TheFlashback's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:384
- Reviews Submitted:121
- First Review:December 25, 2011
- Most Recent Review:July 19, 2018
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Track down the truth about your grandfather's death!
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 12 found this review helpful
A flashback from the past
PostedFebruary 23, 2015
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game made me think it was developed years ago and well forgotten on the shelf. Years later it was released to big fish. There is nothing much else to add.
I don't recommend this game.
For years, Barton Mansion sat abandoned, a haunting reminder of an obsession gone wrong. But something sinister still lurked there...and it's stirring.
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 8 found this review helpful
Awesome graphics but that's all
PostedFebruary 14, 2015
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game features excellent graphics and sound, the rest is simply is not up to the standards, especially the storyline. The gameplay is slow and does not develop as you proceed forward. I played in extreme mode with everything turned off but was still able to click through without any extra work. Good game for beginners, otherwise very childish trivial and boring.
I recommend this game!
Travel from the deepest trenches of the Atlantic Ocean to the awe-inspiring wonders of Mars as you solve the greatest archeological puzzle known to man: the origin of Atlantis.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
One of the best games ever made
PostedFebruary 9, 2015
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I keep replaying this game over and over again. Thank you for so much fun!!
I recommend this game!
Welcome to Holy Mountain Hotel, where all criminals are punished.
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Been there, done that
PostedDecember 19, 2014
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I am a big fan of the series and I do come back to the predecessors every once in a while to play again. I was really excited to learn the new sequel is about to be released - was patiently waiting for CE to buy and download. Finished the game in less than 3 hours. This chapter is nothing but a huge disappointment. The storyline falls short, it is repetitive and does not feature anything new. I was actually amazed by how short and trivial this game was. The puzzles are adapted from other games and are not engaging. The environment is very small, only a few rooms to browse. Everything is simplistic and obvious. The graphics and sound are amazing as usual, but the gameplay simply ruins the experience. I actually encountered a few major bugs too:
1. Specifying "custom" gameplay, turning everything off leads to two major annoyances: a. you get sparkles all over the place, b. the "plus" item indicator still shows up
2. Attempting to play in the hard mode makes the mouse very insensitive, forcing me to click multiple times to be able to zoom in for areas of interest.
(I am on Win8.1 64bit with all the latest drives and updates installed for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M)
In overall I strongly recommend this game for beginners who just are getting up to speed with HO games. Otherwise this game is a very upsetting experience that does not offer you any level of excitement the older chapters were well known of.
I recommend this game!
Bring an end to Mr. Dudley's reign of terror!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
Average
PostedNovember 30, 2014
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I played this game a while back when it was only available on developer's web site. It does not feature anything new besides trivial gameplay and questionable graphics. I certainly recommend this game to beginners but as far as the new sequel goes, this game is a red flag for the series.
I recommend this game!
A deadly secret lurks in the woods of Dire Grove!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 11 found this review helpful
Excellent in execution, a mismark in gameplay
PostedNovember 27, 2014
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
When the original Dire Grove was released it immediately became a brilliant creation setting new benchmark in hidden object adventures. It was very original, featuring very interesting storyline, new adventure elements and engaging gameplay. It allowed the user to get a real feel of the environment and to become very creative detective to overcome obstacles when getting around and also to solve the puzzles. The game kept you involved till the grand finale and it was almost impossible to predict what was going to happen at the very end. The original Dire Grove was a milestone. It was a WOW 5+ star game.
