wrennie's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:989
- Reviews Submitted:78
- First Review:March 11, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 10, 2012
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Explore the vastness of a ship lost in time, what mysteries will you uncover amidst its Mayan idols, menacing sea creatures, and exotic treasures? Find out in this exciting new Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game on the open seas!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
Superb game, me hearties !
PostedOctober 4, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I love being at sea, especially the sounds of the waves lapping against the ship. Environmental sounds really put me into the game and this one does this oh so well. As well as great graphics although a little on the sketchy side.
You are part of a Coast Guard team with a prisoner in tow when you run into a ghost ship, literally. As your boat is sinking you are forced to board the ship. You now must uncover the secrets the ship holds and find your partner and prisoner who have gone missing. Rather a new storyline except you do come across an imprisoned child on board so you have to rescue him, too. (shades of Haunted Halls)
Four modes of play, one being custom where you set the rules, and regular sound options A hint, a journal, a map and the choice of playing HOS or Mahjong, assorted puzzles, collecting beyond objects, parts of as Mayan calendar, parts of an Mayan artifact that tells the history of the ship with each piece you find and receiving achieements as you go ound out the mechanics of the game. In other words, lots to do.
It's a visual pleasure and the music is appropriate without being the "Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum" rtype. All in all, a very good game well worthy of purchase .
You are part of a Coast Guard team with a prisoner in tow when you run into a ghost ship, literally. As your boat is sinking you are forced to board the ship. You now must uncover the secrets the ship holds and find your partner and prisoner who have gone missing. Rather a new storyline except you do come across an imprisoned child on board so you have to rescue him, too. (shades of Haunted Halls)
Four modes of play, one being custom where you set the rules, and regular sound options A hint, a journal, a map and the choice of playing HOS or Mahjong, assorted puzzles, collecting beyond objects, parts of as Mayan calendar, parts of an Mayan artifact that tells the history of the ship with each piece you find and receiving achieements as you go ound out the mechanics of the game. In other words, lots to do.
It's a visual pleasure and the music is appropriate without being the "Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum" rtype. All in all, a very good game well worthy of purchase .
Investigate a mysterious, medieval monastery and reveal the terrifying truth!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
A wonderful puzzle adventure.
PostedOctober 2, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This had me from the opening scene. Both the music and the graphics put you into the game. A dreary stone monastery high in the Italian Alps, the middle of a dreary snowstorm and a somber mystery. This storyline reminds me of Eco's The Name of the Rose. You have been sent by a Cardinal in Rome to investigate the disappearance of a monk, Brother John, under the guise of being his replacement. And so your adventure begins.....
This type of game you either love or hate. A lot of wandering around, just as you would in real life, to come up with what you need to get the job done. You collect angels along the way and this time they aren't in every scene and they look more like naked dollies than angels.
There are 3 modes of difficulty bearing the usual distinctions. There is a journal, a hint button, a skip on the puzzles and, of course, no hidden objects. I don't know why this is billed as a HOG.
I found this to be a fun game. You do have to have some semblance of patience. though. After I planted the cabbage seeds, I had to consult the walkthrough because I missed picking up the brick in the kitchen. The hint will lead you to the right place but won't tell you if you're missing something in your inventory. Another big help was reading the journal because it gives you advance hints about what's to come. For instance, I discovered I had to deliver the tomatoes to Brother Ezio in the kitchen because it was written in there.
You have to do the demo if you haven't already done any of these games. I will most likely purchase this game.
This type of game you either love or hate. A lot of wandering around, just as you would in real life, to come up with what you need to get the job done. You collect angels along the way and this time they aren't in every scene and they look more like naked dollies than angels.
There are 3 modes of difficulty bearing the usual distinctions. There is a journal, a hint button, a skip on the puzzles and, of course, no hidden objects. I don't know why this is billed as a HOG.
I found this to be a fun game. You do have to have some semblance of patience. though. After I planted the cabbage seeds, I had to consult the walkthrough because I missed picking up the brick in the kitchen. The hint will lead you to the right place but won't tell you if you're missing something in your inventory. Another big help was reading the journal because it gives you advance hints about what's to come. For instance, I discovered I had to deliver the tomatoes to Brother Ezio in the kitchen because it was written in there.
