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:
Save the people of Glenville from a supernatural killer!
Overall rating
5
/
5
107 of 164 found this review helpful
ALL ABOARD! GET ON TRACK FOR AN ADVENTURE THROUGH TIME AND SPACE
PostedMay 17, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThis game has the potential to “resurrect” train travel. I am going to look into train trips which “revive” your spirit and relive history!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME:
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages – Time: 5 Hours
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages – Time: 5 Hours
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND All aboard! Find yourself on track to play a supernatural thriller! Travel to Glennville where members of the Enigmatist’s Club are being murdered. What is behind these gruesome murders? These events seem tied to an 1899 tragic train crash. Get on board for a game with twists and turns - resurrecting some history which would be better left buried. You will be switching back-and-forth on the tracks of time in a game in which nothing is as it seems. A ghostly supernatural thriller is set to depart. Rev up your motorcycle and get prepared to travel quite a bit in this game. The future of the town of Glennville rests in your hands.
OPINION: This is an easy-breezy ghostly whodunit. It should appeal to those who like mysteries, the paranormal, or both. I purchased this game for the story. The story behind the game is excellent with a plot which takes many twists and turns. I love this developer’s games; however, I do wish they would get rid of the gimmicks. You receive a “special camera” to locate all those spooky supernatural elements within the game. Although it was used excessively in the demo, it was used less in the main game and completely disappeared in the bonus chapter. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep you busy. The graphics are cartoonish as in all the other games within the series.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Out of your dreams and into reality comes your next case. Find yourself in a trailer park in which you must save an inventor from eternal torment and catch a hooded person in their quest to use this inventor’s technology for misguided purposes. I found the chapter short. There are eight (8) HOP scenes and seven (7) puzzles within the chapter most of which are akin to those in the main game.
MECHANICS: Mad Head provides five (5) levels play which includes customization. There are twelve (12) achievements, some with three parts. Collect thirty (30) swirls, thirty (30) morphing objects, eleven (11) cards and thirty-one (31) treasures. Most are easy to locate and there are some morphing objects within the HOP scenes. You cannot search for the treasures until you have found all the collectibles. However, you can return to the scenes to locate them. As stated previously, you use a camera to search for supernatural elements within the game. After locating the items, you then view a video taking you back in time to view some important aspect to the case at hand. There are eight (8) wallpapers with the usual concept art and music selections. You can replay nineteen (19) HOP scenes. Again, I wish Mad Head would provide a replay of some of the puzzles as well.
HOP SCENES: There are thirty-one (31) HOP scenes in the game. This includes four (4) mini-HOP scenes which require searching for five (5) items to create an inventory item. They are scenes which are seen in most games. I found little creativity in the design of the scenes. Most of the HOP scenes are standard lists of items. There are several storybook scenes in which you must locate two of the same type of symbol within each scene. There are some silhouette scenes and a few matching scenes as well. Except for the storybook scenes, most of the scenes seemed to be junk piles of items to locate.
There are two scenes which I felt were creatively designed. There is a pattern scene in which you search for items based upon their pattern not their silhouette. There is also a scene in which you must search for two parts of a symbol, which, when combined, create a symbol which you must remove
PUZZLES: There are thirty-one (31) puzzles in the game. Most of the puzzles are easy, some ridiculously easy. To me, entering a combination for a lock is not a puzzle. However, there are some maze puzzles and connection puzzles which I found somewhat difficult. The instructions are well written. Although most are easy, most are creatively designed and thematic.
PUZZLES: There are thirty-one (31) puzzles in the game. Most of the puzzles are easy, some ridiculously easy. To me, entering a combination for a lock is not a puzzle. However, there are some maze puzzles and connection puzzles which I found somewhat difficult. The instructions are well written. Although most are easy, most are creatively designed and thematic.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SAMPLES OF PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Matching puzzle. Match up related symbols on rocks.
B. Sliding bars puzzle. Slide bars up-and-down and sideways to move them to create a path so that a piece of a lock can move from the left to the right of a lock assembly.
C. Connection puzzle. Remove colored lights by connecting them so that all are matched up and none remain. 3X Increases in difficulty.
D. Connection puzzle. Move a sandbag from one crane to another using arrows to move the cranes and a button which drops the bag onto the cranes. Move the bag from crane-to-crane until you reach the X where you must drop the bag into its final position.
E. Maze puzzle. Using a pallet jack, move five barrels to a spot when they will drop to the ground below.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Connection puzzle. Rotate 25 squares in a grid to connect links to create one smooth line.
G. Sequence puzzle. Move dials which maneuver liquids in three test tubes so that the amount of liquid matches up with the numbers at the top.
B. Sliding bars puzzle. Slide bars up-and-down and sideways to move them to create a path so that a piece of a lock can move from the left to the right of a lock assembly.
C. Connection puzzle. Remove colored lights by connecting them so that all are matched up and none remain. 3X Increases in difficulty.
D. Connection puzzle. Move a sandbag from one crane to another using arrows to move the cranes and a button which drops the bag onto the cranes. Move the bag from crane-to-crane until you reach the X where you must drop the bag into its final position.
E. Maze puzzle. Using a pallet jack, move five barrels to a spot when they will drop to the ground below.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Connection puzzle. Rotate 25 squares in a grid to connect links to create one smooth line.
G. Sequence puzzle. Move dials which maneuver liquids in three test tubes so that the amount of liquid matches up with the numbers at the top.
I recommend this game!
Can you and your trusted companion escape with your lives?
Overall rating
2
/
5
73 of 139 found this review helpful
IMPRISONED IN A GAME I COULD NOT WAIT TO ESCAPE!
PostedMay 10, 2018
sunnyglow
fromA little “cornball” element within a psychological thriller? Hopefully, the all-seeing eye will stare down Tom the Scarecrow and scare him back into the cornfield from whence he came.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Welcome to the 50th anniversary of “The Game!” Unfortunately, you won’t be the player; instead, you will be a pawn, a puppet manipulated by an unseen group of masked players who will be pulling your strings. You better win this game – the alternative is not a pleasant one. No matter! You will have little time to ponder that outcome as you fight to save your life. Your every move will be monitored as you vie against other victims such as yourself. Each of you were chosen for your skills. No teamwork here! There can be only be one winner! Fame and fortune await the winner! Will it be you – or perhaps, could this game have some twists and turns taking you to another outcome?
