sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:818
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:April 24, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you stop an otherworldly force before it’s too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
130 of 213 found this review helpful
ANOTHER STELLAR SCI-FI GAME – ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR!
PostedOctober 21, 2017
sunnyglow
fromPlaying HOP games is educational. Today, I learned that I can blow up an inflatable raft by using a leaf blower. Next time I go rafting, I will remember to pack my leaf blower! Maybe not! Gaming leaf blowers are under “more pressure” to perform in games
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 Minus the Bonus Chapter
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages
OVERVIEW: Sci-Fi fans! Enjoy a “stellar” game by Mad Head! What a great game, and to me, one of their best! The fright chasers are back taking you to a whole new world of adventure! Get ready to enter the world of quantum mechanics and traverse through the time and space. However – be warned - once you open that portal, you have no idea what will be lurking on the other side. You and your friend Lisa are off to the Kilbourn Observatory in Fell Oaks to investigate a mysterious story concerning a famous astronomer, Ryan, and his wife, Anne. This happy scientific duo had so much in common and were both working on a project to open the door to an alternate universe. However, tragically, Anne died in a motorcycle accident and then Ryan disappeared. However, once you enter the observatory, you discover that missing Ryan has kidnapped Lisa – but why? Expect some surprises which may seem alien to you! You must battle whatever forces are in that house to free your friend.
This game will appeal to sci-fi fans out there. It is a LONG game so get your refreshments in line as you go into battle mode to fight to get your friend back. I have been waiting for this game to appear. I don’t believe the demo truly reflects the excellence of this game. The game is much better after the demo. The graphics are incredible and do give a modern (drones) and sci-fi flavor to the game. The pace is excellent with an interesting story and plenty of activities. The puzzles are varied and there are some very easy ones intermingled with a couple difficult ones to smack down even the ‘brainiacs’ out there! With an unexpected revelation at the end of the demo, the story changes drastically. You collect swirls, treasures and morphing objects. You can replay the HOP scenes from the games but NOT puzzles. At the end you get a blog with jigsaw puzzles as a device to give more information on the characters.
WHY NOT A REPLAY OF PUZZLES? I have few complaints about this game; however, I wish I could replay some of the puzzles within this game. They were difficult for me and I would like another chance at them. I have addressed this with Mad Head and hope in future games they will make this option available.
LOCATE HIDDEN ITEMS WITH A GIMMICKY SPIRIT CAMERA. What would a HOP game be today without some special device to locate hidden items? They are in almost all games now. Get into the “spirit” of the game with your very own “spirit camera.” This camera is used throughout the game to locate those special white energy orbs. This is my only other complaint about this game. This game stands on its own merits. There is NO need for any gimmicks to sell this game.
HOP SCENES: There are seventeen (17) scenes in the main game. The HOP scenes include the usual lists of items and silhouette scenes. Some are creatively designed. Mad Head does provide some unusual backgrounds for their scenes including a clock face, a wine cellar, and a rock. There is a creative scene in which you replace items back into the scene as well as search for silhouette items as well. Of course, what would any current game would not include some runes? There are a couple of scenes in which you locate runes.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-seven (27) puzzles in the main game. They are varied in style and difficulty with some difficult ones. In my opinion, a sci-fi game should have a few puzzles which are challenging. They are like ones we have seen in the past. Included are switch puzzles, many - many lock puzzles (too many for my taste), moving tiles puzzles to restore pictures, matching, and sequence puzzles. However, they do reflect the theme of the game: Here are a few of my favorites:
A. Fly a drone. Yeah! Maneuver settings to fly a drone to its location behind a rock. Not hard but so much fun. You also fly it to retrieve a key as well.
B. Connect-the-dots. Constellation puzzle. Connect dots on a star map to match given constellations. Use arrows to locate the proper star alignment before connecting those dots
C. Diversity in gaming! Logic problem. Move 4 each of 4 different types of tokens so that there are no more than one of each for each row and column. Rating: 2
D. Truly a-maze-d. Maze puzzles. Move a blue marble from one end to the other end of the maze in three different geometric shapes.
E. Runes, runes, and more runes! Assembly puzzle. Using an amulet choose two runes which, when combined, create a symbol in the center of the screen. (Use this each time you must use the amulet to fight the evildoers)
F. Row, row, row your boat! Navigation maze puzzle. Navigate your boat through the water while avoiding police boats (and so loud when they catch you) and other obstacles in your path.
