sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:812
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 6, 2025
- Featured reviews0
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Can you and your father escape a mystical and dangerous realm?
Overall rating
5
/
5
74 of 137 found this review helpful
A SPARK OF GAMING GENIUS FROM ITS CREATOR – MAD HEAD GAMES
PostedMarch 10, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThis game demonstrates the world changing and life altering events created by the power of the pen!
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 MAIN GAME
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 Pages – Time: 4 hours
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 Pages – Time: 4 hours
OVERVIEW: The “spark” of imagination can be an asset or liability – it can create or destroy! For Godfrey Long, an up-and coming writer, his creation, Taleworld, has trapped him within its boundaries. One of his characters, an evil wizard, Cyrus, has captured his Spark, and now wishes to use it become the new Creator. Play Long’s daughter whose father disappeared into this world when she was a child. He has now contacted her for her help to escape this kingdom. As Godfrey Long’s daughter, find yourself swept up in a vortex, entering this world to answer you father’s call to defeat this evildoer and restore the Spark to its true owner, your dad!
MECHANICS. Science meets fairy tale land in this game! This game is one which should appeal to writers who are always look for the “Spark” to provide the brushstroke of words to create other worlds. It may also appeal to sci-fi lovers as well. It is a hybrid which I would call a “sci-fi fairy tale.” This strange hybrid seems to work well for Mad Head. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities within the game. The graphics are incredibly beautiful especially in the “Gaia” chapter.
You can replay seventeen (17) HOP scenes. And again, I do hope Mad Head will consider offering some puzzles to replay. There are many collectibles within this game. Collect thirty-one (31) each of swirls, story mementos (disks) and treasures. The swirls and mementos are within the same scenes. There are also sixteen (16) morphing objects within the HOP scenes. There are eleven (11) achievements to earn. Some of the achievements have three parts.
BONUS CHAPTER: I LOVE this game; however, I did have technical difficulties with this chapter. I was not able to play the Bonus Chapter because once I finished the game, I could not access it.
SCRAPBOOK SUPER HEROES: The game offers a scrapbook which provides a cartoon snapshot of the Mad Head employees. And truly, the members of this gaming team are superheroes and geniuses in gaming.
HOP SCENES: There are seventeen (17) HOP scenes in the main game. Most of these are either lists of items or silhouette. I did not see much creativity within these scenes. Most are standard searches with a minimal amount of interactivity. All the items are easy to locate. There are a couple of matching scenes and a few storybook scenes. Some of the storybook scenes have the player searching for one item at a time. My favorite was one in which you must locate different colors and patterns of beans within rather large bag of them. This was slightly difficult. Other than this one scene, I was not impressed with the others.
HOP SCENES: There are seventeen (17) HOP scenes in the main game. Most of these are either lists of items or silhouette. I did not see much creativity within these scenes. Most are standard searches with a minimal amount of interactivity. All the items are easy to locate. There are a couple of matching scenes and a few storybook scenes. Some of the storybook scenes have the player searching for one item at a time. My favorite was one in which you must locate different colors and patterns of beans within rather large bag of them. This was slightly difficult. Other than this one scene, I was not impressed with the others.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-two (22) puzzles in the main game. However, I do believe I may have not listed one. However, I was not going back to replay the game to locate it! I do feel the puzzles are the best part of the game. Many are creatively designed. They vary in style and difficulty. I did not find any challenging. Here are a few from the game after the demo. There are two which I truly enjoyed. One involves an incredibly beautiful scene with flowers and the other involves coloring squares on a grid. Both are in the stunningly beautiful “Gaia” chapter.
SPOILER ALERT. THESE ARE A SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Moving tiles puzzle. Move three wheels with different colored tokens upon them so that each token abuts a like token on the wheel. Moving one wheel affects the others.
B. Assembly puzzle. On a screen click on two symbols which combine to create a given larger symbol. There are 3 symbols to assemble. This puzzle been seen in many other games.
C. Connection puzzle. Connect a series of ore nuggets by following given paths between them without retracing your steps.
D. Connection puzzle. Incredibly beautiful! Switch bubbles within flowers with a different number of leaves within them so that vines which connect to the flowers equal the number of leaves in each bubble.
E. Logic puzzle. (And one of my favorites). Color squares on a circle so that no two (2) squares which abut each other have the same color!
F. Maze puzzle. Rotate four (4) colored dials to move a wheel of the same color to create paths leading to each of the four colored dials.
G. Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Switch puzzle. Switch metallic pieces so that the lines on each of the six pieces within the grid connect to create a maze. (2) Move a token through the created maze from one end to the other. (I found the token difficult to move within this puzzle)
H. Bullseye puzzle. Using a ray gun, try to center two sets of three tokens into the middle of a target.
I. Connection puzzle. Sword puzzle. Used in connection with the sword. Connect symbols without crossing lines.
B. Assembly puzzle. On a screen click on two symbols which combine to create a given larger symbol. There are 3 symbols to assemble. This puzzle been seen in many other games.
C. Connection puzzle. Connect a series of ore nuggets by following given paths between them without retracing your steps.
D. Connection puzzle. Incredibly beautiful! Switch bubbles within flowers with a different number of leaves within them so that vines which connect to the flowers equal the number of leaves in each bubble.
E. Logic puzzle. (And one of my favorites). Color squares on a circle so that no two (2) squares which abut each other have the same color!
F. Maze puzzle. Rotate four (4) colored dials to move a wheel of the same color to create paths leading to each of the four colored dials.
G. Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Switch puzzle. Switch metallic pieces so that the lines on each of the six pieces within the grid connect to create a maze. (2) Move a token through the created maze from one end to the other. (I found the token difficult to move within this puzzle)
H. Bullseye puzzle. Using a ray gun, try to center two sets of three tokens into the middle of a target.
I. Connection puzzle. Sword puzzle. Used in connection with the sword. Connect symbols without crossing lines.
I recommend this game!
Mark’s reality unravels as he discovers the truth about his life.
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 28 found this review helpful
REGRETTING MY STAY AT SCHNEIDER’S HOTEL AND SPA – A BAD DREAM COME TO LIFE!
PostedMarch 8, 2018
sunnyglow
fromNewest in hotel accommodations! Enjoy the beach and an entire ocean without leaving the hotel. Sail the ocean blue and be within walking distance to your room.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME (INCLUDING BONUS CHAPTER)
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 40 Pages - Time: 4 Hours
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 40 Pages - Time: 4 Hours
OVERVIEW: Wake up Mark! Wake up to your own worst nightmare! After a train accident in the Alps find yourself in the Schneider Hotel and Spa. But – how did you get there? And where is your wife, Jane? You will have even more questions when you see an ocean replete with a sandy beach within this hotel. Are you experiencing a hallucination, are you dreaming, or are you going insane? You see glimpses of your wife calling for help; however, you cannot reach her. It will be up to you to assess what is reality and how to deal with these “haunting” hallucinations within this strange hotel. What is the story behind this hotel? Why are you there? Has the dream world escaped into the real world? And as you amble around the hotel, how does the family who once inhabited this hotel fit into all of this? Hopefully your stay at this hotel will be brief!
