Scobeaux's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.8
- Helpful Votes:611
- Reviews Submitted:48
- First Review:November 21, 2011
- Most Recent Review:January 14, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Crack codes, pick locks, comb crime scenes for clues and solve clever puzzles in this thrilling retro detective drama!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Excellent Plot-Driven Game
PostedDecember 3, 2014
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a welcome departure from the usual kind of game where you wander aimlessly around collecting things with no idea of when or why you might need them. In this game there is a mystery to solve and everything you do is directed toward that end. The plot is certainly unrealistic, more like horror/science fiction rather than fairy tale style (another welcome change) but within its universe it makes perfect sense and there was very little in the way of totally illogical actions. I really wanted to find out what happened while at the same time not wanting it to end.The graphics are cartoonish rather than realistic but they are effective and there was a nice range of different locations. The voice acting is much better than average, as are the sound effects and the suitable but unobtrusive music. The puzzles and the hidden object scenes were on the easy side, and there is a map. There was very little toing and froing. It was a good length. I would love to see more games like this, with attention given to the story rather than just to the graphics and the morphing objects and collectibles and so on.
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Forbidden Garden
Your parents always told you to stay away from the mysterious maze behind their house... and you're about to find out why.
Overall rating
5
/
5
64 of 64 found this review helpful
Very Enjoyable
PostedNovember 13, 2014
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have played dozens and dozens of this type of game and this was an almost perfect example of what I usually look for. Apart from being on the pink and purple end of the color spectrum, which I gather some people - not me - hate, the graphics were beautiful and detailed. The sound was exceptional, not too much music, and the sound effects really added to the game. The plot was more or less what you would expect, but even though the game was quite long it was not boring. Two things they did really well, in my opinion - the helper creature was adorable, and used quite frequently. It wasn't just a throw-in. Usually those helpers don't do it at all for me but this one I liked. And second, the HOS were MUCH more interesting than usual. Usually I just tolerate them but I enjoyed these. You didn't just find items on a list, most of the time you had to find items in a particular order, using the first to get the second, the second to get the third, and so on. Some people complained that the game wasn't logical but I have to disagree - I only needed a hint about three times because it was usually very clear what you needed to do next, and the tasks made sense most of the time. And surprise! You never needed a crowbar! The puzzles were on the easy side, some of them childishly so, but a couple were pretty tough and there were a few I had never seen before. They really packed a LOT into this game and unless you hate purple I suggest you give it a try. Don't be put off by the opening 5 or 10 minutes, which is pretty treacley - it gets better, I promise.
I recommend this game!
In this latest installment of Imperial Island, accompany Emperor Omadan on an exciting journey through uncharted lands in search of his son - Prince Caleb.
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 12 found this review helpful
Challenging and Enigmatic
PostedAugust 21, 2014
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I don't agree with those reviewers who say this game is nothing like the first one. In my opinion, it is exactly like the first one, minus the building aspect (which is actually extraneous to an M3 game, although fun# and plus some extra challenges and bonuses in the game play. I think if you liked the M3 part of the first game, as did I, you will like this one. Maybe the level of challenge is a bit higher but many of us welcome that and, if you don't, there is the option to play untimed. My only problem is that there are some aspects of this game that seem to make no sense. For example, what is with the triangles with the exclamation points on the map? And what determines how many stars you get? And why are the time goals so unrealistic? I can get three stars on a given level but miss the time goal by several minutes or more. I hope I can figure these mysteries out in time, or someone else will post the answers. But in the meantime, I will enjoy playing this game because of the fact that it is technically smooth #on my machine), very fast-paced, challenging and beautiful.
I recommend this game!
Giant mutated plants have sprung up across the city! It's time to save the day!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Despite glitches, still a worthy game
PostedJuly 24, 2014
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Notwithstanding some fairly serious glitches (listed later in this review), I still recommend this game because of some outstanding features. The graphics, both still and video, were really excellent. The attention to detail (minus the glitches) was also excellent and made me smile - for example, in the HOS's, when you combined two objects to create a third, you would get an appropriate sound effect or a little movement to reward you. The sound effects were also great and the music fit the gameplay and was not annoying. I usually just suffer through the HOS's but this game did a great job with them. About a third of the listed objects in each scene were interactive and they were not ridiculously hard to find, with very few exceptions. Also, which is a HUGE plus for me, when you re-visited a HOS, the items you had already found were not there anymore. The plot was about as good as you usually get and the length was good. There was no map or strategy guide but you didn't really need it as play was confined to at most five scenes at a time and the hint (which functioned flawlessly for me) gave you all the help you needed. The mini-games were about average - some were new, some were old, some were completely incomprehensible - but you could skip them.
