sportygal2009's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:8,859
- Reviews Submitted:221
- First Review:November 12, 2011
- Most Recent Review:November 28, 2015
- Featured reviews0
Status:
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
45 of 63 found this review helpful
Sorry But A Definite No Go For Me - Based On Demo
PostedMay 24, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Well I had to do a search and jog my memory a bit (I've played too many games) but there are two other games in this series: Haunted Manor: Lord Of Mirrors. I do recall playing it now but honestly don't recall anything about this one and didn't review it because Big Fish didn't have the star rating and reviews at the time this game was released. Then there was Haunted Manor: Queen Of Death. I actually reviewed this game and wasn't too impressed with this one. This latest game here seems to stand alone to me.
GAME FEATURES:
Journal: Holds tasks, notes, and the strategy guide that shows the first 3 chapters
MAP: Transporter however isn't labeled and doesn't show if there is anything to do in the locations.
3 play modes: I played the hardest one. Has sparkles and overloaded with black bar tips stating what needs to be done in the game.
Hint: Is an annoying guardian angel that giggles but is directional outside of HOS.
Journal: Holds tasks, notes, and the strategy guide that shows the first 3 chapters
MAP: Transporter however isn't labeled and doesn't show if there is anything to do in the locations.
3 play modes: I played the hardest one. Has sparkles and overloaded with black bar tips stating what needs to be done in the game.
Hint: Is an annoying guardian angel that giggles but is directional outside of HOS.
CE EXTRAS:
16 Achievements and the usual based on performance not using hint/skip, etc.
30 Morphs
33 collectible beads
Wallpapers, concept art, soundtrack, and screensaver: These are locked until you at least purchase the game.
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide
16 Achievements and the usual based on performance not using hint/skip, etc.
30 Morphs
33 collectible beads
Wallpapers, concept art, soundtrack, and screensaver: These are locked until you at least purchase the game.
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide
HOS: I came across two types: A picture of the items down at the bottom and word list that you have to "move" something to get to some of them. I had no problem here locating anything.
PUZZLES: Not a fan. Less the better. Having said this: The ones I came across were quit simple. I didn't have to skip any. I also didn't come across anything "new." Seemed to be the usual run of the mill here.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY:
Sorry but the graphics far from wowed me right along with the cut scenes. The (most of scenes) looked pretty much the same to me meaning way too much "grayish" color. The voices good. The music not all that great. My first star deduction is here. I do think the developer here could of put a bit more effort into these graphics and the music.
Sorry but the graphics far from wowed me right along with the cut scenes. The (most of scenes) looked pretty much the same to me meaning way too much "grayish" color. The voices good. The music not all that great. My first star deduction is here. I do think the developer here could of put a bit more effort into these graphics and the music.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE:
Well here we go again. I think I must put this in almost every review I write. Hey there Big Fish: You are passing this feedback onto the developers right or just those raving 5 star (most demo) reviews only? As I said 3 play modes and the hardest one has sparkles for the HOS and overloaded with black bar tips. The only difference is the hint/skip take a bit longer to charge up. I hope to see a CUSTOM MODE from this developer on their next game offering. I do thank you for no animal helpers at least during demo time there weren't any however please no more "giggling" guardian angel as the hint button either. I sure hope this isn't going to be a new feature in the games. My second star deduction is here.
Well here we go again. I think I must put this in almost every review I write. Hey there Big Fish: You are passing this feedback onto the developers right or just those raving 5 star (most demo) reviews only? As I said 3 play modes and the hardest one has sparkles for the HOS and overloaded with black bar tips. The only difference is the hint/skip take a bit longer to charge up. I hope to see a CUSTOM MODE from this developer on their next game offering. I do thank you for no animal helpers at least during demo time there weren't any however please no more "giggling" guardian angel as the hint button either. I sure hope this isn't going to be a new feature in the games. My second star deduction is here.
STORY LINE:
I thought this could of been quite interesting though pretty much been done before however the "giggling" guardian angel absolutely ruined this for me and took away from the story. I just couldn't get into this. My third star deduction is here.
I thought this could of been quite interesting though pretty much been done before however the "giggling" guardian angel absolutely ruined this for me and took away from the story. I just couldn't get into this. My third star deduction is here.
