MSBAM100's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.7
- Helpful Votes:8,578
- Reviews Submitted:240
- First Review:January 11, 2013
- Most Recent Review:January 27, 2024
- 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
4
/
5
10 of 16 found this review helpful
Not afraid of True Fear!
PostedMarch 1, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Unfortunately, this game uses dark screens and cartoon-like dead bodies, combined with a zombie-like creature who wanders through the scenes, to try and generate the "True Fear" of the title.
You are Holly Stonehouse who has been contacted by your sister Heather Stonehouse ten years after your mother's death. It is not clear if you are to go back to your homestead or to Dark Falls Asylum - or if they are the same place. You have a dream about Dark Falls Asylum, but when you arrive, you find a decrepit rundown house that is dark and dirty, with a zombie creature walking through various scenes. The door is surrounded by voodoo dolls and protective amulets.
Inside, you find various pictures of you and your sister, and even one of your family showing a person at the window of a second floor room that your mother always kept locked. It seems your sister was obsessed with books about paranormal events, rituals, and demons, which is why all the amulets in the house.
The opening screen is quite bare. However, after the demo is over, the list of bonus materials shows up. The game is full of irritating items -- having to use the crowbar 4 times to remove 4 boards on the gate is annoying. Same with using the screwdriver 4 times to remove screws on several items. Occassionally, you don't have to, which makes the whole thing inconsistent as well.
Your sister's doll Katie becomes your Hint button - with red eyes. You eventually uncover a teleporting map, which helps with the confusing layout of the house. The HOS are also confusing, with several items opening up into more complex items. But the HOS list helps with transparent, black and red items representing which items are visible to you at any time. The puzzles are simple, with a few "reassemble the drawing" types that are quite easy.
For Bonus materials, there are figurines to find that tell part of the story in text form. Besides a strategy guide and bonus game, there are cut scenes, deleted scenes, making of, music, puzzles, HOS, and wallpaper. The achievements are standard, even a bit silly. There are three modes.
You will need to try this yourself to see what you think. I don't think it is worth the CE title.
I don't recommend this game.
Enter an enchanting world of legends, mystery and magic, where your destiny was written in blood and the soft murmurs of true love...
Overall rating
5
/
5
89 of 129 found this review helpful
Back to Ravenwood -- Save your Sister!
PostedFebruary 27, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Another fun game with lots of bells and whistles by a great group of developers. It had me at the opening. A young woman climbs a huge peak and throws her emerald ring away and curses the man who gave it to her and his heartless kin! A crow-like hand recovers the ring!
The story opens 25 years later and you and your father are on your way to Ravenwood to attend your twin Lilly's and Edward's wedding. Your carriage is attacked (of course!# by a bear. You find the wedding party, but the bear steals Lilly, and you and Edward give chase. You make a good team until eventually you fall into a ravine and now you are on your own!
The ravine itself is full of enchanting puzzles in a garden-like area. Eventually you work your way out and come across a cottage in the wood with a witch #?# who gives you a recipe for a bear-tracking potion and you are off to find all the ingredients.
This game has everything. You rescue a kitty who becomes your helper for the high places and eventually leads you to the cottage. The HOS are either very interactive silhouettes, or a FROG. And you can play dominoes instead! #Not so easy!) The mini-games are not hard, but are multi-part and fun. Your map is teleporting with activities marked - in casual mode- and your journal tracks your objectives. The hint button either points to an object to use or points the way back.
There are 11 trophy achievements like "Fuzzy Little Fellow" when you rescue the cat. There are 13 story achievements that explain the history of the story. You must find 18 "Elusive Objects" to read the parts of the story achievements -- I only found two in the demo, so they are well hidden. There are also 30 spirits -- they look like fairies - to find.
There are three modes of play and the extras include the HOPs, cut scenes, wallpaper, sound tracks, art, strategy guide, and two bonus games. Try it, I think you will like it! Got to buy!
I recommend this game!
Farm to Fork
Help the farmers keep their lands and make the valley prosperous once again!
Overall rating
5
/
5
74 of 86 found this review helpful
Grow....bake......sell.....repeat!
PostedFebruary 24, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I normally don't buy time management games that don't have a relaxed mode, but because it is Playrix, it is high quality and you do get unlimited time, you just can't collect gold stars for it. You can replay the level as often as you like to improve your score -- I tend to get worse each time!
