sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:821
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 27, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Uncover the identity of a mysterious woman with a message from the past!
Overall rating
5
/
5
MEET A NEW ARCHNEMESIS WHICH INCORPORATES THE BODY AND SOUL OF PURE EVIL
PostedNovember 26, 2024
sunnyglow
fromOnly in videogames! Where else can one find pop up cans along with pop up snakes in 1911?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
STORY: Welcome back Master Detective! Enter a new chapter in the series along with a new arch nemesis. This evildoer is one who truly incorporates the body and soul of the series. This person is more sinister than the Dalimar clan. Even worse, this villain may be harder to track in future games.
Your new assignment takes you to the Bishop residence where Agnes Bishop, an elderly woman, is experiencing strange events. She asks for your help when she begins to experience ghostly events. Go beneath the surface of the Bishop mansion and uncover what evil lurks beneath it. You will be playing a cat and mouse game with the evildoer, entering a rat’s maze of doors with the evildoer taunting you along the way. However, who is the cat and who is the mouse? To give more information about the story would ruin the game for those who have not played it. Suffice it to say, this is a fantastic game, and to me, one of the best in the series.
ANALYSIS: I loved playing this game. This game should appeal to those who love sci-fi or games which are a little more challenging. The game follows the same format as other GrandMA games. I found the story for the main game and the bonus chapter excellent and well-written. Most of the activities involve science or mechanics. Most puzzles involve machine assembly, robotics, and chemical formulations. The collectibles are morphing watchers and puzzles pieces. I found them well-hidden. I had to use the strategy guide for help in finding some of them. The puzzles pieces are white and blend in well within the scenes.
There are twenty-six (26) mini-games. Three of those are meta games (AKA Rube-Goldberg puzzles) which have several mini-puzzles within one larger puzzle. I feel the puzzles are creatively designed as are the sixteen (16) HOP scenes. There are also several mini-HOP scenes in which the player searches for five or six items. After the game the player can replay 15 HOP scenes and twelve (12) mini-games. The HOP scenes are varied, interactive, and challenging . They include lists of items, silhouette, narrative, fragments, and matching.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 18 achievements.
• Collect 54 morphing watchers and 20 puzzle jigsaw pieces for a puzzle available at the end of the game
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 15 HOP scenes and 12 mini-games
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 18 achievements.
• Collect 54 morphing watchers and 20 puzzle jigsaw pieces for a puzzle available at the end of the game
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 15 HOP scenes and 12 mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER! What a fang-tastic prequel! Enjoy romping through ta jungle filled with snakes! Snakes are popping up all over in this chapter. Personally, I hate snakes (almost a phobia) and it was difficult for me to play this chapter. There is one gasping moment at the beginning! Be prepared! Play Margaret Bellow, who, along with guide Angelica, tromp through the jungles of Central American searching for the Snake Mask. Despite the creepy crawlies slithering around, I loved this game. The graphics are breathtaking. It has a great storyline and there are plenty of activities to enjoy. There are three (3) HOP scenes and eight (8) mini-games. There are numerous mini-HOP scenes throughout the chapter. To me this is a nice addition to the game.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Maze puzzle from the 1980’s. Move a mouse through a rat maze collecting food items along the path. The number of each of 3 items is listed at the top. If you collect too many items, you must restart.
B. Connection puzzle. Move through a maze of firefly bugs (or whatever they are) so that each bug is connected without retracing steps. The bugs are place the direction in which the player must move. Move the bugs so that when you press Go a path is created.
C. Stacking puzzle. Collect 6 objects, incorporating them into each other starting with the smallest and moving up to the largest.
D. Rope puzzle. Free a beetle by releasing the light rays holding it
E. Sequence puzzle. Push numbers on cylinders in sequential order from 1 to 10. Move the cylinders up and down to reveal the numbers
F. Meta Puzzle:
(1) Locate all eyes within the scene.
(2) Maze puzzle. Lead a ball through a tube avoiding obstacles in its path
(3) Enter Morse code symbols onto a screen.
(4) Sliding tiles. Slide tiles with picture fragments on them to create an image
(5) Spot the differences: Spot the 4 differences between two pictures
(6) Type in a code based upon the code given for each symbol
(7) Math puzzle. Match up wires with dots on them so that the sum of their dots is the same throughout.
(8) Logic puzzle. Place numbers into rows and columns so that no number appears twice in any row or column.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Tangram puzzle. Place pieces into position to create a complete form. 2X
H. Connection puzzle. Connect dots so that all are connected and steps are not retraced.
I. Block puzzle Move hands to create a path for two dishes of pomegranates to reach hands within the grid.
J. Sequence puzzle. Switch 5 tokens so they are in the proper order according to given clues.
B. Connection puzzle. Move through a maze of firefly bugs (or whatever they are) so that each bug is connected without retracing steps. The bugs are place the direction in which the player must move. Move the bugs so that when you press Go a path is created.
C. Stacking puzzle. Collect 6 objects, incorporating them into each other starting with the smallest and moving up to the largest.
D. Rope puzzle. Free a beetle by releasing the light rays holding it
E. Sequence puzzle. Push numbers on cylinders in sequential order from 1 to 10. Move the cylinders up and down to reveal the numbers
F. Meta Puzzle:
(1) Locate all eyes within the scene.
(2) Maze puzzle. Lead a ball through a tube avoiding obstacles in its path
(3) Enter Morse code symbols onto a screen.
(4) Sliding tiles. Slide tiles with picture fragments on them to create an image
(5) Spot the differences: Spot the 4 differences between two pictures
(6) Type in a code based upon the code given for each symbol
(7) Math puzzle. Match up wires with dots on them so that the sum of their dots is the same throughout.