You have to do the demo if you haven't already done any of these games. I will most likely purchase this game.
I recommend this game!
Play as journalist Edgar Lance and solve a mysterious murder during the roaring twenties in Paris.
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
This is one cool game!
PostedOctober 1, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You play the part of Edgar, a cub reporter on an assignment in Paris, 1925. It starts out as just an ordinary day but wait...
things are about to change.
When I saw the reviews, I thought 'I won't be able to play if reviewers with good eyes think the items are too small'. Well, It was no exaggeration, the items are small but so crisp and clear that it's not that big a problem. And the graphics are just like looking at a photograph. Quite incredible! You actually have the feeling of being in an old newspaper office.
The puzzles and HO scenes are not apparent. You sort of stumble across them in your clicking. You are not given a choice of play, it's rather an expert or advanced mode in that there are no sparkles, tutorials or instructions. You have a magnifying glass, gears and bar across the bottom. You have a notebook, that's it. You do have a hint that works if you're looking for that last piece of something but it won't tell you in which direction to go next. Navigation arrows are small and at the edge of the screen.
Your HO scenes are not separate from the scene you are looking at. On the bottom you will have a list of stuff to find/do. For instance, put all the paper rolls in a basket, pencils in a can, scraps of paper in an in-box and collect typewriter kieys. You play a game with the keys and put the scraps of paper together like a jigsaw puzzle. The puzzles I came across were not difficult except for the typewriter keys; I had to "ignore" that game due to time constraints.
The music is a rather bluesy jazz and fits the period of time you are in.
I got to the camera when the demo ended. This is a truly an adventure game with a lot of puzzles. I have a hunch this isn't going to be a casual game. It's going to take some thinking. You will need all your deductive reasoning.
I found this game to be very intriguing and consider it a buy for me. I want to go back and play the typewriter game this time.
things are about to change.
When I saw the reviews, I thought 'I won't be able to play if reviewers with good eyes think the items are too small'. Well, It was no exaggeration, the items are small but so crisp and clear that it's not that big a problem. And the graphics are just like looking at a photograph. Quite incredible! You actually have the feeling of being in an old newspaper office.
The puzzles and HO scenes are not apparent. You sort of stumble across them in your clicking. You are not given a choice of play, it's rather an expert or advanced mode in that there are no sparkles, tutorials or instructions. You have a magnifying glass, gears and bar across the bottom. You have a notebook, that's it. You do have a hint that works if you're looking for that last piece of something but it won't tell you in which direction to go next. Navigation arrows are small and at the edge of the screen.
Your HO scenes are not separate from the scene you are looking at. On the bottom you will have a list of stuff to find/do. For instance, put all the paper rolls in a basket, pencils in a can, scraps of paper in an in-box and collect typewriter kieys. You play a game with the keys and put the scraps of paper together like a jigsaw puzzle. The puzzles I came across were not difficult except for the typewriter keys; I had to "ignore" that game due to time constraints.
The music is a rather bluesy jazz and fits the period of time you are in.
I got to the camera when the demo ended. This is a truly an adventure game with a lot of puzzles. I have a hunch this isn't going to be a casual game. It's going to take some thinking. You will need all your deductive reasoning.
I found this game to be very intriguing and consider it a buy for me. I want to go back and play the typewriter game this time.
I recommend this game!
Guardians of Magic: Amanda's Awakening
Open your eyes to a wondrous world in Guardians of Magic: Amanda's Awakening, a spectacular adventure of science and spell-casting.
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 28 found this review helpful
Busy. busy. busy....
PostedSeptember 29, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a game that keeps you going every minute. . Frought with puzzles - no HO scenes- you will find yourself busy the whole time. I won't go into great detail about the story and puzzles because the other reviewers have been very thorough and in those areas.
The storyline itself is invoved and continually unfolds. You are Amanda, the grandaughter of a Magaician whom has passed. You've been summoned to rescue a guardian fairy?? from a crystal ball. So begins your foray into and introduction to magical powers.
