belamba's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.4
- Helpful Votes:6,536
- Reviews Submitted:161
- First Review:November 16, 2011
- Most Recent Review:April 4, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A time-traveling killer is taking out the Gray family, one by one.
Overall rating
3
/
5
36 of 56 found this review helpful
I just couldn't get into this game...
PostedJanuary 25, 2018
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I've all the previous Grim Facade games, and Elephant my fave devs, but I just found the whole game boring.
There's nothing that hasn't been done a zillion times before. HOPs and puzzles same old, and I found I was just trolling from scene to scene without purpose.
Found the cursor and objects too small, and it's a strain on the eyes.
Graphics and sound excellent as you'd expect from these devs, HOPs interactive but not very challenging. Found the puzzles really boring. I tried to solve them all, but found a lack of challenge so skipped most in the end.
Lots of collectibles including morphing objects (which I always enjoy).
This game just isn't for me, but I'm sure many will enjoy it.
Just don't feel there's anything new or different in so many recent HOAGs of late. I'm so hoping for a creepy circus, fairground or hospital game as there used to be.
I don't recommend this game.
Ready to solve a gripping mystery? Tackle ingenious riddles in this hidden object puzzle adventure!
Overall rating
1
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
This game wasn't what I expect from a CE...
PostedJanuary 10, 2018
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I actually liked this game BUT there was no way of turning off the 'sparkles'. If there had been and the UI was more user friendly I may have bought it. As it was, it didn't run well on the Mac, no instructions as to what to do (I figured it out as I went along), and HO pieces almost impossible to find.
The concept was excellent, the actual game play was let down by no option of doing away with sparkles.
I play games to challenge myself a bit - adding sparkles to every move makes it 'childs play'.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save the holidays before it’s too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
109 of 138 found this review helpful
Loved this game..
PostedDecember 14, 2017
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Game was beautifully done, and got me into the Christmas spirit.
Excellent graphics, and whilst Toto is annoying with the barks and whines when you need to use him, it didn't spoil the game.
Excellent graphics, and whilst Toto is annoying with the barks and whines when you need to use him, it didn't spoil the game.
The HOPs were interesting and interactive and the puzzles gave you an 'easy' or 'hard' option. I skipped quite a few, as even on easy they were a bit tricky. Some puzzles a bit boring, but didn't spoil the enjoyment of the game.
The bonus chapter (for once) was a good length and took over an hour to complete with puzzle skips.
If you like Christmas games, you'll love this.
Not enjoyed a game as much for a long while.
I recommend this game!
Can you delve into a dangerous past and escape in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 21 found this review helpful
Loved the game but....
PostedSeptember 15, 2017
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I must confess to avoiding Eipix games over the last couple of years, as really don't like them anymore. This game however I did give a go (as I like the series) and was pleasantly surprised! No joining dots, looking for symbols and so on.
The graphics were fantastic and the game was creepy and music in keeping with the spooky atmosphere!
I actually loved the HOPs, innovative, beautiful graphics and easy to complete with no need to squint or get a magnifying glass either.
The puzzles I had issues with as couldn't understand the instructions and therefore had to skip most of them. I've been playing this genre for ten years and not had this issue before.
The graphics were fantastic and the game was creepy and music in keeping with the spooky atmosphere!
I actually loved the HOPs, innovative, beautiful graphics and easy to complete with no need to squint or get a magnifying glass either.
The puzzles I had issues with as couldn't understand the instructions and therefore had to skip most of them. I've been playing this genre for ten years and not had this issue before.
My gripe is that the game was overly short. I liked the demo hour so bought game, and started from the beginning as I kept getting interrupted when I first played demo. I've never ever replayed a game from the beginning before, but wanted to reread the story from the beginning.
The entire game took less than 3 hours, and whilst I skipped puzzles it was still very short. My biggest disappointment was the fact that it only took 30 minutes (or less) to finish the bonus chapter! Bearing in mind we pay double for this I don't think it's on.
Can't believe anyone pays extra just for concept art etc.
I really think it's about time devs gave us more for our money. It wasn't that easy to find the bonus chapter either.
Can't believe anyone pays extra just for concept art etc.
I really think it's about time devs gave us more for our money. It wasn't that easy to find the bonus chapter either.
Had I known I would have waited for the SE. Collecting dolls wasn't difficult and only morphing objects were in the bountiful HOPs. Once again in the bonus chapter there were way too many 'filler' HOPs.
So, all in all it was a very good game but IMO not worth the money for the extras.
I recommend this game!
Can you save a young heir from Saint Germain in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
51 of 67 found this review helpful
Would have been better if less hand holding...
PostedAugust 24, 2017
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I used to. be a massive 'Ers' fan, and bought all their games.
Lately I've struggled to get excited by them.
Saw today's game 'Editor's choice' and read reviews and thought finally a 'spooky game to buy'. So was disappointed when playing trial hour to the end!
The game is 'too similar' to most other Ers games; I could have replayed an old 'Haunted Legends' and not known if I was playing old or new.