OPINION: I can describe this game in one word – dreadful! I was excited at the prospect of playing another fantastic escape room game. However, this game cannot compare to one which BFG offered a few weeks ago. Not long after entering this game, I was bombarded by an onslaught of cuteness and whimsy by the “cutesy” helper, destroying the scary, action-packed mood of the game. It seems this developer could not decide if they wanted to create a psychological thriller or a fantasy game. Sorry to be blunt; however, to me, this game is a mess!
The graphics are well-designed, and the theme is occult-based. However, there is an overuse of the “all seeing eye,” which is excessively used to the point of being farcical. The pace does lag in some places with an excessive amount of back-and-forth action required. Add the shenanigans of a helper scarecrow, and the pace of the game slows down considerably. This is unfortunate because if this game were better designed, it could have become a scary, creepy masterpiece. I did not purchase this game and could not wait until the demo ended.
CHATTY NANCY DREW! One of the features I disliked about the game was the constant narration by the protagonist in this story. The voice of the female character sounds like Lani Manella, the former voice of Nancy Drew. She talks excessively explaining every aspect of the environment within the game and what her future actions will be.in response.
THE LESS-THAN-SCARY SCARECROW: Why would a developer put a “cutesy” helper in a psychological thriller? He is out-of-place in this game. Returning is Tom the Scarecrow who has made his appearance all the other games in this series. Unlike the previous games in this series, YOU CANNOT OPT OUT OF HIS SERVICES! He is used excessively (5 times) in the demo. He dances and prances around exuding his “adorable charm,” taking forever to perform his activities. For me, he destroyed the scary ambiance within this game.
MECHANICS: The game is scarce on extras. You have no game lieu of the HOP scenes. You cannot replay any HOP scenes nor puzzles. You have the usual four (4) choices of difficulty in playing the game, including customization. You have a choice between playing a male or female character. Collect thirty (30) owls and six (6) figurines of the characters from this game. Most of these are easy to locate. There are nine (9) achievements, six (6) of which have three parts. There are thirteen (13) wallpapers. The usual concept art and music selections are available. You are given a jigsaw puzzle at the beginning of the game in the “extras” section. You do not collect the pieces for this puzzle, so I have no idea why this was included. You can play it in the beginning of the game.
HOP SCENES: There are only four scenes in the demo, so it is difficult to assess. However, they are varied and there are lists of items along with cryptic clues (which I loved). The ones I played I felt were creatively designed.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are all easy – too easy for this type of game. I wish this developer had provided at least one or two more difficult ones. Perhaps more difficult puzzles appear after the demo; however, I am not purchasing it to find out. However, if you enjoy an easy-breezy game, you will probably like the puzzles.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE THE PUZZLES FROM THE DEMO:
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Sequence puzzle. Push down all tiles until all remain down.
B. Logic puzzle. Rotate all-seeing eyes into proper position as per a cryptic code.
C. Physical puzzle. Avoid obstacles in your path as you go down a bridge using arrows to move you right or left.
D. Obstacle puzzle. Pull up a bucket while clicking on vines to push them out of your way as you move the bucket to the top.
E. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide tiles to restore a picture.
F. Enter a combination. Look for the combination within the room you are in.
G. Matching puzzle. Match up eyes on a grid. Keep matching until none remain
B. Logic puzzle. Rotate all-seeing eyes into proper position as per a cryptic code.
C. Physical puzzle. Avoid obstacles in your path as you go down a bridge using arrows to move you right or left.
D. Obstacle puzzle. Pull up a bucket while clicking on vines to push them out of your way as you move the bucket to the top.
E. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide tiles to restore a picture.
F. Enter a combination. Look for the combination within the room you are in.
G. Matching puzzle. Match up eyes on a grid. Keep matching until none remain
I don't recommend this game.
Play as both members of the Fletcher family to crack the case!
Overall rating
5
/
5
145 of 241 found this review helpful
ONE OF THE BEST NEW SERIES THIS YEAR – A GAME WHICH WILL CURL YOUR MUSTACHE!
PostedMay 5, 2018
sunnyglow
fromSpeaking of those 1980’s mustached guys, I was hoping Magnum P.I. (AKA Tom Selleck) would fly in or surf in from Hawaii to make a cameo appearance!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME:
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 Pages – Time: 5-1/2 hours (a long game)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 Pages – Time: 5-1/2 hours (a long game)
OVERVIEW: Don your mustache and welcome to Hidden Pines! Relive those golden days of detective dramas EIPIX-style. It is blast from the past as the Fletchers, Mary and Aaron, a husband and wife crime solving duo, relive some of the cases from their early years as detectives. In the first game in the series, this crime solving team move next door to the mayor of Hidden Pines. During a party thrown by the mayor, the mayor’s wife is found dead next to either Aaron or Mary Fletcher (depending on which character you choose to play in the game). Being caught next to a corpse automatically brands that person as the guilty suspect, although neither of this duo has ever met this woman. This crime-solving duo will need to team up to get to the bottom of this murder and locate the guilty party. Get ready for some family drama!
OPINION: “EIPIX got their groove back!” I LOVED playing this “groovy 1980’s” game. This is a vast improvement for EIPIX! It is a great whodunit for those who love detective games. There is also some delightful tongue-in-cheek humor as well. From the type-cast characters to the off-beat dialogue with some “fishy” dialogue such as a “tilapia diet” and a “puffer fish poison,” I laughed at the stereotypes and dialogue as much as much as playing the game. It is a great first entry to the new series. For me, this is the best detective game EIPIX has created. The plot behind the game is excellent.
There are new concepts and a fresh approach within this game. It should bring back memories of Jessica Fletcher in “Murder She Wrote.” You will play both characters in solving this crime. The tag team approach is reminiscent of many of the Domini games. I believe switching the characters freshens up the pace of the game. The graphics reflect the bygone era of the 1980’s. Cabot Cove is transformed into the seacoast town of Hidden Pines. I love the panoramic views for some of the scenes. Okay detective! Can you solve this case and don’t forget to fax the facts via your “groovy” fax machine!
