angelfish106's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:1,547
- Reviews Submitted:69
- First Review:December 18, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 16, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Your ship has come in!
Overall rating
5
/
5
57 of 115 found this review helpful
A 'must-buy' for me!
PostedApril 27, 2023
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
When these games were first released (both this and Vacation Adventures), I hated them. Couldn't find the rubbish (or trash), couldn't find the lost items, couldn't even find the ordinary stuff. The 'cardboard' characters looked like they'd been cut and pasted from one game to the next. The mini-games were ok but didn't change from one game to another. I just didn't bother as they were boring.
Then one year, I tried 'Christmas Wonderland' and it completely won me over. After that, I bought every one of the Cruise/Vacation/Christmas games without even bothering with the trials! Everything I'd hated, I suddenly loved. Now I could find the rubbish because I knew what to look for. The lost items weren't so hard to find, I started to recognise the 'cut and paste' characters and actually looked forward to seeing them again!
So what changed? Certainly not the games but perhaps that's their charm. Like your favourite movie that you've watched 50 times and bought the DVD but still watch it again when it comes on TV, these games are familiar yet somehow comforting. Perhaps it was me; after years of HOPA's with complicated puzzles and intricate plots that were sometimes hard to understand, perhaps something simpler was just what I needed.
Today I bought this new Cruise Director game without trying it first and I'm so glad I did. Having just recently lost my lovely Dad, I desperately needed a comfort blanket; this game has filled that need perfectly.
I recommend this game!
Surprise and adventure await Ragnar on a long journey home!
Overall rating
5
/
5
54 of 66 found this review helpful
I do love a Northern Tale!
PostedJanuary 20, 2023
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is nowhere near as poor as it's been painted by some other reviewers. Always best to try it for yourself and make up your own mind; don't be swayed by bad reviews.
I had no virus issues; Avast Premium Security was perfectly happy to install this game with no warnings. I found the graphics to be much like the earlier games in this series, which I always preferred over the latter versions. The hidden objects weren't 'obvious', at least not to me; I had to look quite hard for some of them but my eyes are 72 years old now, so maybe that's the reason!
There is a lot of chat but you can skip it. I used to love the little Vikings in their kilts, dancing after I'd completed a level; they've now been replaced by more 'grown-up' Vikings who just jump up and down. Perhaps they don't find the work as much fun!
Penmom has done her usual excellent job explaining all the various elements, so no need for me to go into details. Suffice to say, if you've played any of the others in the series you'll know what to expect. I would compare this latest episode to the earlier (1-4) ones, rather than the later versions.
Too much time has passed since Big Fish gave us a good TM game, so this will be a definite buy for me. I'm off to quaff a stein of beer, grab my trusty axe and follow Ragnar on his latest adventure!
I recommend this game!
Take flight with Santa for Springfield's most spectacular Christmas yet!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 20 found this review helpful
Christmas Wonderland is my happy place!
PostedNovember 19, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I didn't play this or the Vacation Adventures series for years; didn't like the wooden characters, the impossible to find 'trash' items or the general ambience of the games. However, one day I gave the VA series another try and since then I've been hooked. I had a lot of games to catch up on; Vacation Adventures, Cruise Directors and of course this lovely Christmas Wonderland series.
Yes, they may be mostly the same with just a few minor changes. Yes, the characters do look like they've been cut and pasted from previous games. And yes, the games are very 'old school' but none of that matters. Once you get lost in golden angels, sparkling baubles, busy elves and the sights and sounds of Christmas, it's impossible not to smile and feel like an excited child!
They do seem to have upped the difficulty very slightly with some objects being extremely well hidden but I refuse to use a hint so I get the three stars! In addition to the main hidden objects, you also search for lost toys and a hidden snowman. The mini games are enjoyably familiar, with an extra jigsaw or two thrown in. I love the jigsaws! There are also word searches, find the difference, matching pairs and rotating puzzles of varying shapes and sizes. Lots to do in this game!
It's corny, over the top and utterly charming. Even Scrooge might have been inclined to celebrate Christmas if he'd had these games to play! Forget about your worries for a while and lose yourself in this Christmas Wonderland; it's a joyful sleigh ride of fun :-)
**I've seen people having problems in one scene with putting the angel on the tree. You have to put the angel in the mothers hand, then she puts the angel on the tree.
I recommend this game!
Can you solve the mystery of the mansion?
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
Much better than the reviews suggest.
PostedNovember 9, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I wasn't expecting much, since most of the reviews basically just complain about the developer and their lack of creativity. However I have to say I disagree with pretty much everyone, as I loved this game!
There aren't 100 doors so the title is misleading but there are a great many separate sections to play. You assist assorted characters to complete tasks in a variety of ways, from straightforward hidden object to replacing missing items with a ton of interactive elements along the way to keep the game from being too repetitive.
My favourite puzzles are those where you're given a small part of a picture to try and find in a larger scene; I could play those all day long! Some puzzles are tricky; I solved the two rows of different coloured candles without knowing exactly how I did it! There's lots here to keep me entertained and the game ended too quickly for me.
I'm about to do something I've never done before; buy the CE of an SE I already own, just to get the extras! Don't be swayed by the negative reviews; see for yourself if this is a game you'd enjoy. I'm certainly glad I did!
