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:
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call Collector's Edition
Face off against Davy Jones and his nightmares from the deep!
Overall rating
5
/
5
33 of 41 found this review helpful
Davy Jones, Fishmen, and a Golden Octopus!
PostedJuly 25, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Just when I was wondering what CE I would play next, along comes the Nightmares from the Deep sequel with enough excitement and challenges to make you open your purse strings!
There is a brief reminder of what occurred before when Sarah chased Captain Remington and Davy Jones. I highly recommend that game as well, but it is not necessary in order to play this one.
You get an interactive map, a diary with both notes and objectives, a quick refilling hint button, collectible morphing objects, beautiful graphics and great cut scenes.
You get a late night package that causes you to travel to the fishing town of Kingsmouth where you find a siren in distress and a cursed town whose townspeople are slowly turning into fishmen. You have to save Calliope, the mermaid/siren, remove the curse, fight the Golden Octopus and once again meet Davy Jones himself.
The mini-games are unique but not too hard, and the HOS (so far) are the interactive type with the "find the object then do something with it" mode. Buy it!
I recommend this game!
The mysterious League of Light has chosen you as their newest member. Are you up to your first assignment?
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 11 found this review helpful
Save Penelope, Capture the Dark Lord!
PostedJuly 20, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
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 the first game I've played from this developer, yet it has a familiar feel to it. You are drafted into the League of Light in Romania in 1866, and sent to the village of Sorrow's Well to meet the village leader Elton Fince. While there, Elton's daughter Penelope is captured by one of the Dark Lord's minions and taken to his castle. So you are off to rescue her and defeat the Dark Lord.
There are 3 modes of play -- Casual, Advanced, and Hardcore. There is an interactive map, a journal/diary, and a quick-refilling hint button. You are awarded achievements, of course, plus there are 34 owls hidden throughout the game. I did not need the Strategy Guide, as the hint button points you in the right direction. The mini-games (two in the demo) are easy. The HOGs are all visual "find the object and use it to get the next one."
The back story is explained by clicking on various paintings which activates a brown and white cut scene showing the Dark Lord conquering the world. There is one bothersome issue -- the little dwarf from the Haunted Legends series appears often and uses his magic to give you a blockade you must overcome. To my knowledge, these are not the same developers...
When the demo ends, you are working on expunging the banshee who seems to now be Penelope, by following a recipe you find.
The game is thoroughly enjoyable, except the little dwarf looks out of place. Will use 2 for 1 to buy!
I recommend this game!
There are screams heard in Silent Hollow... Trouble at the Mystery Trackers headquarters means you're called in to help.
Overall rating
5
/
5
25 of 30 found this review helpful
Mystery Trackers Another Hit!
PostedJuly 18, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the fifth game in the series and I've played them all. They just keep getting better and better. I am not sure there is another series with as many "extras" that just make you smile!
You are following Agent Clyde whom you've revived and watched him teleport away. You found Agent Slade dead inside a phone booth. You are on your way to the Mystery Trackers Castle to figure out what is going on, being attacked by flying masks along the way!
There are four modes of play -- Casual, Advanced, Hard Core, and Detective Mode. You get an Interactive Map, a Task List which tells you what you should do next, plus a Hint Button in the form of "Mr. Toad" who gives great hints as well. And your faithful pet dog Elf is back, to crawl into the small spaces and retrieve items for you.
PLUS, you collect 15 funny Mystery Tracker pets along the way, many achievements that will make you chuckle, and ducats to spend on Elf and his family or on dressing out Mr. Toad. And you earn special powers you can use throughout the game. A definite buy and a lot of fun!
I recommend this game!
Get ready for some spine-tingling fun as you work with eccentric members of the Graves Family to build, buy and flip houses.
Overall rating
3
/
5
34 of 47 found this review helpful
No Mystery here!
PostedJuly 16, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is the 7th Build-a-Lot game, and unfortunately one of the most boring. The others had different architecture to go with the themes, or different buildings to build (windmills in the Power Source one). I really had hoped the "Mystery" in the title would follow through.
What you get is a solid Build-a-Lot, with the same buildings as others, and the same workers and painters and construction types. You do get to construct a Fortune Teller, but the demo did not allow you to see how it would be used. Great Aunt Agnes "talks to spirits" and you do find a mysterious map but the demo runs out before you get to see what it means.
You do have a Journal that tracks your success. The Relaxed mode is locked in the demo -- not sure if it unlocks before the end of the game. The timer is easy until about the 5th scenario, then gets progressively harder to make a "blue ribbon".
I love build-it games, and in particular most of the build-a-lots. However, this one is not a buy for me -- too repetitive.
I don't recommend this game.
The prophecy has been fulfilled! The day has come when mighty dragons seek new territory to claim as their own!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
Make peace with the Dragons!
PostedJuly 15, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You have been chosen to make peace with the dragons, who are now seeking new territory. Along the way you must regain the trust of the fairies, druids and others whom the humans mistreated.
This game, while similar to many others like Ballad of Solar and Viking Brothers, has a few unique features that keep it interesting. You build a well, which drives the happiness of the village. You build tents, then cottages, then probably bigger houses as you go along. You still need wood or stone, but there are magical treasure chests to find as you go along. Your workers - tax collectors, workers, druids and soldiers -- gain experience and get promoted as you move through the scenarios.
You also get promoted as you gain experience. My favorite thing about this game is it has a Relaxed Mode, that lets you get all gold stars without any time limits. I do not like to be rushed! There are also 9 achievements you earn over 45 levels. A fun and charming game -- the demo was over before I knew it! Off to buy!