MECHANICS: As in other games, you have four settings which includes a customized setting. You receive a shoulder bag in which to collect evidence for this case. There are twenty-four (24) achievements. There are eight (8) wallpapers along with music selections, concept art, and video sequences. You can replay fifteen (15) HOP scenes and eighteen (18) puzzles. There is an additional Mahjong puzzle which can be played at the end of the bonus chapter. Collect thirty-three (33) gifts. There are fifteen (15) morphing objects within the HOP scenes. These are easy to locate. There are twelve (12) types of mustaches to collect for the souvenir room. The mustaches require some interaction with the scene to get them.
BONUS CHAPTER: The bonus chapter is a sequel. This time Mary Fletcher is working alone on this case. Mayor Greenwald is involved in a suspicious auto accident and it is up to you to decide if there is a culprit behind this accident. I found the bonus chapter a good length with some great puzzles and creative HOP scenes.
HOP SCENES: There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes in the game. Although most are lists of items, they are creatively designed. EIPIX has upped their game in creating some novel scenes. Shoot ‘em’ up partner as you shoot down items with a rifle in a shooting gallery in one scene. I enjoyed the use of two separate lists of items for most scenes. For me, this provides a little break in the pace of the game. You finish one before moving onto the next! Returning are the rebus scenes which is unique to EIPIX. There are also the usual silhouette scenes, storybook scenes and a few multiple-step ones. And guess what? NO RUNES to ruin your day!
PUZZLES: There are twenty-seven (27) puzzles within the game. They vary in style and difficulty. ALL ARE EXCELLENT! This developer has some slightly difficult ones to curl your mustache along with some easy ones as well. There are so many great puzzles it is difficult to list just a few.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SAMPLES OF MY FAVORITE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. 3-dimensional box puzzle. Connect-the-dots puzzle. Connect gems on a box in one continuous line as per a given diagram. Neat puzzle.
B. Maze puzzle. The grid is the inside of an air conditioner. Move a ball through the maze avoiding obstacles within its path. Move a dial and use arrows to regulate the air flow and direction to push the ball through this maze. Use items within this air conditioner to help overcome obstacles. Make a mistake – you start over.
C. Assembly puzzle. Play a chemist and create sulfuric acid by following given instructions. Don’t burn yourself! Within this is a mathematical puzzle in which you must alternate liquid between tubes to get the proper amount needed for the preparation.
D. Tangram puzzle. Place wooden planks into position on a pier so that there are no spaces between the boards.
E. Beat the computer! Play a card game with your opponent (a seadog which is the computer) in which you must win by getting a higher card number than the computer. Whoever get the most cards wins 3X
F. Mathematical puzzle. Do some addition to calculate which numbered connection connects with the proper lettered fuse to light up a warehouse.
G. Bonus Chapter. Maze puzzle. Guide three (3) marbles through a circular maze until each one reaches the center. You will need to maneuver them to release gates which block them from entering other parts of the maze.
A. 3-dimensional box puzzle. Connect-the-dots puzzle. Connect gems on a box in one continuous line as per a given diagram. Neat puzzle.
B. Maze puzzle. The grid is the inside of an air conditioner. Move a ball through the maze avoiding obstacles within its path. Move a dial and use arrows to regulate the air flow and direction to push the ball through this maze. Use items within this air conditioner to help overcome obstacles. Make a mistake – you start over.
C. Assembly puzzle. Play a chemist and create sulfuric acid by following given instructions. Don’t burn yourself! Within this is a mathematical puzzle in which you must alternate liquid between tubes to get the proper amount needed for the preparation.
D. Tangram puzzle. Place wooden planks into position on a pier so that there are no spaces between the boards.
E. Beat the computer! Play a card game with your opponent (a seadog which is the computer) in which you must win by getting a higher card number than the computer. Whoever get the most cards wins 3X
F. Mathematical puzzle. Do some addition to calculate which numbered connection connects with the proper lettered fuse to light up a warehouse.
G. Bonus Chapter. Maze puzzle. Guide three (3) marbles through a circular maze until each one reaches the center. You will need to maneuver them to release gates which block them from entering other parts of the maze.
I recommend this game!
Can you prove that the town’s creatures are innocent?
Overall rating
5
/
5
138 of 191 found this review helpful
PLAYING THIS GAME - YOU NEED TO OPEN THE BOX BUT THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AS WELL!
PostedMay 3, 2018
sunnyglow
fromIf you could choose, what type of chimera would you like to play - a fishy mermaid, a taciturn sphinx, a “neighsayer” centaur or a toothy vampire? I would choose the vampire, so I can take a “bite” out of crime.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME:
3 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 pages – Time: 4 hours
3 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 pages – Time: 4 hours
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Detective! As a new member of the Chimera Society, you are off to deal with a broken peace treaty between the humans and the chimeras. Chimeras are being blamed for kidnapping and attacking humans with the humans retaliating by hunting them down and executing them. Adding to this nightmare is the fact that breaking this peace treaty will open the portal to the Underworld, home of the demons. Now you must hunt down the six (6) members of the Council of Creatures, now in hiding, to get the keys to open a box. This box is critical to stopping the demons! You have until midnight before all “heck breaks loose.” Are the chimeras on the attack or is there another explanation for these recent incidents?
OPINION: For me this is a low 5-star game. It is a good but not great game. The main game is short; however, the bonus chapter is long and, for me, well-worth the additional cost. This is a game which should appeal to fantasy game lovers. For me, this is the best of the series. I have never liked this series with its flying, fire-breathing, three-headed creatures. However, this one has an excellent gaming script. The graphics are colorful and there are artfully designed whimsical creatures in this game. The pace is decent; although there are times in which I felt the pace lagged slightly. There is an even number of HOP scenes and puzzles (if you include the mini-puzzles). However, I am rather disappointed you cannot replay either the puzzles or the HOP scenes. With the lists of items, I was also disappointed there was not another game to play in lieu of the scenes.
MECHANICS: As usual there are four (4) modes of play, including customization of the game. There are twenty (20) achievements. You collect twelve (12) cards which provide information on chimeras. And as in most Elephant games, you collect forty-eight (48) jigsaw pieces to play four (4) puzzles to play at the end of the game. There are twenty-eight (28) well-hidden morphing objects (roses). However, the cards and jigsaw pieces are easy to locate. There are twelve (12) wallpapers plus concept art and music.