(8) Logic puzzle. Place numbers into rows and columns so that no number appears twice in any row or column.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Tangram puzzle. Place pieces into position to create a complete form. 2X
H. Connection puzzle. Connect dots so that all are connected and steps are not retraced.
I. Block puzzle Move hands to create a path for two dishes of pomegranates to reach hands within the grid.
J. Sequence puzzle. Switch 5 tokens so they are in the proper order according to given clues.
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? To me, this is a must-have, especially if you love this series! To me, this is one of the best games of the series and also for GrandMA Games. Some of the puzzles may seem too mechanical or scientific; however, there are also some excellent HOP scenes and less of those types of puzzles at the beginning and end of the game.
I recommend this game!
Detective Amber’s greatest villains are back, and they have a surprise!
Overall rating
3
/
5
ELF HAS BEEN BROUGHT DOWN FROM THE SHELF
PostedNovember 14, 2024
sunnyglow
fromThe Case of the Missing Bonus Chapter. Hiring Elf to sniff around and see if he can dig up the rest of this game.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE MAIN GAME - COULD NOT ACCESS THE BONUS CHAPTER
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 pages
STORY: Welcome back Elf! Our fashionista pup comes out of retirement to help fellow detective, Amber, dig up the dirt on a group of evildoers out to destroy the Order. Morpheus, the discredited founder of the Order, has returned, along with a group of evildoers, each featured in a former Mystery Trackers game. Amber has become the head of the Order after her boss is killed. Elf, along with Amber will take charge and try to defeat the evildoers, and perhaps, be able to restore the Order to its former glory. Will Amber come out of retirement permanently? In a timely manner, she might reconsider her options.
ANALYSIS: From what I played, this is an okay game. The format is the same as the other games from Elephant. I could not access the bonus chapter. I do not know if it is an issue with my computer or if there is an issue with the game. However, I do believe I should alert people that the bonus chapter may not be available.
It is a short game; however, I enjoyed the activities and the story behind the game. The game is more science-oriented with a little AI thrown into the mix. I hate helpers in games and ten (10) years ago, there were a lot of them in the HOPA games. However, Elf is nostalgic addition to this game and his services are not used often. There have been better games from this series; however, considering the times in which we are living, with few HOPA games being offered, it is not a bad game.
Collect twelve (12) Elf figurines, each from a different game within the series. Elf is dressed in attire associated with the game featured. Also collect twenty-four (24) picture fragments which are featured as big red gems within the scenes. Both collectibles are easy to locate within the scenes.
There are not many HOP scenes nor puzzles, but some are creatively designed. There are fourteen (14) puzzles and nine (9) HOP scenes along with seven (7) mini-HOP scenes. Since I could not finish the game, I do not know how many of the puzzles and HOP scenes are within the bonus chapter.
Both can be replayed upon completion of the game.
Both can be replayed upon completion of the game.
I loved the maze puzzle and there is a variation of marble popper game within the game. As with other Elephant games, there are many picture puzzles to solve and some of them are tricky. For me, there are too many mini-HOP scenes and not enough of the regular HOP scenes. Those which are within the game are creatively designed. However, there are just not a lot of them.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 10 achievements.
• Collect 12 Elf dolls representing characters from previous games in the series
• Collect 24 picture fragments (shaped like red gems) for a jigsaw puzzle in the secret room
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music options
• Replay of some HOP scenes and puzzles
• 10 achievements.
• Collect 12 Elf dolls representing characters from previous games in the series
• Collect 24 picture fragments (shaped like red gems) for a jigsaw puzzle in the secret room
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music options
• Replay of some HOP scenes and puzzles
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? From what I have played, the main game is decent. When I entered the bonus chapter, the screen went black. However, it could be a glitch within my computer. The game is not as good as previous games in the series. However, if you are a fan of this series, it might be of interest to you. Many loved Elf and for those Elf fans, it will be a nostalgic experience. I cannot recommend this game because of the inability to play the bonus chapter.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES WITHIN THE MAIN CHAPTER:
A. Assembly puzzle. Rotate parts of an animal and then place them into the proper location for 3 mutated animals.
B. Bullseye puzzle. Adjust targets so they match with a bullseye on the screen. 4X
C. Maze puzzle. Move a fist through three mazes collecting all small fists along the way to increase your strength.
D. Picture puzzle. Place 12 pieces into position to restore 6 pictures
E. Marble-Popper. Fight Morpheus by eliminating 3 or more marbles of the same color. You have 3 lives
F. Picture puzzle. Switch pieces on a grid to restore an image displaying only one-half of them at a time.
A. Assembly puzzle. Rotate parts of an animal and then place them into the proper location for 3 mutated animals.
B. Bullseye puzzle. Adjust targets so they match with a bullseye on the screen. 4X
C. Maze puzzle. Move a fist through three mazes collecting all small fists along the way to increase your strength.
D. Picture puzzle. Place 12 pieces into position to restore 6 pictures
E. Marble-Popper. Fight Morpheus by eliminating 3 or more marbles of the same color. You have 3 lives
F. Picture puzzle. Switch pieces on a grid to restore an image displaying only one-half of them at a time.
I don't recommend this game.
Literature’s most famous vampire and his brides’ world is at stake!
