lancsroyal's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:490
- Reviews Submitted:36
- First Review:December 4, 2011
- Most Recent Review:August 3, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Status:
What if everything you knew about your life, everything your family ever told you, turned out to be a lie?
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Atmospheric Game
PostedMay 4, 2014
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This one is a little different than many of the other games out there, and a bit eerier too. Plus, you are left hanging at the end, inviting a sequel apparently due out later this year. The cut scenes are excellent and what little dialogue there is is very good, the only negative was that during several of the cut scenes the game crashed. It didn't affect the playing of the game but was a little annoying.
The puzzles were perhaps a little too easy for my liking but for overall quality of the graphics and game play, I'm willing to overlook that. The hidden object scenes were reasonably challenging but were pretty basic as far as that goes.
One thing that amused me was the way some things happened after you completed a puzzle, almost without your knowing. There were certainly a few glitches in this game but hopefully they will be ironed out in the sequel. It was a long game and the look and feel of it make it worth the money.
I recommend this game!
You friend, Sandra, has asked you to help find her missing sister! Rebuild two houses to uncover a shocking mystery!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
One star off for no skip facility.
PostedJanuary 9, 2014
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm a bit late with this review (about 2 years) since I just bought this game but I'll get my 2p in anyway.
I'm not sure where the complaints about the colours come from as if you play this on a computer it's plenty big and easy to see. I like things to be a bit of a challenge so I'm mystified that someone complained that they had to think too much! Isn't that the point? This is a nice, taxing little game which is best to play in small chunks.
The sound is annoying, so just turn it down as I did. Playing softly in the background it did not bother me at all.
If I have one criticism of this game it is that there doesn't seem to be a hint or skip facility. My issue with this is that if you become frustrated by a puzzle you will end up not bothering to play the game at all. If you can just go on to the next one it makes it more enjoyable. I would like to be able to go back later and tackle it again.
Overall, it's worth purchasing as it's a little different from other games out there.
I recommend this game!
Release the characters from the witch's curse and find the portal home!
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
A good series
PostedSeptember 13, 2013
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is the fourth in a pretty decent series of games. This one is a little different with regards to the hidden object scenes making them a little more interesting than they normally would be. The puzzles are a mixture of easy to fairly hard. The graphics are good and the music is varied although seemed quite familiar so I suspect they used the same music in other games. My only real criticism is that the map could have used indications of scenes where actions could be completed as I found myself using the hint button a little more than I would have liked.
I like the idea of having different themes within a game although I was amused by the odd mix of different eras within a section like the Tudor queen in a Georgian house which obviously could not happen. But that's just me nitpicking in a game I really did enjoy. I'm happy when a standard is maintained throughout a series of games and that's certainly true with Echoes of the Past.
I recommend this game!
Guide a mother who pursues a terrifying apparition into a twisted reality to save her daughter.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Better than the first "Stray Souls".
PostedAugust 13, 2013
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Is it just me, or does this game seem a little short? Having said that, it's the only really negative point I have about this game. I didn't really like the first game in the series but decided to give this a go since I wanted the bonus punch in order to achieve a free game. It's certainly better than the first one and it has a clever selection of puzzles which are a bit different from what you normally get. They're not overly difficult but are fun to solve. The level of hidden object scenes was just right for me too. It is a bit sinsiter which I liked although the doll fighting the clown looked a bit silly. Otherwise, it's certainly worth buying the standard edition game.
I recommend this game!
Hop aboard to cross the border between life and death!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
Something a little different.
PostedJuly 24, 2013
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
All my reviews are based on full gameplay.
This game reminds me of the old point-and-click game "Grim Fandango" as it has a similar style and sense of humour. The graphics are cartoonish but very well done and the sounds complement the game nicely. The puzzles are mostly original and the hidden object scenes don't take too long which is a plus if you're not that crazy about them. The map is interactive which I always think enhances a game since you don't have to spend loads of time travelling back and forth trying to work out what to do next.
A nice little addition is the telephone numbers dotted around. Try calling some of them on the telephone in the bar. The book, called Guide, which helps you is quite a fun idea as well.
So many of the games around seem to have similar themes so it was nice to play something a little different.
I recommend this game!
Cargo flight 821 has crashed on an uncharted, beautiful and deadly planet. Your only companion is the trustworthy robot, Oscar and together you must escape.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
A nice way to pass a few hours.
PostedJuly 17, 2013
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
All my reviews are based on full gameplay.
I bought this as a daily deal and for that, it is well worth the money. The game's short length is the only real negative against it and may have bothered me more if I had paid full price for it.
