LadyoftheIvy's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:990
- Reviews Submitted:54
- First Review:December 3, 2011
- Most Recent Review:April 19, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Save the three worlds contained inside of a magical book in Azada: In Libro! Stop a dark magician from conquering Azada!
Overall rating
2
/
5
Poor successor to the first two
PostedApril 6, 2012
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I went ahead and bought this without even playing the trial because of how much I had enjoyed the first two Azada games. That was a mistake. So first things - play the trial. Make sure you like this one before you buy it, even if you played the first two and enjoyed them.
First off, there doesn't seem to be much connection to the first two games in this one. And no, games in a series don't have to be exactly like the previous ones, but if they're not going to have much connection they should be a lot better done. The storyline in this one is seriously lacking, as is the character development, challenge, and gameplay. Almost everything in this game is far too easy, and it's all over way too quickly. There's a lot of back and forth to complete some things as well, which can get old.
Rather than connecting it better to the previous two games, they seem to be trying to cash in on the "dark, dreary, and eeeevil" theme that everyone else seems to be doing these days. And honestly, that's getting really, really old. It's also not a puzzle game like the previous two. Sure it has a few puzzles, but nothing like the previous and they're all rather easy. It's now a basic adventure game that consists of running around collecting items to use elsewhere so that you can get more items to use elsewhere, with a few overly easy puzzles thrown in here and there. And there just isn't much story as you go along collecting all these items.
It was also over rather quickly, and at the end left me wondering about a lot of things in the game that had never been explained. I don't know if the non CE version cuts off at the end like this one did or if it ends slightly differently, but if this one didn't have the bonus gameplay it had, I would have been even more annoyed with the ending.
I was excited when I first saw there was another Azada game, and now I'm disappointed with how poorly it was done. This could have been so much better, and while I got a small amount of entertainment out of it, I wouldn't say it was worth the two credits I spent on it.
I don't recommend this game.
Uncover the Secrets of the Past: Mothers Diary in this thrilling story about love, death, treachery, and lies.
Overall rating
1
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Ick.
PostedApril 5, 2012
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
I downloaded this as a free trial because it looked like it had potential, but after having done the trial I'm sorry to say I was horribly disappointed. While it has some pretty graphics at times, that's about all it really has going for it. It's otherwise a very poorly done game, and not worth it at all. Honestly, it's not even worth downloading the free trial.
First off, the eyeball. It's weird. It's creepy. And honestly, I don't need a big eyeball staring at me and following my every move as I play. Not to mention, the idea of this eyeball being in the medallion the character is wearing is just not a pleasant thought as well. The eyeball also seems extremely out of place for this game, but I didn't play beyond the free trial either. I don't think it would have bothered me as much if I had any clue as to why I was wearing an eyeball around my neck, but I can't say that was revealed during the trial.
The hidden object scenes are awful. They're a bit hard to see, they're darker than the rest of the graphics, and many times the object on this list isn't what you actually have to click on. For instance, in one scene a glove was actually a gauntlet and glasses were goggles. In another, a clarinet was actually a flute and a lantern was a flashlight. They're also the random junk that makes absolutely no sense for the location thrown all over the place sorts of scenes, which I'm not fond of. If you must do random junk, at least make it more of a closeup scene of some sort, not one where you have to wonder where the random junk went when you're done hunting down all the items.
It's a bit of a pain to occasionally figure out what to do, and I've played a number of these sorts of games. I don't expect it to be handed to me, but I also don't enjoy wandering around randomly in frustration because despite the fact that it seems like that object could/should be used there, it's not. Sometimes, even completing a little task would be a pain to do because the cursor doesn't always respond well. The mini-game puzzles are also ridiculously easy.