Overall rating
3
/
5
MEGAN THE LIBRARIAN BATTLES A BOOKISH EVILDOER
PostedOctober 31, 2024
sunnyglow
fromAfter years of sitting on a dusty shelf, Dracula and crew should revamp and sink their teeth into the world of reality television. There is “Sister Wives.” It is time for “Sister Brides.”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
MEGAN THE LIBRARIAN BATTLES A BOOKISH EVILDOER
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 pages
STORY: Grab your library card and enter the world of books. Join Megan the Librarian as she ventures into three book worlds to save these literary classics from an evildoer. His plan is to destroy the worlds, to rewrite the story. No, the evildoer is not a book editor, but rather, a masked man with an evil plan, using big red flowers as his weapon. Come to think about it, it could be a book editor. Begin your journey in the world of Dracula, where Megan is slated as Dracula’s next bride. Your journey will take you to three more literary worlds to battle the culprit. Save the book worlds and please, return those books back to the Great Library on time!
ANALYSIS: Although I have a literary bent, to me this series is my least favorite from this developer. However, in comparison to the previous two games, I feel this game is better. I like the story, although bouncing between three different stories and transporting to book worlds via those big red flowers, did get confusing. I am still uncertain what the motive was for the evildoer in this game. Nevertheless, this game is longer, and to me, better designed than the previous two games from Elephant. There are more activities and feel the activities are better designed as well.
The game has the same format as this developer’s other games. There are two collectibles, puzzles fragments shaped as fangs and bookmarks. I found both easy to locate within the scenes. The puzzle fragments are used to complete a puzzle hidden within the secret room upon completion of the game. If the player does not locate all the fragments, they can return to the scenes via the expedition room. The player can earn ten achievements for gameplay. There are the usual wallpapers and music selections.
There are twenty-two (22) puzzles and twenty-two (22) HOP scenes. Thirteen (13) of each can be replayed upon completion of the game. Many of the HOP scenes are what I consider mini-HOP scenes in which there are only six items are to locate. The HOP scenes include lists of items, silhouette, matching, narrative, fragments, and search-and-replace. I found the scenes interactive and creatively designed. The puzzles are varied, many are variations of ones seen in other games. I found most of the puzzles easy. There are more picture puzzles than other types of puzzles which is common in Elephant games.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 10 achievements.
• Collect 12 bookmarks
• Collect 24 puzzle pieces (shaped like fangs) for a jigsaw puzzle hidden within a secret room
• Expedition room which allows the player to return to scenes to collect missing collectibles
• 6 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music.
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles.
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 10 achievements.
• Collect 12 bookmarks
• Collect 24 puzzle pieces (shaped like fangs) for a jigsaw puzzle hidden within a secret room
• Expedition room which allows the player to return to scenes to collect missing collectibles
• 6 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music.
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles.
BONUS CHAPTER: Happy Birthday Megan! Tom Sawyer, with a little help from Megan’s heartthrob, Elgin, is planning a party to celebrate her 25th birthday. Help Tom search around the Great Library for items for the party plus help him design a gift for her. I feel this is a decent addition to the game. There are seven (7) HOP scenes and seven (7) puzzles. I feel the HOP scenes and puzzles are better within this chapter than in the main game. I always enjoy the pictures puzzles where the player must toggle switches to move and change the size of the pieces to create a picture. The beam of light puzzle in this chapter is somewhat difficult. For me, this is probably the most difficult puzzle within the game.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Picture puzzle. Place picture fragments into a book to produce a narrative. 3X
B. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles on a triangular shaped lock to create an image. 2X
C. Switch/Logic puzzle. Switch 6 bottles in a grid so each bottle matches the symbols on the sides of each row and top of each column.
D. Picture puzzle. Move three levers to adjust the position and size of fragments to create a picture. 3X
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Sequence/Logic puzzle. Arrange 4 statues of Tom Sawyer based on given clues.
F. Assembly puzzle. Recreate 6 shapes on a grid using string
G. Alignment puzzle. Move musical notes up-and-down until all align in the center of a music scale. Moving one note affects the others.
H. Sequence puzzle. Move circular fragments of a picture along a path so each fragment is situated in its proper position.
B. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles on a triangular shaped lock to create an image. 2X
C. Switch/Logic puzzle. Switch 6 bottles in a grid so each bottle matches the symbols on the sides of each row and top of each column.
D. Picture puzzle. Move three levers to adjust the position and size of fragments to create a picture. 3X
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Sequence/Logic puzzle. Arrange 4 statues of Tom Sawyer based on given clues.
F. Assembly puzzle. Recreate 6 shapes on a grid using string
G. Alignment puzzle. Move musical notes up-and-down until all align in the center of a music scale. Moving one note affects the others.
H. Sequence puzzle. Move circular fragments of a picture along a path so each fragment is situated in its proper position.
I recommend this game!
Find out the truth about the mysterious legend in this exciting hidden object adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A MONSTROUS GAME FOR HALLOWEEN
PostedOctober 28, 2024
sunnyglow
fromHappy Halloween! Just keep those monsters at bay while you are out trick or treating.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
STORY: Play a small town girl, Elaine. While talking through the forest, you are whisked away to a castle, saved from a monstrous beast by another monster. Your savior is Lystrad who looks a lot like a vampire with his red eyes. Romp around the castle as you try to escape Lystrad’s clutches.
This is a short game but I feel it is decent. There are no voiceovers and the characters pop up along with dialogue which I found somewhat irritating. However, there is music and sound effects. The graphics are excellent. I loved the story behind the game.
There are mainly HOP scenes with a few puzzles thrown into the mix. However, both are excellent. Locating those items is difficult because the scenes are very dark. There are a variety of scenes including lists of items, silhouette, cryptic clues, and matching. There are not many puzzles. I only saw three in the entire game along with eight HOP scenes.
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? I would give this game a chance. Along with MixoGames, this is another developer who I feel could create some outstanding HOPA games. Heavens knows we have lost more HOPA developers than we have producing games nowadays and we cannot expect Elephant, our beloved GrandMA, and Friendly Fox to keep us in weekly games. The game does not have a lot of activities; however, the story is excellent and if you like a little challenge in your games, this one does provide that.