FUN FACTOR:
So sorry Big Fish and Developer but the best I can do for this game is 2 stars. I didn't find this game very "fun" at all. Actually downright boring. This game far from wowed me and definitely NOT CE worthy for me. Also while the extras are no big deal to me however the people who do care for this stuff well it shouldn't be locked. People should be able to see what they are getting for their money. Yet another "sorry" here but I won't be purchasing the SE when that is released either. A definite no go here. Too childish and boring for me.
So sorry Big Fish and Developer but the best I can do for this game is 2 stars. I didn't find this game very "fun" at all. Actually downright boring. This game far from wowed me and definitely NOT CE worthy for me. Also while the extras are no big deal to me however the people who do care for this stuff well it shouldn't be locked. People should be able to see what they are getting for their money. Yet another "sorry" here but I won't be purchasing the SE when that is released either. A definite no go here. Too childish and boring for me.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Find your sister and escape from a terrifying haunted house!
Overall rating
3
/
5
63 of 76 found this review helpful
Such A Waste of Great Live Actors - Review Of Completed Game
PostedMay 17, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I'll start by saying this is the 2nd in the series of the Tales of Terror. The first is Tales of Terror; Crimson Dawn. This game here definitely stands alone. If you haven't done so there is no need to play the first in the series before playing this game.
6 Chapters
STRATEGY GUIDE: Since I read some issue with this. I also don't recall seeing this during the demo time. I didn't see it until after I purchased the game. Some didn't even see it then but for me it's located top left hand corner of the screen says "strategy guide."
JOURNAL: Holds notes/some puzzle clues
MAP: You get this a little into the game however I didn't even look at it but from my reading after I completed the game is a transporter one.
GAME PLAY; HOPA: For me this was well balanced however the "adventure" side is pretty lite. I never got lost in the game.
HOS: All found by word list with some slight interaction. I did come across one scene find the matching pairs. Each scene visited twice.
PUZZLES: The usual run of the mill. Nothing I would consider new. I'm not a fan. Less the better. Having said this. These weren't hard at all for me.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: The graphics I thought were good. The live actors were top notch for me. Actually the best I've ever come across in a game that used live real actors. I thought they were excellent. A kudos to the developer here.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: Here we go again. 3 play modes and the only difference between the harder two modes is the hint/skip are disabled in the hardest mode. Neither have sparkles (thank you) however both overloaded with black bar tips stating what needs to be done in the game. Since this developer isn't new here I deducted one star just for this and I will every time I see this in a game. I hope they do a CUSTOM MODE for their next game offering. I prefer no sparkles, no black bar tips. I like to figure out for myself FIRST. If I can't that is what the hint/skip are for. Please let me decide when I need "help" in the game. ANNOYING!
STORY LINE: Well this started off with promise for me but after the demo went down the hill. Sorry but I thought this story was lame. I do think the developer here could of came up with a much better story than this one. I don't particularly like spiders (no phobia though) but I know some do have a phobia: If you have a spider phobia well a few in this game are pretty huge. The main game came to a conclusion for me. I didn't feel the bonus chapter was needed. Truth be told I think this developer could of just put this so called "bonus" chapter right in with the main game. It didn't add anything to the game for me and was very short. It only took me about 1/2 hour and I'm not the fastest player by any means. I usually spend an hour minimum on the bonus chapter and while it did come to conclusion it's very abrupt. I thought it ended very abrupt. As for locations a few are from main game and there a few new locations. Bonus chapter should be all new locations. I deducted one star for this story.
MY PLAY TIME; Main game: 3 1/2 hours. Bonus Chapter 1/2 hour. No hints, skips, map or strategy guide used. The overall game length was fine but that bonus chapter seemed very short to me. It seemed I just got started on it and it was over.
FUN FACTOR: Overall an OK time passer game. With the exception of the black bar tips (could of been just a bit more challenging) I did enjoy the game play. I also thought with such excellent live actors in my opinion anyway the story could of been so much better and definitely more suspenseful as it did start out a bit creepy/eerie. Sorry but not worthy of $13.99 in my opinion and yet another truth be told not even worthy of the $9.99 I paid for it. This is one game I wish I waited for the SE and purchased with a punch card coupon code. It's definitely worthy purchasing as a SE if you have punch card codes that are about to expire or the daily deal/catch of the week $2.99 price. Not anymore than this and again my opinion.
CE Extras: Achievements which are performance based, 46 collectible hearts to find, 8 wallpapers and 8 concept art.