This is your typical grow wheat, make dough, bake bread, load it in the truck, sell it at the market kind of game. You upgrade after each level, using the stars you earned in the level. So far, getting gold stars has not been a problem, so you have plenty of stars to spend. You buy veggies to plant, a salad station, a fryer, etc. To help you make money, a parrot appears regularly that you click on multiple times until it drops some feathers you can sell and about $50 in cash you can use within the game to buy more veggies.
Just because you upgrade your dough making machine, doesn't mean you automatically get to use it in the game. You still must earn a certain amount of money -- $100 or more -- to purchase the person who runs the upgraded machine. A little different than most farm TM games. If you don't click on the parrot, the cat gets him, but he comes back faithfully anyway! You can upgrade the parrot cage to "catch" him more quickly.
The only issue I have is, I upgraded my truck (I thought) but it didn't give me more space to sell items. Perhaps I read the upgrade wrong. Anyway, this game is fun and doesn't get boring, so try it and see.
I recommend this game!
Something pulled your son into a shimmering portal. Dive into a magical world to find him!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 13 found this review helpful
Another mother, save your child adventure
PostedFebruary 22, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
While you are on your cell phone, your son Jimmy and his teddy bear are snatched by a tree and dragged into a portal! That'll teach you not to watch your child! So of course you follow him. Your first mini-game makes you find and match tree disks, so the tree will talk to you and take you into Firefly Forest in the world of Lost Lands, which has been taken over by a Great Evil - according to a sign when entering the Land.
You save a baby owl from some crows, so the owl becomes your pet and helps you with the high stuff you can't reach. Your also meet the gnome Uri, who gives you a map and volunteers to help you. Just one problem -- Uri's brother now has Jimmy and keeps one step ahead of you. In Uri's house, you can make a potion to summon the Lake Spirit, who will help you cross the Lake if you find her pearl (or his -- they use both pronouns in the text.)
A clever new feature implemented by the developers is a "back arrow" on your inventory panel, which eliminates the problem of how to position your cursor in order to go back to the previous screen. The HOS are either lists, silhouettes or "find then use the inventory" -- well covered by all the types. Unfortunately, the HOS are a bit dark and hard to see the objects - part of my rating of 4 for this game. The other reason is, it is not clear why Jimmy was taken -- you just wander around following the gnome who has Jimmy but you never find out why during the demo.
There are several collections for you to find -- shells, pine cones, skeleton heads, ornaments -- but the screens are so dark I only found about 3 shells. And there is no indicator if there are any on the screen or not. The map is interactive and you can choose from three game modes. The extras include the normal add-ons, plus 15 achievements.
While I like the game, it is not as good as several recently released ones by more prolific developers. You will have to try it for yourself!
I recommend this game!
Your sister disappears the night of her star debut – and there are ghosts in the theater! Will this dance ever end?
Overall rating
5
/
5
25 of 33 found this review helpful
Dance, ballerina, dance!
PostedFebruary 20, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a tale of the composer Gaspar and his unrequited love for the ballerina Marie, which drives him mad enough to burn down the theater, making ghosts of all the players. Gaspar's finest work is the character of Donatella di Fiore, which in this first performance since the fire is being danced by your sister Adele. Unfortunately, after the performance, Adele is held captive by the theater manager and Gaspar's ghost!
To save Adele, and to rescue the souls of those killed in the fire, freeing them from the ghostly life, you must find Marie who can evidently lift the curse Gaspar placed upon the theater. You are helped along the way by several ghosts - ballerinas and musicians - who lead you on a kind of "find this person next" type of hunt, or "follow me."
The one thing EIPIX does best is carry the theme throughout. Not just the graphics and the music, but the puzzles and HOS are part of the theme as well. Even the hint button is a jewelry box with a ballerina on top.
There are four modes of play, plus a teleporting map with activities marked (if you want it). The way the map opens is a bit annoying with an extra step of animation to open the document. The HOS are lists - with the interactive objects self-deleting when completed - or silhouettes, or you can play the Bubble Shooter instead if you feel like a bit of action.