G. Truly a BIG FISH puzzle. Checkers puzzle. Using adorable blue and gold Big Fish, reverse their positions on a grid by having them jump over each other until all those fish are reversed.
H. Turn the lights off! On a grid with 9 buttons, push them until they all are turned off. Pushing one affects the others.
I. Monkey shines! Ye old Evolution of Man puzzle. Switch tiles so that the natural state of evolution is shown.
J. Get your degree in wine physics! Valve puzzle. Move wine from bottles through tubes in a Mad Head designed contraption in exact amounts by using valves to regulate the flow of the liquid.
B. Connect-the-dots. Constellation puzzle. Connect dots on a star map to match given constellations. Use arrows to locate the proper star alignment before connecting those dots
C. Diversity in gaming! Logic problem. Move 4 each of 4 different types of tokens so that there are no more than one of each for each row and column. Rating: 2
D. Truly a-maze-d. Maze puzzles. Move a blue marble from one end to the other end of the maze in three different geometric shapes.
E. Runes, runes, and more runes! Assembly puzzle. Using an amulet choose two runes which, when combined, create a symbol in the center of the screen. (Use this each time you must use the amulet to fight the evildoers)
F. Row, row, row your boat! Navigation maze puzzle. Navigate your boat through the water while avoiding police boats (and so loud when they catch you) and other obstacles in your path.
G. Truly a BIG FISH puzzle. Checkers puzzle. Using adorable blue and gold Big Fish, reverse their positions on a grid by having them jump over each other until all those fish are reversed.
H. Turn the lights off! On a grid with 9 buttons, push them until they all are turned off. Pushing one affects the others.
I. Monkey shines! Ye old Evolution of Man puzzle. Switch tiles so that the natural state of evolution is shown.
J. Get your degree in wine physics! Valve puzzle. Move wine from bottles through tubes in a Mad Head designed contraption in exact amounts by using valves to regulate the flow of the liquid.
LEVELS: Intern, Field Reporter, Star Columnist, Editor-in-Chief, Freelancer
Hints and Skips: 1 to 95 seconds
Hints and Skips: 1 to 95 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
Spirit Camera. Use the camera to find ghostly white orbs.
Replay 17 HOP scenes
10 Achievements – Some with 3 parts
Collect 29 swirls and 31 Treasures
17 Morphing objects
4 Wallpapers, 9 Concept Art (switch scenes), Soundtracks, Blog (with jigsaw puzzles)
Map is provided as you play the game
Spirit Camera. Use the camera to find ghostly white orbs.
Replay 17 HOP scenes
10 Achievements – Some with 3 parts
Collect 29 swirls and 31 Treasures
17 Morphing objects
4 Wallpapers, 9 Concept Art (switch scenes), Soundtracks, Blog (with jigsaw puzzles)
I recommend this game!
Can you find out what's targeting young men in Paris?
Overall rating
5
/
5
131 of 185 found this review helpful
BLINDED BY LOVE FOR THIS GAME AND MENTALLY PARALYZED BY SOME OF THE PUZZLES
PostedOctober 18, 2017
sunnyglow
fromHelen of Troy has nothing on Adalinda! Helen had a face to launch a thousand ships! However, Adalinda blinds her suitors with her beauty and paralyzes them with just a glance at her face!
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: 3 Hours
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 Pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 Pages
OVERVIEW: Love is in the air Detective – as you find yourself at a Parisian circus investigating a bizarre love story in this Harlequin-esque romance game. You have been contacted by Marie, a spurned mother, whose son, Julien, has been enchanted by the wiles of a masked, dancing chimera, Adalinda. Lovesick Julien is obsessed with this creature. Blinded and paralyzed by her stunning beauty, he is now physically blinded and paralyzed as well. His mother fears this woman is somehow behind her son’s misfortune. Investigate Adalinda, the dancing chimera, her protector, a hunchback named Jean-Pierre and discover the underlying cause for Julien, along with many other men, to become physically blind and paralyzed. All of them have ties to Adalinda. However, is she to blame or are there other forces behind all these transformations?