So overall 3 stars from me. Sorry Big Fish and developer but I don't recommend this as a CE. Achievements/collectibles don't cut it for me especially when I found no rhyme/reason to finding the hearts. I do however look forward to this developer's next game offering and hopefully an improvement.
As always though, definitely give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Enter the enchanted realm of the Snow Kingdom!
Overall rating
2
/
5
28 of 50 found this review helpful
My Opinion Hasn't Changed - Based On Demo
PostedMay 9, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: I had no problem here. I think the graphics are just excellent especially the opening scene to this game which looked to be for a promising game. The characters and voice overs a very well done here.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: Here we go again. There are 3 play modes and while there are no sparkles on the harder two modes however both are overloaded with black bar tips telling me what needs to be done in the game. While I never encountered it but there is also a click penalty in the harder two modes. Please make a custom mode for your next game offering. I prefer no sparkles/black bar tips and a quick hint/skip button charge up. Oh and drop the click penalty. I don't get that at all. The HOS I only did one and that was find pieces to assemble a case and no problem here. The graphics excellent and I'm a fan of the HOS. Puzzles/mini games I'm not a fan of this. Less the better. I prefer more on the adventure/HOS side. I only did one puzzle which was very easy. The horse mini game got on my last nerve. I skipped this.
STORYLINE: I also definitely admit to not being much into 'fantasy" type of games but I have played a few that are on the darker side and quite enjoyed them with no "cutesy" animal helpers. This one started out this way but was quickly ruined for me by a "cutesy" animal helper that I not only needed to let it free from it's cage but feed it a bowl of milk and also NAME it! OH HECK NO! LOL! I absolutely LOATHE this in my games.
FUN FACTOR: I must say I'm truly disappointed. This is nothing like the first Dark Strokes which I absolutely loved and received 5 stars from me. For me it takes more than great graphics and achievements, collectibles which I'm no longer a fan of this "fluff" for a great game. What could of been a great game absolutely ruined with "cutesy" animal helper and an overload of black bar tips which ruins the challenge.
Sorry but a definite no go here for the CE and the SE released here today. I gave you 2 stars because of the graphics otherwise you'd be seeing a 1 star review from me since I encountered this "cutesy" animal helper shortly after the excellent cut scene. I'm also NOT an animal hater. I like animals. I just don't like them in games where they don't belong and especially as "helpers." I do however look forward to your next game offering unless of course you are jumping on the band wagon of releasing "cutesy" animal helper games. I, along with some others have had quite enough of this. Oh and not just you but other developers as well seem to be on this "cutesy" animal helper overload! ENOUGH ALREADY!
I don't recommend this game.
Ghostly warnings in the water are terrifying a grieving family. What's causing them, and what really happened to Julia White?
Overall rating
4
/
5
54 of 58 found this review helpful
Overall Good Game Just A Bit Of Mixed Feelings 3.5 Stars Completed Game
PostedMay 2, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I purchased the CE when that was released so my review here is based on this and I have listed the CE extras at very bottom.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: I really liked the graphics and the cut scenes. I thought the developer did just fine here. The voice overs I thought were really good. The music started out really good for me however getting more into the game and even into the bonus ended up being pretty much the same music so I ended up turning that down. I do think this could of been worked on just a bit more to give more of a creepy/eerie feeling.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE:I played custom mode and though I didn't use the hint/skip or even the map or strategy guide I did like having these available with quick charge up just in case needed. There were no sparkles for me (thank you) however still had black bar tips stating what needed to be done so I deducted one star here.
HOS: These are found by interactive word list. I'm a fan of these. I had no problem here locating anything.
PUZZLES: I'm not a fan of this. Less the better. Having said this I had no problem completing any of them but just too many for me. I prefer games more on the adventure/HOS side. (more adventure though).
ADVENTURE: While I found some back/forth to this game the "adventure" side was pretty light not having to travel too far. I never got lost in the game.
STORYLINE: I did enjoy this story. It kept my interest from beginning to end. As for the main story ending I do have mixed feelings here meaning if I had just played the main game only this does come to conclusion and I was quite satisfied with the ending so without playing the bonus chapter this would be a 4 star game for me. However since I have played the bonus chapter this is really where the true ultimate final ending to this game is. I also thought the bonus chapter should of been all new locations. There were a couple of new ones however most from main game. I did however enjoy the story here. Actually I found this a bit more interesting than the main game. I deducted 1/2 star here for the way the developer here chose to "ultimately" end the game. If the main game wouldn't of had a conclusion I would of deducted 1 whole star and not be recommending this.