MECHANICS: Wake up to a bad dream – this game! I purchased this game based on the fantastic demo and was disappointed afterward. It is a good, but not great game. It is also a SHORT GAME. To me, it is not CE worthy. I feel the game falls into an abyss of mediocrity after the demo. While playing there were spots which I found sleep-worthy due back-and-forth movement within the scenes. That fact, along with extremely easy puzzles and the boring nondescript HOP scenes, made this game tedious for me to play. It appears Elephant put all their goodies in the demo. This is a psychological thriller which may also appeal to sci-fi fans. I would recommend this game as an SE. To me, the bonus chapter is not worth the additional price for this game.
You collect thirteen (13) memory elements and twenty (20) jigsaw pieces for pictures. You also collect twenty-seven (27) morphing objects. I found that most were easy to locate – however I did find some well-hidden within the scenes. There is a display at the right side of the computer screen indicating how many of each item you have collected. You can replay twelve (12) puzzles and fifteen (15) HOP scenes. There are eighteen (18) achievements which you can earn.
BONUS CHAPTER: The Bonus chapter is a sequel. You and your wife, Jane, help a girl, Alice, after she falls ill. She is having nightmares and needs you to search for her brother, Tony. There is not much activity within this chapter nor dialogue. It is a series of running to and fro searching for items and playing an occasional HOP scene or puzzle. The HOP scenes are the same standard lists of items, silhouette and matching pairs as in the main game. The puzzles are of the same caliber as the main game as well. I played this chapter is less than one hour. There is also an “Easter egg” within this chapter! Hope you locate it!
HOP SCENES: There are fifteen (15) HOP scenes in the game. The scenes are standard and lack interactivity. They also lack creativity. They include many standard lists of items, some silhouette scenes and a few matching pairs scenes. The matching pairs scenes are almost duplicates of each other.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-five (25) in the game. I loved the puzzles in the demo. After the demo, I found the puzzles easy and lacking creativity. There is one super puzzle toward the end of the main game. The four (4) puzzles within in are ridiculously easy.The only one I found somewhat unique was a shooting marbles puzzle in the Bonus chapter. They include a couple of sequence puzzles, several puzzles to restore some type of image, and a few assembly puzzles. Basically, they are standard ones seen in other games, and one is a duplicate of one I just played recently in another game. Here are a few of the puzzles from the game:
POSSIBLE SPOILERS: THESE ARE SOME PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Assembly puzzle. Maneuver four (4) arrows to point to two symbols (two arrows point to each of the two symbols) within a row. These combine to create a given symbol at the bottom of the screen. Do this for five (5) symbols.
B. Matching puzzle. Set coordinates to open a lock. Using a wheel set numbers and colored gems as per a given set of directions.
C. Sequence puzzle. Turn on six (6) lights by flipping switches until all the lights are lit. Trial and error. Clicking on one affects the others. Rating: 1/2
D. Assembly puzzle. Rotate eight wheels (with a wheel within another wheel) to create four symbols which appear at the side of the grid. (This puzzle is almost identical to one I just played recently).
E. Maze puzzle. On a grid with several squares, create a path for a ball to reach the end square.
F. Gear puzzle. Arrange five (5) gears so they intermesh with a moving one.
G. Maze puzzle. Rotate four (4) rings so that four paths are created.
H. Super puzzle. (1) Switch puzzle. Switch pieces on a circular grid to restore an image. (2) Matching puzzle. Uncover and match up colored balls. (3) Slider puzzle. Slide six (6) colored squares (3 each for 2 colors) so that each set matches the grid upon which they sit. Only squares of opposite colors can switch places. (4) Rotating disks puzzle. Rotate four disks to restore a picture.
I. Bonus Chapter. Bubble Shooter game. Shoot marbles to defeat an evildoer. It increases in speed as you continue in the game.
B. Matching puzzle. Set coordinates to open a lock. Using a wheel set numbers and colored gems as per a given set of directions.
C. Sequence puzzle. Turn on six (6) lights by flipping switches until all the lights are lit. Trial and error. Clicking on one affects the others. Rating: 1/2
D. Assembly puzzle. Rotate eight wheels (with a wheel within another wheel) to create four symbols which appear at the side of the grid. (This puzzle is almost identical to one I just played recently).
E. Maze puzzle. On a grid with several squares, create a path for a ball to reach the end square.
F. Gear puzzle. Arrange five (5) gears so they intermesh with a moving one.
G. Maze puzzle. Rotate four (4) rings so that four paths are created.
H. Super puzzle. (1) Switch puzzle. Switch pieces on a circular grid to restore an image. (2) Matching puzzle. Uncover and match up colored balls. (3) Slider puzzle. Slide six (6) colored squares (3 each for 2 colors) so that each set matches the grid upon which they sit. Only squares of opposite colors can switch places. (4) Rotating disks puzzle. Rotate four disks to restore a picture.
I. Bonus Chapter. Bubble Shooter game. Shoot marbles to defeat an evildoer. It increases in speed as you continue in the game.
I recommend this game!
Help Penny out of the time portal by solving new mosaic puzzles!
Overall rating
5
/
5
28 of 63 found this review helpful
COUSIN PENNY MAY BE STUCK IN A TIME – BUT THIS GAME IS NOT!
PostedMarch 5, 2018
sunnyglow
fromWhen the Penguins find the “key to time,” hopefully they will pass it around to others who would like to stop time - just for a little while!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: In her search for new colors, Cousin Penny Penguin entered a time portal and now she is stuck. You will need to find the key to release her by playing all these wonderful puzzles. Penny Penguin may be stuck in time, but this game is not! This game has some new twists! You must unlock the colors one-at-a-time. You will no longer be able to switch from color-to-color at the beginning of the game. You must play into the game to release those colors. This makes this game a little more difficult! You also have a choice of five (5) different styles of tiles to fill in the boxes for the game. This feature is is another welcome plus!
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
• Autofill: There is autofill 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.
• Collectibles. When you complete one level of 5 puzzles, you receive a collectible.
I highly recommend this game if you like Sudoku games or any type of mathematical puzzle.
I recommend this game!
Ghastly murders in Whitechapel foreshadow the return of the Red Queen!
Overall rating
5
/
5
90 of 182 found this review helpful
ANOTHER “BLOODY” GOOD GAME IN THE VERMILLION WATCH SERIES
PostedMarch 3, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThe EIPIX Wrinkle Zapper! Do you have wrinkles and lines? To get rid of those lines and wrinkles, do what evildoer Carmilla does - just take your mouse and click on them. Presto! They instantaneously disappear!
