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:
In the midst of a battle for the Academy of Alchemy, a young promising student, Eliana, is sent on a dangerous mission of retrieving three powerful artifacts, the Dragon Crystals.
Overall rating
2
/
5
58 of 80 found this review helpful
Didn't like it..
PostedMarch 25, 2017
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
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
Found this game really boring.
Once a 'fairy helper' cropped up and needed to be used in all one needed to do next I exited.
It is so annoying that when you find an object it starts 'throbbing' before hitting the inventory, as though you're too stupid to have seen it in the first place.
The HOPs were too frequent, and not very interesting. The puzzles weren't anything special either.
Having to follow a recipe to make a potion wasn't necessary, as it only allowed you to do things in a certain order.
The HOPs were too frequent, and not very interesting. The puzzles weren't anything special either.
Having to follow a recipe to make a potion wasn't necessary, as it only allowed you to do things in a certain order.
Would suit children or beginners to this genre, but for those that have played these games before it will be a drag!
I'm sure some will like it, but it really couldn't keep my interest.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the cause of the cool down?
Overall rating
2
/
5
142 of 159 found this review helpful
This game was way too short...
PostedJanuary 19, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I love Elephant games, and having played the trial hour I decided to buy it. That decision I truly regret.
The entire game took less than 2 hours, including trial hour! I skipped one puzzle!
So, for £10.80 I got less than an hours game play. Haven't played bonus game yet.
The entire game took less than 2 hours, including trial hour! I skipped one puzzle!
So, for £10.80 I got less than an hours game play. Haven't played bonus game yet.
The gameplay was a yawn. HOPs were excellent and I looked forwards to them. The puzzles were boring in the main, very easy too. Amongst the puzzles were really lazy 'find the symbols' and these recurred far too often.
In fact the whole game seemed to have been thrown together with little thought.
This has to be the worst game ever by these devs...in fact one of the worst CEs ever. I would have been disappointed had it been an SE for free using a voucher.
I don't recommend this game.
Travel beyond our galaxy to bring your lost son back home.
Overall rating
3
/
5
62 of 99 found this review helpful
Too boring...
PostedNovember 19, 2016
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
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Found this game mind numbingly boring. Stupid story, disjointed game play, puzzles I skipped as weren't interesting enough and HOPs nothing out of the ordinary.
Graphics were ok as was music. Clever at the start whereby you were more interactive with the characters, but this interaction soon ended.
I usually love these devs games, but for me this fell short.
Collectables were rocket drawings in each scene, (which weren't easy to find) and morphing objects in HOPs.
I played to end of trial hour, but was glad when time was up.
It started in a creepy old fairground, and had it stayed there I'd have bought in a jot. Turned into a bad sci fi 'C' movie!
The 'son' opens portals for you, but it's not clear which places are needing a portal, and I really don't like portals (nor amulets) in games.
Some will love this game I'm sure, but for me it was all very hum drum and no fun at all.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you escape your fate as a human experiment, or will you comply?
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 27 found this review helpful
A really good CE but short bonus chapter
PostedOctober 9, 2016
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
This game was full of suspense, with fitting music and plenty of twists and turns.
The graphics were excellent. 4 game modes, although I do wish in custom mode one could choose no black bar tips as there's far too much hand holding in this game.
Found the puzzles a bit boring, but the HOPs were excellent (n fact some of the best I've played).
My only gripe really was the shortness of the bonus chapter that we pay double for. Too many HOPs, and it was over very quickly, although the game itself took me 3 hours with several puzzle skips.
Definitely worth trying this one for yourselves.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your new friend before it's too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
112 of 161 found this review helpful
Found this CE annoying...
PostedAugust 11, 2016
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
3
/
5
The good bits were that the puzzles were enjoyable and creative and not too difficult and mostly quite original, and the HOPs interesting and made you think.
You could jump to different scenes by using the hint button.
The feline helper 'Mr Jenkins' was irritating with its constant meowing and screechy noises.
The VOs were cringeworthy, and the devs idea of an 'English' stereotypical voice was really insulting.
Found the scenes quite dark and the graphics fuzzy. The worst thing was the 'tiny' custom cursor. Very hard to see it, and after playing most of the trial hour I had a headache.