MY PLAY TIME: 5 hours for main game. 1 1/2 hours for bonus chapter. While it wasn't very challenging I think I tend to be a slow game player compared to most on here.
FUN FACTOR: Overall I enjoyed this game.but has a few flaws that I've already mentioned keeping it from being 5 stars. I was and still am as my opinion hasn't changed right in between a 3 and 4 star rating and since Big Fish doesn't have a 1/2 star well I decided to bump it up to 4. I did find this to be better than some of the games Big Fish has released to their site lately. Thanks Big Fish and Developer. Overall a good game.
P.S.I'm no longer a fan of this fluff. Having said this... As for the CE Extras: 10 achievements based on performance and story line, 35 collectibles, 36 morphing 'beyond' objects which I didn't find too difficult to locate and these do carry over to the bonus play.
I recommend this game!
Professor Ashmore, the same man who so kindly took you in and raised you as his own has been murdered. It’s up to you to find out why, but are you prepared for what truths may be uncovered?
Overall rating
2
/
5
30 of 34 found this review helpful
Sorry But This Should Of Been Left Untold - Review Of Completed Game
PostedApril 30, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Well for starters it looks like this game was suppose to be a CE. This has achievements, collectibles, morphs, wallpapers and a bonus chapter. The only thing missing is the strategy guide which I rarely use anyway.
GAME PLAY: Emphasis is definitely on the HOS and puzzles though there is some "adventure" back/forth to this game unless of course you use the map which I didn't. This will also be too many HOS for some people however for me too many puzzles. I'm not a fan less the better.
HOS: These are found by interactive word list along with a couple that morph in each scene. The same scenes are also visited twice.I didn't have any problem here. The hint is also directional outside of HOS.
PUZZLES: Some the usual run of the mill however some different at least for me. Some I found easy, some just very tedious/annoying and some made no sense to me. I skipped some of these.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: The graphics for me were quite good though may be too dated for some people. I also really liked the cut scenes. I had no problem with them. The voices along with the characters I thought a well done but after the demo this was very little. I do think just a bit more voices along with character interaction would of added more to this game. Yes I prefer for characters to talk and interact in the game. Oh not too chatty but just a bit more here. The music is very quiet in the background, no elaborate special effects and inauspicious atmosphere and it seems to work quite well with this game though I do wish the music would of changed as it seemed to be pretty much the same.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: There were a few parts in this game a little tricky on where to go next and this is why I rated this OK however here we go again: There are two play modes and both are overloaded with black bar tips and sparkles for the HOS. Why bother having two if both are going to be the same with the exception hint/skip just take longer? I like figuring out for myself FIRST and then if I can't that is what the hint/skip is for. I deducted 1 star just for this and I will every time I see this in a game from here on out. Annoying!
STORYLINE: Well this is REALLY where I came undone. This started out to be very promising and an intriguing story though yes pretty much been done before but past the demo this left A LOT to be desired in my humble opinion. What little story telling there was absolutely made no sense to me and ends abrupt. The main game was 4 hours for me. The bonus chapter is 3 days later from the main game story but yet again made absolutely no sense to me what little story there was. This added absolutely nothing to the story for me and also ends very abrupt to the point of me actually saying WHAT??? out loud. The HOS are still the interactive with some morphs. There's puzzles of course. All new locations. This was about an hour for me. Sorry but I deducted 2 stars just for this story.
I'm truly disappointed I wasted my punch card coupon code on this game. Adding achievements, collectibles and morphs to a game doesn't make it worthy for me as I'm no longer a fan of this fluff. I actually found the pop up every time I collected/achieved something downright annoying along with the pop up of objectives on the screen. I now purchase games for good/great story, game play, and like some action with characters along with well done voices.
Sorry Big Fish and Developer but 2 stars is the best I can do for this game. While I didn't much care for this game I still look forward to seeing something else from this developer and hopefully an improvement. I truly hope I can rate you higher next time.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you defeat the mist and find your lost brother?
Overall rating
1
/
5
19 of 33 found this review helpful
Sorry Developer But A Definite No Go Here - Based On Demo
PostedApril 27, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Fun Factor: Sorry developer and I honestly don't mean to be harsh here but excuse me while I yawn. This game for me was more like a snooze fest. The only thing I can say I honestly enjoyed about this game was the HOS which are found by interactive word list and silhouette.
