dancemom1's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:13,287
- Reviews Submitted:871
- First Review:April 15, 2012
- Most Recent Review:November 26, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
You are the key to solving a chilling supernatural mystery!
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 24 found this review helpful
Nice addition to the series...
PostedOctober 23, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. That one had me confused too. Yep, you guessed it, I have the other 4 in this series. Why is there always a special on something I already have? Nice graphics and animation. Colors are clean and true. No game play problems and the game fit my large screen perfectly. As far as music goes, there wasn't much at all, just now and then when needed. I like that. Often the music distracts from the game play. Voice overs were nice, although not many, and seemed to fit the characters. Not a lot of "emotion" or "acting" in them, but still nice. Not a lot of sound FX, but they are there when needed and are fairly well done.
There is a map that is quite helpful and is well marked with identifying where there are objectives. The map does not transport you to any location, so you have quite a lot of running around in this one. This is where the jump map comes in handy. The stars had me confused for a bit, but I read that they mean you have found the collectible in that location. I spent a lot of time looking for something when I didn't need to. HOPs are fun and somewhat different. You have straight HOPs, IHOPs and find this place it there, which keeps a game interesting, or you can switch to a jigsaw puzzle. Some of the items were a bit small, so when I got tired of looking for them, I just switched to the jigsaw to finish it out. Some HOPs seem a bit junk pile, but they aren't really. Items aren't that difficult to find. Puzzles are the standard and not difficult, but some take a bit of thought and time to complete.
The only collectibles I found are 33 morphing objects #I love these#, which are not really hard to spot either. There are also "unique" collectibles, e.g., 6 of each, gamer #puzzle pieces#; venetian masks; attractions #buildings#; sweet tooth #self explanatory#. These you have to look for in, around and under things...this is the challenge to this game.
I really like the interaction in the game, e.g., touch a flower and it blooms, wilts and dies; touch the leaves and they fall off the tree, etc. This was not a terribly challenging or exciting game, but I like it. There is enough going on to keep me moving and interested and I have the need to play it out and see where it goes. I think this game will appeal to all levels of players. The CE is a definite buy for me.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Pack your bags for a fantastic family vacation! Explore the world through puzzles, mini-games and hidden object scenes.
Overall rating
2
/
5
21 of 26 found this review helpful
Way too simple...
PostedOctober 21, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Hi all. Wow, I haven't seen a game this simple in a few years! The graphics are nice. Colors are very clean and true. No animation. This is more of a story book type game than anything else. Music gets very annoying very quickly. No voice overs.
Yes, it is a straight HOP, which are extremely simple and pretty much junk piles. I noted that some items were mislabeled, e.g. there is a difference between a crab and a lobster, so don't ask for one if you have the other in the picture. Spent a bit of time looking for that "crab" that wasn't there. Puzzles are very easy as well. This is definitely a game geared toward children...children who have never played before. My grandchildren all "help" me with my games, so they are used to something much more challenging for them. I am afraid this would be far too easy for them and they are 3, 5 and 10. The only puzzle I saw that might give them grief is the match the flag to the country puzzle. Most children wouldn't know that.
Would I recommend it for adults...absolutely not. Would I recommend this for children...yes. Would I buy it for my grandchildren...no. This game would depend on the child. I'm sure most would have fun with it and it would keep their minds working quite well looking for things. I often buy straight HOPs just for a change of pace and I enjoy then now and then, but not something this simple. No buy for me.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this one to be exactly what you are looking for today. Thanks for the reviews.
I don't recommend this game.
Leonardo da Vinci needs your help! A tyrant has conquered Florence and he is destroying all works of art and science!
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 12 found this review helpful
Time to retire this series...
PostedOctober 20, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Hi all. As I have said before, I often change my mind about a game once I have played the SE version. However, not in this case. Please see my CE review listed below for the reasons, none of which have changed with the SE. Very disappointing and time to put Grim Facade series to bed.
CE Review:
"Well, the 5th edition in this series. Yep, I got the other 4 and really enjoyed them all. Graphics are the usual, nothing special, but nice. Colors for the most part are very clear. Game play was good, no problems. Music was nice and moved with what was happening at the time. Not a lot of sound FX. Voice overs weren't bad, but the Mage's sidekick was extremely annoying and grating on the nerves. In this game, you choose which path you want to take, which may or may not change the outcome of the game. Don't care for this set up, it takes away from the flow of the game play for me. Yes, you have mechanical things everywhere...okay, he was an inventor after all, and a somewhat helpful bird and sheep.