My main advice would be, after putting together Oscar the robot, is that you make full use of the data button he sports. Here you will find a map (although not as interactive as I like them to be) which will help you find your way round but also tell you where the hidden object scenes are. There is also a data section with important information as well as a tasks section. If you click on each individual task you get more information as to where to find items or how to complete certain tasks. I found it immensely useful.
The graphics are fairly basic which is not a problem, however it is not always easy to find things that you are searching for. Not every active area is highlighted which sometimes sends you back and forth trying to find items that you need. This did get a little frustrating. The hint button is useless for anything other than in hidden object scenes but with the tasks section that doesn't really hinder gameplay.
Overall, it's worth playing but I'm glad I didn't pay even so much as the members' price for it due to its length.
I recommend this game!
With your carriage broken, and a wolf nearby, you must find shelter. What awaits you in the village just ahead?
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
They should have stuck with the format.
PostedJune 7, 2013
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
What a disappointment! After waiting awhile for the standard edition of this game to be released I must say that it was somewhat of a letdown. The creepiness of Vanishing Hitchhiker is gone and replaced with what is a pretty bog-standard theme. No on-the-edge-of-your-seat creepiness here.
The best games are always well balanced with good (or at least unique) graphics, challenging puzzles, a good map and just the right amount of hidden object scenes. The graphics were fine, but the puzzles were almost non-existent. Really quite disappointing in that regard. This game could also desperately do with a map just to make it a bit easier to keep track of what you have yet to do. The tasks page in the diary was somewhat ambiguous.
I'm not a massive fan of hidden object scenes but this game did have just the right amount, although you did have to go through quite a lot of actions just to tick some of the items off your list. It's the one positive thing I can say about it.
When the developers come up with a great game, then turn it into a series, they need to keep up the standard and produce games in that style. Moonlit Grove seemed incongruous with the previous games in the Shiver series.
All my reviews are based on full game play.
I don't recommend this game.
Lift the dangerous Queensbury curse by following an ancient recipe and concocting a fresh batch of Spirit Soup!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 5 found this review helpful
Nice game, but way too short
PostedMay 22, 2013
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
My reviews are all based on full gameplay.
I bought this (or rather used a free game code) because I liked the old-style feel of the graphics and the overall simplicity of style. There are no hidden object scenes per se, rather several lists of items you are given to find. There are also ocassionaly items to collect in the scenes. The puzzles are challenging and the whole feel of this game is different to most of what is out there. There's also a bit of humour which you don't often get. It makes a refreshing change.
However, I have one major criticism. This game is much too short! I'm not sure I would have bothered buying it had I known that. I reckon that it didn't take more than two hours to play the whole thing. I think that you should at least get 3 1/2 to 4 hours for a game. Beyond that, it you don't mind the length of a game I would still recommend this one if only for its change of pace.
I recommend this game!
If you have enough courage to challenge the darkness, then you’ll manage to find out the mystery of the Rossolimo family.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Not the best of the series, but playable.
PostedApril 30, 2013
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Professor Fizzwizzle and the Molten Mystery
(8)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
My reviews are always based on full game play.
This game is certainly not as good as Eclipse Mountain but there's nothing wrong with it and it's enjoyable enough. My one criticism is that it could seriously do with an interactive map as I seemed to spend a lot of time trying to remember where I saw things. I found that I had to use the strategy guide too much for my liking.
I do wish that game makers would come up with some newer ideas. The light changing is unique but the storyline in this one is something I've seen quite a lot. I find myself not really paying that much attention.
The mini-games in this one are good, with some original puzzles which actually made you think. Even some of the old standards were a bit different.
Overall, it's worth playing but I probably wouldn't waste my money on the Collector's Edition.
I recommend this game!
Trivia Machine Reloaded
Climb to the top of the ladder by answering fun questions from the trivia machine! The game features thousands of fun trivia questions in 9 categories.
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
An upgrade on the original.
PostedApril 11, 2013
lancsroyal
fromWarrington, Lancashire, England
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is basically just an upgrade on the original game which looks more stylish. You now get achievements such as answering a certain amount of questions or answering questions from each category. You can also opt to go on to the next question without having to click.
One criticism I have of Trivia Machine Reloaded is that it does not seem to download new questions as the original did. I have already had several questions repeated after only about two hours playing time. This never happened with Trivia Machine. The other is that the television and sports questions especially have such an American bias that it is difficult to answer a lot of the questions from those categories.
Beyond that, it is still a good trivia game and worth buying as the questions are a nice mix of easy to difficult.
I recommend this game!