The puzzles are short and there are lots of them. Pretty much the old stand-bys.
The artwork is wonderful. Very colorful and charming with music to match. There are voiceovers in the beginning but they drop off into readable dialogue. Very easy to see and much appreciated.
They is no choice of game mode; you're stuck with the custom cursor, too. Mine gets swimmy which I hate.
There is a hint that I found helpful, a skip for puzzles, a journal, and a spellbook. You collect pieces of a bubble blower to build and pages of the spellbook that are missing. You receive spells to use as you go along.
There are puzzles and things to do everywhere.
This game really keeps you busy. It's a bit old fashioned in it's feel but it's charming and good fun.
The storyline itself is invoved and continually unfolds. You are Amanda, the grandaughter of a Magaician whom has passed. You've been summoned to rescue a guardian fairy?? from a crystal ball. So begins your foray into and introduction to magical powers.
The puzzles are short and there are lots of them. Pretty much the old stand-bys.
The artwork is wonderful. Very colorful and charming with music to match. There are voiceovers in the beginning but they drop off into readable dialogue. Very easy to see and much appreciated.
They is no choice of game mode; you're stuck with the custom cursor, too. Mine gets swimmy which I hate.
There is a hint that I found helpful, a skip for puzzles, a journal, and a spellbook. You collect pieces of a bubble blower to build and pages of the spellbook that are missing. You receive spells to use as you go along.
There are puzzles and things to do everywhere.
This game really keeps you busy. It's a bit old fashioned in it's feel but it's charming and good fun.
I recommend this game!
Prepare for a mind-bending journey into the realm of the weird in Haunted Halls: Revenge of Dr. Blackmore! Brace yourself for the unexpected in this exciting Hidden Object adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
The best of everything!
PostedSeptember 27, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm impressed. We'll start with the graphics. I like this type of artwork. It's colorful and smooth and more like a photograph than a drawing. It's neither dark nor gloomy. The music is soft and melodic, appropriate and not annoying. Very pretty, actually.
It has all the essentials... a hint, a skip, a book of notes, a very concise strategy guide and a kit for experiments.
The puzzles are really neat and do-able and judging from the demo, plenty of them. I came across one HO scene. I don't remember it being interactive.
The storyline is a continuation of the Haunted Halls Saga and the third in the series. Dr. Blackmore has created an explosion and kidnapped you and Tim. He tells you that he will let you have a chance to rescue Tim but of course he doesn't think you'll escape. You must rescue all those Dr. Blackmoore has imprisoned along with Tim.
The play is fun and surprising.. Some things are predictable but then they are "nature of the beast" types of things. Like needing a hammer or axe to break something or needing a tidbit to attract some animal so you can collect an object you need.
I do hope, though, that this is the last of Dr. Blackmoore. It's time for a new nemesis now.
I played the demo and promptly bought the game along with Fears From Childhood.
It has all the essentials... a hint, a skip, a book of notes, a very concise strategy guide and a kit for experiments.
The puzzles are really neat and do-able and judging from the demo, plenty of them. I came across one HO scene. I don't remember it being interactive.
The storyline is a continuation of the Haunted Halls Saga and the third in the series. Dr. Blackmore has created an explosion and kidnapped you and Tim. He tells you that he will let you have a chance to rescue Tim but of course he doesn't think you'll escape. You must rescue all those Dr. Blackmoore has imprisoned along with Tim.
The play is fun and surprising.. Some things are predictable but then they are "nature of the beast" types of things. Like needing a hammer or axe to break something or needing a tidbit to attract some animal so you can collect an object you need.
I do hope, though, that this is the last of Dr. Blackmoore. It's time for a new nemesis now.
I played the demo and promptly bought the game along with Fears From Childhood.
I recommend this game!
Rescue your abducted brother from eternal darkness in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
This looks like a good one!
PostedSeptember 22, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You are looking for your brother who has been snatched by some hooded figures in a spooky mansion. Your mission is to find and rescue him and do whatever is necessary to accomplish the task.
There are 3 modes of play, casual, expert and professional. This is the first time we've seen this mode. There are normal settings. I had to remove the custom cursor unfortunately because it was a pretty one. There is a hint and a skip, a journal, no map. I do wish you could adjust the brightness of it, however, it is so dark..