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 – Time: 5 Hours
5 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 52 Pages
5 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 52 Pages
OVERVIEW: You are off on another blood-curdling case set in the dark, crime-ridden underground of Victorian London! The Vermillion Watch again needs your help. Your next case takes you to Whitechapel where victims are being found drained of blood. A triumvirate of evildoers, Carmilla, Mr. Varney, and Mr. Dracul, (along with some secret evildoers) are behind these attacks and it is up to you again Hawkes to save the day. When Dr. Jeckyll is kidnapped, you and the whole Vermillion Watch will have your hands full attempting to save him in an action-packed game!
There are some surprises in this game– be prepared! This is a good adventure game. It should appeal to those who love this series or those who like Steampunk adventure games. Science meets the Victorian age in this game. There is plenty of name dropping as well as both historical and fictional literary characters, appear side-by-side within this game. The story is loosely based a vampire theme – with a scientific twist. The graphics well-portray Victorian England. This is an action-packed game with plenty of activities to keep you busy. As with the other games in the series, you will have the choice to play each of three locations in whichever order you choose.
MECHANICS: Snake alert! There are quite a few snakes within this game – most within the residence of Carmilla. There are more puzzles than HOP scenes. There are two collectibles and they are easy to locate. There are fifteen (15) achievements to earn. There are forty-two (42) signs which look like large drops of water and twenty-four (24) morphing objects. The morphing objects appear in both the gaming scenes and the HOP scenes. You can replay twenty-four (24) HOP Scenes and twenty-nine (29) Puzzles. You get a device from Rufus to help you in your quest. You also visit other members of the Watch to help you analyze materials and data. There are nine (9) wallpapers, three (3) concept art pictures and a souvenir room,
BONUS CHAPTER: The bonus chapter is a sequel. Maria has summoned you for help. She is on the verge of death. Someone was using her to gain immortality. Now you must revive her. I have not played the entire bonus chapter. However, it appears to be of a decent length.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty (20 In the main game. They are similar to ones seen in many of their other games. There are several multiple-step ones throughout the game. Most of these combine a silhouette scene with a list of items. There are two storybook scenes and a few matching scenes after the demo. It is evident that EIPIX spend a great deal of time creating these scenes. They are creatively designed and thematic.
FAVORITE HOP SCENE: My favorite scene is one from the opening scene of the bonus chapter. It involves rotating and switching three wheels to put halves together of an item to be removed. I have seen a variation of this scene before. However, I do love this type of scene and it is seldom used within these games.
PUZZLES: There are forty (40) puzzles in the main game. They vary in style and difficulty. Most of the puzzles are easy; however, there are some harder puzzles toward the end of the game.
PUZZLE WOES! I did have trouble with a few puzzles. In one in which you need to read dates assigned to portraits, the numbers were so small and blurry, I had trouble reading the dates. There is also a physical puzzle (used twice in the game) in which you must click an arrow continuously to fill up a bar to balance yourself on the top of a moving train. I kept clicking – and clicking – and clicking (rapidly as well) and could never get it to fill up the bar. However, for once, the puzzle directions were superb!
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR SOME OF MY FAVORITE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Oil is where it’s at! Mathematical puzzle. Fill up four lanterns with three cans of oil with specific units of oil., 5, 3, and 2 units. All the lanterns have different amounts of oil to fill them. All must be filled to the top and there should be no oil remaining.
B. Light up the world – with oil! Weights and balances puzzle. Taking the lanterns from the previous puzzle, hang them on chains so that all the lanterns are level with each other. Each lantern weighs a different amount
C. What’s your sign? Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Matching puzzle. Match up zodiac symbols with their constellations in the sky. The stars will light up when the symbol is in the correct position. (2) Connect the dots puzzle. Using stars as dots, create six (6) constellations by connecting stars to create them.
D. Age is just a number. Sequence puzzle. Move twelve (12) photos of Carmilla so they are in sequence from oldest to youngest by date.
E. What is a vivarium? Maze puzzle. Maneuver a snake using an enchanted flower from one corner of a vivarium to the other end to capture its venom
F. How does your garden grow? Assembly puzzle Grow a series of flowers by following given directions as to the right combination of seeds, fertilize, light and water
G. Get away from me! Rope puzzle. Separate snakes so that none touch each other.
H. Atomic foolery! Connection puzzle. Connect all the lines between atoms without retracing your steps. 2X
I. Difficult as it gets. Rotate six wheels embedded with parts of symbols so that they create six symbols shown at the side and the top of the screen. DIFFICULT
J. Don’t fence me in! Entrapment puzzle. Entrap the token of an evildoer by using five other tokens of the Vermillion Watch to surround it so it cannot escape out of the grid.
B. Light up the world – with oil! Weights and balances puzzle. Taking the lanterns from the previous puzzle, hang them on chains so that all the lanterns are level with each other. Each lantern weighs a different amount
C. What’s your sign? Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Matching puzzle. Match up zodiac symbols with their constellations in the sky. The stars will light up when the symbol is in the correct position. (2) Connect the dots puzzle. Using stars as dots, create six (6) constellations by connecting stars to create them.
D. Age is just a number. Sequence puzzle. Move twelve (12) photos of Carmilla so they are in sequence from oldest to youngest by date.
E. What is a vivarium? Maze puzzle. Maneuver a snake using an enchanted flower from one corner of a vivarium to the other end to capture its venom
F. How does your garden grow? Assembly puzzle Grow a series of flowers by following given directions as to the right combination of seeds, fertilize, light and water
G. Get away from me! Rope puzzle. Separate snakes so that none touch each other.
H. Atomic foolery! Connection puzzle. Connect all the lines between atoms without retracing your steps. 2X
I. Difficult as it gets. Rotate six wheels embedded with parts of symbols so that they create six symbols shown at the side and the top of the screen. DIFFICULT
J. Don’t fence me in! Entrapment puzzle. Entrap the token of an evildoer by using five other tokens of the Vermillion Watch to surround it so it cannot escape out of the grid.
I recommend this game!
It’s the find of a century, but will you live to tell about it?
Overall rating
5
/
5
135 of 210 found this review helpful
THE POWER OF THE PYRAMID PUTS AN EXTRA PLUS ON THE FIVE STARS FOR THIS GAME! A SCI-FI MASTERPIECE! ONE OF THE BEST!
PostedMarch 1, 2018
sunnyglow
fromKudos to Mad Head Games for an “earth-shattering” game! I needed to wear my pyramid hat for the power to solve some of those puzzles.
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 – Time: 5-1/2 hours
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 pages
OVERVIEW: Sci-Fi lovers! If you are searching for one game to play this year, this is the one! What a fantastic game! Mad Head has outdone themselves AGAIN! The story is phenomenal and briefly explores some theories about Atlantis, aliens, and, of course, pyramids! The is an action-packed adventure which drops you into a Colombian jungle as Professor Cassie Sylva. As an archaeologist, you are off to explore a pyramid which popped up suddenly within this jungle. However, this also a story about the power of a family which must come together to fight the obstacles and the evil monster they will encounter in this game. Family power is greater than pyramid power! I will not disclose more of the story as the demo does not flesh out the total story of this game. To give more information on the story would spoil the game, I believe.
