sarah451's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.7
- Helpful Votes:328
- Reviews Submitted:40
- First Review:March 1, 2012
- Most Recent Review:March 27, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Prepare yourself for a perilous journey across the world in order to save your niece from imminent danger.
Overall rating
1
/
5
20 of 25 found this review helpful
Couldn't stand it
PostedJuly 4, 2015
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Not up to the current standards of the best HO adventures.
1. Even after I chose no tutorials, it still gave me an
explanation of how to do an HO scene.
2. There are collectibles in the game, but the SG in the demo won't show them. I consider that rude.
3. The casual option recharges the hints pretty quickly, but with the better games, I also expect a "custom" option where I can choose my own set of preferences. No "custom" available in this game.
4. The past tense of "to wind" is "wound" not "winded."
5. You can't make a spark to start a fire from two pieces of flint; you need one flint and a piece of steel, because it is the iron in the steel that causes the spark.
6. The graphics were unimpressive, and the faces were stiff photographs. Not enjoyable at all.
7. The few minigames I encountered were uninspiring, and potentially too hard: the plane involves getting the correct setting for 4 switches, each having 3 positions. That is 81 potential combinations to try. I saw no hints anywhere.
1. Even after I chose no tutorials, it still gave me an
explanation of how to do an HO scene.
2. There are collectibles in the game, but the SG in the demo won't show them. I consider that rude.
3. The casual option recharges the hints pretty quickly, but with the better games, I also expect a "custom" option where I can choose my own set of preferences. No "custom" available in this game.
4. The past tense of "to wind" is "wound" not "winded."
5. You can't make a spark to start a fire from two pieces of flint; you need one flint and a piece of steel, because it is the iron in the steel that causes the spark.
6. The graphics were unimpressive, and the faces were stiff photographs. Not enjoyable at all.
7. The few minigames I encountered were uninspiring, and potentially too hard: the plane involves getting the correct setting for 4 switches, each having 3 positions. That is 81 potential combinations to try. I saw no hints anywhere.
I simply can't be bothered playing, let alone paying for, games from devs who can't be bothered checking their facts and their grammar.
I don't recommend this game.
Death has trained a massive army of zombie minions! Do you have what it takes to navigate through Death's maze and complete Project Deadlings?
Overall rating
2
/
5
36 of 37 found this review helpful
dreadfully disappointing
PostedJune 15, 2015
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is a continuous running game, not a side scroller as I had hoped from the pics
Only runs at one speed, fast, even in "normal" mode.
No way to stop and look around for the next challenge.
Lousy controls
Very difficult to time things so you make the first jump and don't miss the next one.
No fun at all.
Only runs at one speed, fast, even in "normal" mode.
No way to stop and look around for the next challenge.
Lousy controls
Very difficult to time things so you make the first jump and don't miss the next one.
No fun at all.
I don't recommend this game.
Investigate the mysterious death of Count Anthony in 18th century France.
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
Not a bad game -- for around 2010
PostedMay 26, 2015
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The best of today's hidden object/adventure games are years beyond this one. Either the game itself is old or the software engine on which it is based is old and limited.
Only 2 difficulty levels
Can't turn off the click penalty in the HO scenes
Can't click out of a zoom-in, must use "back" button
Hint can't direct you to a different scene/room where there is something you can do now, but can only tell you what needs doing in the current scene/room, even if you don't have the items required to accomplish that task.
Very long pauses in some scene changes without even a "loading" bar.
I'm spoiled. I like the way the current games work and allow me to choose my options. This one would have been OK about 5 years back, but now? Not so much.
Only 2 difficulty levels
Can't turn off the click penalty in the HO scenes
Can't click out of a zoom-in, must use "back" button
Hint can't direct you to a different scene/room where there is something you can do now, but can only tell you what needs doing in the current scene/room, even if you don't have the items required to accomplish that task.
Very long pauses in some scene changes without even a "loading" bar.
I'm spoiled. I like the way the current games work and allow me to choose my options. This one would have been OK about 5 years back, but now? Not so much.
I don't recommend this game.
The princess has become a Queen! Help her loyal assistant Jack rebuild the garden from scratch in this unique Match-3 game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
25 of 39 found this review helpful
Too much "junk" in the playing
PostedApril 6, 2015
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I like match 3 games; I have about a dozen that I play because they are relaxing and don't require much thinking.
This will not be added to my collection.
Way too much "loading" time.
I'm a grown-up. I don't need a pop-screen after each round of match 3 to tell me my score and how well I did. If this is intentionally geared toward kids, I wish BF would make that known on the page so I don't waste my time.
Too much jabbering of characters.
Too much time to pick new plants to put in the garden.
Even the match 3 action is slow.
I'm a grown-up. I don't need a pop-screen after each round of match 3 to tell me my score and how well I did. If this is intentionally geared toward kids, I wish BF would make that known on the page so I don't waste my time.
Too much jabbering of characters.
Too much time to pick new plants to put in the garden.