NOTE TO THE DEVELOPER: This game would be sensational if you would add voiceovers. They would not have to have mouth movements; however, just some voice would make this a better game. Keep up the good work. I would love to see a collector’s edition HOPA game from the developer. Hopefully we will see more HOPA games from Magnussoft. The game shows creative design and great graphics. Best of luck!
I recommend this game!
Rest is good for the blood.
Overall rating
5
/
5
TAKING A BITE OUT OF VAMPIRE CRIME
PostedOctober 24, 2024
sunnyglow
fromMild Mannered Monsters? For those who love scary stories which send shivers down their spines and cause them to gasp - can they accept these reformed monsters?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 62 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 62 pages
This Halloween season, enjoy the ultimate gaming experience at the Hotel Frightsylvania! Nestled in the misty, ghost-filled Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania, it promises to be a monstrous hit! At the invitation of Vlad, a reformed vampire, you and your friend, Annabelle, will enjoy a fun-filled romp around the castle. Meet vampires and other monsters as you enjoy the party. However, it would not be a story without conflict. One of the guests is not who he states he is. Be prepared to engage in a battle to save the monsters attending this party. Along the way, enjoy the scenery. In a game all decked out for Halloween, this game is a treat with plenty of eye candy to get you into the Halloween spirit.
OPINION Despite what the gaming blurb states, this is not a scary game. It is one which can be enjoyed by the entire family. The graphics are all decked out in Halloween regalia. There are pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns to light up every scene. The game has the same format as Domini’s other games. It is a puzzle intense and HOP light game. If you love puzzles, you will probably love this game, but if you don’t, you will probably hate this game.
There are three chapters plus a bonus chapter. I liked the story but felt the theme was a little odd for Halloween. However, I am a connoisseur of hard-core, scary, creepy nail biters. From the gaming blurb I expected the story behind the game to be a super duper spookfest. However, it is the opposite. Somehow, kind-hearted vampires and a monster reformation league seem strange for Transylvania. Collect morphing portraits, and anti-vampire weapons. Collect invitation tickets which are exchanged for yummy food items in the boudoir.
There are few HOP scenes. There are only seventeen (17) in the entire game. Sixteen (16) of those can be replayed upon completion of the game. The scenes are varied with lists of items, fragments, rebus clues, cryptic clues, matching, and silhouette. The HOP scenes are used twice with a different format for each one. They are laden with Halloween items. A Match-3 game can be played instead of the HOP scene. There are sixty (60) mini-games. The player can replay forty-eight (48) of these. Most of the puzzles have the choice to be played in either a hard or easy version. These mini-games are superb, especially the picture puzzles. As with other of this developer’s games, each of these picture puzzles is designed differently. I loved the puzzles within this game and with forty-eight (48) which can be replayed, I am ecstatic!
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. A year has passed, and Vlad is preparing for another Halloween party. However, the monsters are reverting to their animalistic nature. Vlad asks for your help to investigate why the monsters are behaving so badly. A demented evildoer may be the culprit behind this outbreak of monstrous activity. Return to Romania and help Vlad return these monsters to their tranquil dispositions. There are four (4) HOP scenes and fifteen (15) mini-games. Continue collecting the collectibles. I feel this chapter was a nice addition to the game and worth the collector’s edition price.
HEAVENS! LOOK AT ALL THOSE STARS! Throughout the game, the player must choose an action or response to proceed. The player receives stars for the proper action or answer given. It is easy to detect the proper response since a star is next to it. At the end of each chapter, a summary appears outlining what happened in that chapter and the number of stars earned. For all the star haters out there, I believe I know why Domini has them. Most of their games premiere as mobile games and the player must purchase hints and extra footage which is provided as part of the PC game. Also, most of the mobile games are released as chapters, thus a summary is given so the player can refer to it as the continue into the next chapter. However, I would recommend that Domini remove this chapter summary from the PC version of the game. It appears most who play these games on PC find it irritating.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE 60 MINI-GAMES FROM THIS GAME: (E= Easy; H=Hard)
A. E/H. Switch puzzle. Ye Olde Clock puzzle. Using arrows, rotate the dial on a clock and switch numbers so each one is in its proper location on the clock.
B. E/H. Connection puzzle. Connect vampire heads which are different from each other. The hard version has more heads to connect.
C. Maze puzzle. Choose the proper arrows to move through the tunnels of a spooky old castle until you exit.
D. E/H. Switch puzzle. Sort and place gems into their proper position. All like-colored gems should be together in the same line. Move gems back-and-forth until all are in their correct location. The hard version has one more set of gems to position.
E. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Arrange musical notes in the proper sequence as shown on a diagram. Notes will need to be arranged so as they to go through a path which curves in different directions, each one will end up in its proper location. The hard version has more notes.
F. E/H. Matching puzzle. Match up like pumpkins – each matching the number of segments on the pumpkin. The hard version has more pumpkins to match.
G. E/H. Press on button surrounding rocks so that the number of buttons pushed along the sides of the rocks equals the number in the center of each rock. The hard version has more rocks.
BONUS CHAPTER
H. Picture puzzles. (1) Switch pieces so that when the top and bottom portion meet, they mesh to create an image. (2) Switch triangular pieces until an image is formed. (3) Rotate rings in a circular grid until an image appears.
I. Ye Olde Boat Crossing puzzle. Move monsters from one side of the river to the other following rules concerning how many and what kind of monsters can be in the boat at one time.
J. E/H. Rope puzzle. In this case untangle beams of light The hard version has a more complex design.
B. E/H. Connection puzzle. Connect vampire heads which are different from each other. The hard version has more heads to connect.