MECHANICS: This is a very long game. This game is better after the demo. I believe the demo does not do justice to the excellence of this game! It is a masterpiece of sci-fi gaming. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep the player busy. THERE ARE FORTY-EIGHT PUZZLES just in the main game! Wow! There is a Rube-Goldberg style puzzle (with its eight “8” puzzles) which you play going through a jungle maze. The graphics are exquisite and incredibly beautiful on the island on which most of the game is played. Beside sci-fi lovers, this game should appeal to those who are enthralled by pyramids, pyramid power, and those who just like action-packed adventure games.
You get your own gear kit with all the supplies necessary to do some archaeological investigation. You will also use a glyph book to translate glyphs you will encounter as you play the game. You collect 30 swirls (same ones as in all their games). They are easy to locate within the scenes. There are morphing objects within the HOP scenes. There are ten (10) achievements with most having three (3) parts. You can replay eighteen (18) HOP scenes. However, you cannot replay the puzzles. This is my only complaint about this game. With all the puzzles in this game, I wish Mad Head would allow the player to replay some of them. There were a few I did not finish; however, I don’t want to replay this massive game just to play them.
BONUS CHAPTER: The bonus chapter is a sequel to the game. Cassie and her family are still on the mysterious island. It is a long chapter as indicated by the strategy guide. I have begun but not finished the chapter. However, it appears that the bonus game would require two to three hours to complete.
HOP SCENES: There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes in the game. Having only played the main game, I have not played three (3) of those HOP scenes. There are not many scenes within the game; however, they are much better toward the end of the main game and there are more of them as well. They include lists of items, silhouette, and matching. There are no matching ones in the demo, but several after the demo. The matching ones I felt superb. Toward the end of the main game, the scenes have more searches for symbols rather than items. However, this fits in nicely with the whole sci-fi, alien civilization theme. I found it amusing this game only has one storybook scene which occurs at the END of the game and not at the beginning! Leave to Mad Head to improvise and shake things up a little. The scenes are creatively designed, using an unusual set of venues in which to place the items.
PUZZLES: This is a puzzle-lover’s dream game. I cannot believe Mad Head does not allow the player to replay some of these FORTY-EIGHT (48) puzzles from the main game. The ones after the demo are so much better than within the demo. There is a variation of a Rube-Goldberg puzzle which occurs in a jungle maze in which you must play separate puzzles as you meander through this maze to get out of the jungle. Just incredible! Every imaginable puzzle is within this game. They also vary in difficulty as well. There are a couple of difficult puzzles within this game. However, most are easy or moderately difficult.
HERE ARE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Nothing will bar me. Sequence puzzle. Remove interlocking bars in sequence until all bars are removed from the grid. More detailed than in other games which have this puzzle.
B. You seem alien to me. Matching puzzle. Match up alien-like figurines by color and shape.
C. Take that you jerk! Bullseye! Center a circle within another circle to hit an indigenous villager in the snoot!
D. The first step is the worst. Physical puzzle. Click on footsteps when they land on a rock to get to the other side.
E. You light up my world. Jigsaw puzzle. Match up and place lighted pieces of the world onto a map of the world.
F. Everyone connect hands! Connection puzzle. Connect three pincers to three diamonds. DIFFICULT
G. Go to the light! Honeycomb/entrapment puzzle. Move the monster into the light by blocking his path and forcing him to move up to the light.
B. You seem alien to me. Matching puzzle. Match up alien-like figurines by color and shape.
C. Take that you jerk! Bullseye! Center a circle within another circle to hit an indigenous villager in the snoot!
D. The first step is the worst. Physical puzzle. Click on footsteps when they land on a rock to get to the other side.
E. You light up my world. Jigsaw puzzle. Match up and place lighted pieces of the world onto a map of the world.
F. Everyone connect hands! Connection puzzle. Connect three pincers to three diamonds. DIFFICULT
G. Go to the light! Honeycomb/entrapment puzzle. Move the monster into the light by blocking his path and forcing him to move up to the light.
Rube-Goldberg puzzle. The following are some of the eight (8) puzzles which you must solve to get through a maze.
H. Maze puzzle. Lead a blue lizard through a maze to get a golden pointer. There are barriers in your path and you will need to maneuver the lizard to open those barriers.
I. Moving tiles puzzle. Move and rotate tiles so that three tiles on each of the (3) inner circles all match up.
J. Physics puzzle. On a wheel with three (3) marbles, start the smallest marble as the other two are moving so that all marbles reach their perspective destinations at the same time.
K. Matching puzzle. On a wheel, move three pentagons so that the colors match up with adjoining tokens.
H. Maze puzzle. Lead a blue lizard through a maze to get a golden pointer. There are barriers in your path and you will need to maneuver the lizard to open those barriers.
I. Moving tiles puzzle. Move and rotate tiles so that three tiles on each of the (3) inner circles all match up.
J. Physics puzzle. On a wheel with three (3) marbles, start the smallest marble as the other two are moving so that all marbles reach their perspective destinations at the same time.
K. Matching puzzle. On a wheel, move three pentagons so that the colors match up with adjoining tokens.
I recommend this game!
A young demon hunter finds herself time traveling back to ancient Egypt to wield the Gauntlet of Horus to stop an ancient deity.
Overall rating
5
/
5
71 of 145 found this review helpful
SAVE THE WORLD FROM DARKNESS IN A TIME TRAVELING TREK THROUGH ANCIENT EGYPT
PostedFebruary 27, 2018
sunnyglow
fromAfter learning how to mesmerize a cobra with a flute, I wonder if the same tactic can be used to mesmerize my boss into giving me a raise?
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 59 Pages
OVERVIEW: Grab your camera and protective amulet as you, Lila, along with your Aunt Dawn travel back in time to Ancient Egypt. You are off to fight an ancient evil, the god Seth! An ancient artifact, the Gauntlet of Horus, has been discovered, one which can defeat the darkness and evil controlled by this Lord of Evil. When your aunt is kidnapped by a demon, you must activate a portal and go back in time to Ancient Egypt to save the world from darkness. You, as the “Bearer of Light” are the only one who can save mankind from the evil machinations of Seth and his demons.
This is another fantastic game by Brave Giant. I love this series and have waited for BFG to offer this game on their site. This is an easy-breezy game in which you can gently flow down the Nile without shedding any crocodile tears battling difficult puzzles. This is a fun game which should appeal to those who love archaeology, adventure games, or the thought of time travel to ancient Egypt. The graphics are beautiful and remind me of the old Egyptian mummy movies from Hammer Films. The story is a wonderful action-packed time travel adventure into the distant past. The game has an excellent pace with plenty of activities to keep the player busy. This game was an automatic purchase for me! This is beautifully illustrated fun-filled game to wile away the hours.