When the Elephant Games decided to create the Dire Grove sequel they knew the expectations were very high. They knew the gamers are already spoiled with other awesome games released in the last year or two. They knew everybody loved original Dire Grove so the pressure was high. They knew they could not afford to fail because every gamer will be comparing the sequel with the original chapter. It was very intense to develop in such environment with all the given variables, so the Elephant Games has focused on technical execution. They tried the best offering amazing ambient sounds, outstanding graphics and superior voice overs. From the technical perspective Sacred Grove is an A+ game that was perfectly coded. Yes. But is the technical execution really the key part of modern adventure games? No. From day 1, when original Myst was released, adventure games were all about engagement, complicated logical puzzles and unique gameplay. Sacred Grove does not offer you any of that. Everything that the gamer has to interact with has been seen in other games, prior to Sacred Grove release. The same door handles, the same oilers, nails and locks. You add really artificial storyline that just does not feel real on top of it, blend it with a lot of truly meaningless conversations, and the outcome will be a very well done boring game that simply disappoints you. Some riddles are truly “try and error” puzzles that impossible to guess from any logical perspective. I wanted to love this game, but I simply could not. It is just does not ring the bell.
When the Elephant Games decided to create the Dire Grove sequel they knew the expectations were very high. They knew the gamers are already spoiled with other awesome games released in the last year or two. They knew everybody loved original Dire Grove so the pressure was high. They knew they could not afford to fail because every gamer will be comparing the sequel with the original chapter. It was very intense to develop in such environment with all the given variables, so the Elephant Games has focused on technical execution. They tried the best offering amazing ambient sounds, outstanding graphics and superior voice overs. From the technical perspective Sacred Grove is an A+ game that was perfectly coded. Yes. But is the technical execution really the key part of modern adventure games? No. From day 1, when original Myst was released, adventure games were all about engagement, complicated logical puzzles and unique gameplay. Sacred Grove does not offer you any of that. Everything that the gamer has to interact with has been seen in other games, prior to Sacred Grove release. The same door handles, the same oilers, nails and locks. You add really artificial storyline that just does not feel real on top of it, blend it with a lot of truly meaningless conversations, and the outcome will be a very well done boring game that simply disappoints you. Some riddles are truly “try and error” puzzles that impossible to guess from any logical perspective. I wanted to love this game, but I simply could not. It is just does not ring the bell.
I recommend this game!
Discover the secrets that lie buried in the eerie, crooked halls of Mnemosyne Asylum!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 10 found this review helpful
Awesome plot, bad execution
PostedSeptember 19, 2014
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I wanted to love this game but I simply could not. The storyline is outstanding and promising but the graphics is simply horrid. The UX is just sent this game off the cliff. Constant zooming in/out gives you motion sickness pretty much right away, comic approach did not do it as well. In general this game was supposed to be an A+ winner but the implementation was not just there.
I am sorry but C for development and A for plot.
I recommend this game!
Can you bring Maria back from a shadowy realm?
Overall rating
1
/
5
10 of 21 found this review helpful
A terrible downgrade
PostedJuly 7, 2014
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I've thought I've seen very bad games but this one breaks the record. What makes it even worse is that the developer set the expectations very high on its predecessors and suddenly slept into the void with this chapter. It made me think that may be this game was developed but a different company and they simply used Orion's logo. In overall there is nothing good to say about this game. Graphics is grainy and fuzzy, sound is beyond average and the plot is so cheap and expectable so that you do not want to play this chapter for no longer than 5 minutes.
I just want to forget this game asap and call it an accident that Orion had a touch on it.
Haunted Manor: Painted Beauties Collector's Edition
A peaceful day at the park becomes a journey into the surreal when you become the latest victim of a troubled artist's deal with Death!
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
A solid NO.
PostedMay 29, 2014
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game feels and plays like it was developed 20 years ago. The graphics has no 16:9 support, looks artificial and weird. Animations are poorly done. Playing in expert mode is no go as well since HOS scenes sparkle regardless of your desire of not to. The simplicity killed the storyline and the gameplay.
I am sorry. C-
I don't recommend this game.
Discover a story of mysterious kidnappings of both children and mafiosi.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
A+ game
PostedApril 28, 2014
TheFlashback
fromSan Jose, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Outstanding game! I played non-stop for 5 hours in expert mode until I completed it all including the bonus chapter. We rarely see such ultimate games recently. Not trivial, fun and complicated. I loved everything.
Thank you very much.