Finally, what I saw of the storyline also seemed rather poor. A box from your mother containing a creepy eyeball medallion, and suddenly you're having visions and breaking into a manor house really close by. Yet, if this house has been there all along, and abandoned the whole time, why has no one been curious about it at all? Even without wanting to know more about your mother, wouldn't you have been curious about the nearby empty house growing up? Or, if this is someplace you traveled after the conversation with your foster mother, there was nothing indicating that.
Ultimately, this game is poorly done, boring, and just not worth it at all. Skip it.
I don't recommend this game.
After inheriting a manor in England, you begin to explore the Kangale Estate and discover its history!
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 17 found this review helpful
Interesting game, with a few flaws.
PostedApril 3, 2012
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Overall, this is a good game. It is somewhat similar to other games of this genre that have come out in the past year or so, but it has it's own twists and turns as well. And, it has the added bonus of not just slapping a bunch of skulls/spiders/snakes/evil things all over the place over and over just in a bid to be spookier than everything else. It's dark, it's a mildly creepy, but not ridiculously so. It may not be creepy enough for some, but I like that it's at least not over the top.
The graphics are pretty good, with a few of the animated scenes being slightly less than the rest of the graphics. The sound is okay, though the music can be a bit repetitive and seem overly dramatic at times, given its tendency to do swooping dramatic bits at times where they don't quite fit. (Such as when you're sitting there hunting for things in a hidden object scene.) The storyline is also relatively interesting, though it loses points for making you buy the Collector's Edition if you want the full story. I prefer the Collector's Editions where the bonus levels really are a bonus, not something that gives the rest of the story. That being said, if the non-CE version basically just doesn't involve the extra gameplay and the other bonus features, you won't feel like part of the story is completely missing like you do with other non-CE versions, but it is a nice thing to have.
The comments that the player character makes during the game sometimes are a bit annoying ("Holy cannoli!" Really?), and he honestly seems like a bit of a jerk at times as well. How many comments can one make about the place being his, his stuff, his property, he can do XYZ with it if he wants to? Punctuation is really over the top as well, occasionally making you wonder if it was typed out by an overexcited teenager. It's just in text though, not in voice, so they're relatively easy to ignore.
In addition to the bonus gameplay (which, like I said, gives the rest of the story), it also includes wallpapers and concept art, so not quite as many bonuses as some other CEs. There are three levels to play at - Easy, Advanced, and Expert. I played the game through in Advanced, but it's not very challenging and could probably be fairly easily played through on Expert by most experienced with these sorts of games. I finished the game in about four hours total.
I honestly enjoyed Shiver: Vanishing Hitchhiker more than this one as it was a bit less cheesy to me, but this is still an interesting game which will provide a bit of enjoyment. Whether the CE is worth it or not is something I'm torn on. The extras that came with it just don't seem to be quite enough. It would have been nice to be able to go back through the diary to read over the story and things you collected as you went along once the game was finished, for instance. And it was over rather quickly for a CE as well, even with the bonus gameplay. So I'd recommend the game, but possibly not as a CE.
I recommend this game!
Return to the skies and visit incredible destinations in Airport Mania 2 - Wild Trips, a fun time management game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
106 of 122 found this review helpful
Another cute game, much like the first
PostedDecember 19, 2011
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
My children and I greatly enjoyed the first Airport Mania, so I clearly had to buy this one as well. It's just as cute as the first one, with the planes still having their fun faces, noises, and reactions. The graphics have improved a bit from the first one (which I would expect), and the sounds are appropriate for the game as well.
The gameplay is pretty similar to the first game, with only a few new additions. It has some of the same neat extras (clicking on things in the background for comments and so forth, for instance), though they have also been expanded a bit. The biggest difference is that the locales are a bit more exotic, and there are some new additions in terms of planes.
The similarity to the first game may be a negative for some, but I liked the fact that it was pretty similar. If you enjoyed the first game and wished that you had more of it, you'll definitely want to get this one.
I recommend this game!
Take control of the control tower at the local airport and keep the planes on schedule in this high-flying Time Management game.
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 23 found this review helpful
Very cute!