"Well, the 5th edition in this series. Yep, I got the other 4 and really enjoyed them all. Graphics are the usual, nothing special, but nice. Colors for the most part are very clear. Game play was good, no problems. Music was nice and moved with what was happening at the time. Not a lot of sound FX. Voice overs weren't bad, but the Mage's sidekick was extremely annoying and grating on the nerves. In this game, you choose which path you want to take, which may or may not change the outcome of the game. Don't care for this set up, it takes away from the flow of the game play for me. Yes, you have mechanical things everywhere...okay, he was an inventor after all, and a somewhat helpful bird and sheep.
HOPs are nothing new or special. You find silhouettes and put them where they belong in order get whatever piece you need to continue the game. The other I found was a straight HOP. Not difficult at all and are repeated multiple times. There are fans in the HOPs that give you more hints. At least that's the only place I saw them. Puzzles are very simple. Hint system is not that helpful, as it says "nothing to do here, or try another location." That's not what I want a hint to do for me. It is also quite slow on the recharge. The jump map is far more useful, which is quite the opposite to most games. It is very plain, but it does show you where something of interest is to be found. SG is the standard.
The only collectibles I found are coins that you use to buy items to use within the game. Also collect parts of tales #stories#, but I'm not sure what that has to do with anything yet, because I didn't collect enough to finish one tale to find out.
There is no real excitement or challenge to this game. I did not feel that the beta was CE worthy and I certainly haven't changed my mind, as no changes seem to have been made to improve the game. I have been known to change my mind once I give the SE version a shot, but there is nothing in this one that will make me want to purchase the CE, maybe the SE...maybe. As much as I like the other 4 in this series, I just didn't feel that this one had anything that made me want to add it to my collection. I found it disappointing and somewhat boring. I only recommend this one because I think a beginner would find it fun.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may like this one. Thanks for the reviews."
I recommend this game!
Warriors of darkness have just attacked your people. Now you alone can defeat them and save your fellow Healers!
Overall rating
3
/
5
14 of 16 found this review helpful
Disappointing...
PostedOctober 18, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Hi all. Well, another edition to the Echoes series. I must say that this one was a disappointment over the others. The story was different, but moved slowly. Not much dialog and few sound FX. Graphics were nice, but animation was very simple and somewhat cartoon like. Very little music. Jump map was very helpful and areas were well identified with objectives.
HOPs were different and fun, fairly clean and clear, but some items were a little small. Still, I didn't have any problems with eye strain. Puzzles were mostly too simple. The stage puzzles were just too simple even for an extreme beginner. A couple took a little time, but on the whole, too easy. One puzzle I truly don't like is anything to do with the Zodiac. I know my sign, but I don't memorize all of the others, so this one is always a skip for me. Hint system is helpful and fills at the usual rate. Skip fills extremely slowly.
The only collectibles I found are the glass globes, which are not difficult to find. Didn't see anything else, but I could have missed something.
You did have a lot of back-tracking, but you also had a lot of things to do in each location, so you were constantly on the move. This game was very simple, no challenge at all and got a bit boring very quickly. Nothing about this game really excited me enough to purchase the CE version, but as I have said before, I often change my mind when the SE comes out and I have the opportunity to give it another chance. I doubt that I will purchase the CE.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this one to be exactly what you are looking for. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Death needs help from the only detective he trusts – you!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
Not as good as the first two...
PostedOctober 17, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Another in this series of games, yes, I do have the others as well. This one just didn't seem to be quite as good as the others, but stayed within the same basic story line. Death needs your help tracking down the bad guys. That was a little "out there" for me. I like how they integrated your name into the game, which makes you feel somewhat part of it. The graphics were the same as all the others in the series, very nice. Game play was very good, no problems and my large screen was completely filled. Music was nice. Not a lot in the way of sound FX, but when you needed them, they were there and very well done. Voice overs weren't bad. I especially liked Death's voice...very sinister.
The HOPS are interactive, but not boring. Items are not difficult to find and a little different than most. There are no junk piles and no eye strain finding anything either. Puzzles were not difficult, but some did take a little thought and time to complete. Hint system was quite helpful, filled fairly quickly and transported you where you needed to be, saving a lot of shoe leather. The SG was a little confusing and not easy to follow, so I just mostly used the hint if I needed help. Journal is sitting partially in the hint button, making it easy to hit the wrong item...frequently.
