gobaba's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:1,887
- Reviews Submitted:74
- First Review:September 12, 2012
- Most Recent Review:November 25, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A ski resort high in the mountains hides a dark past!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Very good. But average level of challenge
PostedNovember 25, 2022
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I appreciate the wide variety of HO and love super puzzles. As noted, it doesn't bring a high level of difficulty usually associated with MCF, especially with regard to adventure. The bonus game is brief also. Love the morphs, collectibles, and new types of puzzles and HOs. I'd give it a 4.4
I recommend this game!
The past returns inside the Zenith Museum of Oddities!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Sorry When It Ended!
PostedSeptember 3, 2019
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Just wanted to start it over again and dive back in. Fabulous puzzles and superpuzzles! It made me nostalgic for all the previous MCF games. This game has great challenge level, with enough adventure, puzzles and HOs to satisfy anyone. You will beat yourself up if you pass on this one, and I'm hard to please. Would give it 6 stars if I could.
I recommend this game!
All Hallow’s Eve - a night for tricks, treats... and terror!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 20 found this review helpful
Excellent graphics but story falls flat
PostedOctober 26, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on main & bonus games
Eipix wowed me with their rich scenery detail in a plush manor. Quite stunning! Music, environment, minimal chatter, and attractive atmosphere were all pluses. Voice overs were a bit squeaky, as far as the women. Storyline was rather bland for a Halloween game.
HOs showed a lot of new themes and had good variety. Puzzles were recognizable, though some were new and challenging. Adventure level was very good.
Morphs are in some HOs, and collectible witches in every scene. CE bling includes replayable HO/puzzles, a souvenir room (collectible hunt), and the usual.
Main game lasts about 3.5 hours, bonus is about 40 minutes. The bonus game ties directly into the main game, played from a different character's POV. I was sorry the game was short.
Is it worth a CE? Nah, the main game is the best part. Unless you can't do without CE bling, the SE would be great.
I recommend this game!
Can you and your sister escape the deadly history of Reed Valley?
Overall rating
5
/
5
54 of 67 found this review helpful
Creepy & Haunting Game Very Well Done
PostedJuly 8, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on Main & Bonus Games
Eipix did a fantastic job with a novel theme, atmosphere, and mood, so naturally people are complaining that it's not like the original Phantasmat. I don't want the "original Phantasmat", I've already played it and I want something new. I love creepy games, so I have to wade through all the fantasy, wizardry, and cutesy games to locate one.This is an excellent find.
The scenery is stunning, set in Louisiana, with both indoor and outdoor illustrations beautifully done. The story is good without excessive chatter, and no bwah-ha-ha villains participate. Music is eerie, setting a tone throughout the game. The underwater scenes rival those of the original Phantasmat. You gotta see! The dream sequences are chilling.
A lot of newly-themed puzzles and HOs make this intriguing, and there are probably a few more puzzles than HOs. Traditional HO fans won't be disappointed. The adventure challenge is excellent, therefore some will complain it's too hard. (If it wasn't, they'd complain it was too boring). It's just right for me.
Collectibles are brains in jars, each with a different face on it, (probably Eipix devs and characters from other games). Also, there are morphs in 16 of the scenes, each one a character from the game. Other CE bling includes the Souvenir Room (collect hidden butterflies), replayable HOs & puzzles, plus the usual. Achievements include one quirky one, so read them before you play. (Thank you, Eipix).
Main game lasts about 4.5 hours in hard mode, bonus game almost 1.5 hours.. The latter is a very well done psychological thriller related to the main game. I'd still like to see funny comments in the credits, ahem.
Is it worth a CE? Yes. This is a beautifully crafted, challenging, and well-executed game that continues into the bonus game. If you like creepy games, this is perfect.
I recommend this game!
Can you keep the past from destroying the present?