MECHANICS: You can replay some of the puzzles and HOP scenes. There are twelve (12) wallpapers and twelve (12) concept art scenes. You collect four (4) diamonds and thirty-three (33) stars. I found them easy to locate. There are also morphing objects within the HOP scenes. There are twenty-two achievements to earn as well. The Gauntlet of Horus is your helper throughout the game. You can play a Matching game in lieu of the HOP scenes.
HOP SCENES: I feel the HOP scenes are better designed than the puzzles. The scenes within the demo are lists of items and silhouette. One of the silhouette in the demo is a FROG. All are interactive and beautifully illustrated. They are thematic and truly reflect the flavor of Ancient Egypt. The HOP scenes have morphing objects within them.
PUZZLES: No crocodiles hiding here! However, you do learn to play the flute while lulling a cobra to leave the scene! Bye- bye! Snake-eyes! The puzzles are easy. I found none which were even slightly difficult. They are thematic as well. They include a jigsaw puzzle placing pieces back into a cartouche. There are two storybook puzzles (which I feel are more like HOP scenes than puzzles) in which you locate and interact with items listed in BOLD letters. Some of the activities I considered puzzles; however, they are not designated as such by the developer. I included them below as puzzles, however.
SOCK IT TO THE DEMONS! You play a puzzle every time you need to fight off demons within this game. It is a variation of a bullseye puzzle. You follow a target and when it turns blue, you can click away demolishing those evildoers!
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE FROM THE DEMO
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Matching game in lieu of the scene.
(A) Silhouette. Search for items and replace them back within the scene. (B) Locate 12 pebbles. (C) List of items. (D) Silhouette items. (E) Silhouette puzzle - FROG (F) List of items on a hieroglyphic slab.
PUZZLES: They are all easy.
A. * Demon Fighting Puzzle. Every time you need to fight demons, use the gauntlet. Bullseye puzzle. Take out the demons by following a target. When it turns blue, click on it to fight the demons.
B. Jigsaw puzzle. Place fragments of a cartouche into their proper location. (Within the inventory)
C. Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters by interacting with the scene. (More of a HOP scene than a puzzle)
D. Sequence puzzle. Lull an angry cobra by playing a flute according to a given code.
E. Dialogue puzzle. Choose the correct questions to ask from a series of possible questions.
F. Slider puzzle. Slide tokens with fire symbols on them so they are in sequence.
G. Storybook puzzle. Interact with the scene locating items in BOLD letters.
B. Jigsaw puzzle. Place fragments of a cartouche into their proper location. (Within the inventory)
C. Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters by interacting with the scene. (More of a HOP scene than a puzzle)
D. Sequence puzzle. Lull an angry cobra by playing a flute according to a given code.
E. Dialogue puzzle. Choose the correct questions to ask from a series of possible questions.
F. Slider puzzle. Slide tokens with fire symbols on them so they are in sequence.
G. Storybook puzzle. Interact with the scene locating items in BOLD letters.
I recommend this game!
Princess has disappeared, and her statues are under attack!
Overall rating
3
/
5
88 of 163 found this review helpful
A DOGGONE GAME IN WHICH I WISHED THE DOG WAS JUST THAT – GONE!
PostedFebruary 24, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThis game is barking up the wrong tree for me! It also reminds me why I don’t own a dog.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter:
OVERVIEW: Detective - Can you save pretty Princess with a penchant for pensive Prince from a petty pilferer? You will need to mind your P’s and Q’s as well with Princess and her boyfriend, Prince. As a product of a dysfunctional family, Princess has contacted you to save her from an evildoer (all decked out in his hooded evildoer attire) who is out to steal her magical powers – consisting of being able to animate statues. You will need to use all your skills to help Princess from a surprising foe.
This is a great game for those who love easy breezy games, incurable romantics, dog lovers, or those ‘tweens’ out there looking for Prince or Princess Charming. It will be a pass for me. I don’t play games with animal helpers. The dog drove me crazy throughout the demo. I have no desire to continue this game either listening to his barking and panting or watching his noisome antics. I would probably have purchased it sans the pooch. Except for the helper, the game is decent but nothing out of the ordinary. This would also be a great game as well for children if there were some guidance.
MECHANICS AND EXTRAS: As usual for Elephant Games, the graphics are beautiful. The story interweaves the sugary sweet aspects of teen romance contrasted with that of redemption or defeat of an evildoer. You need not worry! I am positive that once again teen love will conquer all! The game has a good pace with plenty of activities to keep the player engaged. You collect fourteen (14) dogs and thirty (30) morphing objects. However, the dogs are morphing objects as well. There are twenty (20) achievements. Replay 13 mini-games and 13 HOP scenes. The other extras include eight (8) wallpapers and eight (8) concept art pieces, and three (3) screensavers. Elephant is one the few developers to still offer screensavers within their games.
CALL OUT THE POSSE TO PICK UP THIS SHERIFF! Doggone it! Elephant is providing animal helpers within their games AGAIN! The helper is a cocker spaniel named Sheriff, with glowing green eyes. He barks throughout the game and that barking is annoying, at least for me. Sheriff scratches his fleas, barks, runs around in circles on your inventory bar, and is used four times in the demo. I must admit I am not a dog person preferring the independence of cats; however, I would not like a helper cat meowing and prancing around within this game either.
HOP SCENES: The scenes are standard fare seen in other games. They are somewhat interactive, but basically nondescript. There are several mini-HOP scenes in which you locate a small number of items. Most are lists of items, silhouette scenes, and storybook scenes in which you locate items while learning more about the story behind the game. There is one creative HOP scene I truly enjoyed within the demo. It involves searching for silhouette items which are engraved onto a stone slab.