Anything with a + in the inventory kept flashing to tell you that you could do something with it, and even though I'd clicked 'glints/sparkles' off, they kept appearing if you'd missed something. I chose custom mode but no option to turn off helpful hints, so the constant extreme hand holding was annoying.
If you've the option to customise your game, it's because you set the amount of challenge you want in a game. To have each step constantly explained to you, spoils the gameplay.
The morphing items were tiny, and mainly I found them by accident...I'd click on some dark blob and it was a morphing item, but no way of knowing what it was.
I'm sure some will love this game, but for us older people with not such pin sharp eye sight, it is a real trial to play this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Who broke the agreement between good and evil?
Overall rating
2
/
5
39 of 64 found this review helpful
Boring with stereotypical VOs...
PostedJune 24, 2016
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I'm not a fan of Eipex games, but having read the reviews thought I'd give this game a go. 45 Minutes was all I could take.
The VOs were atrocious. London accents are nothing like the ones in this game. Very poorly executed cockney accents, and the same with over the top Gentry type voices.
The game play wasn't great; each scene (and in 45 minutes there were quite a few) had little to do in them. Three actions at most. The HOPs had a morphing item and were ok but nothing different, and the puzzles boring in the extreme.
The storyline was boring, and so much chit chat and too many cut scenes.
The usual 4 play modes, and the collectables were some weird kind of sign barely visible in most scenes.
There are way better CEs out there.
I never have tech issues on my Mac with Eipix to be fair, but feel they churn out so many games that they are becoming hum drum.
The VOs were atrocious. London accents are nothing like the ones in this game. Very poorly executed cockney accents, and the same with over the top Gentry type voices.
The game play wasn't great; each scene (and in 45 minutes there were quite a few) had little to do in them. Three actions at most. The HOPs had a morphing item and were ok but nothing different, and the puzzles boring in the extreme.
The storyline was boring, and so much chit chat and too many cut scenes.
The usual 4 play modes, and the collectables were some weird kind of sign barely visible in most scenes.
There are way better CEs out there.
I never have tech issues on my Mac with Eipix to be fair, but feel they churn out so many games that they are becoming hum drum.
I don't recommend this game.
Master this fun and challenging Match-3 game inspired by the magical world of witches and wizards!
Overall rating
3
/
5
16 of 26 found this review helpful
An Ok but bland M3!
PostedMay 16, 2016
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
These devs have made some excellent M3 games, but I'm on the fence with this one. Thought it would be 'interactive', but it isn't!
The Pros are timer or relaxed mode. Excellent graphics and cute characters. A bit too much chit chat, but all adds to the story. Music and sound effects not too annoying and can be turned down in options.
You're making potions, but no interaction so don't see the point. The gameplay is pretty bog standard. You've goals to reach in each level, and I like M3s that include this rather than aimlessly clicking on tiles.
I played full demo hour, and only encountered webs and wooden boxes. For some reason (never explained why) you had to replay some levels, but the board was different to the played one. It may have been that I didn't get 3 stars, but after replaying the level and still only getting 1 or 2 stars I moved on to the next level.
The cons were that when getting a new power up they insisted I use it. I found a way round by clicking on it and dragging it to the board which got rid of the pop up, and then returned its place. There were 4 power ups I reached, but in relaxed mode didn't need them. More power ups are available as time goes by. Once used, it took time for each to be available again.
There were other power ups achieved by making matches of four, cross matches, matches of five etc on the board.
The game wasn't very exciting, and I hoped for new challenges as time went by, but none appeared.
It's one of those M3 that the devs prefer you to play in timed mode, so that there's some challenge. In relaxed mode, there's no challenge and therefore, whilst nicely done lacks any real interest.
Having not played timed mode, I don't know if the levels are easily completed or not. Might use a PCV just to find out.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a heartless criminal before it's too late?
Overall rating
3
/
5
86 of 130 found this review helpful
Bit of a drag...
PostedMay 12, 2016
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I bought the game as trial hour showed an excellent game with some of the best HOPs I've seen in a while.
Having bought it things started to go downhill, and I've played the bonus chapter too. The graphics were excellent, as was the music.
Having bought it things started to go downhill, and I've played the bonus chapter too. The graphics were excellent, as was the music.