This is a puzzle-intense game! The main game is SHORT; however, the bonus chapter is lengthy. However, for me, it is always quality over quantity and this is a QUALITY GAME! I feel the game is better after the demo. The plot takes a twist and the story branches off in another direction. This is a great game for those who love romance novels. The graphics well-reflect the imagery of the circus and romantic pinks and purples abound in the graphics. Even if you hate these colors, the scenes are beautifully illustrated. There are quite a few collectibles including morphing flowers, cards about chimeras, and jigsaw pieces for three (3) puzzles to be played at the end of the game. I found them easy to locate. With an excellent pace, creative story line, and plenty of activities within the game, this is another great game for Elephant. My only complaint is the lack of the ability to replay the puzzles and HOP scenes. I enjoy replaying puzzles and wish the developer would include this within their games. A few of these puzzles are DIFFICULT!
BONUS CHAPTER: The bonus chapter continues the story but with a different cast of characters and a different storyline. In this case, the detective must help return a spellbook to the Chimera Society which has been stolen by the Cobra Society. I am still playing this chapter, so information about the puzzles and HOP scenes is not included.
HOP SCENES: There are only eleven (11) HOP scenes in the main game. The game has the usual scenes found in Elephant’s other games. They are somewhat interactive. They include the usual storybook scenes, lists of items and silhouette items. There are two multiple-step ones which has you locating four of one item which opens a list of items. This scene has been used in many games by many developers. There is one unique one which has you searching for musical notes.
WHAT WAS ELEPHANT THINKING WITH THIS HOP SCENE? FEED THE ANIMALS: Returning to pre-school, locate items and then feed them to the proper animal. I could not believe they put this HOP scene within this game. Really, Elephant?
PUZZLES: There are thirty-one (31) puzzles in the main game. The puzzles are varied in style and difficulty. There is good mix of easy puzzles with more difficult ones. I found the puzzles better designed than the HOP scenes. Elephant always provides many jigsaw puzzles in their games and this one is no exception. There is one super puzzle as well with three consecutive puzzles. Here are a few which I found within the main part of the game:
A. Maze puzzle. Place 8 directional arrows on a grid with 42 squares so that a sun token passes through every square of the grid. All arrows will be used to direct the token.
B. Memory puzzle. Look at a spread of 8 cards uncovered. Once they are covered you will be given another card face up. You must remember and choose the covered card to match with that card.
C. Locate the differences puzzle. Locate the differences between two seemingly identical pictures.
D. Paint-by-number puzzle. Paint a picture by matching up colors to symbols.
E. Maze puzzle. On a large wheel with many twisting paths, choose the correct path for each of 7 tokens so they end up with the matching token at the end of the path.
F. Map puzzle. Chart a route through the forest by choosing the right path and locating objects to help overcome obstacles in your path. 3 Map scenes.
G. Super puzzle. (1) Maze/Logic puzzle. Move a spider through his web by rotating four circles to create a path for him to escape the web. Spider can only move on certain spaces so you must strategize your moves. (2) Sequence puzzle. Choose flower buds in sequence so they all stay bloomed. (3) Matching puzzle. Push aside leaves to match up items.
H. Modified Chess puzzle. Move a knight on a 16-tile board in the usual “L” shaped moves until the knight has landed on all of them. This one is easy as you can retrace your steps. You can land on a square as many times as possible to light up the square.
I. Logic puzzle. Place 10 statues in a case with 10 openings. Using a given guide, place them into the right position by color.
J. Awesome Brain Crusher! Gear puzzle. In a large grid, switch gears so that there is a continuous line from upper left to upper right on the grid. 2X This puzzle is a little toughie! My brain is now fried!
K. Rope puzzle. Untangle rope so none cross each other.
L. Maze puzzle. Using envelopes, move a coin from upper right to lower left by rotating the envelopes so that the open side receives and dismisses the coin.
M. Variation of a Match-3 Puzzle. Remove like tokens by 3’s and 4’s. Removal of four of the same token will leave a pink stone. Remove the pink stones. Each time you remove 3 pink stones, part of a picture in the middle of the grid is filled in.
LEVELS: Casual, Detective, Super, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
B. Memory puzzle. Look at a spread of 8 cards uncovered. Once they are covered you will be given another card face up. You must remember and choose the covered card to match with that card.
C. Locate the differences puzzle. Locate the differences between two seemingly identical pictures.
D. Paint-by-number puzzle. Paint a picture by matching up colors to symbols.
E. Maze puzzle. On a large wheel with many twisting paths, choose the correct path for each of 7 tokens so they end up with the matching token at the end of the path.
F. Map puzzle. Chart a route through the forest by choosing the right path and locating objects to help overcome obstacles in your path. 3 Map scenes.