C. Maze puzzle. Choose the proper arrows to move through the tunnels of a spooky old castle until you exit.
D. E/H. Switch puzzle. Sort and place gems into their proper position. All like-colored gems should be together in the same line. Move gems back-and-forth until all are in their correct location. The hard version has one more set of gems to position.
E. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Arrange musical notes in the proper sequence as shown on a diagram. Notes will need to be arranged so as they to go through a path which curves in different directions, each one will end up in its proper location. The hard version has more notes.
F. E/H. Matching puzzle. Match up like pumpkins – each matching the number of segments on the pumpkin. The hard version has more pumpkins to match.
G. E/H. Press on button surrounding rocks so that the number of buttons pushed along the sides of the rocks equals the number in the center of each rock. The hard version has more rocks.
BONUS CHAPTER
H. Picture puzzles. (1) Switch pieces so that when the top and bottom portion meet, they mesh to create an image. (2) Switch triangular pieces until an image is formed. (3) Rotate rings in a circular grid until an image appears.
I. Ye Olde Boat Crossing puzzle. Move monsters from one side of the river to the other following rules concerning how many and what kind of monsters can be in the boat at one time.
J. E/H. Rope puzzle. In this case untangle beams of light The hard version has a more complex design.
I recommend this game!
One way or another, the past always comes back.
Overall rating
4
/
5
WELCOME TO DAVID BLACKTHORNE, A MIRROR IMAGE OF HIS COUSIN, JAMES!
PostedOctober 17, 2024
sunnyglow
fromMirror, mirror, on the wall -What terror will befall - Those who set their sight - Upon you in the dark of night
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 pages
STORY: Welcome David Blackthorne, another paranormal investigator, following in the ghostly footsteps of his famous cousin, James. Join Blackthorne, as he battles the Grim Spirit, a menacing ghoul residing in a hidden mirror within a deserted mansion inherited by Harry Burton. Harry Burton’s brother went missing in 2007. Ten years later, after the death of his estranged father, Harry inherited this mansion which he intended to sell. However, ghosts from his past will need his help to free themselves from the grasps of the mirror. Aid Harry and Blackthorne as they tackle the menacing Grim Spirit.
ANALYSIS: I loved the story behind this game! This game is right up my dark, spooky alley chock filled with ghosts and scary fare! It is a short game; however, I feel it is a quality game. The graphics are amazing. I do feel it is worth the price of a collector’s edition although it does not have as many activities as other games. I believe the simplicity of the game may be due to the fact that it was designed as a family game, one which all ages can enjoy. This game is one which should get the player into the Halloween spirit. There are a few Easter eggs in this game. There are some references to James Blackthorne and his fiancé Rachel.
The game has the same format as other Elephant Games. Collect puzzle fragments (shaped like books) and haunted buildings. I found both easy to locate. At the end of the game the fragments are used to play a jigsaw puzzle hidden within a secret room. If any collectibles are missing, there is an expedition room which allows the player to return to scenes to locate those missing items.
There are twenty (20) puzzles, thirteen (13) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. There are fourteen (14) HOP scenes, all of which can be replayed. There are also many mini-HOP scenes with five or six items to be located. The HOP scenes consist of lists of items, silhouette, matching, fragment, narrative and replacement. The scenes with lists of items are highly interactive. My favorite scenes are the replacement scenes, where the player places items into the proper location within the scene.
MECHANICS:
Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 10 achievements.
• Collect 25 puzzle fragments shaped like books which will be used to play a jigsaw puzzle upon completion of the game. The puzzle is within the secret room.
• Collect 12 innocent looking buildings with a shady past
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music selections
• Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles
• 10 achievements.
• Collect 25 puzzle fragments shaped like books which will be used to play a jigsaw puzzle upon completion of the game. The puzzle is within the secret room.
• Collect 12 innocent looking buildings with a shady past
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music selections
• Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a prequel. It tells the story of how the mirror from the main game ended up at the Burton Hotel. Relive the story of doomed lovers and one man’s quest to prove himself worthy for his beloved. I found the chapter a nice addition to the game. There are five (5) puzzles and three (3) HOP scenes along with several mini-HOP scenes.
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? I believe people will either love or hate this game. It is very short. The puzzles are easy. There are not a lot of HOP scenes. Tracing symbols is not my idea of a puzzle; however, that puzzle may appeal to children, and this game would be an excellent game for older school-age children. If you want an easy game, one which might get you into the Halloween spirit like an old Vincent Price movie, then this game may appeal to you. The game is not terribly scary, but there again, do you really know what lurks inside your mirrors? Do you? You might not want to look into a mirror in the dead of night after playing this game. Dare you to look!
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Tracing puzzle. Trace an image staying within the lines of the symbol 3X
B. Bullseye puzzle Align two bullseyes together with sliders and then press a button to eliminate a paper airplane 5X
C. Strategy puzzle. Move 5 musical notes up-and-down on a sheet of music until all are in the center. Moving one affects the others.
D. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces on a puzzle to restore the image of 3 people
E. Card game. Fill up your slider (20 points) faster than your opponent. You choose a card from your hand and if it is valued higher than your opponent you get a point and vice versa.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Switch puzzle. On a maze with paths, move symbols so each symbol is located next to 2 matching symbols.
G. Connection puzzle. Connect beads on a necklace to match that on a given diagram. 3X
B. Bullseye puzzle Align two bullseyes together with sliders and then press a button to eliminate a paper airplane 5X
C. Strategy puzzle. Move 5 musical notes up-and-down on a sheet of music until all are in the center. Moving one affects the others.
D. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces on a puzzle to restore the image of 3 people
E. Card game. Fill up your slider (20 points) faster than your opponent. You choose a card from your hand and if it is valued higher than your opponent you get a point and vice versa.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Switch puzzle. On a maze with paths, move symbols so each symbol is located next to 2 matching symbols.
G. Connection puzzle. Connect beads on a necklace to match that on a given diagram. 3X
I recommend this game!
Explore shattered worlds to stop the insatiable Void Demon!
Overall rating
1
/
5
A MAJOR “UGH-LY” GAME! - ONE I WISH I HAD “A-VOIDED”
PostedOctober 5, 2024
sunnyglow
fromThis game is a demonic nightmare. With my eyes wide shut trying to see the miniscule items placed in a dark scene, I developed a headache. Never playing a game from this developer again!
Skill Level:Expert
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BFG has this game listed as a HOPA. It is not a HOPA game, it is a HOP game. This is the worst game I have played this year. Trick or treat! The trick was on me! I purchased this game thinking it was a HOPA game. It is so bad, I stopped playing it after 7 levels. I had a headache, and my eyes hurt after playing nondescript HOP scenes. Speaking of the void, I wish I could have voided the purchase of this game.
The game consists of consecutive searches for items in junkpiles. The scenes are dark and blurry. Think of this game as one set in a dungeon with clutter all over the place. Locating items in these dark scenes is beyond frustrating. If you click more than twice in a scene you are frozen out of the scene for around 5 seconds. This should have been made optional considering the difficulty in finding many of the items. Some of the items in the silhouette scenes can fit up to four items within the scenes, especially if they are round or square shaped.
There are no levels of difficulty. There are forty-two (42) levels from what I have seen on the map. There are only eight (8) puzzles. There is bonus content; however, you cannot access that information until the game is completed. The player can replay the few puzzles provided. There is music if anyone would want to replay it and wallpapers.
Jet Dogs is notorious for copying gaming genres from other developers. Guess they got super inspired by clutter! Now everything is clutter for this developer. If Jet Dogs wishes to design HOPA games, they should look at the genius behind the games of true HOPA game designers, Five-BN, Friendly Fox Studios, GrandMA Studios, Elephant Games, and Domini Games.
A final note to Jet Dogs. I also love escape room games. Please do not copy that genre from those developers either. I really don’t want to go through the adventure of tripping over piles of clutter to escape a room.
I don't recommend this game.
A literature professor is recruited to help a master of horror!
Overall rating
3
/
5
EDGAR AWARD FOR THE BEST HORROR GAME OF THE YEAR FOR BFG
PostedOctober 3, 2024
sunnyglow
fromQuoth the raven: “Nevermore!” Edgar Allan Poe has gone “deep into that darkness.” With this game, hopefully Poe will rest in peace with the hope new gaming themes will emerge for Halloween from the kingdom by the sea, BFG.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 pages
STORY: Welcome to a double feature dedicated to Death, the master of ceremonies of this event. Halloween is the time when troubled, lost souls can complete unfinished tasks not completed during their lives. Once they complete them on Halloween, these ghosts can then travel to the afterlife.
Travel to Boston, where a literary expert in the works of Poe, Adam Newman, has been summoned by Death to help Edgar Allan Poe complete his last novella so he can travel to the afterlife. As Newman, travel to three of Poe’s stories (somewhat revamped) to create that final work by finding three sparks, that of a beginning, a climax, and a denouement, each one hidden within one of Poe’s famous novellas.
ANALYSIS: This is a short game. I found the game quasi-entertaining and packed with an array of activities set to a ghostly story. It is a dark game but not scary. However, the dungeon scenes in the main game may be unsettling to some. This is not the best Halloween game by this developer; however, it did get me into the Halloween spirit and dealt with one of my three favorite inspirational writers, Edgar Allan Poe. The other two are Ray Bradbury, and Steven King. Poe as a theme has been overused in HOPA games.
It would be nice to see a game set to a Bradbury story – Martian Chronicles decorated for Halloween with alien skeletons under a pumpkin-colored sky. However, Steven King may be too horrifically horrifying, even for me! The main point I am making here is that it is time to move on from Poe. Hopefully, this developer will come up with some fresh ideas for both a story and activities.
CONCLUSION: This was an “okay” game; however, some may think it is too short or the activities too blasé. It is worth the price; however, this is a ho-hum game, which to me, lacks the creativity seen in previous games in this series. This developer does not need to make the game longer; they need to create a better story with more creatively designed puzzles and scenes.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 10 achievements.
• Collect 25 pumpkins (puzzle pieces) and 12 Poe novellas.
• Expedition room which allows the player to search for missing collectibles at the end of the game
• Use the puzzles pieces to play a puzzle hidden within a secret room.
• 7 wallpapers along with as screensaver and music.
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles.
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 10 achievements.
• Collect 25 pumpkins (puzzle pieces) and 12 Poe novellas.
• Expedition room which allows the player to search for missing collectibles at the end of the game
• Use the puzzles pieces to play a puzzle hidden within a secret room.
• 7 wallpapers along with as screensaver and music.
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles.
There are seventeen (17) puzzles and fifteen (15) HOP scenes. Thirteen (13) of each is available for replay upon completion of the game. There are numerous mini-HOP scenes as well with six (6) items to be located. The HOP scenes consist of lists of items, silhouette, fragments, and matching. There is one spot-the-difference scene as well. There are few puzzles; however, I feel most of the puzzles are creatively designed. I especially liked the maze puzzle featuring a policeman traveling through 3 mazes. I also enjoyed the puzzle with cutouts to remove pendulums from the scene. I feel the tracing puzzles lack creative design and just thrown into the game as filler.