PostedDecember 19, 2011
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game is a lot of fun for both adults and children, and it's just really very cute. Basically, your job is to land different kinds of planes at different airports, preferably before they get too angry and leave. And much like any time management game, you have to reach at least a certain goal to complete the level, with higher goals leading to higher ranks.
The thing that makes this game so cute are the planes themselves - they all have faces and make different expressions depending on their mood at the moment, what they're doing, etc. They also make cute noises and sounds. The graphics are cartoony, but nice, and the sounds are enjoyable as well. There's also various extras in the game (different things you can click on for little amusing comments or actions, for instance) which are a neat addition.
It's not the world's hardest game, but has enough challenge to keep most time management fans interested. However, it's also easily enjoyed by those who aren't experts at time management games as well, as generally the basic goal is pretty easily obtainable. It's nicely replayable, too, which is great. Both my children and myself have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of this game, and I'd highly recommend it!
I recommend this game!
Journey into the mythical Snowfall Kingdom and investigate the disappearance of children in Dark Parables: Rise of the Snow Queen!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Another great game in the Dark Parables series!
PostedDecember 14, 2011
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I'm an unabashed fan of the Dark Parables series of games. In fact, many of the games put out by the creators of these games (since listing the name isn't allowed) are very well done, with a lot of thought and work put into them. This one is definitely no exception to that. I knew I had to buy it long before my trial was up.
This is a fractured hidden object game with some additional puzzles, so if you're not fond of fractured object ones, this one definitely isn't for you. I happen to like them quite a bit, and I enjoy the way they manage to blend the fractured pieces into the scenes so that they aren't glaringly out of place. The scenes also aren't full of random junk like so many other hidden object games - they really seem to fit into the whole theme/story of the game. And beyond the hidden objects and puzzles, this game is basically an adventure - you use the items you find and/or build to work your way through the story. The graphics for this game, just like the previous ones in the series, are beautiful. And the music and sound are quite pleasant as well.
The few puzzles you encounter in addition to the hidden object scenes are not exactly extremely difficult, which may disappoint some. They have the possibility to seem repetitive to some as well. But despite those two things, I still found them to be enjoyable. Ultimately, the game has three levels of challenge, so even if you're not an experienced gamer you're still likely to get enjoyment out of it.
The Collector's Edition is very much worth it in my opinion. In addition to the main game, there is a well done bonus game, which is well done precisely because it's not vital to the main game, but has a tie to it. It truly is a bonus, as opposed to feeling like they chopped out part of the game and called that the bonus. There's also a bunch of other extras as well - wallpapers, a strategy guide (which covers the bonus game as well), extra puzzles, and more.
I definitely recommend this game, as well as any of the ones in the Dark Parable series. I look forward to more Dark Parables games in the future!
I recommend this game!
Plants vs Zombies
Think fast, and plant faster, to stem a zombie attack! Save your home, and your brains, in this exciting Action/Arcade game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
103 of 141 found this review helpful
Extremely addicting and hilarious!
PostedDecember 11, 2011
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This is probably one of the best game purchases I have made on this site. This game is very addicting, has a lot of playability to it. It's enjoyable for both adults and children (though it does have the possibility to be somewhat scary for some children, depending on how easily your children scare and their age), and is generally just too funny. It's also just very creative - where else can you save your home (and stop zombies from eating your brains) by planting unusual plants to battle the zombies?
The graphics are well-done cartoon-style graphics, and the music is well done - it's not annoying or aggravating. The thought put into the game, both with the variations of plants and the different kinds of zombies, is extremely high. And the extras (as in, things beyond just the main game), such as the zen garden, mini-games, puzzle games, survival mode, and almanac are great. Being able to read about zombies and plants in the almanac can give you information as well hilarious descriptions. There are also a few easter eggs in this game which are rather amusing.