G. Super puzzle. (1) Maze/Logic puzzle. Move a spider through his web by rotating four circles to create a path for him to escape the web. Spider can only move on certain spaces so you must strategize your moves. (2) Sequence puzzle. Choose flower buds in sequence so they all stay bloomed. (3) Matching puzzle. Push aside leaves to match up items.
H. Modified Chess puzzle. Move a knight on a 16-tile board in the usual “L” shaped moves until the knight has landed on all of them. This one is easy as you can retrace your steps. You can land on a square as many times as possible to light up the square.
I. Logic puzzle. Place 10 statues in a case with 10 openings. Using a given guide, place them into the right position by color.
J. Awesome Brain Crusher! Gear puzzle. In a large grid, switch gears so that there is a continuous line from upper left to upper right on the grid. 2X This puzzle is a little toughie! My brain is now fried!
K. Rope puzzle. Untangle rope so none cross each other.
L. Maze puzzle. Using envelopes, move a coin from upper right to lower left by rotating the envelopes so that the open side receives and dismisses the coin.
M. Variation of a Match-3 Puzzle. Remove like tokens by 3’s and 4’s. Removal of four of the same token will leave a pink stone. Remove the pink stones. Each time you remove 3 pink stones, part of a picture in the middle of the grid is filled in.
LEVELS: Casual, Detective, Super, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
24 Achievements
Collect 12 collectible cards recounting the history of chimeras and 36 jigsaw puzzle pieces for 3 puzzles at the end of the game
27 Morphing objects – flowers
11 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art, 3 Screensavers, Music, Secret Room
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
24 Achievements
Collect 12 collectible cards recounting the history of chimeras and 36 jigsaw puzzle pieces for 3 puzzles at the end of the game
27 Morphing objects – flowers
11 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art, 3 Screensavers, Music, Secret Room
I recommend this game!
A dangerous spirit has returned from the past!
Overall rating
5
/
5
117 of 181 found this review helpful
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET AN EVIL “GENIE OUT OF THE BOTTLE!”
PostedOctober 14, 2017
sunnyglow
fromFright Night at the Museum! Playing this “phantasmatic” game has inspired me to spend my Halloween evening at the museum “digging up” the ghosts of bygone eras. However, I am leaving my crystal jewelry at home!
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: 49 Pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 49 Pages
OVERVIEW: Puzzle-lovers! Get prepared for another wonderful adventure from our “puzzlemeister,” Domini. Detective! - Moro, an evil magician, has escaped! Olivia, the museum curator, has contacted you for help. He is now turning everyone he meets into stone. As a physician during the Black Plague, Moro lost his family and now he has lost his mind as he plots to resurrect them from the dead! Using black magic in the past, Moro was imprisoned by a secret order and the crystals which gave him his power were hidden away by this secret order. Unfortunately, the museum custodian broke a vase and “let this evil genie out of the bottle.” Moros is now scouring the countryside searching for crystals to place within his amulet to restore his power to bring back his deceased family. Stop him before he destroys the barrier between the two worlds of the living and the dead.
This is a LONG game and WELL WORTH THE PRICE! The game is fast paced with plenty of activities to keep you occupied. The graphics are decent. Domini provides those little extras which most developers do not provide. Added in this game is the optional choice of playing a “Hard game” versus a “Casual game” when you customize your settings. There are three collectibles – morphing cursed objects, coins to purchase items for your secret room, and diary pages. They are easy to locate. There are butterflies attached to the inventory bar to indicate if you have located all the collectibles within that scene.
This game will not appeal to everyone. As in all this developer’s games, it is another puzzle-intense, HOP lite game. You can replay some of the puzzles and HOP scenes. I am looking forward to replaying some of these. In the hard version, some of these puzzles are difficult and some I skipped hoping to replay them this weekend.
GIMMICKY WINGED GLASSES: Does wearing glasses makes you smarter or more observant? Maybe not, but these gimmicky glasses will return you to the past to observe past events. This is the only part of the game I dislike. Domini - this is a gimmick which would make the game better if it were removed! Hopefully you will stop using this gimmick in this game series.
BONUS CHAPTER: Get ready for the dead to rule the world! Well maybe not – if you have anything to do about it! You are off to help Olivia again in this chapter. This time Olivia has located the Necronomicon and, by reciting a spell, has brought a mummy back to life. It jumped out of the sarcophagus and is now causing havoc and took the book as well! Help get that mummy laid to rest and get that book out of its bony fingers! I have not played the bonus chapter in its entirety. The main game took me hours to complete. However, from what I have played, it appears to be an excellent sequel to the main game. I also like the Bonus Chapter BETTER than the main game.