Collectibles are 52 cards, for a game in the bonus it looks like. Also collect character figurines throughout the game and diary pages that help you expose the bad guys for what they really are.
This story was dark and a little unsettling for me in a way, but it is a game. Story line just didn't seem to flow as well as the others in the series for some reason. I was not drawn into the game, with that edge of your seat feel, making me want to run out and get it right away. That said, I do find the need to find the others who are running from Death and see what they did to deserve their fate. There wasn't much challenge or excitement in this game, so I'm not sure I'll get the CE version. I will put this one in my puddle for now.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this one to be exactly what you are looking for today. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Shrouded Tales: The Spellbound Land
Your magical powers have finally awakened. Now you have the strength to free your mother from the Shadow Realm!
Overall rating
4
/
5
34 of 42 found this review helpful
Different, nice game.
PostedOctober 12, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Well, I played the CE demo and wasn't really kicked out about it, so please read my full review for that version. This is just an additional comment for the SE. I still feel that this game is not CE worthy. Still don't care for the inventory bar, items way too small and the magnifying glass is annoying. Voice overs nice, but very few and far between. Bad guy had quite a sinister sound to his voice...I liked that one. Jump map works well and is very useful, as you jump back and forth quite a lot in this one. Hint system is very helpful and fills very quickly and I used that more often than usual.
As I have said many times before, I often change my mind about a game when the SE version comes out and purchase the SE at that time. I have to say that this will be one of those times. Yes, upon playing again, I find that it does make a very nice SE. If you are into magic and spells, you will like this one. It is not difficult or very challenging, but it was a bit fun and a little different. This is a nice game for a lazy do nothing day, where you don't have to tax your brain or strain your eyes. I think it will appeal to all levels of players and is a buy for me.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Someone – or something – is stealing the children of Blake’s Mountain!
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 15 found this review helpful
Excellent game!
PostedOctober 9, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hi all. Well, it took long enough for this game to come out. I beta tested months ago! In the beginning, there are some blues and pinks, but they soon disappear into very nice, clear and bright true colors, so keep playing. Graphics are very good and animation is excellent. Very nice sound FX. Voice overs were well done and appropriate for age and character, with some emotion added in for realism. Game play was good, but moving in and out of close ups was choppy and lagged a bit, so down graded for that. Music was nice enough for me not to notice it much, so was not annoying.
There is a jump map that you will use frequently, but I mostly used it to see where I needed to go next, rather than use the hint. Hint filled quickly for me because I set it to do that. Anything more than 20 seconds it way too long for me. I like the ability to customize the play...that is a major plus. Hint was quite helpful and does teleport to longer distances. You have a very helpful little scarecrow, that was actually quite cute and how he was use was fun. HOPs were mostly interactive using silhouettes or just straight HOP. Items were not difficult to see, fairly clean and clear. Puzzles were nothing new and not difficult so far.
The only collectibles I found are (25) owls. These come in many different sizes and shapes, e.g. outlines, carvings, real, etc., and are not as easy to see in some areas. Also found some figurines, but nothing pops up to tell me what or how many I'm looking for. They seem to be characters from the game so far and can be hiding most anywhere, including peeking around corners, so look carefully.
This game was quite easy to follow, so I didn't really do a lot of jumping around, nor did I need to use the WT. I really liked this game as a beta and still like it, even with the choppy movements now and then. There was just enough challenge to keep you interested and the story line has me wanting more. I think this game will appeal to all levels of players, especially because of the ability to customize the game play. Very well done and a definite buy for me. This game would have been a 5, had it not been for the less than smooth movements, and I don't give 5 stars easily. We need half marks because I give this one a solid 4.5.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Save your kidnapped daughter Jessica by solving the secrets of the castle. Rescue the trapped souls from captivity and defeat Groth!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Simple, but interesting...
PostedOctober 8, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Well, another SE with collectibles. What a surprising week this has been so far. The graphics in this game seem a little old school in some areas, but not in the animation of the ghosts, and cartoon like in other areas, e.g., little Jessica. Colors are nice and clean. Game play was good, except it took more than one or two clicks to get items and/or get out of an area. There is no map, which you really don't need anyway, because you spend an unusual amount of time in each area before moving on. You do not leave an area until everything is completed in that area, then once you move on, you cannot go return (at least I couldn't). No journal, but you do have a scroll that gives you your objective. Not much in the way of sound FX, music or voice overs. This is a rather quiet game, except mostly when the ghosts or the "bad guy" is around. I always demo in casual, but this casual has way too much hand-holding even for a beginner..much too simple, so you might want to amp it up a notch. There is a gargoyle that just stands next to the hint button. Why, who knows, he's just in the way.