Even after you've completed the main game, it has a good amount of replayability. You can basically continue to play it over and over, which I am ashamed to admit I've done. The nice part is that when you replay it, you do so with everything you've earned/purchased previously, which can make gameplay a second (or third, or fourth) time around very different but still very amusing. This is one of the few games I go back to over and over. And my eight year old has also gotten a great amount of amusement out of this game!
This game involves strategy to play - which plants will work best to keep the zombies that are heading towards your house that level away? What will be the best way to lay them all out? It starts out nicely slowly for the new player to get the hang of things, which is great, but also isn't too slow either. Replaying the first few levels has never felt horribly tedious to me, unlike some games where even playing them the first time felt tedious.
This game is a ton of fun, and vastly amusing. I totally recommend this game to just about anyone, as it's just extremely well done. It has tons of humor, great replayability, lots of fun gameplay, and really does deserve all the accolades it gets!
I recommend this game!
Help a Bennet sister find a husband as you take a starring role in Jane Austen’s most popular novels in Matches & Matrimony!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 23 found this review helpful
Jane Austen and Choose Your Own Adventure!
PostedDecember 8, 2011
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I will state before I get too far into this that I am both a Jane Austen fan and loved Choose Your Own Adventure books when I was little. So this game is perfect for me, and I knew I had to buy it only part way through my trial period. It's a chance to determine your own fate in Jane Austen's world, and your choices will change what ending you get!
The graphics are pleasant drawing-style graphics and not exceptionally fancy, but you don't purchase this game for the graphics anyway. They are well-done enough for what is essentially a choose your path book in digital format. The sound is also pleasant. The replayability is excellent, however. There are multiple endings you can try and achieve, and so you can attempt to try and figure them all out. Obviously, you can even play again after you've gotten all the endings if you so choose. I got a good amount of game time out of this trying to find all the endings.
Your character changes as the story goes along as well, and certain choices are available only if your character has (or doesn't have) certain levels in her traits. You raise and lower your traits both through your daily activities, as well as through the big interactions in the game.
It's a really fun game that isn't hard to play - even a novice gamer should be able to play this one easily. The challenge comes in trying to figure out the different paths. I really hope they put out more games like this with other stories!
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
25 of 27 found this review helpful
A poorly done second game
PostedDecember 8, 2011
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
The first game was very sweet and enjoyable. So when I saw this one, I knew I had to try it. It started out promising in the trial, but I'm ultimately sorry I purchased this one. It really doesn't live up to the expectations the first game set for me.
It has some nice graphics just like the first one and pleasant music, but it's extremely short. The story is also somewhat cheesy compared to the first game, in that it's much harder to believe. While it's tries to be as sweet as the first one, the unbelievable story ruins it some.
Also, much like the first one, it's not exceptionally challenging. And without as good of a story or anywhere near the length, there's nothing to make up for the lack of challenge. There is a nice variety to the hidden object scenes (in terms of what you're looking for), but that's really about it. There is a lot more back and forth between scenes than the first one as well, and it gets old really quickly. I'm honestly rather disappointed that this is what they put out for the second game - they could have done so much better.
Definitely try the first one, it's well done. This one, not so much, and in my opinion it's better off skipped.
I don't recommend this game.
Discover a wonderful Love Story in this fantastic Hidden Object game! Travel back in time and relive a beautiful tale.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
A sweet game
PostedDecember 8, 2011
LadyoftheIvy
fromNorthern Virginia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This is a very sweet, romantic game with a nice story. It's a happy-ending sort of game, and isn't really dark like many hidden object games out there. (Which is a plus for those out there who don't care for the darker ones.) It also has a nice blend of hidden object scenes and mini games.
That being said, it's not extremely challenging, but the story helps make up for the challenge this game lacks. The lack of challenge and the story make this a good game for someone who enjoys hidden object games but wants something more relaxing. The graphics and music are pleasant, and it's a nice length as well. Overall, it's a sweet, pleasant game that I'd recommend.
I recommend this game!