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
A Traditional HO Fan's Dream
PostedJune 23, 2018
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on Main & Bonus Games
Traditional HO fans must be toasting Eipix with champagne right now, because that's pretty much what this game is about. Personally I'm a puzzler, and I appreciate the amount of time put into the complex puzzles.
The game recaps the very early MCF games' design with a few new additions. It also includes characters from the early games. (This is as good a time as any to ask BF to make Dire Grove compatible with Win 10. Ahem!)
The whole game is traditional HOs, usually with a small puzzle in them. In between are SuperPuzzles that give just enough hints to make them do-able without aggravation or excessive hand-holding.
Morphs are in HOs, collectibles in SuperPuzzles. Included also are achievements, replayable HOs & Puzzles (retrieve any missed morphs/collectibles here), a diary, and the usual.
Main game was about 5 hours long in hard mode, and bonus game about 20 minutes. The latter is HOs only.
Is it worth a CE? I was worn out with all the HOs and delighted with the SuperPuzzles. I appreciate the new, fresh approach to gaming, but the answer is no. The SE is good enough, due to the brief length of the bonus game.
I recommend this game!
Journey to the past to save your parents from a deadly killer.
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 24 found this review helpful
Excellent Puzzles
PostedJune 10, 2018
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on Main & Bonus Games
EleFun Games has put out a rather conventional game with unconventional puzzles. The quality of the game is good with regard to scenery, graphics, sound and characters. There was re-using of scenes both main & bonus games. The story is just okay, nothing new.
Puzzles outnumber HOs, and are fun and clever. They were the best part of the game. HOs are traditional mostly, Adventure level is not difficult, seeing as you're limited to two or three scenes at a time.
Collectibles are morphs, puzzle pieces, and sets of collectible items appearing in every scene. Collect all puzzle pieces and you can do jigsaw puzzles in extras. CE bling includes achievements plus the usual.
Main game lasts about 4 hours in hard mode, bonus game about an hour. The latter is a slightly different story.
Is it worth a CE? No. I'm burnt out on morphs & collectibles, plus I think the game suffers from "copy & paste" syndrome. The SE would be good enough, and only if you're a puzzler.
I recommend this game!
You'll die in three days if you can't uncover the truth!
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 26 found this review helpful
Good Story, Good Setting
PostedJune 1, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on Main & Bonus Games
Elephant Games did a bang-up job of creating an interesting story in a spooky, yet beautiful environment. You play as a guy, not sure about that. But what's great is the story is subtle in it's haunted-ness, eschewing the bwah-ha-ha villain or over the top supernatural pyrotechnics. Just a simple ghost story. Good.
The scenery is beautiful, graphics are A-1, music is subtle & sinister, lip-sync & voice-over very good, and lots of scenes to romp through.
Adventure is good, not challenging. Puzzles are easy mostly, with a few moderate with a lot of familiar themes. They also outnumber HOs slightly. HOs are traditional and interactive.
Lotsa collectibles in this game. Morphs are in every scene, & not hard to spot. Ravens are in most scenes, and also visible. Another set are eye silhouettes that can be very subtle, so look closely. You can't go back to find any missed morphs or collectibles.
Other CE bling include replayable puzzles & HOs, plus the usual. And that's it.
The main game lasts about 4 hours in hard mode, the bonus game just over an hour. The latter is unrelated to the main story, and well done.
Is it worth a CE? I would say yes. The main and bonus games are high quality, plus if you enjoy morphs & collectibles, they'll be coming out of your ears. The only downside to the game is low challenge in puzzles/HOs, and the game is a bit short.
I recommend this game!
Will you escape the mansion, or become its permanent resident?
Overall rating
5
/
5
98 of 105 found this review helpful
Excellent Game by Eipix
PostedMay 26, 2018
gobaba
fromTexas
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on Main & Bonus Games
I'm not sure why people are dragging this game, because I was very pleased with it. If they remember the old Haunted Manor games, they have better memories than me. Anyway, the scenery and graphics are spot on, crisp and detailed with a lot of beautiful indoor scenes. Lip-sync was great, voices were good, music was soothing.