As for the glitches, these were the ones I ran into - other people have reported finding others. In two of the HOS's, an item you needed to find was not actually listed, it was replaced by a blank box. The first time I freaked out because I thought I had run into one of the game-ending problems others had reported - but no, all I had to do was click on Hint, it showed the missing item, I clicked on it and I was done with the scene. Another problem was that part of one game was inaccessible because the instruction box was in the way, but if you put it on full screen mode and looked at the diary, you could then access it if you were quick. Finally, one time it closed on me with an error code, but when I restarted I found that it had lost no progress and I just proceeded with the game.
There was one other issue which might really bother some people. The actions that you had to perform were sometimes completely nonsensical, even more so than usual in this type of game. I have sort of gotten used to this and I don't really mind that much anymore, but it was really pretty extreme in this game, I really had to shake my head a bunch of times.
Without the glitches and the at times nonsensical game-play, this would have been a solid 5-star game. I hope the developers do some thorough testing next time so everybody will be able to play and enjoy their next effort.
I recommend this game!
Resolve a family squabble before the gates to the realm of the dead swing open and horrors beyond imagination pour into this world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Such a Delight
PostedJuly 21, 2014
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I haven't enjoyed a game as much as this in a long time. The plot was engaging, the graphics were outstanding, and the level of creativity really makes this game stand out, even in view of the wonderful and improving quality of games these days. I was continuously captivated by the characters - the doctor, the artist, the gardener - and how the developers created the universes they inhabited. There was never the feeling of, "oh, how many times have I seen this before?" Even the HOS's were a delight and very unusual and challenging.
I didn't really care about dressing the cat and getting the speedier hints, but it is a nice option. I care more about the original mini-games #some of which were very challenging, if not in concept, then in execution# and the humor of the dialog and the situations and the floating cheese and the clock which goes back and forth from the present to the past and the doctor's hands, and on and on -- so much to recommend! I will play it again soon and will go for the other ending.
I recommend this game!
Spring is in the air! Journey through the beautiful Spring countryside with the Easter Bunny in this adorable Match 3 game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Charming and Not Too Challenging
PostedMay 13, 2014
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This game has a lot going for it and I wish some other developers would emulate a couple of the highlights. The best thing about the game is that the tiles are extremely easy to distinguish, even though there are a LOT of different (and very charming) designs. One of the worst things an M3 can do is have tiles that look too similar. Second, the music is quite perky and fits the game perfectly but is not at all annoying and doesn't worm its way into your brain for the rest of the day. Third, there are several bonuses I haven't seen before and the sound effects for each one are very cute. The only things I would like to see improved is that, first, the game is fairly easy until about level 90, at which point it suddenly becomes pretty hard (especially level 98, which is impossible#. If you play untimed this doesn't really matter #and BTW another great thing about this game is that you can switch from timed to untimed and back again on every level). The other thing is that there is no real score-keeping. Yes, you get a score after each level but it is just meaningless numbers and each level stands on its own. I would like to see a "10 Talismans" type of score-keeping. But all in all, this game is just plain adorable and if you like it you should check out Spooky Bonus, which is for Halloween and is just as cute, if not more so.
I recommend this game!
Play as both Ellie and Ian, two scientists stranded on Botanica. Can you save your friends and find your way home?