Best bit were the HOPs. Varied and easy to see items. Puzzles I skipped mainly as 'same old, same old' and nothing I was interested remotely in doing or solving. Also, playing custom mode there's giant cut out outlines showing you where to place necessary pieces! Why? It's supposed to be a game, not a puzzle for 4 year olds!
You get the 'this game contains scary bits' in red at the beginning, but in truth not scary at all.
Ers graphics always excellent, as is the music.
I'm desperate for a game that has new content, new storylines and that don't feature amulets, potions, kidnapped kids, ghosts or little helpers. Is it really that difficult to come up with something new?
It's like 'Ground Hog Day....' every day.
I feel that Beta testers must write glowing reviews to get their name in lights, or they are playing a different game to the one I trial!
Yes, we all have different views on games, but week in week out I'm getting more and more disappointed in the offerings.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you find the Wise Dragon and save your people?
Overall rating
2
/
5
71 of 92 found this review helpful
Didn't hold my interest.
PostedAugust 17, 2017
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I usually love Elephant games, but this was a damp squib.
Too repetitive, and not much fun factor. On the positive side, plenty of collectables including morphing objects in each scene.
Not as linear as some games, but didn't think the game play flowed that well.
The HOPs were ok with some interaction but nothing that interesting. The puzzles were too 'samey', turning circles, and more circles and...
Or finding bits of symbols and more symbols and so on.
Or finding bits of symbols and more symbols and so on.
The storyline wasn't interesting enough for me to follow it.
I really don't like 'little helpers', and in this game you've got one that is very annoying.
The graphics and sound were good.
I don't recommend this game.
Join two tribes of dinosaur tamers and help them save their world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Ok but a bit too linear..
PostedJuly 20, 2017
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I always have to congratulate these devs on the fact their games run seamlessly with no glitches at all on the Mac.
The story line was ok, and the Irish accents a bit stereotypical, but not annoyingly so. The music got boring after a while, so I turned it off.
The HOPs were nicely done and a variety of them too. The puzzles were ok and beautifully designed, but I skipped a few as they didn't hold my interest.
The gameplay was too linear, and not enough to do in each scene. Although some more things to do opened up after doing an action or two, there could have been way more interaction with the scenes.
I played to the end of the bonus chapter, and it really wasn't worth double the price.
Collectables were a symbol in each scene and some morphing (only 14) objects in the HOPs.
I recommend this game!
A young journalist following a wanted felon chases him to a golden elevator that takes her to other worlds, where huge danger threatens everything.
Overall rating
3
/
5
43 of 80 found this review helpful
This game wasn't what I expect from a CE...
PostedJune 24, 2017
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
For me this game was completely boring and had little entertainment value. The scenes had little to do in them, and even with helpful texts turned off there was still too much hand holding.
The HOPs were nicely done, and were the best part of the game. The puzzles I found monotonous and skipped most of them. The theme of 'symbols' was repeated in various ways.
The graphics weren't the greatest and the storyline worse than the worst ever 'B' movie.
When using the 'hint' button a giant fountain pen with a really annoying sound affect took you to and fro. Whilst the hint button was very helpful (and I didn't need to refer to the SG), the game was so linear a hint button wasn't really needed.
I used it because the game was so boring, I didn't really care about anymore than finishing the trial hour just to see if the game improved. It didn't....
No doubt some will enjoy it though.
I don't recommend this game.
Mr. Jenkins is back to help you uncover the mystery of the haunted armor!
Overall rating
3
/
5
51 of 72 found this review helpful
It's ok...
PostedApril 27, 2017
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game had great graphics, interesting HOPs and puzzles and the usual various play modes. Having chosen 'custom' mode it's disappointing to find that theres no option to turn off helpful messages/black bar tips. So, the hand holding was excessive.
My main irritation was the worst attempt at an 'English' accent ever, and 'that' cat 'Mr Jenkins' that doesn't stop miaowing.
I could only take 30 minutes of the trial before exiting. I know some will like this game, but it's not for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you find your long-lost brother in time?!
Overall rating
2
/
5
76 of 101 found this review helpful
Too much hand holding...
PostedMarch 30, 2017
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Was looking forwards to playing this game, but 30 minutes was all I could take.
I tried custom mode, and that was so annoying I went to advanced mode. And still the inventory items lit up and shook when they needed using. For a child or first time player of this genre, it might be ok, but for myself it was truly irritating!
The VO sound was really quiet, even though I put it to maximum in options.
The two HOPs I came across were nicely done, but the two puzzles I came across were nothing new and quite old school in fact. Both puzzles had different pieces, but the idea was the same.
The graphics were grainy and blurry.
I was hoping for something new from these devs, but game felt 10 years out of date.
I tried custom mode, and that was so annoying I went to advanced mode. And still the inventory items lit up and shook when they needed using. For a child or first time player of this genre, it might be ok, but for myself it was truly irritating!
The VO sound was really quiet, even though I put it to maximum in options.
The two HOPs I came across were nicely done, but the two puzzles I came across were nothing new and quite old school in fact. Both puzzles had different pieces, but the idea was the same.
The graphics were grainy and blurry.
I was hoping for something new from these devs, but game felt 10 years out of date.
I don't recommend this game.