Navigation is easy, the puzzles are different. I had to skip both puzzles due to time constraints and one HO scene that was so dark I had to use the hint twice to finish it.
The game is nicely doe with beautiful graphics. The music is appropriate but monotonous as it just keeps playing the same thing over and over and over.
This is an exciting HOPA worthy of a buy.
There are 3 modes of play, casual, expert and professional. This is the first time we've seen this mode. There are normal settings. I had to remove the custom cursor unfortunately because it was a pretty one. There is a hint and a skip, a journal, no map. I do wish you could adjust the brightness of it, however, it is so dark..
Navigation is easy, the puzzles are different. I had to skip both puzzles due to time constraints and one HO scene that was so dark I had to use the hint twice to finish it.
The game is nicely doe with beautiful graphics. The music is appropriate but monotonous as it just keeps playing the same thing over and over and over.
This is an exciting HOPA worthy of a buy.
I recommend this game!
Rescue your daughter, Hannah, from the clutches of an evil witch before it's too late in this chilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
63 of 67 found this review helpful
A true adventure game
PostedSeptember 21, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is not a hidden object game at all. Good news for those who were getting tired of them. I am a die-hard HOPA fan.
You and your daughter are going to live in England for a bit and she picks out a school to go to. The school has been taken over by a witch and the witch in turn grabs Hannah and tries to get rid of you. You must save her and the rest of the children she has snatched.
This game plays in 3 modes, casual, hard and advanced. You have a map, a journal, a notebook and a witch's book thattells her story as you go. You collect pages. You pick up items to use in the story and the puzzles. Lotsa puzzles. "Defeat the Witch" is a really cute game.
The music is good, there are real people playing the daughter, Hannah, and the other children. The graphics are rather "sketchy" as opposed to a more photographic look. The atmosphere is rather somber and drab. the gameplay is smooth and easy to decipher. I didn't need a walkthrough nor did I have to use the hint button to find out where to go next. A delightful feature in any game. Mini-game explanations were clear, too.
The demo went fast so I was neither bored nor not having fun. I have to assume the rest of the game is as entertaining as the demo. I don't remember the CE being any better than this SE. Definitely worth a credit.
You and your daughter are going to live in England for a bit and she picks out a school to go to. The school has been taken over by a witch and the witch in turn grabs Hannah and tries to get rid of you. You must save her and the rest of the children she has snatched.
This game plays in 3 modes, casual, hard and advanced. You have a map, a journal, a notebook and a witch's book thattells her story as you go. You collect pages. You pick up items to use in the story and the puzzles. Lotsa puzzles. "Defeat the Witch" is a really cute game.
The music is good, there are real people playing the daughter, Hannah, and the other children. The graphics are rather "sketchy" as opposed to a more photographic look. The atmosphere is rather somber and drab. the gameplay is smooth and easy to decipher. I didn't need a walkthrough nor did I have to use the hint button to find out where to go next. A delightful feature in any game. Mini-game explanations were clear, too.
The demo went fast so I was neither bored nor not having fun. I have to assume the rest of the game is as entertaining as the demo. I don't remember the CE being any better than this SE. Definitely worth a credit.
I recommend this game!
Discover the Red Riding Hood Sisters and defeat the nefarious Wolf Queen!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
such a deal !!!
PostedSeptember 20, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a good deal if you have only one of the other Dark Parable games. This is the position that I am in so I was thrilled until I discovered it's a FROG. My least favorite type of HO game. That being said, I finished the demo anyway..
It opens with great music and a cutscene to set the stage.l I did cringe at the carnage; I can't stand to hear animals in pain. The artwork is good but very, very busy. You can play in casual, normal or expert. You can can adjust music, ambience and sound. I played with normal cursor as the custom cursor was swimmy.
For the story, you are a Detectice sent to help the Red Riding Hood Sisters annihalate some evil wolves and their wolf Queen. By the time you get to the sisterhood, they have been attacked in their headquarters and now it is up to you.