The inventory box locks open, but it could be a bit longer because you gather a lot of stuff! OK, I am nit-picking now! There are 18 achievements to earn.
The inventory box locks open, but it could be a bit longer because you gather a lot of stuff! OK, I am nit-picking now! There are 18 achievements to earn.
The CE extras are a Bonus Chapter, the Strategy Guide, a Making Of, replay of the HOPs and Puzzles, Music, Pictures, Movies and Bonus HOPs. There is a Souvenir room which doesn't unlock until the game is finished, and Marie's Bouquet which holds the 44 roses - one per scene - you can find. A nice touch EIPIX always adds is letting you know if you've found the rose in that scene with an icon that lights up. There are also 15 morphing objects, but they are well-hidden as I found exactly none during the demo. But I get so busy with everything else I forget to look!
One of the best parts of the demo is the ending. There is a cut scene summary of what seems to be most of the scenes in the game, giving you a preview of what comes next and reminding you of what you just completed. Again, another nice touch from these developers.
I am off to buy.
I recommend this game!
A series of robberies takes a deadly and supernatural turn!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 29 found this review helpful
Murderer steals jewels and body parts!
PostedFebruary 15, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It is so great to have another European Mystery to play over the holiday! From the opening scene, you are hooked on the latest villain who steals jewelry from nobles in Rome, then takes something else like their hair or their eyes or even their life! Your friend, Lorenzo Mercuzzo summons you to Rome to use your detective skills to solve these robberies/murders.
You have several tools plus lots to do. First, you must rescue your pet ermine who of course is able to climb and fit into places you cannot. Then you must put together a special crystal cube that lets you collect beams of light that seem to be left behind when a robbery occurs. If you have a blueprint and the correct metals, you can make jewelry like a Maltese Cross or statue that becomes a key to open up gates in the town - pretty neat! You have a teleporting map that marks activity areas, plus a hint button, a journal, and a task list. You don't even need the strategy guide.
The HOS are primarily lists, but each item on the list requires extra steps. There is one that makes you find 15 letters, so there may be more of those as well. The mini-games are interesting and a bit different. They may take you more than one try to solve. You can choose from four modes, including custom.
There are also 25 hidden masks -- I only found one so they must be hidden pretty well! Several achievements but you get rewarded for not using hints even if you did. The CE extras are a bonus chapter, wallpaper, music, art, videos, mini-games and a mask room to view your collection. The graphics are clean and clear and not cluttered.
This game has so much to do, and is better than the previous one - you got to make perfume in that one. Not boring -- lots of action. Try it!
I recommend this game!
Return to Raincliff, where what you see isn’t always what you get!
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 30 found this review helpful
Save Emily from the Invisible People!
PostedFebruary 13, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the sixth Mystery Trackers game and they never disappoint! There are always new features to keep you interested.This time you have to find Emilie White, a journalist, who was sent to Raincliff to do a feature on the invisible people. Of course she is taken captive, and there is at least one person in the town who seems to want to help you find her and escape.
Your faithful dog Elf is back to reach those small places for you. You have an interactive map, and a hint button that shows a picture of an active area and asks "Go now?" The cool new features include "Frost Mode" -- it is winter -- where you have to keep finding scarves and hats and boots to keep you warm according to an on-screen thermometer. Plus you find Emilie's video camera and some tapes. Every time you find and play a tape, you get a photo of an area of the game, which when matched, opens up a hiding place where Emilie has left clues. Pretty neat!
The HOS are all lists, the map is teleporting with active areas marked, and the mini-games are mostly unique and not too difficult. There are four modes of play, but custom does not seem to be one of them. Your collectibles are 15 Mr. Toad dolls dressed up as characters. There are many achievements, plus the strategy guide, bonus scenario, and usual sort of CE extras. The graphics are clear and clean, even on a large monitor.
This game is fun with a lot to do. I am off to buy it!
I recommend this game!
Can a vampire and an ordinary girl be together, if the vampire's father opposes this?
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Vampire vs human, Dracula vs ghost girl?
PostedFebruary 8, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The interface on this game is so unique, I haven't decided if I really like it or not. It is a good story -- nice human girl falls in love with vampire, and they decide to marry. Daddy Dracula says they can marry if girl becomes a vampire, so he kidnaps her. You spend the game alternating between the girl's point of view and the vampire's. You can flip back and forth easily. Separate maps, separate inventories, separate objectives!