PUZZLES: They are all easy. I did not find one puzzle which was even mildly difficult. There is quite a variety of puzzles. They are again those we have seen in other games only changed somewhat to fit the game’s theme. Some of those puzzles are also involve items within the inventory. There are some extremely easy switch puzzles and sequence puzzles. There is a mathematical puzzle which requires some logical thinking to calculate moves to move four keys into the middle of a grid. However, I believe you can figure this out without any difficulty.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: My favorite puzzle is a unique and creative assembly puzzle. Elephant has offered this puzzle before and I wish more developers would adopt it. You move and position four lighted shadow images to match a skeletal image on a wall. Use arrows to move and sliders to increase and decrease the size of the image. You must also rotate the images to fit the given skeletal image on the stone.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE FROM THE DEMO:
HOP SCENES:
(A) Storybook. Locate items listed in highlighted letters. (B) Mini-HOP scene. List of items. (C) List of items (D) Mini-HOP scene. List of items (E) Silhouette. (Incredibly beautiful. Silhouettes are etched on a wall. (F) List of items
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens so they are next to the same image on a shield. Rating: 1
B. Switch puzzle. (Inventory puzzle) Switch the halves of a series of crowns so that the two halves match up. Use a set of clock hands to switch out the crown halves. Rating: 2
C. Lock puzzle. Open a lock by moving the dial on the lock clockwise and counterclockwise according to a given combination. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Switch tokens on a box so that each pair of symbols located next to each, when combined, create the symbol below the two tokens. Rating: 1
E. Mathematical puzzle. Move four keys to the center of ta grid. Click on the numbers at the top, bottom and sides of the grid to move the keys that number of spaces. Rating: 2
F. Alignment puzzle. Pull chains attached to items on a board so that each item is next to its picture located on the left side of the board. Pulling on chain affects the other chains. Rating: 2
G. Switch puzzle. Switch the leaves on five flowers on 5 colored tiles, so that the color of the petals on the flowers matches up with that of the tile. Rating: 2
H. Moving tiles. Swap tokens on a placard by moving them along paths so that each token matches the picture next to it. Rating: 2
I. Jigsaw puzzle. (Inventory puzzle) Move each part of a bridle to the appropriate location to create the bridle. Rating: 1
J. Sequence puzzle. Press stones in the proper sequence. Rating: 1
K. Assembly puzzle. Unique and creative puzzle in which you move and position four lighted shadow images to match a skeletal image on a wall. Use arrows to move and sliders to increase and decrease the size of the image. You must also rotate the images. Rating: 2
A. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens so they are next to the same image on a shield. Rating: 1
B. Switch puzzle. (Inventory puzzle) Switch the halves of a series of crowns so that the two halves match up. Use a set of clock hands to switch out the crown halves. Rating: 2
C. Lock puzzle. Open a lock by moving the dial on the lock clockwise and counterclockwise according to a given combination. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Switch tokens on a box so that each pair of symbols located next to each, when combined, create the symbol below the two tokens. Rating: 1
E. Mathematical puzzle. Move four keys to the center of ta grid. Click on the numbers at the top, bottom and sides of the grid to move the keys that number of spaces. Rating: 2
F. Alignment puzzle. Pull chains attached to items on a board so that each item is next to its picture located on the left side of the board. Pulling on chain affects the other chains. Rating: 2
G. Switch puzzle. Switch the leaves on five flowers on 5 colored tiles, so that the color of the petals on the flowers matches up with that of the tile. Rating: 2
H. Moving tiles. Swap tokens on a placard by moving them along paths so that each token matches the picture next to it. Rating: 2
I. Jigsaw puzzle. (Inventory puzzle) Move each part of a bridle to the appropriate location to create the bridle. Rating: 1
J. Sequence puzzle. Press stones in the proper sequence. Rating: 1
K. Assembly puzzle. Unique and creative puzzle in which you move and position four lighted shadow images to match a skeletal image on a wall. Use arrows to move and sliders to increase and decrease the size of the image. You must also rotate the images. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Save the citizens of Rivershire from a terrible plague!
Overall rating
5
/
5
116 of 182 found this review helpful
A GAME WHICH PROVES THAT “BRAIN FOG” CAN CREATE A MONSTER
PostedFebruary 22, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThis game explains the demonic scourge of early morning brain fog. Perhaps that explains why I look and act like a “monster” when I awake in the morning!
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 – Time: 5 Hours
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 56 Pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 56 Pages
OVERVIEW: Honored Healer! Grab your healing kit - you are off to the green fog infested town of Rivershire in another outstanding game by the puzzlemeisters, Domini! You will be battling the resurgence of a demonic infection hiding within this fog, causing those infected to turn into monsters. Of course, behind this epidemic is an evildoer. BFG is “breaking out in a rash” of games this week involved with alchemy. You will be collecting supplies to create medicines and potions. This game should appeal to those who love this series, medical staff or those aspiring to those professions. The main game kept me engaged. Be warned! This game is long and the bonus chapter is as well.
This is not my favorite series from this developer, but even the mediocre games from Domini are better than the best games by many developers on this site. My only complaint is that there is a great deal of back-and-forth action to collect items to create the remedies. Nevertheless, this game demonstrates the same outstanding craftsmanship by Domini in providing excellent puzzles and decent HOP scenes. I purchased this game because Domini always provides those extras (which no other developer provides) which make the game well worth the investment. They are my favorite developer on the BFG site and my overall second favorite for HOP games.
MECHANICS AND GIMMICKS: The story is similar as those from the previous games within the series. Some disease has you out and about to discover the cause and provide a cure all while defeating some evildoer behind the epidemic. The game is beautifully illustrated as usual for Domini. You get two gimmicky devices. One is a special lens which allows you to diagnose the seven (7) infected individuals you encounter in your travels. At the end of your diagnosis you receive a grocery list of supplies you will need to forage in the area to create the medicine. You will then need to place those supplies into a modified type of distiller in proper sequence to create that medication. I did find this activity somewhat tedious, however. I found that placing the items in the correct location on the distiller to be illogical. For me, I discovered the proper locations by trial and error.
EXTRAS: Domini provides a plethora of extras within their games. There are three (3) collectibles which are fifteen (15) eggs, fifteen (15) medallions, and seventy-six (76) coins. I found all easy to locate within the scenes. The inventory bar indicates if there are any of these items within the scene as well. With the collected coins, you purchase items for your “laboratory.” There are also lots of achievements to earn, twenty-six (26) in total. The inventory is interactive requiring assembly and manipulation of the items. You can replay seventeen (17) HOP scenes and seventeen (17) puzzles.
BONUS CHAPTER: This story is somewhat different from the main game. In this chapter you play the Royal Magician to the king. In yet another demon attack, his son, the prince is kidnapped by the demons and you must save him. I have not finished this chapter; however, the activities are similar with those within the main game. The player continues to locate collectibles.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty (20) scenes within this game. The scenes are ones seen in other games. They include lists of items, storybook scenes, and silhouette scenes. The scenes are somewhat interactive. There are no unusual nor extremely creative scenes however. They are not as creative or well-designed as the puzzles, but they are decent. My favorite was a scene within the main game in which you must search for items and place them back into their proper place. You have the option to play a thematic Match-3 instead of the scene.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-seven (27) puzzles within the game. Domini shines in this area and the puzzles are the best feature of the game. Unlike most other developers, this developer allows you to have the option to solve those puzzles in either a casual or hard mode. There is a nice variety of puzzles as well. Below is a sampling of puzzles within the game AFTER THE DEMO:
SPOILERS: THESE ARE A SAMPLING OF PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO: MOST HAVE A CHOICE BETWEEN A CASUAL OR HARD MODE:
A. You’re not just a number! Connection puzzle. Connect adjacent stones with lines based on the number on each stone. Each stone should have the exact number of lines emanating from it as indicated on the stone.
B. I’m on fire! Connect the dots. Connect all dots in a fiery scene without retracing the lines between them.
C. Nice book series you have Domini! Switch puzzle. Switch books to create an image on the spines of the book.
D. A Pretty in Pink Ball. Maze puzzle. Move arrows on a grid of blocks so that a pink ball can go through every block within the grid before it exits the grid. The hard level has blockers in the path.