The game was too linear for me. Played custom mode, but with no option to do away with black bar tips there was far too much handholding. I turned sparkles/glints off on active areas, but when you've completed a + item it sparkles like mad as though you're too dumb top know you've 'made' an item.
The HOPs were in the main excellent (but boy were there a lot of them). A variety from morphing, to junk pile, to FROG.
There were collectables and morphing objects to collect, and two blazing balls on top of the inventory bar told you which scenes they were in. Only 15 morphing objects in total.
The VOs were cringe worthy! The slow drawn out so called "English' accent was so painful I skipped as fast as poss. This meant I couldn't really follow the storyline.
You could take items from the characters in the cut scenes which was a nice touch.
The puzzles were in general either very very easy, or as dull as ditch water. Luckily there was a very fast hint and skip button.
The map didn't take you to scenes, you had to search for the red exclamation mark to find the scene with an interactive task.
The bonus chapter was a fair length, but no collectables or morphing objects. As we pay double for the CEs, don't think it's acceptable that these extras in the main game aren't available in the bonus.
It was an ok game, but had a dated feel about it.
I don't recommend this game.
Is the notorious Axiom Butcher back from the grave?
Overall rating
5
/
5
94 of 114 found this review helpful
Best game for ages...
PostedApril 30, 2016
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Loved everything about this game, ticked all the right boxes for me. Spooky, lots of gore, haunted hotel...
Ran smoothly on my Mac.
Sound effects were terrific, graphics amazing, storyline interesting and easily followed.
Not too many cut scenes, and the ones that did appear were not too long.
HOPs looked basic, but were actually very nicely done and a good variety of them.
Ran smoothly on my Mac.
Sound effects were terrific, graphics amazing, storyline interesting and easily followed.
Not too many cut scenes, and the ones that did appear were not too long.
HOPs looked basic, but were actually very nicely done and a good variety of them.
Puzzles not too complex, nor repetitive and fairly straightforward.
Four game play modes; I chose custom so fast hint and skip buttons. Didn't need to use map or SG as hint system was excellent. A lot of tooing and froing, so hint system was very useful.
Various collectables and morphing objects in most scenes.
Game lasted a good 3 hours with some skips, and bonus game lasted about an hour.
All in all my kind of a game. Just wish there were more like this for quality, interest and fun. These devs know how to make great games.
I recommend this game!
When an age spell drains your vitality, will you save your family?
Overall rating
5
/
5
162 of 213 found this review helpful
Amazing CE...
PostedDecember 24, 2015
belamba
fromPoole, Dorset UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I haven't written a review for ages as so many CEs of late have been hum drum to say the least.
These devs don't release many games, but when they do they are always quality.
These devs don't release many games, but when they do they are always quality.
This game has amazing graphics, some humour, various mode choices (including custom), puzzle piece collectables in each scene, and morphing objects. Puzzle pieces and morphing items appear in each new scene. Not always easy to find either.
Level of challenge is good, plus there's a jump to map, excellent (most of the time) hint system, and interesting puzzles. Puzzles are quite challenging, interesting and well put together.
Level of challenge is good, plus there's a jump to map, excellent (most of the time) hint system, and interesting puzzles. Puzzles are quite challenging, interesting and well put together.
Had to refer to SG once (so far - I'm 4 hours into the game), and managed to move on having done so.
Often the HOPs in adventure HOGs are tiresome, repetitive and even boring in many games, but in this CE they are intuitive, different, fun and for a change I actually look forwards to them.
Can't recommend this game highly enough...a lot of work has gone into it. The music is in keeping, and so well done are the VOs that I can't actually decide if the human characters are real or animations!
Can't recommend this game highly enough...a lot of work has gone into it. The music is in keeping, and so well done are the VOs that I can't actually decide if the human characters are real or animations!
A very large d/l (almost 2GB), but there's more gameplay than cut scenes. There are a lot of cut scenes, but add to the game and don't go on forever. You can skip some, and press continue for most.
I don't usually bother with the storyline as many are so droll (and like bad B movies of yesteryear), but am enjoying the story. A bit like a pantomime story of naughty witches.
A very welcome Christmas eve CE: I've finished all my shopping and pre-Christmas chores so this game brightened my day!
A very welcome Christmas eve CE: I've finished all my shopping and pre-Christmas chores so this game brightened my day!
I recommend this game!