BONUS CHAPTER: This chapter is a sequel to the main game. The kingdom’s holy tree has been damaged. You must find the water of the living and then go to the underworld, land of the demons, to find the water of the dead to save it. For me, I was more impressed with the bonus chapter than the actual game. It is a long chapter with nine (9) puzzles and eight (8) HOP scenes.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-five (25) HOP scenes in this game – ten (10) of which are mini-HOP scenes in which your search for a small number of items. Most of the scenes are lists of items. However, thrown into the mix are a couple of FROG scenes, a few silhouette scenes, one with runes, and a couple of storybook scenes. I found it unusual that the final scene is a HOP scene. Most are somewhat interactive, and I found them ones seen in most games.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-eight (28) puzzles in the game. The puzzles vary in design and difficulty as well. Except for one puzzle, they are all varieties of puzzles seen in other games. The challenging puzzles appear after the demo and in the bonus chapter as well.
DID I MISS SOMETHING? There are two puzzles which have instructions which make no sense to me. In one, you move bars up-and-down to create a path to move rods across the grid. The directions state something about locating suns and moons to solve the puzzle. These items do not even exist within this puzzle. I have played this type of puzzle before, so I could figure out what to do. The second puzzle requires colored and numbered tokens to be slid into proper position on a grid. However, the instructions mention moving paths. You cannot move paths in this puzzle. I gave up trying to figure out what to do in his puzzle and skipped it.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE A FEW PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Matching puzzle. Move pieces of a mosaic with colored tiles so that it matches that of a given image. Click on pieces of the mosaic to change their color. Changing the color of one tile may change others as well.
B. Maze puzzle. Move four wolves to locations with an X upon a grid. There are walls within this grid to block the wolves’ movement. Moving a wolf will remove or create walls. Only one sequence will locate all four wolves where they belong. 3X. Increases in difficulty.
C. Matching puzzle. On a grid, maneuver weights on chains so they match up with their outline on the left side of the grid. Moving one token affects the movements of the others.
D. Connection puzzle. Remove skulls by using an amulet to create a path to eliminate each one without retracing your tracks.
E. Slats puzzle. Slide 6 slats on a grid to create a path for a ball to move from upper left to bottom right. Rather an unusual puzzle. I have never seen this puzzle with sliding slats.
F. Bonus Chapter. Obstacle course. Maneuver a boat to the other side avoiding obstacles in your path. I found the boat difficult to maneuver.
G. Bonus Chapter. Physics puzzle. Angle mirrors so that beams hit each mirror at least once.
H. Bonus Chapter. Beat the computer. Try to get more yellow tokens than your opponent – the computer. Surrounding tokens will change color if they are next to that color.
B. Maze puzzle. Move four wolves to locations with an X upon a grid. There are walls within this grid to block the wolves’ movement. Moving a wolf will remove or create walls. Only one sequence will locate all four wolves where they belong. 3X. Increases in difficulty.
C. Matching puzzle. On a grid, maneuver weights on chains so they match up with their outline on the left side of the grid. Moving one token affects the movements of the others.
D. Connection puzzle. Remove skulls by using an amulet to create a path to eliminate each one without retracing your tracks.
E. Slats puzzle. Slide 6 slats on a grid to create a path for a ball to move from upper left to bottom right. Rather an unusual puzzle. I have never seen this puzzle with sliding slats.
F. Bonus Chapter. Obstacle course. Maneuver a boat to the other side avoiding obstacles in your path. I found the boat difficult to maneuver.
G. Bonus Chapter. Physics puzzle. Angle mirrors so that beams hit each mirror at least once.
H. Bonus Chapter. Beat the computer. Try to get more yellow tokens than your opponent – the computer. Surrounding tokens will change color if they are next to that color.
I recommend this game!
Just beyond human sight lies an ancient city of magicians, giants, and dwarves. Now you must solve a murder mystery that threatens to destroy it.
Overall rating
4
/
5
91 of 151 found this review helpful
TRAVEL TO THE HIDDEN SIDE OF LONDON
PostedApril 28, 2018
sunnyglow
fromIf there are hidden kingdoms with magical beings within human cities, I wonder what hidden creatures are lurking within the walls of my home? If so, these magical freeloaders need to pay rent and pay their fair share of the utilities.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Put on your magical glasses, Detective! You are off to London, not the city as you know it, but a kingdom hidden within the city. This kingdom is behind a magical barrier, invisible to humans. You will need those magical glasses to see this kingdom. All three races, the Yotuns, the Dwarfs, and the Lakrians, have divided this hidden city of London into three locations – one for each race. However, this kingdom is in trouble. Sakir, a Lakrian has contacted you for help. Magic is being used to strip these magical beings of their souls, leaving zombies in their place. This is causing friction amongst the races, each accusing the other for this tragedy. Behind this is a villain who needs the souls for an evil purpose. Locate this hooded evildoer, defeat him, and restore this magical kingdom to its former glory.
This game should appeal to those who love fantasy games featuring fairy folk. As usual, Domini goes the extra mile to provide a quality game. Their games, at least to me, demonstrate excellence in game design. The games are longer than most developers; they provide more extra features; and they provide easy and hard options for the puzzles which allow for an easy breezy game for some and yet a challenging one for those who want more difficult puzzles. The graphics are bright and colorful.
HOWEVER, I DID NOT PURCHASE THIS GAME. I usually love Domini games, but this one did not appeal to me for two reasons. Both reasons are a matter of personal preference rather than any lack of quality in the game. I dislike the story. I found the tale concerning fairy folk hidden within the city of London rather bizarre. The second reason I did not purchase it is that I found the game snail-paced and tedious. I fell asleep just playing the demo. For me, there is not enough action. I got tired running to-and-fro searching for supplies. Creativity abounds in this game from the HOP scenes to the puzzles; however, I just could not get into this game. This is a great game – just not for me.
MECHANICS: As usual, this game provides many extra features. There are fifteen (15) achievements. You collect fifteen (15) artifacts for a Mystical Culture room, fifty-five (55) crystals to purchase items, and fifteen (15) Secret City Stories. There is a bar attached to the inventory which alerts you if a collectible is available within that scene. I love this function as it makes it significantly easier to locate the collectibles. You can set the difficulty of the puzzles within the menu; however, you can still change it within the game if you find the puzzles too easy or too difficult. You can replay eighteen (18) HOP scenes and nineteen (19) mini-games. There are sixteen (16) wallpapers along with concept art and music selections.