HOP SCENES: In the main game there are thirteen (13) HOP scenes. There are not as many scenes as puzzles; however, they are standard scenes which you see in most games. They are not as creatively designed as the puzzles. There are no mini-puzzles within the scenes as in other games by this developer. Most of the scenes are very interactive. They include lists of items and silhouette items. Some of the scenes require you to replace them back within the scene after they are located and some require searching for more than one of the items. There are a few storybook scenes in which you search for items listed in RED letters. In one you replace them back within the scene.
PUZZLES: In the main game there are twenty-nine (29) puzzles. This is a puzzle-intense game with some well-designed puzzles. As stated, most of the puzzles have the option between the designations of “Hard” and “Casual.” You can also play a Match-3 game in lieu of the puzzles. Here are a few of the game’s puzzles:
A. Matching puzzle. For a center bar in a grid with protruding jigs, move twelve (12) jigs above and below this center bar so that they mesh with it.
B. Maze puzzle. Light up buttons on a maze as per a given diagram. Move a token through a maze with four clocks with hands which block your way. Both move the hands of the clock to allow access to the maze and move the tokens back and forth until the lights on the maze match that of a diagram.
C. Mahjong puzzle. Remove tiles by pairs until all are gone. It is rare to find this puzzle in a HOP game.
D. Paint-by-Number. Paint a picture using two tubes of paint. Direct the flow of the paint from the two tubes so that only certain sections contain that color paint.
E. Easter eggs at Halloween! Moving tiles puzzle. Move decorated eggs along paths until the rune on each egg matches up with the rune beneath it.
F. Connection puzzle. On a grid, rotate 36 stones with arrows upon them to plot a route so that when you press a start button, you will pass through every stone. The kicker is that there are red directional stones which cannot be moved. This is a brain cruncher in the hard mode.
G. Ye ole book puzzle! Switch puzzle. Switch books so the number on the book matches with the number below it.
B. Maze puzzle. Light up buttons on a maze as per a given diagram. Move a token through a maze with four clocks with hands which block your way. Both move the hands of the clock to allow access to the maze and move the tokens back and forth until the lights on the maze match that of a diagram.
C. Mahjong puzzle. Remove tiles by pairs until all are gone. It is rare to find this puzzle in a HOP game.
D. Paint-by-Number. Paint a picture using two tubes of paint. Direct the flow of the paint from the two tubes so that only certain sections contain that color paint.
E. Easter eggs at Halloween! Moving tiles puzzle. Move decorated eggs along paths until the rune on each egg matches up with the rune beneath it.
F. Connection puzzle. On a grid, rotate 36 stones with arrows upon them to plot a route so that when you press a start button, you will pass through every stone. The kicker is that there are red directional stones which cannot be moved. This is a brain cruncher in the hard mode.
G. Ye ole book puzzle! Switch puzzle. Switch books so the number on the book matches with the number below it.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: Come fly with me! Hang glider puzzle. Soar with the birds as you maneuver a hang glider over a mountain pass. Yippee! However, you must avoid a murder of crows using arrows at the side to dodge them, or you will need to start all over again. This can be “murder” in the hard mode!
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Optional “Hard” and “Easy” settings for the game
Map is provided as you play the game
Magic glasses. Allow you to see the past.
35 Achievements
Collect 51coins to purchase cursed objects and 12 diary pages
15 Morphing cursed objects
Replay 17 HOP scenes and 16 Puzzles
14 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music
Optional “Hard” and “Easy” settings for the game
Map is provided as you play the game
Magic glasses. Allow you to see the past.
35 Achievements
Collect 51coins to purchase cursed objects and 12 diary pages
15 Morphing cursed objects
Replay 17 HOP scenes and 16 Puzzles
14 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music
I recommend this game!
A Halloween party becomes a spine-tingling fight for survival!
Overall rating
5
/
5
128 of 240 found this review helpful
A WONDERFUL HALLOWEEN SPOOKY SPOOF AND ONE OF THE BEST SEASONAL GAMES FROM ELEPHANT!
PostedOctober 11, 2017
sunnyglow
fromThank you BFG for the “invitation” to a wonderful Halloween party. What would Halloween be without battling some “old bats,” cleaning up the cobwebs in my mind with great puzzles, searching for Halloween goodies and socking it to a demon doll?