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
State of the Art (for January 2014)
PostedJanuary 28, 2014
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I was really looking forward to this game as I loved the first Botanica, but this was even better. I found the level of challenge to be just right, meaning I didn't need to consult the strategy guide more than a very few times, less than five I would say, but some of the games were quite hard and some were very easy - a nice mix. There were quite a few types of games that were new to me. The HOS were so much fun! Very interactive! They added a lot to the game, and you are hearing this from a person who usually would just as soon do without HOS altogether. (One thing I am very grateful for is that developers are committing to the concept that the HOS should be more of a challenge mentally and less of a challenge visually.# Where you had to use the things you collected was pretty logical, by and large. The graphics were beautiful. The voices were excellent. The tiger and the crab helpers were great additions as well, and plus I liked the fact that if you needed, say, something sharp for two different scenes, your knife didn't just vanish on you after you used it the first time. The music was pleasant and non-intrusive. The plot was better than the average. There was a very helpful interactive map. One character used a botanical kit and the other used a chemistry kit, which added some variety. As for the Collector's Edition benefits, the Epilogue #the extra chapter) was very welcome as it used a different character and had a slightly different quality of play and was quite long. You also had to find a lot of bugs and there were some random achievements and some wallpapers and so forth but you could certainly have a great game experience without these extras. I hope all new games for 2014 meet the high standard set by this game.
I recommend this game!
The fabled land of Agartha awaits your discovery in Esoterica: Hollow Earth! Experience a sci-fi adventure that will take you to the depths of the Earth.
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
A Nice Change (based on completion of game)
PostedJanuary 14, 2014
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Having just finished a rather dark, grim and gloomy werewolf story (which I also loved), I found this game to be such a treat! The scenes were beautiful, clear and bright. Even the prison laboratory was art deco! The graphics were extremely well-done - they really added so much to the story. Definitely a 10 out of 10! The plot was pretty goofy but it was imaginative and I really enjoyed the way the second scene (with the grandfather) mirrored the first but at an earlier point in time. The music was better than average and not annoying. Most of the mini-games were pretty easy but there were some stumpers in there that I did not manage to figure out even though it seemed as if I had all the ducks in a row - this is where a walk-through would have been welcome. Of course you can skip but you want to know what is the right answer! This was the only negative and did not really detract from the story. I would love to see more games like this.
I recommend this game!
Travel to a family manor and lift the mysterious Curse of the Werewolves in this blood-chilling and enthralling Hidden Object Adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Unexpected gem
PostedJanuary 9, 2014
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I agree whole-heartedly with those who say this game is under-rated. I am so glad I paid attention to them and not the over-all rating because this game was so fun to play I would have hated to miss it. I thought the sound was really outstanding - never annoying, always spooky and varied. I love it when a developer pays attention to the sound, and this time it really paid off. Another thing I loved were the HO scenes. Normally they are something I kind of put up with to advance the story, but in this game they were a plus. It is true that they were dim and gloomy, but that fit the game's atmosphere and I rarely needed the hint. And some of the clues/items were so clever it made me smile. It was slightly interactive and the interactiveness, if that is a word, was very clever. OK, moving on, I liked the voice of the main character - she didn't say all that much, but she sounded real and maybe even someone it would be nice to know. The hint system was really excellent, it told you where there were things to do but not what needed to be done. Just the way I like it. I didn't have to skip any puzzles - always a plus. Oh, and the plot - OK, not much of a plot, and it was mostly explained at the end, but the whole atmosphere dragged me along. Someone said it is short - I actually thought it was pretty long but I like to take my time and I can say that I was having so much fun I didn't want it to end.
I recommend this game!
Uncover dark forces emanating from the heart of Old Town and be spellbound by this adorably ghoulish horror-themed puzzle game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
I couldn't stop playing!
PostedNovember 5, 2013
Scobeaux
fromNew York City
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game is a hoot! The sound effects and the music are really great. The visuals are varied, easy to distinguish and amusing. It wasn't very difficult except toward the end where I had to do a bit of re-playing. (Quite a bit, in some cases.) I really liked the numerous and varied bonuses and the fact that you never knew what bonus you were going to get. Normally this might bother me but it was fine in this game because it was so generous with the bonuses. I also loved the fact that when you are on a roll, there are explosions and sound effects and tiles raining down all over the place. Exciting and relaxing at the same time. The pumpkin lights and spooky lanterns and fog machines and all the rest were just so adorable and perfect for Halloween. I know what I will be playing next October! Nice job, Grey Alien Games!
I recommend this game!