naokiyukimura's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:139
- Reviews Submitted:5
- First Review:January 20, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 29, 2012
- Featured reviews0
naokiyukimura's Review History
Nightfall Mysteries: Black Heart Collector's Edition
Stop the evil Vansig family before they point their vengeful wrath at your friend Christine in Nightfall Mysteries: Black Heart!
Overall rating
5
/
5
58 of 63 found this review helpful
Excellent Game (Third in the Series), Relaxing Challenge and Fun
PostedJanuary 29, 2012
naokiyukimura
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Pro: graphics (artwork), decent voice-overs, decent length and a clever mix of inventory and regular puzzles, fun/entertaining
Con: graphics (distorted font/grainy graphics on larger screens), puzzles aren’t very challenging, newcomers to the series might find it hard to connect with the story/characters if they haven’t played the previous games
Con: graphics (distorted font/grainy graphics on larger screens), puzzles aren’t very challenging, newcomers to the series might find it hard to connect with the story/characters if they haven’t played the previous games
While this game is the third installed in the series, you do not need to have played the others to understand the story. The game does well to remember this, and drops little clues about who these characters are and lightly touches on what happened up until now. While it may be confusing, this game is worth playing. The other two games can be totally played as stand-alone games, so this follows along that path.
The dialog/voice-overs are decent, and I believe they are the actors who voiced the previous game, Asylum Conspiracy. Christine and Viggo may look a little different, but having the same voice actors helps to keep them grounded in the ever changing (and jumping) story lines.
This game has three modes of play: easy, medium and hard/expert. The first two deal with game-sparkles and hint button recharges. Expert you have no sparkles and no hints. I played on expert mode and didn't skip any puzzles (although I found which two I needed the built-in SG).
This game is based off of a mix of inventory-based and normal puzzles ranging in challenge from moderate to easy (the regular puzzles lean on the "easy" side). HOG scenes are only visited two to three times and are randomized. The map is also extremely helpful in that it points out active areas (no fast travel, but I'm not complaining).
Graphics: Trouble arrives when played on LARGE screens via full-screen. My 1440x900 played it perfectly, but my 2048x1152 distorted the font and graphics.
The bonus chapter: its short, but don't let its length fool you. It has some tricky inventory puzzles and is a well crafted addition to the main game. While the default game ending isn’t bad, it leaves you wanting more, and that’s just what this bonus chapter provides.
I recommend this game!
Haunted Manor: Lord of Mirrors
Help Stan Riddle escape the Haunted Manor! After being trapped by the Lord of Mirrors, Stan needs you to guide him to safety!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Easy gameplay, mediocre story but great for beginners...
PostedJanuary 20, 2012
naokiyukimura
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Pros: unique story, not very hard (to figure out)
Cons: cliche, too easy (or not very hard)
Cons: cliche, too easy (or not very hard)
I always say its better to play the trial first, before shelling out any money (or free credits) for the game. While this game doesn't particularly do anything wrong, what it doesn't do is stand out. I can't fault the game-play for being bad, something that comes off as overtly mediocre is never a good thing, either.
The story is different (in a good way) - I'll give it that - but it seems to miss out on being able to make the player actually care about what's happening to either the inhabitants or the main character.
Experienced HO gamers will more then likely find this game a little too linear, as it seems to like "holding your hand" the entire time. You can't move on from a room (or hallway) until you've cleared it, which leads Lord of Mirrors to lead a very repetitive lifestyle.
Hidden Objects are in plain, "I-can-spot-it-easily" sight. Except for that -ONE- object. Don't ask me why, but I agree with the other reviewers here in that there seems to be at least one object "really well hidden or so oddly shaped you don't recognize it".
Mini-games are boring, have been done many times before and gives the game a very Deja Vu feeling. And I'm sure I don't have to mention how repetitive (or say, tedious) cleaning lots (and lots) of mirrors becomes. Unless you like cleaning, then I supposed that might be fun.
Beginners or (very) casual players will probably find this game more interesting, and possibly even challenging; which makes this another great introductory game. Everyone else, however, will notice the game lacks that certain "spark" to make it interesting. So, unless you find the story attractive (or don't mind the fact that everything seems to SPARKLE on you) I would avoid this game entirely.
Sure, its a good game, but its also horribly mediocre. The phrase "If you've seen one HOG, you've seen them all" comes to mind.
I don't recommend this game.
Deadtime Stories
Sinister thrills await you in this gorgeously dark and unsettling real-life ghost story from New Orleans’ shadowy history!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Spooky yet Awesome!