BONUS CHAPTER: Adam Newman has died. However, he has some unfinished business which he needs to complete before entering the afterlife. Play Death as he helps Newman discover what activity or event he failed to accomplish in life and help him finish it so he can move on with his afterlife. I found the story very heart warming for a horror game – a sprinkling of hearts over those graves and cupid’s bow hitting those old skeletons. There are seven (7) HOP scenes and five (5) puzzles. I feel the story is somewhat bizarre but decent at least for a collector’s edition
.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Strategy puzzle. Lead a policeman to a living room by creating a path. As the figure passes over tokens, the path changes.. Go back and forth, changing the direction of the path until the policeman reaches the living room.
B. Strategy puzzle. On a grid, fill in squares with more of your tokens than those of your opponent. The tokens change to that of their opponent if it lands next to them.
C. Strategy puzzle. Use 3 cutouts to remove pendulums on the grid until none remain.
BONUS CHAPTER:
D. Maze puzzle. Move 3 different types of tokens, an hourglass, a lily, and a book to their perspective slots on the other side of the grid traveling on squares with the same design. The tokens change design after one the of the 3 items lands on them – changing them to the design of one of the other 2 items
E. Switch puzzle. Switch and rotate fragments to restore an image.
F. Tracing puzzle. Trace a design to awaken a ghost 3X
B. Strategy puzzle. On a grid, fill in squares with more of your tokens than those of your opponent. The tokens change to that of their opponent if it lands next to them.
C. Strategy puzzle. Use 3 cutouts to remove pendulums on the grid until none remain.
BONUS CHAPTER:
D. Maze puzzle. Move 3 different types of tokens, an hourglass, a lily, and a book to their perspective slots on the other side of the grid traveling on squares with the same design. The tokens change design after one the of the 3 items lands on them – changing them to the design of one of the other 2 items
E. Switch puzzle. Switch and rotate fragments to restore an image.
F. Tracing puzzle. Trace a design to awaken a ghost 3X
I recommend this game!
Trick-or-treating fun in Springfield and Pinecreek Hills!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A BOO-TIFUL SPOOKY DOOKY HALLOWEEN FEST!
PostedSeptember 26, 2024
sunnyglow
fromTrick or Treat! Dressing up in a homemade costume with a warm sweater underneath, going out with friends into the frosty autumn air, hoping your favorite candy would be put in your bag – thanks Casual Arts for the memories of Halloweens past.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Trick or treat! Welcome to Halloween in Springfield, a small-town in rural America! If this game does not get you into the Halloween spirit, nothing will. This game is a real treat although some of the scenes and puzzles can be a little tricky. Join the perennial Casual Arts family as they enjoy another festive Halloween. Travel from scene-to-scene, enjoying all the Halloween activities the community has to offer. As the daughter states in this game, she hopes it is not too “Spooky Dooky:” It is not! There is no scary stuff – just a “boo-tifully” illustrated, fun-filled game to get you into the Halloween spirit.
This is an easy, enjoyable game, one the entire family can enjoy. It is dressed up for Halloween, packed with jack-o’-lanterns, goblins, witches, and plenty of eye candy. The graphics are “boo-tiful!” The game follows the same format as Casual Arts’ other games.
• Three (3) levels of play: Casual, Challenge, and Extreme
• 19 achievements.
• 18 wallpapers
• 72 additional puzzles in a variety of styles
• Each scene has extra scenes within it. Each extra scene is indicated by stars. Each time an item or collectible is located within the extra scene, that scene will light up.
• The collectibles are golden pumpkins. Once all are found within the scene, a jack-o’-lantern at the bottom of the screen lights up.
• Collect lost and found items indicated by a silhouette displayed with a pumpkin at the bottom of the screen Once all are located, (usually 2 or 3) the pumpkin closes its display. There is an album which displays the lost and found items.
• Some of the scenes have a camera which allows the player to take a picture of the scene which is then displayed in a photo album.
• The player can earn 3 stars by (a) finding all the items within the scene and (b) finding all the collectibles.
• Earn coins to purchase souvenirs from your Halloween trek through Springfield. They can be accessed at the store shown at the top of the screen.
• 19 achievements.
• 18 wallpapers
• 72 additional puzzles in a variety of styles
• Each scene has extra scenes within it. Each extra scene is indicated by stars. Each time an item or collectible is located within the extra scene, that scene will light up.
• The collectibles are golden pumpkins. Once all are found within the scene, a jack-o’-lantern at the bottom of the screen lights up.
• Collect lost and found items indicated by a silhouette displayed with a pumpkin at the bottom of the screen Once all are located, (usually 2 or 3) the pumpkin closes its display. There is an album which displays the lost and found items.
• Some of the scenes have a camera which allows the player to take a picture of the scene which is then displayed in a photo album.
• The player can earn 3 stars by (a) finding all the items within the scene and (b) finding all the collectibles.
• Earn coins to purchase souvenirs from your Halloween trek through Springfield. They can be accessed at the store shown at the top of the screen.
Each scene can be replayed with a completely different list of items. As the difficulty increases with each level so does the number of items to be located. The puzzles also increase in difficulty. The challenge and extreme levels are timed Most scenes consist of a list of items, and some items involve some type of activity which must be performed with the item. Some items are hidden somewhere within the scene and involve clicking around the scene to locate them. Most of the scenes are lists of items; however, there are scenes where the player looks for a specific number of one item.
I played this game in the Extreme level. The puzzles are easy, although the game states the puzzles are more difficult in the harder levels. However, for the ones I have played so far, I found most easy to play. I only found one slider puzzle with road signs which I thought was slightly difficult. Most of the puzzles are picture puzzles or matching. The map jigsaw puzzle is a staple in this developer’s games as is the rotating tiles newspaper puzzles in which newspaper fragments must be rotate to create the Springfield newspaper. There are also the usual word searches and matching puzzles.