E. Become “beady” eyed. Alignment puzzle. Move six (6) rods with beads with symbols upon them so that when aligned properly, every symbol is highlighted at the bottom of the screen.
F. Skulduggery! Slider puzzle. Slide a skull through a grid with cells so that each cell is visited by the skull without retracing steps. The hard version has blockers to create more paths for the skull to visit.
G. AI will never replace humans! Outsmart the computer. Play the computer as you try to get more of your colored stones on the board than the computer. When you move next to computer’s colored stones, you change them to your color. Play until all squares are filled.
H. Let’s get together! Combination puzzle. For three rows of symbols, switch the top and bottom rows of symbols so, when combined, creates the symbol in the middle.
I. Triangulation! Rotating tiles puzzle. Create a path by rotating triangular tiles so that an orb can move from top to bottom of the path.
J. Can you “spell” that? Maze puzzle. Lead a token to one end of a maze to the other by creating a path consisting of blocks with patterns upon them. You must pass through a specific number of each of those blocks before you reach the end. To make it more interesting you will be trapped within some of these blocks and must use one of three (3) spells to get out of the trap. Each spell can only be used once.
B. I’m on fire! Connect the dots. Connect all dots in a fiery scene without retracing the lines between them.
C. Nice book series you have Domini! Switch puzzle. Switch books to create an image on the spines of the book.
D. A Pretty in Pink Ball. Maze puzzle. Move arrows on a grid of blocks so that a pink ball can go through every block within the grid before it exits the grid. The hard level has blockers in the path.
E. Become “beady” eyed. Alignment puzzle. Move six (6) rods with beads with symbols upon them so that when aligned properly, every symbol is highlighted at the bottom of the screen.
F. Skulduggery! Slider puzzle. Slide a skull through a grid with cells so that each cell is visited by the skull without retracing steps. The hard version has blockers to create more paths for the skull to visit.
G. AI will never replace humans! Outsmart the computer. Play the computer as you try to get more of your colored stones on the board than the computer. When you move next to computer’s colored stones, you change them to your color. Play until all squares are filled.
H. Let’s get together! Combination puzzle. For three rows of symbols, switch the top and bottom rows of symbols so, when combined, creates the symbol in the middle.
I. Triangulation! Rotating tiles puzzle. Create a path by rotating triangular tiles so that an orb can move from top to bottom of the path.
J. Can you “spell” that? Maze puzzle. Lead a token to one end of a maze to the other by creating a path consisting of blocks with patterns upon them. You must pass through a specific number of each of those blocks before you reach the end. To make it more interesting you will be trapped within some of these blocks and must use one of three (3) spells to get out of the trap. Each spell can only be used once.
I recommend this game!
Use your knowledge of alchemical arcana to save the young prince from the clutches of dark magic!
Overall rating
4
/
5
46 of 96 found this review helpful
MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL, IS THAT WITCH STILL IMPRISONED AFTER ALL?
PostedFebruary 20, 2018
sunnyglow
fromAmazing Auntie: Here is an alchemist who can fight off an evil witch and still trudge along dragging a huge alchemy kit with her to prepare potions to defeat this witch and her minions!!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
OVERVIEW: Auntie! You have been the guardian for King Fern since his father died in the aftermath of a battle with the evil witch, Drosera. Now twelve years later, the young king is an adult, in love with the fair Rose, and soon to face more problems with this troublesome witch. You don’t believe in black magic, Auntie, being the purveyor of science and alchemy. However, you may change your mind after dealing with this witch. After a long battle, the witch was imprisoned in a mirror along with her minions, protected by an amulet. However, this amulet which has protected the young king, is beginning to lose power. You must now help Fern save the kingdom once again.
MECHANICS: This is a beautiful fairy tale come-to-life. The graphics are stunning! I surveyed this game for Artifex Mundi. It is not created by them, but by one of their fellow developers. It is a great game for those who love fairy tale games steeped in magic with many potions to create. You are required to create a great deal of potions within this game. For this, you must search the scenes for items to create those potions. Creating each potion requires playing a variety of a Match-3 puzzle.
Although it will appeal to many, I found the pace tedious and the game very boring. There is no strategy guide. You collect 31 rose emblems. You can replay some HOP scenes and puzzles. You receive a gimmicky alchemy kit to retrieve formulas and to collect those items to produce medicines and potions. To me, searching for supplies and creating those potions slowed down the pace of the game. I found this game tedious.
HOP SCENES: There are only three in the demo and they are standard fare. I did find the one scene searching for birds very beautiful.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are creatively designed. They vary in style and difficulty. I do like most of the puzzles within this game. None are terribly difficult. I would have purchased this game except for the tedious activities involved in creating all the potions. My favorite puzzle from the demo is a maze puzzle in which you must search for your nephew while avoiding obstacles in your path. That puzzle does take some time to maneuver. I like the Match-3 game (Skipping Stones) to create the potions. You are only allowed a specific amount of turns to retrieve a given amount of each colored stone. The other puzzles are ones we have seen in other games including a rope puzzle, a Simon Says puzzle, and a map puzzle in which you must angle guards so that all halls in the castle are within site of at least one guard.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hints and Skips: 10 to 120 seconds
Hints and Skips: 10 to 120 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
You get an alchemy kit to help you in the game
You can replay some HOP scenes and mini-games.
12 Achievements
Collect 31 roses
Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music,
Map is provided as you play the game
You get an alchemy kit to help you in the game
You can replay some HOP scenes and mini-games.
12 Achievements
Collect 31 roses
Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: (A) List of items. (B) Silhouette – Beautiful birds. (C) List of items
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
To create potions. Variation of a Match-3 game. Connect like tokens to remove them. You must collect a specific amount of each stone and only have a specific number of moves to achieve that goal.
A. Rope puzzle (in this case, chains). Maneuver chains so that none cross each other. Rating: 2
B. Variation of a HOP scene. Storybook. Locate items through a telescope. Move 3 dials to locate the images. Rating: 2
C. Another variation of a Storybook scene. Interact with the pages of a storybook. Rating: 1
D. Simon Says puzzle. Follow a given sequence on stones. 3X Rating: 1
E. Physics puzzle. Place guards on a map so that all areas of the castle are covered by sight from at least one of the guards. Rating: 2
F. Find the differences. Find the differences between a group of statues. Rating: 1
G. Switch puzzle. Switch slats on a jewelry box to restore an image. Rating: 1
H. Assembly puzzle. Match up two weather related symbols to create a third weather symbol at the top of the screen.
I. Maze puzzle. Move characters through a maze eliminating obstacles in their path. 3X Rating: 2
B. Variation of a HOP scene. Storybook. Locate items through a telescope. Move 3 dials to locate the images. Rating: 2
C. Another variation of a Storybook scene. Interact with the pages of a storybook. Rating: 1
D. Simon Says puzzle. Follow a given sequence on stones. 3X Rating: 1
E. Physics puzzle. Place guards on a map so that all areas of the castle are covered by sight from at least one of the guards. Rating: 2
F. Find the differences. Find the differences between a group of statues. Rating: 1
G. Switch puzzle. Switch slats on a jewelry box to restore an image. Rating: 1
H. Assembly puzzle. Match up two weather related symbols to create a third weather symbol at the top of the screen.
I. Maze puzzle. Move characters through a maze eliminating obstacles in their path. 3X Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the townspeople from paying for a dark past?