PostedJanuary 20, 2012
naokiyukimura
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
One of the few HOG games that (actually) looks good on 20in+ widescreen monitors. The graphics and excellent voice cast alone should rate this at least four stars.
The story at first glance may seem scary or even creepy, but personally I never found it to be either. I did find a wonderfully told story that fit almost perfectly with the atmosphere. Nothing seemed "unbelievable" or out of place, and the writers managed to avoid any "cliche" feelings in this tale.
The immersion into the story line was help out greatly by two things: 1- you don't have to pixel hunt and 2- the objects actually match the surroundings. While you end up visiting the various scenes multiple times, the list changes each time to keep it fresh. Watch out however, as items may not always be what they seem at first.
The mini-games and inventory puzzles were also masterfully done, providing just the right amount of challenge in which I didn't need to use the hint system but also never felt the puzzles "too easy". Subtle hints will also pop up at the top of the screen to further you along.
Those who are scared easily or aren't interested in voodoo magics in a New Orleans setting may find this game just doesn't sit right with them, as the main character is a (not so) newly deceased voodoo-priestess-spirit from beyond the grave. I suggest, as always, giving the trial a full out test run before buying the game if you're hesitant. While the game itself was by and large on the shorter side of things, most people will have no problems playing it at least once or twice more just for kicks.
I recommend this game!
Haunted Halls: Green Hills Sanitarium Collector's Edition
Explore a decrepit mental asylum and find your missing boyfriend in Haunted Halls – Green Hills Sanitarium!
Overall rating
5
/
5
67 of 72 found this review helpful
This Horror HOG is a MUST BUY!
PostedJanuary 20, 2012
naokiyukimura
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Pro: Horror elements/story, variety of puzzles (mostly logic based), excellent HO searches and clear, beautiful graphics.
Cons: No "instant travel" map, items/puzzles have you running all over the place.
Cons: No "instant travel" map, items/puzzles have you running all over the place.
To be honest, the constant, moving pace of the story offset its often-tedious runs. Each puzzle or HO gives you objects that seem to reward the player with bits of the story, keeping things interesting and always on the “go”.
The HO searches are clear and well done. The items you find in each search are “gone” the next time you visit the area, leaving a brand new set of items to find.
The puzzles are definitely on the challenging side, since accidentally skipping a HO search or that item you forgot to pick-up on the ground – relatively easy to do. While the journal does give you clues on what you should be doing next, I still found myself getting stuck at times - resulting in the wonderful "click fest".
Yet, while the challenging side of the puzzles may turn some off, the reason I found them to be a very, very welcome change is that most, if not all, were puzzles based on “logic”. This game makes you actually stop and think about what you need to do next. The journal does well to give you the clues and entries on recent happenings in order to keep you moving forward. Things like smoking out a beehive, or plugging up holes that spout water have solutions that actually make sense.
This game keeps you guessing and thinking. When you do find the answer, it has a very rewarding feeling to it. You knew how to solve it, it was just the matter of finding the right combination of tools for the job.
This is a HORROR-themed asylum game. Do not get this if you do not like horror games! The CE has the normal fair of extras, a bonus level, some artwork and the “eerily soothing” soundtrack. You won’t miss anything if you buy the normal edition, so get what appeals most to you.
As always, get the demo, and while you’re at it, buy the game.
I recommend this game!
Scratches Director's Cut
Help writer Michael Arthate explore the Blackwood house! Follow mysteries through the house and dive into secrets of the past!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
Excellent Horror Adventure Game
PostedJanuary 20, 2012
naokiyukimura
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Now, I'm a big fan of horror-esque games, the ones which include more exploring and less survival tactics from rabid zombie-humanoid monsters. Being a typical point-in-click game, you start as a writer wanting to explore a reported creepy mansion while trying to finish your book.
While the story definitely gets a bit 'creepier' as it moves along, what really makes you jump is the sound track. Eerie, totally, and that is what kept me on the edge of my seat. While the story line itself didn't scare me as much as I would have liked, it was still enjoyable to play through.
You have basically four days to figure out the history of the place, and depending on the limited choices made during the (grand total of about) six phone conversations with your agent, you get one of two endings. The included 'extra' is really, really, extremely short but does tell a little about what happened after you leave the house and the fate of the house itself.
Any fan of the lets-explore-a-creepy haunted house and horror fan will want this on their shelf. Even if at times the puzzles were somewhat trying to figure out, the fact that you could explore the place during the day and night made me only try to push on more. While the ending itself is slightly anti-climatic, I enjoyed it none the less.
Definitely pick this up if you enjoy horror adventure games.
I recommend this game!