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: 3 Hours
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 Pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 Pages
OVERVIEW: No boos here! Elephant ushers in the ghostly season with another of their fantastic seasonal games! What a wonderful treat for the Halloween season! Play Jane Stone, who, along with boyfriend Joe, attend a Halloween party at a creepy spook-infested mansion hosted by some out-of-this world guests! What a perfect place for a party! Unbeknownst to orphan Jane, she is the descendant from the Seers, a group which has prevented a group of evildoers, the Beyonders, from entering the real world. A crazed woman, Mrs. Blackwood, who has an ill four-year old daughter, has made a devil’s deal with the Beyonders to save her daughter. This woman “tricked” Jane in to attending this party as prey for the Beyonders. Instead of bobbing for apples at the fest, you will be bobbing back-and-forth hiding from these beings. Jane may have been “tricked; however, you will be “treated” and an enjoyable Halloween spookfest.
This little spookfest is designed for the whole family! It is a short game but well-crafted. For me, it was well worth the purchase. Quality versus quantity for me! The game is fast paced with plenty of activities to keep you busy. There is quite a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor in the beginning of this game. However, after the demo, the game becomes darker. Enjoy some cameo appearances straight from the latest Hollywood horror films. Interact with an “IT” type clown doll and dodge an out-of-control “Annabelle” lookalike. Both are more humorous than scary. The graphics are bright, colorful and are a comic-book come-to-life. You collect adorable spooky Halloween characters, morphing objects, and pieces for a jigsaw puzzle. Elephant does a great job with holiday-themed games and this one is “phantastic!” I LOVED PLAYING THIS GAME!
HOP SCENES: There are twelve (12) with the main game. They are creatively -designed. The scenes ooze Halloween magic with many “old bats,” jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, cobwebs and creepy dolls within them. They are some of the best designed scenes I have seen in some time. They include several multiple-step ones. By collecting some “old bats” in two of the scenes, you open a list of silhouette items and a list of items in another. There are two awesome panoramic scenes (one within a graveyard and one utilizing a festive table full of food) which requires the player to move left-and-right to locate items. There is a creative scene in which you locate three runes which opens a FROG in which you must find items to create an inventory item. However, the items are clumped together within the scene making it difficult to assess what items you need to locate. These creatively designed scenes are NOT to be missed!
PUZZLES: There are nineteen (19) HOP scenes in the main game. The puzzles are varied in both style and difficulty. Some are easy but most are of middle difficulty. I found the final puzzle to be a little challenging (a true frustrating brain twister for me. Now where is Dr. Frankenstein when you need more brain power?). Here are examples of puzzles within the game:
A. "Make a connection at the party.” Switch puzzle. Restore the image of a circuit board by switching tokens and moving the middle row up-and-down on the board.
B. "Stop making so much noise!" Physical puzzle. Hush – Don’t make any noise! Choose between two (2) floor boards so you do not make noise as you amble across a creaky floor! Boo!
C. "An A-maze-ing Dark, Dank, Creepy, Basement Maze Puzzle!" Use a map and find your way out of a dank, creepy, spider filled cellar. Along the way you will need to sidetrack and locate items to accomplish that task. Yikes
D. "Bats in the belfry!" Multiple step. (1) Connection puzzle. Clean a grid of tokens by releasing a bat which will remove all tokens in his path. (2) Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture.
E. "Hide and seek – Hope they don’t peek!” Maze puzzle. Hide from the Beyonders as you make your way to Mary Blackwood’s house. Hide behind bushes. If you run into one of the four Beyonders, you must start over again.
F. "Restore my face by battling a few wrinkles in the puzzle!" Moving tiles puzzle. Rather unique. Restore a picture of Mary Blackwood by moving a tile from the end of the row to another row. That will move the entire row toward the right or left. Continue until the picture is restored. A tad difficult
G. "You may not pass this Final!" Multiple-step. Final puzzle and difficult. Logic puzzle. Use a center rune in a scene to collect other runes in a magical seal so that they match up with the image in the center of the seal. Not that easy. You must strategize how to attach those runes.
B. "Stop making so much noise!" Physical puzzle. Hush – Don’t make any noise! Choose between two (2) floor boards so you do not make noise as you amble across a creaky floor! Boo!