There are things to pick up, morphing items I couldn't find, puzzles and FROG scenes. The hint button works wonderfully well and tells you which way to go and will point to an area where something needs to be done, but you don't know if you have picked up what you need because the stategy guide only works if you purchase the game and not in the demo. What's up with that?????
It looks like it will be a very good game. I'm on the fence with whether or not I will buy it.
It opens with great music and a cutscene to set the stage.l I did cringe at the carnage; I can't stand to hear animals in pain. The artwork is good but very, very busy. You can play in casual, normal or expert. You can can adjust music, ambience and sound. I played with normal cursor as the custom cursor was swimmy.
For the story, you are a Detectice sent to help the Red Riding Hood Sisters annihalate some evil wolves and their wolf Queen. By the time you get to the sisterhood, they have been attacked in their headquarters and now it is up to you.
There are things to pick up, morphing items I couldn't find, puzzles and FROG scenes. The hint button works wonderfully well and tells you which way to go and will point to an area where something needs to be done, but you don't know if you have picked up what you need because the stategy guide only works if you purchase the game and not in the demo. What's up with that?????
It looks like it will be a very good game. I'm on the fence with whether or not I will buy it.
I recommend this game!
Discover the fabulous secrets that a jungle hides in Adelantado Trilogy: Book One! Help the brave and noble officer, Don Diego De Leon, to find and save the lost expedition.
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 11 found this review helpful
Not fun...boring
PostedSeptember 18, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This was a disappointment. i played the demo for about 20 minutes and uninstalled it.
There was no independent thought, just click here and there when you were told to. You were given objectives to achieve but no way to do them. Like break the barrel. How? I clicked around on everything and finally someone came out of the hut and broke the barrel but I've no idea what made that happen. Cut down trees. How? There were all kinds of instructions but not one place told you how to make these things happen.
Everything was collected automatically so you had no hand in it. Just plain boring.
There was no independent thought, just click here and there when you were told to. You were given objectives to achieve but no way to do them. Like break the barrel. How? I clicked around on everything and finally someone came out of the hut and broke the barrel but I've no idea what made that happen. Cut down trees. How? There were all kinds of instructions but not one place told you how to make these things happen.
Everything was collected automatically so you had no hand in it. Just plain boring.
I don't recommend this game.
Heaven & Hell
Journey with Angelo to retrieve the stolen artifacts
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Naughty or nice?
PostedSeptember 18, 2012
wrennie
fromSheboygan, Wisconsin
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Well,....... It has a silly storyline with trash talk dialogue. Angelo, the angel, has idle hands and has been sent to the devil to find some stolen artifacts to return upstairs. The dialogue is played for humor but it's more of a groaner than a chuckle. I got a better chuckle out of the instructions. Obviously made by non-English speaking devs, the written instructions had an accent.
The grid is nowhere near big enough to see really well and but is extremely colorful. The items on the match3 board are four of the seven deadly sins. You have sloth, greed, envy and anger. There are tons of bombs and a cross (plus sign) that clears the rows both ways and a God's hand that clears all of one color. And there promises to be more. There are achievements and power-ups. There is an increasing challenge to each level part that you play.
Yes, it's appearance is childlike. Yes, the the music is just awful; I turned the music off and played with just the sound. Yes, the graphics are a bit garish. But...
It held my interest until the demo ended and I wished I could have gone on because there were three more sins to go and it moved along quickly. No real time to get bored. And you didn't have to beat a timer!
All in all, I liked it.
The grid is nowhere near big enough to see really well and but is extremely colorful. The items on the match3 board are four of the seven deadly sins. You have sloth, greed, envy and anger. There are tons of bombs and a cross (plus sign) that clears the rows both ways and a God's hand that clears all of one color. And there promises to be more. There are achievements and power-ups. There is an increasing challenge to each level part that you play.
Yes, it's appearance is childlike. Yes, the the music is just awful; I turned the music off and played with just the sound. Yes, the graphics are a bit garish. But...
It held my interest until the demo ended and I wished I could have gone on because there were three more sins to go and it moved along quickly. No real time to get bored. And you didn't have to beat a timer!
All in all, I liked it.
I recommend this game!