Visual/sound Quality: Yet again, sorry developer. I thought the graphics were quite hideous,amateurish, foggy though I think some scenes are suppose to be foggy but sorry I'm not a fan of these kind of graphics. The characters just seemed very odd and misplaced to me. They also appeared wooden with little to no animation to them. The voice overs OK but then again nothing to write home about.
Level of Challenge: While you did provide a custom mode and while I didn't have any sparkles I still had black bar tips no matter what I checked or unchecked in the custom mode. For me there was absolutely no challenge at all to this game. I didn't use the map, hint/skip or strategy guide. Inventory pretty much used right away or I didn't have to travel too far. The puzzles/mini games: I'm not a fan. Less the better. Having said this: These were quite simple for me with just a few clicks of the mouse or just time consuming, boring, tedious and nothing really any different than I've seen in many games.
Storyline: For me there was nothing new, fresh, unique and especially awesome about this story. I've had quite enough with the fantasy, fairies, animal helpers/creatures that you have to find stuff for and sometimes even have to NAME them, feed them, and dress them up games from other developers. I would say "cutesy" but the dragon helper I found downright ugly and when I got to the part in the game with the other ugly creature who lost their key chain I almost pulled the plug on this game here but was curious where the end of the demo would take me. Sorry developer but yet another great big YAWN here.
I sure hope you aren't jumping on the band wagon with some of the other developers here having all of your games being this fantasy, rescue/helping creature, fairies in games. The same old rehashed and predictable stories.
I don't recommend this game.
Summer camp: a place for good memories, new experiences and… ghosts? Capture the spirit of a dead witch before she claims another victim!
Overall rating
4
/
5
37 of 42 found this review helpful
No Bells Or Whistles Here Just A Good Game - Review Of Completed Game
PostedApril 23, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
STORYLINE: Well I was hooked to this game immediately. The opening scene with the distraught mother pleading for help from a detective (Brenda Livingston) to find her son that has gone missing from summer camp. Several other children have gone missing as well. The story is also mainly told through the journal reading that.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: The graphics will definitely be "too dated" or "too old school" for some people however for me quite good. I had no problem with them. There are no voice overs to this game which I do think would of added so much more to this game along with more character interaction. The music did give me a bit of the creepy/eerie feeling but I do think this could of been bumped up just a notch more.
GAME PLAY: While I don't much care for puzzles/mini games for the most part as I prefer adventure/HOS however for me this was well balanced.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE There are 2 play modes and I played the harder of the two.: While there were sparkles on a couple of the HOS as I'm not sure what happened here as there weren't suppose to be any and there is also black bar tips which I wish there wouldn't of been any of those either however level of challenge for me was still good. The "adventure" part made up for this for me since there is no map
HOS: These are all found by standard word list. There is no interaction The scenes are also visited twice.. Most I located with no difficulty at all however a few very small/tiny so had to use a few hints here. Hint is directional outside of HOS however have to wait for it to charge up again as most games you can keep pressing the hint until you get to where you have something to do. This is also slow on charge up and so is the skip.
PUZZLES/MINI GAMES: These are the usual run of the mill found in many games. A few have to refer to the journal to solve them. I did most of them but skipped a couple.
FUN FACTOR: Overall even though this has a few flaws I still enjoyed the 3 1/2 hours I spent playing this but I must say seemed longer than that. I'm quite satisfied with the game length. This was well worth the use of my punch card coupon code. This for me had a lot to do and places to go. Also while the ending definitely does come to conclusion and isn't necessary however looks to be open for a sequel. Whether or not there will be one time will tell.
Thanks Big Fish and Developer for an overall good game. Truth be told I found this to be better than most of the CE games you've released here lately. A 4 stars from me. It's nice to see a stand alone SE with no bells or whistles that being achievements/collectibles and especially them animal helpers. A HUGE KUDOS here for NO animal helpers. More SE releases like this one Big Fish... PLEASE!
I recommend this game!
Discover a story of mysterious kidnappings of both children and mafiosi.