HOP SCENES: The scenes are varied. Although this developer is known more for their puzzles, this game appears to have quite a few HOP scenes – more than in previous games. They are creatively designed - at least most of them are not just lists of items. They include silhouette and storybook scenes. There are some mini-HOP scenes in which you locate a specific number of one item. There are some multiple-step ones as well. My favorite was an imaginative one in which you must change between three (3) colored lenses to locate the items. You can play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: They are well-designed as usual for this developer. I always look forward to playing this developer’s games for the puzzles. However, as stated, I had difficulty in staying awake to play the demo let alone the entire game. There are a few puzzles I did enjoy in the demo.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE THREE OF MY FAVORITE PUZZLES FROM THE DEMO:
A. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide two (2) or three (3) sets of tiles into the proper position to restore a picture. They will be designated as purple, blue and green. You may only work on one set of the colored tiles at a time. Easy mode has only two (2) sets of colored tiles. The hard mode has three (3) sets.
B. Chess puzzle. Move colored knights (following the “L” shaped move for knights) until they are on squares of the same color.
C. Adjust lenses on a telescope so that a picture is restored. Then, move dials up-and-down and sideway to locate five (5) set of footprints with the scene.
B. Chess puzzle. Move colored knights (following the “L” shaped move for knights) until they are on squares of the same color.
C. Adjust lenses on a telescope so that a picture is restored. Then, move dials up-and-down and sideway to locate five (5) set of footprints with the scene.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a strange disease from another world?
Overall rating
3
/
5
69 of 121 found this review helpful
DON’T WANT TO LOOK YOUR AGE? TRAVEL TO A PLACE WHERE APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING
PostedApril 26, 2018
sunnyglow
fromAfter this game, Elva is planning to market her age defying serum via late-night infomercials and TV shopping channels. Now she just needs to find an out-of-work older actress to hawk her products.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 53 Pages – Time: 4 Hours Main Game
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 53 Pages – Time: 4 Hours Main Game
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Congratulations Elva! After graduating from pharmacy school with honors, you are off visit your friend Michael. However, upon arriving you are shocked at how much he has aged. He is suffering from a disease, Senetka, which was contracted by the people of his village with the opening of a parallel universe. From this other dimension entered Henrick, an alien offering a cure for the ravages of this disease. However, when it appears the antidote is not working, Michael asks you to develop an antidote which will work. Now under Henrick’s direction, children are being kidnapped. What is the true intent of Henrick? Is he a friend or foe? You are off to this parallel universe to develop an antidote for this disease all while investigating what Henrick is up to. You will get a little help from friends, however. Michael, his wife, Nova, and others will join you in your quest to save your people.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS: This is a great game for those who love fantasy games. Although it deals with parallel dimensions, it is not a sci-fi game. It is more of a fantasy game. Unfortunately, I was not enamored by this game. I purchased this game and then regretted it. Playing this game was tedious. I found the pace slow. You ramble between two parallel universes traveling from city-to-city seeking an endless number of inventory items. You use those inventory items to search for even more items. There is not much to the story behind this game; there is very little dialogue. I got tired of travelling back-and-forth collecting supplies. I felt the graphics were decent, although blurry in some places. Throughout the game you will hear dogs barking. In the last chapter of this game, the constant barking of dogs was nerve racking. With all the shorter games of late, it is a rather long game, so you do get your money's worth. However, the quality here does not match the quantity.
AN OWL WHICH IS A HOOT! There is a helper owl within this game. I dislike helpers in games and his presence in the game is somewhat erratic. He is used eight (8) times in the demo, which, for me, is excessive. All he does is fly to some location and flap his wings back-and-forth. However, after the demo, he is hardly used at all.
MECHANICS: There are not many collectibles in this game. There are no morphing objects. There is only one collectible – love letters. There are one hundred two (102) love letters to collect. Wow! They are everywhere in this game and some are easy to locate, and some are not. How this collectible relates to this game is beyond me. You must collect all of them to uncover a hidden puzzle at the end of the game. There are fifteen (15) achievements to collect (from what I could count). You can replay seven (7) mini-games and fifteen (15) HOP scenes from the main game. Since I did not finish the bonus chapter, I have no idea how many of those there are from that chapter.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Kurtz, Michael’s friend is missing. You are off to locate him. From the short time I played into the bonus game, this chapter appears to be of the same caliber as the main game.
HOP SCENES: There are nineteen (19) HOP scenes in the main game. The scenes are standard ones seen in most games. Most of the scenes are standard lists of items requiring little interaction with the scene. There is little creativity in design. Most of the scenes are not thematic – just a random assortment of items. With the slow pace and lackluster HOP scenes, this game is very boring. The only ones I enjoyed in the game were the search-and-replace scenes in which you locate items and replace them back within the scene. Scenes are reused within the game as well. You can also play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scene.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-six (26) puzzles in the main game. The puzzles are variations of ones seen in most games. Most are easy. Many are not thematic and lack creative design. There are two which I did enjoy playing. Both are maze puzzles. The last puzzle is a super puzzle. However, I feel this super puzzle, containing three (3) mediocre puzzles, has nothing to do with the theme of the game. In general, I was not impressed with most of the puzzles.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Ye Olde book puzzle. Place books in correct order according to a given illustration.
B. Maze puzzle. Maneuver two keys so that they reach their locks at the same time. Moving one moves the other. Avoid vortexes which send you back to the beginning.
C. Maze puzzle. Move through a cloud-covered maze moving to locations indicated in a storybook.
D. Ye Olde Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes by switching nodes from the rope.
E. Place nine items into slots in a box by row and column so they match up by type and color.
F. Best puzzle in the game. Maze puzzle. Lead your character through a maze. You will need to avoid watchdogs and locate colored keys to open matching colored gates as you try to reach the exit.
B. Maze puzzle. Maneuver two keys so that they reach their locks at the same time. Moving one moves the other. Avoid vortexes which send you back to the beginning.