The setting was awesome, an old haunted house on a remote island. The story was good enough, and I much appreciate the lack of crystals, artifacts, and cowled villains shooting red lightning out their eyeballs.
Puzzles outnumber HOs, and puzzles are beautifully illustrated with quite a few new ones to enjoy. HOs were traditional mostly, but several had new twists to them that were pleasing. Adventure level was very good, with some items used in unusual ways, and more than once I had to think about what to do next.
Collect owls in every scene, and morphs in HOs. You can go back and find any you missed in extras. Don't forget to pet 3 kitties! It's part of achievements, and I like the quirky ones. The souvenir room is a mini-collectable hunt that is mostly interactive. Good.
The main game lasts 4 hours in hard mode, and the bonus game about an hour. The latter is a prequel. Other CE bling besides those mentioned are replayable puzzles & HOs, plus the usual. Eipix, I still miss your funny comments in the credits!
Is it worth a CE? Yes. The overall quality of this game is excellent, showing creativity, novelty, and a pleasing atmosphere. Plus the CE bling extends your play time.
I recommend this game!
Play as both members of the Fletcher family to crack the case!
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 26 found this review helpful
Eipix did well with a new series
PostedMay 6, 2018
gobaba
fromTexas
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on Main & Bonus Games
Eipix has retired some of its series, likely to avoid them dwindling into mediocrity, and has a new offering based on a couple's memories of solving a murder case from the '80s. I like the modern setting, the mystery not being given away quickly, and the variety of scenery.
The graphics are good, not great, with some scenes not very crisp, or having an artificial computer graphics look to them. The music is smooth, unobtrusive. The storyline is easy to follow and holds your interest.
There's a lot of pan-right, pan-left to the adventure, which I like. Adventure is pretty good, with a lot of non-linear moves. HO's are interactive and traditional, simultaneously. Puzzles are easy to moderate in difficulty, with some new ones I enjoyed. None are difficult.
Collect wrapped gifts in every scene, and you can find any you missed in Extras. Also morphs are in every HO, and you can replay HOs in extras to find any you missed. The souvenir room is a mini-HO hunt, finding hidden mustaches. (Yes, mustaches).
The main game lasts about 4 hours in hard mode, the bonus game about an hour. The bonus game carries the story a bit further. CE bling also includes a timed mahjong game, replayable HOs & puzzles, souvenir room, collectibles, plus the usual.
Achievements are pretty standard with a couple of quirky ones, so read them before you play. Hey, Eipix, I would love to see more quirky achievements to add fun to the game. Also, I miss your funny comments in the credits!
Is it worth a CE? I happen to like Eipix' CE bling, so if you do too, I'd say yes. If you're lukewarm on extras, then the SE would be fine.
I recommend this game!
Save the town of Blackhill from an army of shadows!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Better Than the Last Two MT I've Played
PostedApril 23, 2018
gobaba
fromTexas
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on main & bonus games
Elephant Games has a knack for beautiful scenery and interesting puzzles. This storyline is better than most, though there is that kidnapping thing going on. I enjoyed the setting, graphics, variety of scenery and subtle music.
Puzzles range from easy to challenging, and HOs vary with a lot of traditional themes. Adventure is linear, seeing as you're confined to two or three scenes at a time. It was smooth and of above average challenge in hard mode.
Collectibles are morphing objects in every scene (very subtle at times), posters of Elf the dog, and photo scraps. A secret room in the extras is just replayable HOs & puzzles. Photo scraps are for your album; reassemble the pics jigsaw fashion. You have the option to not use the dog helper.
The rest of the CE bling is the usual. Main game is short-about 3.5 hours in hard mode. Bonus game carries the main story further and is about 1 hour.
Is it worth a CE? Not necessarily. I enjoyed the extras but the main game would really be sufficient, especially since this CE is so short. I suggest get it on a BOGO sale.
I recommend this game!