Overall rating
3
/
5
51 of 64 found this review helpful
Not As Great As I Thought It Would Be - Review Of Completed Game
PostedApril 19, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Well I'm going to start by saying that any TV show, movie, book and in this case game that has to do with the Mafia is usually a go for me and right up my alley as I'm a die hard fan of The Godfather and Scar Face just to name a couple of things. I wish I could say that about this game but sorry I can't. This started out great for me but after the demo quickly went down the hill for me. I had to actually force myself to complete this since I bought it and so glad it was on sale this weekend.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: I really liked the 2D graphics which made this game have a realism to it. What keeps visual from being excellent for me is some scenes are way too dark to try and locate some items that need to be found. The voice overs were excellent for me. I had no problem with them. The music I started out really liking this but then went into a loop and got repetitious and on my last nerve.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE:While there is a custom mode for hint/skip (thank you) however this game is still overloaded with black bar tips stating what needs to be done Please have the developer turn this off for the people who don't want this in their next game offering.
GAME PLAY: Emphasis is definitely on the puzzles/mini games which was way too many for me. I'm not a fan of these. Less the better though I will admit to enjoying a few from some games but this isn't one of them. I skipped most of these. I just found them boring, tedious and downright annoying as most of them have to remember where you saw the clue and most times not even in the same scene. It only records a few in the journal. Oh and some are those rotate the rings - excuse me while I YAWN here. The HOS are few and far between. All are found by progressive silhouette. There are no (interactive) word list which is my preference. I don't mind a few silhouette but I think the developer could of put some variety here in the ways to find the objects.I did have to use a few hints here because some scenes were so dark and some objects so small. The "adventure" part there is some back.forth to this game that is if you don't use the map which I didn't. I did like using the punch card to travel through the subway. The only time I used the hint was for the HOS. I didn't use the strategy guide.
STORYLINE: Well this started out to be very intriguing especially having to do with the Mafia as I said but this for me got ran over by the puzzles/mini games and seemed to move too slow and finally build up past the demo. Also I usually don't say too much about "era" appropriate if a few things aren't as I can usually over look some things but I must agree with a review that I read in Big Fish forum after I completed this game but I had the same thought before I even read it and that is: This game here is suppose to be 1955. Granted now I wasn't born until 1971 but even I know that JFK wasn't elected president until 1960 and assassinated in 1963. Why set something in a particular time and place, if you can't bother to get some of the basic facts right? Now the Duracell battery that review mentions I can overlook that even though that didn't come to be until the 1960's - 1964 to be exact but a United States President that is an icon to many American people in the wrong era I have to agree is just downright sloppy!
NOW FOR THE ENDING: The main game was 5 hours for me even skipping most of the puzzles/mini games and does come to a satisfactory conclusion. The bonus chapter definitely not needed in my opinion. I did find this story interesting that is until the VERY abrupt ending however does come to conclusion. I spent about an hour here. Most locations are from the main game. Only a couple of new ones. Bonus chapter should be all new locations and again my opinion.
CE EXTRAS: No longer a fan of this fluff and having said this... There is 36 Morphing objects , 9 suitcases, 9 Statues of Liberty, 9 Ties,.20 Achievements 26 replay mini games. 9 wallpapers 19 concept art drawings in black and white, 10 cut scenes, 6 music, bonus chapter and strategy guide.
FUN FACTOR: Overall I didn't find this game very fun and 3 stars is the best I can do cause there were some things I liked about this game. The only reason I recommend it is I know most on here love puzzles/mini games and this game is overloaded with them. I'm very disappointed especially being a fan of Mafia type things as I said.
I recommend this game!
Track down the wily Fox’ before he slips away into the beauty of Venice!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 30 found this review helpful
Better Than The First In This Series - Review Of Completed Game
PostedApril 18, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I liked this one more than the first in this series Linden Shades. I just thought that was OK and while this game does make a mention of Linden Shades in it well I still don't find it necessary to play that before playing this game. This stands alone on it's own and quite well. Two completely different stories.
The graphics I thought beautifully done. I had no problem with them. I also really liked the music. The voices as much as I'd like to say a "well done" here however I was quite disappointed that I'm suppose to be in Italy, but the only person with an accent is the gondola driver These were quite atrocious. I definitely think this could of been worked on much more. This is why I rated you (developer) just OK on visual/sound quality. Otherwise I would of rated this at least good. A great big smile and wink to you here developer: Need to work on your Italian!