C. Maze puzzle. Move through a cloud-covered maze moving to locations indicated in a storybook.
D. Ye Olde Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes by switching nodes from the rope.
E. Place nine items into slots in a box by row and column so they match up by type and color.
F. Best puzzle in the game. Maze puzzle. Lead your character through a maze. You will need to avoid watchdogs and locate colored keys to open matching colored gates as you try to reach the exit.
I recommend this game!
The penguins are off on a new adventure to solve colorful puzzles and find the treasure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 50 found this review helpful
PENNY PENGUIN LEADS US TO ANOTHER TREASURE TROVE OF GREAT NONOGRAM PUZZLES
PostedApril 23, 2018
sunnyglow
fromSearching for gaming treasure today! Getting ready to dig into this game and bring up some great puzzles to play!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: Open another treasure trove of great nonograms in this game! Penny Penguin has located a treasure map. Now, she has enlisted the whole Penguin family to search for the treasure by playing these puzzles!
NEW FEATURES HAVE RETURNED: As with the last game in this series, you cannot switch from color-to-color for all the colors at the beginning of the game. You must play into the game to unlock some colors. This makes this game a little more difficult! You also have a choice of five (5) different styles of tiles for the game.
What a wonderful Monday surprise! A BIG THANK you to BFG for offering a game in one of my favorite genres. Match Gems has upped their game with these new additions! This is another excellent 5-star game from Match Gems.
GAME FACTS:
• Levels: Casual and Advanced.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens. In this game you will need to play one color until you have uncovered enough of the cells to release the next color.
• You have the choice of five (5) different styles of tiles in which to play the game.
• Autofill: There is auto-fill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Hints: Hints are given as you proceed and are based on the difficulty of the puzzle and how well you perform in solving the grid
• Number of Levels and Puzzles: There are 100 puzzles – 20 levels with 5 puzzles per level in the game.
• Aids: You have a pickax as an aid in the game
• Awards: There are 3 trophies: a gold trophy for no mistakes, a silver trophy for 1 mistake, and a bronze trophy for two mistakes. If you make 3 mistakes, you must start the game over again.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens. In this game you will need to play one color until you have uncovered enough of the cells to release the next color.
• You have the choice of five (5) different styles of tiles in which to play the game.
• Autofill: There is auto-fill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Hints: Hints are given as you proceed and are based on the difficulty of the puzzle and how well you perform in solving the grid
• Number of Levels and Puzzles: There are 100 puzzles – 20 levels with 5 puzzles per level in the game.
• Aids: You have a pickax as an aid in the game
• Awards: There are 3 trophies: a gold trophy for no mistakes, a silver trophy for 1 mistake, and a bronze trophy for two mistakes. If you make 3 mistakes, you must start the game over again.
I highly recommend this game if you like Sudoku games or any type of mathematical puzzle.
I recommend this game!
Save the town of Blackhill from an army of shadows!
Overall rating
5
/
5
79 of 132 found this review helpful
A ROLLER COASTER RIDE THROUGH TIME AND PARALLEL UNIVERSES
PostedApril 21, 2018
sunnyglow
fromLocation? Spiraling down a rabbit hole (wormhole) and hopping out into an alternate universe to attend a tea party for “me” prepared by “myself.” Joining us are my other “selves” from other alternate universes, and, of course, A.L.I.C.E.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 Pages - Time: 4 hours.
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 Pages - Time: 4 hours.
OVERVIEW: OVERVIEW: Detective! Climb aboard an interdimensional roller coaster as you spiral between time and space and enter parallel universes! Out of the fog and into your life comes monsters! Yes, nasty, red-eyed interdimensional nasties are invading the small town of Blackhill! You and Elf are off to a small town to tackle these denizens of the fog. Working on project involving the space/time continuum, Professor Xiao and his genius niece, Sophie, opened a portal into a parallel universe. When Sophie, the professor’s niece, is kidnapped, you, with Elf at your side, are off to save her and investigate this case.
QUALITY OR QUANTITY? Quality! What else can I say – Elephant is one of those champagne developers whose games I truly enjoy. I love the story which revolves around the string theory of quantum mechanics and parallel worlds. This is another great entry into this series! This game should appeal to all the Elf lovers out there! The graphics are decent. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep you occupied traveling through time and space.
THE POLAR OPPOSITE! Quantity! What a disappointment! This game very short. I finished it in less than four (4) hours including the bonus chapter. It appears that with each game produced, they are becoming shorter and shorter not just for this developer but others as well. Also, I also wish there was an option to replay some of those puzzles. I found a few difficult and would like to play them again. You cannot replay any HOP scenes either.
QUANTUM MECHANICS: This game is short on extras! You collect twenty-six (26) picture fragments to complete photos at the end of the game. You also collect twelve (12) figurines of Elf attired in different costumes. This is a nice whimsical addition to the game. Although not a dog person, I felt they were adorable. There are twenty-four (24) morphing objects. I found all somewhat easy to locate. I counted twenty-one (21) achievements to earn.
TO ELF OR NOT TO ELF: I have only purchased a few of these games due to Elf. There are some of us who are not dog lovers or do not want helpers in the games. However, you do have the option to forgo his help. He will frown and go away dejected – but - will not be seen throughout the main game. However, why didn’t this developer offer this in the bonus chapter? You cannot opt out of using him and he is used quite a bit in this chapter.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is related to the main game with the same characters from that game. In the bonus chapter you must save Professor Xiao and Sophie from an evil organization from an alternate universe. When the professor is kidnapped you will be zipping back and forth through time in alternate realities. Like the game, I did not feel it was long enough to be worth the additional price of the game.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-three (23) HOP scenes in the game – five (5) of those in the bonus chapter. This also includes several mini-HOP scenes which require searching for a small number of one item. They are varied as well. However, I felt the ones in the demo were better created than the ones after the demo. They include the usual lists of items, silhouette, matching and storybook scenes. However, there were two I felt were rather creative. There is one which is a rebus scene in the demo and in the main game there is one which has looking for patterns or pieces of the scene instead of actual items. There are also several scenes in which you search for four (4) morphing objects after locating items within the scenes.
PUZZLES: There are thirty-three (33) puzzles within the game. They vary in difficulty and style. Most are relatively easy; however, there are a few which are difficult. Some of the puzzles relate to the theme of this game. However, to create puzzles based on the theme of this game would be rather difficult. Unless you are an “Einstein,” it is probably better the developer DID NOT base puzzles on this branch of physics.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Assembly puzzle. Create three images by choosing between patterns which, when combined, will produce a given image.