I like the fact that the extra puzzles can be played at any time and the player does not have to wait until the end of the game to access them. Some of the bonus puzzles are from the game; however, many are new puzzles not appearing within the game. This is one feature I truly love about this developer’s games. There are so many extras within Casual Arts games.
I have not finished the game; however, I am about halfway into the game. Casual Arts is one of the few HOP games I play. I don’t like most HOP games; however, Casual Arts HOP games are fantastic because of the all the extra activities they provide plus locating the items in scenes jam packed with hundreds of items. Their entire game is puzzle -like. Many developers have tried to duplicate Casual Arts; however, none have succeeded. Their games are a cut above the rest of their imitators.
This was the perfect way to begin the Halloween season! It also got me into the mood to get all my Halloweens decorations out of storage. I, for one, am happy Casual Arts created a Halloween game! Their games illustrate Americana at its finest.
I recommend this game!
There’s something strange lying beyond the Blue Moon...
Overall rating
5
/
5
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON A HOP MASTERPIECE ARISES ON THE HORIZON
PostedSeptember 12, 2024
sunnyglow
fromOnce in a blue moon, a fantastic game arises on the gaming horizon. For all the gaming wolves out there - hope this one will be a howling success.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
STORY: Aloha! Pack some warm clothes and sail away to the island paradise of Lunara! Once in a blue moon (after so many years) this Polynesian island is challenged and faces a test. Under this blue moon, the island has been frozen by an ice storm. Now you must travel throughout the island to locate moonstones which can defrost the icy kingdom. Restore this island paradise to its lush beauty while listening to some soft, soothing Polynesian background music.
ANALYSIS: Kudos to Mixo Games! This is a well-crafted, creatively designed game. This developer paints a beautiful Polynesian picture filled with gorgeous graphics of the island and lifelike images of the game characters. Unlike most games, the game characters have voiceovers which match their mouth movements. The characters seem almost 3-dimensional. The imagery is breathtaking.
Unlike other HOP games, the searches are puzzlelike and can be quite challenging depending on the level played. The format for the game is the same for each chapter of the game. The player plays a series of HOP scenes with puzzles interspersed throughout the scenes. Collect moonstones by playing the HOP scenes which are used to unfreeze new parts of the island
There are three levels of play, casual, normal, and extreme. I believe this allows one player to play a relaxed game while giving other players some challenge. I am playing the normal level and feel it is somewhat challenging in searching for some of the items. I would believe the extreme level would be difficult.
There is a game room which has a variety of different games. The player collects coins which allow additional gameplay in the game room. When the player has enough coins, clicking on a clover takes you to the games. There are several puzzle types within the game. Some of them are within the gameplay and others are in the game room. There is a jigsaw puzzle of the island within the game. Upon completion of each part of the game, the player receives a puzzle fragment to place into the jigsaw puzzle.
PUZZLES WITHIN THE GAME:
A. Block puzzle. One of the puzzles within the game is a block puzzle. The blocks have directional arrows on them and must be removed from the grid. The difficulty increases with each level of the game
B. Mahjong. Tiles are shown at the bottom and the player must remove the tiles on the mahjong grid which correspond to them. More than one can be removed at a time.
C. Marble popper/bingo game. Click on numbers on bingo cards which appear on balls as they snake their way to an exit point. Get all numbers before the balls reach the exist point
D. Pachinko. Pull a handle to drop ball onto a spinning wheel to remove marbles to reach a coin in the center of the circle.
E. Solitaire. Click on a card that is one higher or one lower in rank to remove them from the spread.
F. Slot machine. Try to guess whether the next card will be higher or lower than the last card.
B. Mahjong. Tiles are shown at the bottom and the player must remove the tiles on the mahjong grid which correspond to them. More than one can be removed at a time.
C. Marble popper/bingo game. Click on numbers on bingo cards which appear on balls as they snake their way to an exit point. Get all numbers before the balls reach the exist point
D. Pachinko. Pull a handle to drop ball onto a spinning wheel to remove marbles to reach a coin in the center of the circle.
E. Solitaire. Click on a card that is one higher or one lower in rank to remove them from the spread.
F. Slot machine. Try to guess whether the next card will be higher or lower than the last card.
HOP SCENES: There are many HOP scenes within the game; however, they are puzzle-like. Items to be collected are layered and some items must be found before others on the list can be located. The searches are spread out among several scenes, which, I feel, makes the gameplay more exciting. The clues to the items are colored. Red clues indicate that some action must be completed, and a tool needs to be located to complete it. Green indicates a moon statue or compass symbol which opens a puzzle or a close-up level that must be completed before continuing with the main level. The blue text is a riddle hinting at the object to be located. There are more than one of each item to be located.
DO I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? THUMBS UP on this game! This is a fantastic game for most HOP game lovers and some HOPA game lovers as well. Those who do not like puzzle-like games, may not enjoy this game. However, the casual level should provide an enjoyable easy romp through the island paradise.
FINAL REQUEST: I would love to see this developer create a HOPA game, one based on a Polynesian legend. With a few modifications, this game could be flushed out to create a HOPA game. With the incredibly beautiful graphics displayed in this game, I am certain it would be a sensational hit.
FINAL ALOHA: I hate most HOP games. I don’t relish playing one boring HOP scene after another with some easy puzzle thrown into the mix. There are only a few non-HOP developers I write reviews for. One of these is Casual Arts and the other is Puzzles by Joe. This developer will be my third. This HOP game is unique and merits a review. This developer has shown they are a cut above the others who produce HOP games for BFG. I hope to see more games from this developer and hopefully, will become a main contributor to this gaming site.
I recommend this game!