The game is very well done, easily allowing you to move between the two characters. I just kept forgetting where in each story/quest I was, although the interactive map really helped. There is so much to do -- it is definitely a CE. You collect garlic to "purchase" upgrades for your inventory panel and medallion head shots. You collect bats to trade for upgrades to a castle - Dracula's? Plus there are an additional 15 items to find -- silver, a cross, other objects. And of course, there are achievements. There are the normal CE extras, including strategy guide and bonus scenario.
The mini-games are unique but easy -- didn't have to skip any so far! The four modes, including custom, should make every one happy. The HOS are a bit cluttered, but are all lists. You can switch off to a Match 3 instead.
I like this game, because when you get stuck, you can switch to the other character. But it takes more concentration than I am used to spending on most games!
I recommend this game!
Stop the disaster caused by the Sky Kingdom and save the day!
Overall rating
5
/
5
54 of 68 found this review helpful
Jack is all grown up!
PostedFebruary 6, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Dark Parable series never disappoints! They all are loosely aligned to a fairy tale (Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty and more) with unique twist that make you smile and want to keep on playing! This one is no exception. You arrive at the town of Alblasserwaard in Holland, to find sinister looking pieces of a Sky Castle that continue to fall to earth and rain down destruction on the town. An armed stranger threatens you, and you are rescued by a handsome, daring man called Jack who seems to be fighting his own battle with the Castle and the stranger. Turns out Jack needs your help to recreate the beanstalk so he can climb up to the Sky Castle and rescue his fiancé and friends who are held captive by the three princes.
The HOS are all FROGs (fragmented objects) that must be assembled, but the graphics are so clear and clean and bright, it is a pleasure to find the pieces. The mini-games are unique and fun -- one is a story type that you must move pieces around until Jack reaches the beanstalk and the clouds. There are five parables that you must uncover pieces to, in order to read the explanation. One of them is about Rumplestiltskin, and so is the Bonus game, so I assume he plays a part here somehow.
You only have your hint button and a map (not teleporting) as tools. No strategy guide, but I used the hint button a lot. There are three modes of play, plus the CE stuff of wallpaper, movies, music, art and puzzles. There are also 20 cursed morphing objects to find that speed up your hint button. This game is FUN!
I recommend this game!
An eccentric artist's creations have sprung to life, and they're terrorizing a small town.
Overall rating
3
/
5
30 of 34 found this review helpful
Watch out for the painter!
PostedFebruary 1, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
There have been so many great CE releases recently; unfortunately, this is not one of them. You are invited to your niece Adele's wedding to Richard, and you decide to travel by "aerostat" aka balloon, so we can have a great scene where a medieval dragon downs your balloon. Luckily, you escape the crash unscathed and continue to town where you find your two nieces and brother missing. It seems your niece's spurned suitor Edmund, is an artist who can make his paintings come alive and he's decided to paint traps all over town because Adele is marrying Richard. The traps are strange plants, a huge blob of jello, and of course, the dragon.
To battle the paintings, you receive an artist's palette that you mix a colored item with a binder you find that turns into paint. With your palette you can bring drawings to life - like herbicide - to conquer the strange traps painted around town. Kind of a bizarre premise. What is not clear is who these traps are for -- you, Adele's family, who?
The HOS are varied, which is nice, but the scenes are dark so they are very hard to see clearly on my large monitor. Also, when the HOS is repeated, all the previous items you've found are back in the picture -- a particular annoyance of mine. You have silhouette objects to find, pictures to place into the scene, and a find xx objects type. The mini-games are reasonably hard but not unique.
There are 22 achievements awards, and 30 bird collectibles that don't seem to fit in the story, nor are they easy to spot, because the screen is a bit dark. I think I found 2 in the demo, only because they showed up in the HOS so I looked for them after I finished the HOS. There are three modes of play, an interactive jump map made up of dots instead of pictures, a journal, and a hint button. I did not see how to access the strategy guide from within the story, and there is a bonus game. I did not see any CE pluses like art or music or wallpaper or movies, but I don't necessarily care about them anyway.
I think the level of play here qualifies this as an SE, not a CE.
I don't recommend this game.