I recommend this game!
Complete incredible works of art, and let your creativity shine!
Overall rating
2
/
5
9 of 15 found this review helpful
Fine if you like images from a 'Dali' nightmare
PostedNovember 8, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I find it astonishing that any one would choose to call this game 'the finest Paint by Numbers'. Unrealistic pictures do not make the painting experience enjoyable for me; when has anyone ever seen a psychedelic cat?
I like pictures that are realistic, not something out of a Salvador Dali nightmare. If you want the best paint by numbers, 'Art Colouring' would be my first choice. All the others pale into insignificance by comparison.
I don't recommend this game.
Take on villains, magic, and luck itself to prove that love conquers all!
Overall rating
4
/
5
23 of 25 found this review helpful
Same issue as others but.......
PostedAugust 15, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
For a long time I have not been able to download a game I've just bought from the purchase page. Neither can I download a game I've already bought from my 'purchase history'.
I have to do a search for the demo version, download the demo, then click on 'buy'. I then get a message saying I've already bought the game and giving me the option to activate it. If I click on 'activate', the demo turns into the full version.
I've been told this is because I've bought so many games. I would have thought BFG would have been happy with me but sometimes it does feel a bit like I'm being punished for buying a lot of games in the 15 years that I've been a member. Perhaps we should be given the option to delete some old games we're never likely to play any more; maybe that might help the problem with a huge game library? Just a thought.
I recommend this game!
Embark on a high-altitude adventure with Mia Faircroft!
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 14 found this review helpful
Why do developers do this??
PostedJune 28, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have all the games in this series and have enjoyed them all. Didn't bother with the demo this time but that was a mistake. This latest episode bears little resemblance to it's predecessors in either style or substance, in fact I wonder if the same developer made it.
Where's all the artwork for Mia to restore? Isn't that her job or is she on holiday?? Come to think of it, this girl doesn't even look like Mia. Is she an imposter? Where have the chapters gone? What happened to the graphics? Why so many hidden object scenes one after another? Where is the option to chose the location? Where are all the puzzles??
You can turn off the dialogue but I found it made the game boring; just one hidden object scene after another with nothing much in-between. I turned the dialogue back on.
Whoever decided to completely destroy what made these games so enjoyable to play should be dismissed immediately. They have ruined this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Embark on a match-three adventure of breathtaking magic and boundless imagination!
Overall rating
2
/
5
18 of 27 found this review helpful
Something's wrong but.......
PostedJune 19, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Obviously there is an issue with this game. Maybe the testing got missed? I don't know but technical issues need to be reported to Customer Service. there's no point complaining about them here.
I realise this isn't about this particular game but I think people need to be reminded that there has been a worldwide pandemic for the past 2 years. And now there's a war between Ukraine and Russia (many devs come from this part of the world). I can't believe people are actually complaining about the lack of games being made during a pandemic and now whilst there's a war going on.
I'm sure BFG are doing the best they can during incredibly difficult times. It must be hard trying to offer quality games when very few are being made. There's plenty of amazing older games to play: perhaps we should all try being a bit more patient and a bit less critical.
I don't recommend this game.
Who is the mysterious ally supporting the Roman soldiers?
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Great fun & yes, there is a 'relaxed' mode!
PostedMay 21, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I was always a fan of RoR, in spite of the intensely annoying flashing when the game insisted on telling you to build or repair something. This game does still do it but not so 'in your face'. And I love the way they've included the sounds from Northern Tales into these 'Portals' games. They kept the hidden caches too, although some are a little too well hidden. For some bizarre reason, the SG won't let you look at the locations of the caches until you've finished the level, which basically means you have to play it over again. Some games with these hidden objects allow you to just find them without playing the level again but this one doesn't. An unnecessary annoyance.
Otherwise what a fun game this is! From the soldier in the barracks fighting rats to the bomber man blowing up stone monsters, from the crisp graphics to the great sounds and all this wrapped up with well hidden caches and enough levels of play to suit everyone! And can I just point out that in spite of reviews to the contrary, those 4 levels are RELAXED, Easy, Normal and Hard.
It was an instant buy for me. I'm off to ancient Rome for hours of fun....and eye strain trying to find those blasted caches :-)
I recommend this game!
Find and collect adorable critters as you visit incredible places all over the world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
I don't love finding some creatures :-(
PostedMay 8, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I liked the cats/puppies versions of this game, so jumped in at the deep end and bought the CE of this release. Not my best idea.
We don't really use the word 'critters' in the UK.. Mammals, insects, reptiles or birds would have been more helpful; not all BFG members live in the USA or understand the version of English spoken there. However I just clicked on every live creature until I stumbled on the right one! Now I know there's a tab that tells you what you're looking for, so thank you for that info!
I would also like to take exception to the use of the word 'adorable'. There is nowhere on this ball of rock spinning round the sun where I would refer to any spider as 'adorable' I don't love finding spiders. I have severe arachnophobia. I'm terrified of spiders. If I had my way, they would all be eradicated (along with pigeons).
Otherwise, a nice game to pass the time. Just lose the eight legged 'critters', please.