Even the match 3 action is slow.
I like the garden. I like relaxed mode. I like the hummingbirds in the match 3. But there is a lot of "junk" that contributes nothing to game play, and that slows it down to boring level.
I don't recommend this game.
You're cordially invited to attend the world's greatest magic show! Thurman the Magnificent will give a performance no one will forget!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Nice enough "little" game
PostedMarch 18, 2015
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Nice graphics, fairly good story line.
Objects in the HOS are clear, and most are easily found.
Most puzzles/mini games are good without being boring or too tough.
Music not bad, voice-overs pretty decent.
Short. I finished the main game in about 2.5 hours. Not great.
Hated the map: it takes you to areas, not specific rooms. Very annoying. At least it did have "things to do here" indicators.
Hint system not my favorite. In most games, if there's nothing to do in a scene, hint will point you out of that scene toward a place where there is something to do/get, and you don't use up a hint and have to wait for a recharge. This game (easy/casual) keeps leading you to the next thing to do/get, and you have to wait for the recharge. I don't like that. And at least once it kept leading me to something I couldn't do because I didn't have all the pieces yet.
I'm not sorry I got it at half off member's price, but I would never want to pay full price for it.
Overall: not impressed.
Objects in the HOS are clear, and most are easily found.
Most puzzles/mini games are good without being boring or too tough.
Music not bad, voice-overs pretty decent.
Short. I finished the main game in about 2.5 hours. Not great.
Hated the map: it takes you to areas, not specific rooms. Very annoying. At least it did have "things to do here" indicators.
Hint system not my favorite. In most games, if there's nothing to do in a scene, hint will point you out of that scene toward a place where there is something to do/get, and you don't use up a hint and have to wait for a recharge. This game (easy/casual) keeps leading you to the next thing to do/get, and you have to wait for the recharge. I don't like that. And at least once it kept leading me to something I couldn't do because I didn't have all the pieces yet.
I'm not sorry I got it at half off member's price, but I would never want to pay full price for it.
Overall: not impressed.
I don't recommend this game.
A stay at a peaceful hotel turns into a nightmare when a witch from the Twilight World takes your daughter!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
OK, but sloppy
PostedFebruary 7, 2015
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Story line is OK.
Graphics are clear..
HOS are varied, which is nice.
Three different "collectables," which I like.
However, life doesn't pass "near," it passes "by," which was not the only time the translation to English was poorly done.
And several times there were scenes where you removed something, but when you did something later, the object you had removed was back in the scene for at least a flash. That's just poor programming and lack of quality control. Trying to finish too fast without checking? No game testers outside the development group? I don't know, but it detracts from the overall enjoyment of what was otherwise a decent game.
Personally, I'm getting tired of half-finished games like this.
Graphics are clear..
HOS are varied, which is nice.
Three different "collectables," which I like.
However, life doesn't pass "near," it passes "by," which was not the only time the translation to English was poorly done.
And several times there were scenes where you removed something, but when you did something later, the object you had removed was back in the scene for at least a flash. That's just poor programming and lack of quality control. Trying to finish too fast without checking? No game testers outside the development group? I don't know, but it detracts from the overall enjoyment of what was otherwise a decent game.
Personally, I'm getting tired of half-finished games like this.
I recommend this game!
Diva's dark talent claims another victim – can you stop her before the curtain falls?
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
short and "phoned in"
PostedSeptember 19, 2014
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I bought this without even trying the demo because I had enjoyed the previous "Maestro" games very much. Not this one.
I didn't time it, but this felt short (casual mode). It also felt "phoned in" so to speak, as if minimal effort went into its creation. The art is good, as usual, but the puzzles were all pretty easy, and the cursed objects were a joke since they were all smoky and you'd have to be blind to miss them. I expect "cursed" objects to take at least a little bit of looking and paying attention. A number of the HO scenes were used more than once, which is fine, but the second time there were often new objects. Since I'd just been there, they stood out and were often the ones in the list to be found. Made it really easy to see them. Boring.
I hated the map as you had to click on a dot to have the location enlarge to see if it was completed, locked, or had an objective. At least it would take you there.
The bonus game had some new locations, but every item you needed was practically sitting out to just pick up. And, where you got one item, there was usually a second, so fewer hiding places to program.
Not the worst game I've ever played, but certainly not up to the standard of quality I've come to expect from ERS, and definitely not as good as the previous episodes of Maestro.
Very disappointing. Not recommended.
I didn't time it, but this felt short (casual mode). It also felt "phoned in" so to speak, as if minimal effort went into its creation. The art is good, as usual, but the puzzles were all pretty easy, and the cursed objects were a joke since they were all smoky and you'd have to be blind to miss them. I expect "cursed" objects to take at least a little bit of looking and paying attention. A number of the HO scenes were used more than once, which is fine, but the second time there were often new objects. Since I'd just been there, they stood out and were often the ones in the list to be found. Made it really easy to see them. Boring.