HOPs are very simple and the scene is played numerous times. Twice is my limit and this one went beyond that, so got boring quickly. Puzzles are very simple and took no brain power at all. I did find that someone should have proof read this before they put it out..."Jessica in is the mirror." Um, no, wrong. The mailbox was a fun addition to the game and this one could have used more of this type of fun.
I accidentally found collectibles. Not even sure what it was, but it said I got one now and then. I assume it is the morphing object I read about. You also collect shards of glass for a mirror. Not sure what happens when it is complete, but I think I have to find out.
This was a very simple game, nothing new, exciting or very challenging, but for some reason, I find the need to get it and play it out. Odd, that's twice in a row. I think this might appeal to all levels of players. Just remember, I felt casual was far too casual, but it's your choice. A buy for me today.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
The sins of the long-forgotten past have returned to haunt the royal family. Help the princess protect her kingdom and the ones she love the most!
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 13 found this review helpful
Not a bad game!
PostedOctober 7, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Hmm, what can I say about this game today...For what it is, the graphics aren't too bad, although quite cartoon-like in movements. It is best to not have a mouth move if all it does is go up and down (food for thought). Colors were very bright and true. Did not have any problem with game play either. I did like the voice overs, but they were very few and far between. Not a lot in the sound FX department either. Music was rather soothing and nice. Did not care for the really bland jump map, although it was easy to follow. Yes, you have a helpful fairy to reach those unreachable places, but she is very quiet and not bothersome.
I was all set for a nice SE with collectibles, but this one fell a little short of my expectations. The collectibles were very easy to spot and not a challenge at all. I like the morphing object within the HOP, although making it an item you are looking for really leaves no challenge because you know what you are looking for. Puzzles were not difficult, but a couple did take me a minute to figure out. There are way more puzzles than HOPs in this one and the skip button takes too long to charge for me. The hint is helpful, but again, it takes a while to charge.
As usual, the story is predictable and moves way too slowly. The one thing I really didn't care for was the font they used for the dialog...pretty, but not easy to read. This game does have an old feel to the graphics, but it flowed well. All that being said, this was not a bad game, just needs some upgrading to give it a little more umph. For some unknown reason, I want to get this game and play it out...silly me. Yes, I recommend this game for a lazy, do nothing day.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
People have been disappearing in the town of Ridleton for the past 15 years... Can you weather the storm and solve the case?
Overall rating
4
/
5
30 of 35 found this review helpful
Solid 4.5 - very nice game!
PostedOctober 4, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hi all. Well, we have the 3rd in the WS series and I must say that I find this one to be as much fun as the other two. Graphics were very well done. Colors were very bright, but did have some blues and pinks here and there, which is a minus for me on the grading scale. Game play was very good, no problems. Very nice voice overs, which showed fear, pain and most emotions in the voices. Music was almost over-powering the voices, even on 50%, but settle down a bit as the game progressed.
There is a jump map that is clear and easy to follow, showing you where something can be done. Yes you have another animal, a red panda, that helps you retrieve items only in high or tight places, and is quiet, so he isn't really a nuisance. IHOPs are somewhat cluttered, but items are not too difficult to find and they have true colors. You can switch to the match 3, but I prefer HOPs. Yes, it is annoying to have the box jump out and tell you that you achieved an achievement when you are on a good run, but mostly annoying only in the HOPS. Puzzles are nothing new or difficult and so far haven't taken much brain power to complete. Hint system is helpful, but filled slower than most, as does the skip button.
The only collectibles I found are what they call "flames" but they look more like lightning bugs and are not as easy to find as you may think. Sometimes, you have to complete a task in order to see them hidden behind something else. I would suggest looking for these first and then once again when all tasks are done. There is a box that pops out and lets you know how many are in each location and if you have them all. There are 168 of these "flames" to find.
The more the games progressed, the more I was drawn in to the story and action. It is not exceedingly challenging, but there is enough "edge of your seat" music and sound FX to keep you wanting more. I think this will appeal to all levels of players. Yep, definite buy for me.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!