additional functionality other games have in this genre just is not there. Some more polish, and this could have been a great game.
I don't recommend this game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
59 of 61 found this review helpful
Step into the Inner Mysteries of your Mind
PostedDecember 19, 2011
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I picked this title up mainly because it made me think of The Outer Limits, or The Twilight Zone. While the story is not science fiction like those series, the manner of story telling is.
I liked this game. I think the biggest flaw in the game is that it was too short. I believe we completed this title under 3 hours. If the gameplay was extended another 2 hours, that would be an improvement.
With that being said, the gameplay did balance out well with the story telling and advancing the story. The hidden object scenes were fun and the puzzles were OK. I am a sucker for effects, and I loved the effect the programmers used when the character was entering a door.
I would recommend this title, the buyer just needs to know what to expect of this purchase though. While short, I thought the story was solid, and was still a fun time.
I recommend this game!
Solve a variety of puzzles and find hidden clues as Nick Chase, a hard-boiled P.I. down on his luck with a keen eye for detail.
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 15 found this review helpful
A Fun Game the Plunges the Player into a Past Era
PostedDecember 19, 2011
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I really enjoyed this game. I was not to sure what to expect when we grabbed this title, but having played through it, I found it quite enjoyable.
The designers did a great job in setting up the surrounding environment to be like what one would see in old black and white detective flicks. And the voice overs were a perfect finishing touch, I think. Even the sketches used as play advanced adds to the charm of the game.
Puzzles are fun, and the whole play systems is relatively easy to use.
If you are looking for a fun title to immerse yourself into a detective story set in the 1930s, give Nick Chase a try!
I recommend this game!
Travel back to the 18th century and uncover the secrets of bygone days with Golden Trails 2: The Lost Legacy!
Overall rating
5
/
5
38 of 42 found this review helpful
A Fun and Addicting Games!
PostedDecember 13, 2011
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Do not let the "2" in the title fool you. While this is the second Golden Trails game, I do not believe there is much that actually links this title to the first game, other than the style of gameplay, which is a good thing. So, there is really no need to play the first game first, but if you like the gameplay in this title, definitely give the 1st one a go.
The hidden objects are challenging, not to the point of being frustrating. Most of the puzzles also provide a decent challenge. And shooting the bandits for the hints is a nice added bonus and fun factor. The art/visuals fits right in with the story line and the gameplay. I think each piece has been balanced quite well.
I recommend this game!
Re-enter the enchanted world of Drawn in the highly anticipated third installment of the cinematic series!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A Wonderful Detour into Imaginative Storytelling!
PostedDecember 13, 2011
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I will be the first to admit, the game seems short. But then, look at the creativity, the imagination, the music, and the immersive environment players are placed in, and one can see how much work has gone into this title. I am able to appreciate how much work has gone into this title.
To fully appreciate the game, I think one must play the two preceding titles, Drawn®: The Painted Tower ™ and Drawn®: Dark Flight ™.
A player also needs to have an open mind. This game, and other games in the Drawn series, are totally different from almost all other games. Puzzles are complex, and sometime require a totally different approach to trying to solve.
I strongly recommend this game just for the totally different playing experience. One should play the first two titles first though. I believe Drawn®: The Painted Tower ™ is the first game in the series. This is definitely a worthy successor in the series.
I recommend this game!
Explore beautiful underwater temples! Search for artifacts to uncover the dark secrets of the Evil Empress and her hideous plans.
Overall rating
5
/
5
24 of 26 found this review helpful
A beautiful and an Imersive Game Presented in a Wonderful Environment!
PostedDecember 3, 2011
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
My wife and I were profoundly surprised by Empress of the Deep. The game just sucks you in. The visuals are wonderful, the story is grand, and the gameplay is fun. The sound and music fit right in with the whole game experience. The player is imersed right into the story! And the difficulty was "just right."
I recommend this game!
Restore the historic Bowmont Theater as the first act of your mad dash to bring cinematic excitement back to Movieville!
Overall rating
4
/
5
48 of 50 found this review helpful
A Different Take in the Time Management Genre!
PostedDecember 3, 2011
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I like this game, for the most part. The graphics/art is very apealing. The gameplay and rules are solid. The game itself, at least from my experience, is an original take with the management/upgrading of a theater.
My only real issues with the game lie in two places. Some of the later levels, the fun versus frustration level seems pretty high, to the point it is no longer fun, at least for me, to try to achieve the goals. I also was not a fan of how the Arcade piece of this game worked, but that could just be because of the programmers/designers execution of this addition.
I recommend this game!
Allie`s on a quest to find some breaking news in Adamas, but must now choose between her friend`s well-being and true love!
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
A Decent Diversion into the Realm of Romance for a HOG
PostedDecember 3, 2011
KeithS
fromGreat Mills, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is a title my wife and I picked up in one of the Big Fish sals. While not the most original game out there, it was a decent diversion from the usual plotlines of most hidden object games.
The story, while sometimes predictable, it kept our interest. Some of the items to find where very small and tough to find, but it is sometimes good to have more of a challenge in this genre.
The graphics were OK, but I was not a real fan of the art used for the characters
I recommend this game!