I hated the map as you had to click on a dot to have the location enlarge to see if it was completed, locked, or had an objective. At least it would take you there.
The bonus game had some new locations, but every item you needed was practically sitting out to just pick up. And, where you got one item, there was usually a second, so fewer hiding places to program.
Not the worst game I've ever played, but certainly not up to the standard of quality I've come to expect from ERS, and definitely not as good as the previous episodes of Maestro.
Very disappointing. Not recommended.
I don't recommend this game.
After searching for five years, Princess found her mother – only to have her kidnapped right before her eyes!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 5 found this review helpful
good, but with some annoyances
PostedMay 6, 2014
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Nice graphics, decent puzzles, HOs were fine, but what's with no names for the characters? "Princess"? No name? And somewhere in the dialog over a video, Rizallion was just called "Elf" instead of his name. It was as if someone didn't finish checking the text after the translation to make sure they finished it. I don't think it was a good move from a story-telling point, as it's easier to engage with characters with names than just "elf," "goblin," "Princess."
What really did annoy me, though, was the magic grille-work on the gates after we woke Princess. The grille looked waaaay too much like Tolkien's drawing for the Doors of Durin, and I didn't like it. I know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but some things just shouldn't be "borrowed" like that.
What really did annoy me, though, was the magic grille-work on the gates after we woke Princess. The grille looked waaaay too much like Tolkien's drawing for the Doors of Durin, and I didn't like it. I know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but some things just shouldn't be "borrowed" like that.
Step into a dream machine and piece together the events of a mysterious tragedy!
Overall rating
2
/
5
29 of 39 found this review helpful
Yuck
PostedFebruary 3, 2014
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Graphics average.
Click penalty even in casual.
Hint has to recharge after telling you to move to a different location.
Walk into a room and there are arrows flashing to tell you where the exits are. Too easy, as well as annoying. Of course, it's because the cursor is too primitive to do more than pointer and magnifying glass.
HO item list has very small text even though the space is large, so I have trouble seeing it on some screens.
Everything of interest in a room has sparkles and you can't turn them off.
When you zoom in on a table or something with items to pick up, it tells you to collect items. Well, duh.
Inventory bar retracts automatically and can't be locked open.
Mini games and puzzles are few, old, tedious, and easy.
Basically boring. Feels old even though the files were recently compiled.
Not fun. Not recommended.
Click penalty even in casual.
Hint has to recharge after telling you to move to a different location.
Walk into a room and there are arrows flashing to tell you where the exits are. Too easy, as well as annoying. Of course, it's because the cursor is too primitive to do more than pointer and magnifying glass.
HO item list has very small text even though the space is large, so I have trouble seeing it on some screens.
Everything of interest in a room has sparkles and you can't turn them off.
When you zoom in on a table or something with items to pick up, it tells you to collect items. Well, duh.
Inventory bar retracts automatically and can't be locked open.
Mini games and puzzles are few, old, tedious, and easy.
Basically boring. Feels old even though the files were recently compiled.
Not fun. Not recommended.
I don't recommend this game.
Return once more to the haunted grounds of Ravenhearst Manor to uncover new details about this poignant saga. What you find could very well be the final chapter of this riveting story-if you escape.
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
OMG what a waste of money
PostedDecember 15, 2013
sarah451
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Do NOT buy the CE; get the regular edition.
1. There is no extra game play in the CE, only extra morphing objects somewhere that I'm not going to tell you so my review doesn't get rejected. Read the BF walkthrough.
2. The strategy guide is the worst I've ever seen. I ended up resorting to the walkthrough on BF anyway.
So why pay extra when there's no extra gameplay and the SG doesn't tell you how to solve the game?
1. There is no extra game play in the CE, only extra morphing objects somewhere that I'm not going to tell you so my review doesn't get rejected. Read the BF walkthrough.
2. The strategy guide is the worst I've ever seen. I ended up resorting to the walkthrough on BF anyway.
So why pay extra when there's no extra gameplay and the SG doesn't tell you how to solve the game?
This is a hard game. That's fine; sometimes you like a real challenge. But when you are lost, have no clue what to do next and the SG that you paid for is no help ...
It is a pretty scary/weird/bizarre game. The actors, for once, are pretty good at being way out there. And that's saying something because I really don't like games with live actors.
I loved that all the hidden object scenes were actually morphing object scenes. What a great idea. However, some of them were exceptionally difficult to find, being very small or having only a very tiny amount of change. If you weren't staring right at the item when it morphed, you'd never see it.
No map. I like interactive maps. I hate wandering back and forth, click, click, click, click, click. It's a waste of time. This one doesn't have any map at all, so you can't even check it to figure out your path.
It was a challenge. Next time I will be better prepared for that. It had a bizarre story line, but stuck to it. The "chapters" are not all the same length: 1, 2 & 3 are much longer than the rest.
All in all, I think this is the last MCF game I will buy. They've gotten too full of themselves or something. I was glad to be done with it.