Overall rating
5
/
5
91 of 146 found this review helpful
GET BATTLE READY TO TAKE ON AN EVILDOER LURKING BEHIND “THE SHADOWS”
PostedFebruary 15, 2018
sunnyglow
fromCoffee, Tea, or Detective Duncan? After this game our detective duo has a sweet future with so much in common including the most important thing - they love the same donut shop!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON ENTIRE GAME
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 40 Pages
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 40 Pages
OVERVIEW: Battle up Detective! You are off on another case involving the supernatural! Get battle ready to take on the Dark Lord in an action-packed game! An evildoer is helping the Dark Lord to enter the real world and regain his power for nefarious ends. A dagger is behind all the calamities, being wielded by shadow being from another dimension. Now you must find the generational links and shift back-and-forth between the past and the dark dimensions to locate the artifacts to battle this dark entity out to conquer the world. You will get some help along the way with the ancestors who first destroyed this monster and, of course, the ever-so-handsome Detective Duncan!
MECHANICS: This is an action-packed game with plenty of activities to keep the player busy! I almost did not purchase this game; however, I am glad I did. For me, the demo does not do justice to this game – it is much better AFTER THE DEMO! For me, the pièce de résistance are the three (3) Rube Goldberg puzzles. Although it is a puzzle-intense game, the true ingenuity within this game rests in the HOP scenes. This is a great game for those who like supernatural detective stories or those who like action games. There are quite a few battle scenes fought with some type of puzzle.
The graphics are decent, but I did find some scenes somewhat grainy and blurry. You collect eight (8) characters from the game and twenty-three (23) crowns. Most of these are easy to locate There are not many achievements; however, six of them have three parts. There are eighteen (18) wallpapers, which is more than I have seen from any other game! You do not replay either HOP scenes or puzzles; however, in this case, I feel the HOP scenes in this game do not lend themselves to replay and the puzzles are too easy to merit replay.
BONUS GAME: The bonus game is a sequel to the main game. Follow the Dark King’s son as he tries to destroy everything associated with his father. This may not be as easy as it may appear! This Daddy Dearest is in no mood to put up with his son trying to destroy all he holds dear.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are the BEST part of the game. This game provides some of the best interactive and creative scenes HOP scenes I have seen in quite some time. There are ten (10) HOP scenes within the main game. That does not seem like many; however, the scenes require a great deal of interaction and some have mini-puzzles within them. One of the scenes has two (2) mini-puzzles within the scene. All the scenes are interactive. Most are search and replacement scenes in which you must search for an item and then return it to the scene. Many are storybook scenes and in most you will need to locate more than one item for each item listed.
PUZZLES: There are nineteen (19) puzzles within the main game. However, three of those are Rube Goldberg puzzles which include up to four or five mini-puzzles within a larger puzzle format. The puzzles are ones seen before in other games. Some of the puzzles are also included within the HOP scenes. The puzzles vary in style and difficulty. However, I did not find one which was even slightly difficult. Most of the puzzles are easy, extremely easy.
Here is a sampling of puzzles AFTER THE DEMO:
SPOILERS: DO NOT CONTINUE UNLESS YOU WISH TO SEE SOME OF THE PUZZLES OFFERED AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Ye Ole Book puzzle! Sequence puzzle. Place books in sequence to uncover a design on the spines.
B. Battle up! Rube Goldberg puzzle. (1) Match up runes to knock out a zombie baddie (2) Connection puzzle. Connect points on a figure to trace it without retracing your steps. (3) Jigsaw puzzle. Put pieces into place to create an image.
C. Lock them up! Switch puzzle. Switch tumblers on the top and bottom of a lock so they mesh.
D. Bullseye! Fight the Shadows by aligning one to three lines so they intersect in the middle of a central point. Increases in difficulty. 3X
E. You just “runed” my day! Simon Says puzzle. Defeat 3 dark knights. Battle the evil knights by repeating the sequence of displayed runes. 3X Increases in difficulty
F. Match me up buttercup! Match-3 Game. Match up 3 or more stones to remove them. You must remove enough of them to light up two bars. You are limited on the turns you have.
G. Build a bridge, not a wall! Tangram puzzle. Build a bridge. Place tangram pieces so they leave no empty spaces except for the red squares within the grid. Rating: 2
H. Rube Goldberg puzzle. (1) Memory puzzle. Remember the items on a shield and choose the correct one among a variety of available ones. 4X (2) Matching puzzle. Match up a rune with its twin. (3) Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide slats up-and-down and sideways to restore an image of a shield. (4) Bullseye! Click on two sliders as they enter the middle zone of their respective bars. (5) Matching puzzle. Match up pairs of items hidden on cards.
B. Battle up! Rube Goldberg puzzle. (1) Match up runes to knock out a zombie baddie (2) Connection puzzle. Connect points on a figure to trace it without retracing your steps. (3) Jigsaw puzzle. Put pieces into place to create an image.
C. Lock them up! Switch puzzle. Switch tumblers on the top and bottom of a lock so they mesh.
D. Bullseye! Fight the Shadows by aligning one to three lines so they intersect in the middle of a central point. Increases in difficulty. 3X
E. You just “runed” my day! Simon Says puzzle. Defeat 3 dark knights. Battle the evil knights by repeating the sequence of displayed runes. 3X Increases in difficulty
F. Match me up buttercup! Match-3 Game. Match up 3 or more stones to remove them. You must remove enough of them to light up two bars. You are limited on the turns you have.
G. Build a bridge, not a wall! Tangram puzzle. Build a bridge. Place tangram pieces so they leave no empty spaces except for the red squares within the grid. Rating: 2
H. Rube Goldberg puzzle. (1) Memory puzzle. Remember the items on a shield and choose the correct one among a variety of available ones. 4X (2) Matching puzzle. Match up a rune with its twin. (3) Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide slats up-and-down and sideways to restore an image of a shield. (4) Bullseye! Click on two sliders as they enter the middle zone of their respective bars. (5) Matching puzzle. Match up pairs of items hidden on cards.
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
8 Achievements 6 with 3 parts and 2 others as well
Collect 8 game characters and 23 crowns
18 Wallpapers, 30 Concept Art, Music, Jigsaw puzzle, Video
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
8 Achievements 6 with 3 parts and 2 others as well
Collect 8 game characters and 23 crowns
18 Wallpapers, 30 Concept Art, Music, Jigsaw puzzle, Video
I recommend this game!