B. Kill the “itsy bitsy” spider’s polar opposite! Physical puzzle. (1) Place triangles on a square which acts as a shield before a worm tries to invade. (2) Click on a target when cross hairs enter a glowing orb.
C. Through the looking glass. Assembly puzzle. Using four buttons with different geometrical shapes, recreate a “mirror” image to one given.
D. Map puzzle. Follow directions and lead your car to various locations to get to your final destination. You will need to move the screen to locate the landmarks
E. Queens 8 Puzzle. Ye olde chestnut in which you must place (in this case) chips on a chess board so that no row or column has more than one chip within it.
F. Escape puzzle. On a grid move a detective from square-to square avoiding beams of light which rotate after each move. If you get zapped by a beam of light – you must start over.
B. Kill the “itsy bitsy” spider’s polar opposite! Physical puzzle. (1) Place triangles on a square which acts as a shield before a worm tries to invade. (2) Click on a target when cross hairs enter a glowing orb.
C. Through the looking glass. Assembly puzzle. Using four buttons with different geometrical shapes, recreate a “mirror” image to one given.
D. Map puzzle. Follow directions and lead your car to various locations to get to your final destination. You will need to move the screen to locate the landmarks
E. Queens 8 Puzzle. Ye olde chestnut in which you must place (in this case) chips on a chess board so that no row or column has more than one chip within it.
F. Escape puzzle. On a grid move a detective from square-to square avoiding beams of light which rotate after each move. If you get zapped by a beam of light – you must start over.
I recommend this game!
Survive a dangerous game of luck to uncover your past!
Overall rating
5
/
5
115 of 198 found this review helpful
ROLL THE DICE - ODDS ARE THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR!
PostedApril 19, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThis game has developed a “hunka, hunka” burning love for Vegas – Baby! “Going to the chapel” to look for a high-rolling Elvis to tour the strip; play the slots: dine at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and truly enjoy the “magic” of Vegas with Penn & Teller.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME MINUS THE BONUS CHAPTER
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 45 Pages – Time: 4 Hours
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 45 Pages – Time: 4 Hours
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Hello Sunshine! Get ready to participate in a winner-take-all tournament. Just remember to don your mask and cloak and follow all the rules! Failure to do so will result in your “final” elimination! Nevertheless, winning will result in the fulfillment of your fondest wish. However, by the end of this game, your fondest wish may be to never see a casino again! Return to the 1920’s. As an infant you were left at an orphanage with a torn picture, a poker chip and a burned card with the word “Azara.” Now, searching for clues concerning your parents, find yourself in this tournament at the newly constructed Azara hotel. You will compete against six (6) fellow competitors. Hopefully you will learn something about your parentage and hopefully, you will survive this tournament!
OPINION: I LOVE this game, although it is short with a part-time helper. I purchased it immediately. In my opinion, 4 Friends is upping the quality of their games. This game should appeal to those who love casino-style games (which constitute most of the puzzles) and those who love mysteries. The graphics are full of bright lights – displaying a colorful casino-style environment. Think – Vegas, baby! The game is well-constructed with most of the activities related to gambling. The pace is excellent with many of the puzzles based on casino games.
MECHANICS: You collect fifty (50) jokers which, when you have collected enough of them, add a player to a card game. There is a sidebar which indicates if there is a joker within the scene. I found most of the jokers easy to locate. You will also be collecting six cards which give you powers you can use throughout the game – strength, sensing gold, mechanical strength, illusion shattering, impersonation, and a joker. There are fifteen (15) achievements you can earn along with seven (7) wallpapers, concept art, and music. You can replay eleven (11) HOP scenes and fourteen (14) mini-games.
CLOVER THE RUNAWAY HELPER: You will have a part-time helper in this game, a small, doe-eyed dog. This little pooch will help you and then disappear only to reappear again in the game. He is not used often in the game and he “helps” you quickly. Although I hate helpers, he was tolerable within this game. He does not sit at the side of the inventory bar no does he bark.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel to the game. In this chapter you will need to save someone dear to you. To state more would give away too much about this game. It is a continuation of this game. I feel you would need to purchase the CE version or you could be left hanging if you purchase the SE. I did not complete the bonus chapter; however, it appears to be of decent length.
HOP SCENES: There are fourteen (14) within the main game. They are thematic; however, most are straight lists of items. Only the first scene displays any creativity. There is one scene repeated within this game. The HOP scenes are my biggest disappointment. With this theme, I feel more could have been done with the scenes. They are not considered HOP scenes; however, there are scenes in which you must use a magic lens to locate hidden objects within a scene.
PUZZLES: I LOVE the puzzles in this game. In the main game there are twenty (20) puzzles. All the creativity within this game lies with the puzzles. The puzzles fit nicely with the casino theme of the game. They vary in style and difficulty. There are a couple of difficult puzzles within this game. Play puzzles which deal with cards, dice, slot machines, and dominoes. They are well-crafted games and in many you will have to beat the computer. I purchased this game for the puzzles and want to replay some of these. Just exquisite!
SPOILER: HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Connection puzzle. Connect lines between cards so that the lines emanating from the card matches that on the card.
B. Tangram puzzle. Place pieces into position to create an image. Place the pieces so there are no spaces within the grid to create this image.
C. Mathematical puzzle. Arrange billiard balls within two circles so that the total of any two of the balls equals one centered between the two. Difficult. You can switch out the numbered five extra balls.
D. Blackjack! Place cards faceup and try to get 21 to remove the cards. You must find this combination six (6) times in the scene.
E. Cube puzzle. Pull on arrows on a cube with colored pegs extending from them. Pull on the arrows until all the pegs match up with the background. Difficult.
F. Hit the jackpot! Slot machine. Move the handle and try to get the same token across the screen. You can hold symbols for one turn of the slots.
G. Assembly puzzle. Swap the corners of torn cards to create complete the cards. Cards are face down. Cards rotate as you try to restore them. Somewhat difficult.
B. Tangram puzzle. Place pieces into position to create an image. Place the pieces so there are no spaces within the grid to create this image.