The level of challenge for me was quite good. I played custom mode (thank you for providing this) so I had no sparkles, no gears or magnify glass "pop up" and very few black bar tips.I also didn't use any hints, skips, map or strategy guide. The game play emphasis is definitely on the HOS. There are A LOT especially more into the game and at times one right after the other.. While the progressive silhouette which that is mostly what this game is along with a few interactive word list have been done before many times however I found these were executed into the game a bit different than usual (most games). I quite enjoyed these. Most I found pretty easy but some were challenging for me. I'm a fan of these. The puzzles/mini games not much of a fan here however I found most pretty easy but a few required a little thought. I didn't skip anything. The "adventure" side pretty light especially compared to a true point/click adventure game but there was a part of me that felt at times I was playing an "adventure" game as I really had to click around in a few scenes to activate something. This is a good thing for me as I like clicking around to activate something in a scene instead of just being directed to it. Once I got the hang of how to use the camera taking pictures of things I liked this but this took a bit. Find the cassette tapes and listening to them was interesting.
The story I found to be quite good. It has some twist and turns to it. The main game was 5 hours for me. As for the ending: If I wouldn't of played the bonus and just main game only it did end satisfactory for me however the bonus does continue the story and I found the true ending to be here. The bonus is also all new areas and the achievements, collectibles, morphs continue here as well and was 1 hour for me. The ending of this also comes to conclusion however seems to hint at another sequel for this series. Whether or not there will be one time will tell but that was the impression the ending of the bonus chapter left with me.
The CE extras are achievements, quite a few collectibles, and morphs. Then there is the usual "fluff" screen savers, concept art, music, making of (behind the scenes), etc. There is a lot here to offer for someone who is a fan of this. I'm no longer a fan of this "fluff" I now purchase games mainly for story and game play. The pop up of achievements, collectibles, morphs I found a bit annoying/distracting in this game however I did find all the collectibles, morphs, earned some of the achievements.
Overall 4 stars from me. Thanks Big Fish and Developer.
I recommend this game!
You've returned from school to visit your father at his famous Jazz Pepper Club during Mardi Gras, but everyone is hypnotized. Have they heard the wrong note?
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 16 found this review helpful
Kudos To The Developer - Now THIS Is a Game - Review Of Completed Game
PostedApril 12, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
FUN FACTOR; I haven't had this much fun with a game for a few months. I haven't rated anything 5 stars since November of last year. This overall just had a very interesting storyline, a lot to do and places to go. I also loved the balance of HOS, mini games, and travel back/forth especially the taxi.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: The graphics especially the cut scenes just amazing for me. I was totally blown away by them. The voices right on for me. I also really liked the characters. Most things era appropriate that being the 1940's and 1920's. There were a few things that weren't but I can definitely overlook them. The music since I'm a fan of jazz was excellent for me.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: While there is a custom mode there's still a few black bar tips however for this game I didn't find it overly intrusive. For me the challenge was still good especially the HOS. They are innovative and challenging that require interactions with objects. I'm not much into mini games. My tolerance depends on game and most important my mood but I must say I found most of these interesting and fun. I spent more time here than I usually do.
STORYLINE: I must say I'm a white female and it was nice to see a bit of a different storyline with a young black woman as the lead character. This had my attention immediately and kept it non stop until I finished the bonus chapter. I did watch a few minute video trailer of this game on another site a few days before this was released at Big Fish. Not a game site but another site and when it hit Big Fish today well I didn't even demo this game. Just bought it and must say I'm not disappointed one bit. This here is right up my alley that being 1940's/20's era,absolutely LOVE the cars in this game, jazz music, and Mardi Gras New Orleans theme games. The main game I spent about 6 hours on and came to a satisfactory conclusion for me. The bonus chapter I spent 1 1/2 hours on which was a BONUS chapter for me. This goes back in time to 20 years earlier. I really enjoyed this as well. All new locations and while I'm no longer a fan of the achievements, collectables, morphs but they do go on in the bonus chapter as well. I didn't find these overly intrusive like some games I've played always having to consistently pop up that I've achieved/collected something. I like how the achievements found just puts a number down at the bottom of screen.
Thanks Developer for a great game. A 5 stars all the way from me. I also THANK YOU for NO animal helpers that need to be fed, named, and some even dressed up. This game was a breath of fresh air and well worth the CE price for me. I look forward to seeing more from you and hopefully REALLY SOON. More like this one PLEASE!
I recommend this game!