With great new graphics, unlockable videos and even more exciting challenges, you’ll love every minute of this amazing adventure through architectural history!
Overall rating
5
/
5
49 of 57 found this review helpful
Build the most famous cathedral in the world!
PostedJuly 9, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the fourth and best game in the series. Previously you got to build the Eiffel Tower, the Titanic, and the Statue of Liberty. In this game, you are the Site Manager for the Master Builder, who is constructing the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
Like the other games, each level starts with a salient fact about the monument you are building. This game, however, randomly asks you bonus questions about the facts, and rewards you if you get the answer correct.
The graphics are the cleanest and the objectives quite clear. You still clear and fix roads, build quarries, chop down trees, build farms and workshops. In the workshop you create floorboards and cut stones and ironworks. You get a gold star for finishing within the "expert" time limit, but there is still plenty of time left to finish the level. I play slowly, so I only achieved the gold star twice, but the only thing I received was more points.
Of course you have some characters to "fight off" -- the initial ones are troubadours. The thieves show up later.
You do not get to choose the level of play, but there is enough to do on each level to challenge even the experts.
This game is a buy, and can be replayed without getting bored!
I recommend this game!
The Emperor’s son has a mysterious illness. As legendary healer Daiyu, you’re called to the palace to save him, but you end up having to save yourself!
Overall rating
5
/
5
46 of 60 found this review helpful
Healer, heal the emperor's son!
PostedJune 29, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the first game from this developer that I have really enjoyed and felt deserved a CE label. You play the healer, Daiyu, who has been summoned to heal the emperor's son Jinhai, who is under the care of his uncle.
You are a healer who also uses magic, once you find all the ingredients. Also, your healing kit enables you to diagnose the fact that Jinhai has been poisoned. You are assisted by Jinhai's best friend, Bo.
The HOS are either lists or silhouettes, and you can switch to mahjong mode if you get tired of searching. The hint button refills quickly, and points directly to where you need to go for your next step. The interactive map also shows areas you can jump to.
There are three modes of play -- Casual, Challenging, and Insane, which should please the experts and the beginners. There are also 41 cranes to find, which are well-hidden -- I only found three during the one hour demo!
This is a unique, interesting game that I plan to buy.
I recommend this game!
A letter offers new information about Elizabeth just as Lynn's powers have awakened. Help her overcome the darkness before it's too late!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
Lynn grows up
PostedJune 27, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a continuation of the first Witches Legacy game, which is recapped via cut scenes in the first few minutes of the game. Elizabeth the witch, who killed Lynn's entire family so Lynn could be her heir, has reappeared in Rothenburg. You are Lynn's guardian, and realize she has begun to grow into her magical powers. Lynn decides to chase after Elizabeth to exact revenge, and opens a portal to Rothenburg. You must follow, but you don't have magic powers!
This is a great sequel, with everything you can think of -- four game choices, from Casual to Custom, an interactive map, a journal, a quickly refilling hint. Plus 42 morphing objects and 45 jigsaw pieces to find. And a little imp helper who can reach places you cannot.
The HOS scenes are bright throughout, even on large monitors. An interesting switch is the ability to move from the HOS list to a matching game that lets you substitute 2 matches for a "found item". The mini-games are not too easy, and many are unique. There is, of course, a bonus game and a strategy guide included with the CE.
Finished the demo -- off to buy it!
I recommend this game!
Uncover the true murderer as you investigate a haunted house!
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 19 found this review helpful
The Evil Dwarf Returns Again!
PostedJune 20, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
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 the fourth game in the series, and it doesn't disappoint. You are once again a detective asked by Sylvia Feller to look into her brother Ariman's murder. The dwarf claims he didn't do it. But the Book of Wishes, Vox, is also missing. Sylvia claims that has upset the family ghosts, so you must help the family find peace as well.
The diary has your notes, plus your Ghost collection, plus your Garden. The hint button refills quickly. And the map is interactive!
The mini-games are a mixture of old and new. The HOS alternate between lists and interactive "find and use the object" types. The cut scenes are excellent, and the music fits the mood of the story, although I normally turn the music down, I enjoyed this musical score. There are three modes of play.
There is enough here it seems to me for a CE, and I love the ERS bonus games as well, so this is a definite buy for me.
The diary has your notes, plus your Ghost collection, plus your Garden. The hint button refills quickly. And the map is interactive!
The mini-games are a mixture of old and new. The HOS alternate between lists and interactive "find and use the object" types. The cut scenes are excellent, and the music fits the mood of the story, although I normally turn the music down, I enjoyed this musical score. There are three modes of play.
There is enough here it seems to me for a CE, and I love the ERS bonus games as well, so this is a definite buy for me.
I recommend this game!
The Queen has chosen your sister as her successor.
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 43 found this review helpful
Frozen Beauty and Snow White
PostedJune 13, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the first game I've played from this developer, and it is a good one. The Evil Queen kidnapped your sister to steal her youth and beauty. Along your way to save her, you run into Snow White, the Queen's first victim, whom you unfreeze and get some warnings.
The mini-puzzles are rather easy (in casual mode), but new ones. The HOS come in list form as well as place the object in the picture form. The Hint Button refills quickly, and works in both HOS and game mode.
The map is interactive, showing where you can do something and letting you jump to that location, if you are like me and have no sense of direction! Eventually you get a pet squirrel once you unfreeze his acorn and you can spend the coins that you find upgrading his housing. No morphing objects, but you win achievements along the way.
A good story, based on the demo, and fun to play. It's a buy!
I recommend this game!