C. Mathematical puzzle. Arrange billiard balls within two circles so that the total of any two of the balls equals one centered between the two. Difficult. You can switch out the numbered five extra balls.
D. Blackjack! Place cards faceup and try to get 21 to remove the cards. You must find this combination six (6) times in the scene.
E. Cube puzzle. Pull on arrows on a cube with colored pegs extending from them. Pull on the arrows until all the pegs match up with the background. Difficult.
F. Hit the jackpot! Slot machine. Move the handle and try to get the same token across the screen. You can hold symbols for one turn of the slots.
G. Assembly puzzle. Swap the corners of torn cards to create complete the cards. Cards are face down. Cards rotate as you try to restore them. Somewhat difficult.
I recommend this game!
Unlock the secrets of the moor to save your niece from the banshee!
Overall rating
3
/
5
66 of 119 found this review helpful
I SEE A BAD MOON ARISING!
PostedApril 14, 2018
sunnyglow
fromAn island in the sun? Swimming with the dolphins? After playing this week’s games, I am staying clear of islands. After that “sun” goes down, a full moon rising brings out creatures I don’t want to swim with.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 39 Pages – Time: 4 hours
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 39 Pages – Time: 4 hours
Pack up your kilts Detective Pamela. You are off on a Scottish fling to Kirkwall, Scotland to celebrate your niece Pamela’s birthday. However, while you and your family are preparing for her party, Nora is whisked away by a demon, a banshee said to inhabit a neighboring island. This beast of the moor, known as the Banshee of MacConnell Island, is on the prowl for more souls to steal. As the red moon rises over the moor, a demon spirit is out to feed upon whatever souls it can capture. You will need to sail to this dark, evil-infested island, to the abandoned cursed MacConnell estate, to save your niece. This game has some surprises! Search the highlands and the lowlands of Scotland to find the source of this evil.
OPINION: This is another short game which I played in approximately four hours including the bonus chapter. I bought it because I loved the demo. However, after the demo, I felt the quality of the game deteriorated. To me, it denigrated into incessant wandering around an island with little dialogue with an occasional puzzle or HOP scene to play. I regret purchasing this game. To me, this game is not worthy of a collector’s edition designation. Frankly, I am torn in whether to recommend it. - so, I AM RECOMMENDING THIS GAME WITH RESERVATION.
It is a game which should appeal to those who love spooky games (nothing here very frightening) or just want an easy-breezy game to play. There is nothing challenging in this game. I love the legend behind the game. The dark ambiance with the bloody moon-stricken graphics of the moor bring a sense of foreboding to this game. The Scottish accents by the actors behind the characters also add a wee touch of authenticity to this game. The pace is excellent in the demo with plenty of activities to keep you busy. However, after the demo, the game slows down to a turtle’s pace, especially in the bonus chapter.
MECHANICS: You receive a gimmicky amulet attached to a dreamcatcher. You will use this to defeat cursed creatures. It will glow when it is needed in the game. You will play the same puzzle which increases in difficulty with each cursed beast you must defeat. You will pick up four (4) more amulets as you play the game and you will need a different amulet for each cursed creature you encounter. You collect twelve (12) pumpkins and ten (10) morphing objects. They are easy to locate. Each pumpkin you collect provides more information about pumpkins that you would ever wish to know. You can replay ten (10) HOP scenes and twenty-nine (29) puzzles. There are seventeen (17) wallpapers along with concept art and a soundtrack. You can also earn ten (10) achievements.
BONUS CHAPTER: The short bonus chapter is a sequel. Go into the heart of nature to help a shaman heal the heart of a tree, stolen and destroyed by a rascally cat! You must cure the tree which provides life for this kingdom and deal with a major mean kitty! The game goes off in a new direction from the main game. It enters the world of fairy tales with birds you can fly, goblins, curses, and huge rats! I don’t like fairy tale games and absolutely hated this sequel. I also hated the voice of the shaman whose high-pitched elfin voice got on my nerves. However, the graphics were colorful and beautifully rendered.
HOP SCENES: There are only thirteen (13) HOP scenes in the entire game, including the bonus chapter. Most are lists of items with little interaction within the scenes. One of the scenes in the main game is used twice. To me, no scene should be recycled in an editor’s edition game! There is one FROG and one silhouette scene. I did like one scene in which you must search for items and then replace them within the scene. However, overall, the HOP scenes are few and to me, rather boring.
PUZZLES: This is a puzzle-intense game. There are thirty-one (31) puzzles within the game. Most of the puzzles are easy but are varied in design. However, there are a few more challenging ones. I found none which I would consider brain crushing. There are several storybook puzzles in which the player searches for items within a storybook setting. To me, these are NOT puzzles – they are HOP scenes. Most of the puzzles are ones seen in other games. There are a couple of bullseye puzzles to defeat the evildoers. My favorite was a logic puzzle in which you must reconstruct the MacConnell family tree.
AMULET PUZZLE: Each time you need to defeat a cursed beast, you will play a puzzle in which you must find runes which do not match up with those from the amulet. You can replay this puzzle all four times it appears; however, I feel this is overkill.
SPOILER: Here are some of the puzzles AFTER the demo:
A. Connect-the-Dots. Connect points on lines on a dragon so that each dot and line is visited without retracing your steps. This same puzzle also appears in the bonus chapter with a necklace.
B. Matching pattern puzzle. Rotate gems on three different circles moving the gems around so that the pattern produced by the gems is the same as one given to you to copy.
C. Logic puzzle. Create a family tree. Place portraits of the MacConnell family according to given clues. Excellent puzzle not often seen.
D. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide masks into the proper rows matching them to the masks at the side of the grid. Each of three rows will have three masks.
E. BONUS CHAPTER: Diagnosis for a heart. Spot the differences. Spot the differences between the heart in a book and a real one.
B. Matching pattern puzzle. Rotate gems on three different circles moving the gems around so that the pattern produced by the gems is the same as one given to you to copy.
C. Logic puzzle. Create a family tree. Place portraits of the MacConnell family according to given clues. Excellent puzzle not often seen.
D. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide masks into the proper rows matching them to the masks at the side of the grid. Each of three rows will have three masks.
E. BONUS CHAPTER: Diagnosis for a heart. Spot the differences. Spot the differences between the heart in a book and a real one.
I recommend this game!