C. "An A-maze-ing Dark, Dank, Creepy, Basement Maze Puzzle!" Use a map and find your way out of a dank, creepy, spider filled cellar. Along the way you will need to sidetrack and locate items to accomplish that task. Yikes
D. "Bats in the belfry!" Multiple step. (1) Connection puzzle. Clean a grid of tokens by releasing a bat which will remove all tokens in his path. (2) Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture.
E. "Hide and seek – Hope they don’t peek!” Maze puzzle. Hide from the Beyonders as you make your way to Mary Blackwood’s house. Hide behind bushes. If you run into one of the four Beyonders, you must start over again.
F. "Restore my face by battling a few wrinkles in the puzzle!" Moving tiles puzzle. Rather unique. Restore a picture of Mary Blackwood by moving a tile from the end of the row to another row. That will move the entire row toward the right or left. Continue until the picture is restored. A tad difficult
G. "You may not pass this Final!" Multiple-step. Final puzzle and difficult. Logic puzzle. Use a center rune in a scene to collect other runes in a magical seal so that they match up with the image in the center of the seal. Not that easy. You must strategize how to attach those runes.
FAVORITE PUZZLE OF THE ENTIRE GAME: "Sock-it-to-Annabelle!" Take on a crazed “possessed” doll in this game. This puzzle is possessed with some tongue-in-cheek humor as Annabelle darts around the room as you try to zap her with a slingshot. This bulls-eye puzzle requires aligning two slider bars into a green section three times to knock her out, but not without experiencing her antics. Take that demon doll!
BONUS GAME: The bonus game is a sequel dealing with Joe. I am still playing it but so far it is as good as the main game. It is a long chapter with many puzzles and HOP scenes.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
20 Achievements
Collect 12 Halloween characters (so cute) and 32 fragments for four (4) jigsaw puzzles – 8 each
28 Morphing objects
8 Wallpaper, 8 Concept Art, Music, Secret Room
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
20 Achievements
Collect 12 Halloween characters (so cute) and 32 fragments for four (4) jigsaw puzzles – 8 each
28 Morphing objects
8 Wallpaper, 8 Concept Art, Music, Secret Room
I recommend this game!
Can you stop history from repeating itself?
Overall rating
3
/
5
56 of 133 found this review helpful
THE GHOSTS OF A HAUNTING LOVE STORY COME TO LIFE IN THIS GAME
PostedOctober 7, 2017
sunnyglow
fromParanormal ‘bounty’ hunter Emma! Here’s hoping she tracks down all those “ghosts” and digs up a ‘bounty’ of stories from which to write articles for her ‘ragazine.’
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
OVERVIEW: Emma! You are off on another paranormal case for your ‘ragazine,’ “Fear for Sale.” A new hotel, built on the remains of a mining town, is now the sight of a ghost infestation. In this mining town, ‘dig’ up a few ghosts which have been buried under the dust of history. Return to 1912 to relive events in the past which contributed to the ghostly apparitions which continue to haunt this area. Relive a love relationship gone awry for Norm and Olivia when Norm is accused of Olivia’s murder. Blast into the past to investigate the story behind Norm, his beloved, Olivia, her father - the town sheriff, and Tobias, a spurned suitor. Norm insists he did not kill Oliva. Will you find enough evidence to vindicate him and discover Olivia’s true murderer?
This game should appeal to those who love the paranormal. In my opinion this is a better game than most from this developer. There are NO helpers hiding in this game except for a gimmicky dreamcatcher which magically uncovers unseen runes. The story kept my interest. The graphics are better than in many of this developer’s games. There are the stop gaps between scenes which makes it seem rather dated. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep the player busy. From the demo I was unable to assess all the collectibles and morphing objects. There are more HOP scenes than puzzles in the demo. Since I am a puzzle fan not interested in a HOP intense game, this will be a pass for me. The game may get better after the demo, but I do not want to purchase it to find out.
This game should appeal to those who love the paranormal. In my opinion this is a better game than most from this developer. There are NO helpers hiding in this game except for a gimmicky dreamcatcher which magically uncovers unseen runes. The story kept my interest. The graphics are better than in many of this developer’s games. There are the stop gaps between scenes which makes it seem rather dated. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep the player busy. From the demo I was unable to assess all the collectibles and morphing objects. There are more HOP scenes than puzzles in the demo. Since I am a puzzle fan not interested in a HOP intense game, this will be a pass for me. The game may get better after the demo, but I do not want to purchase it to find out.
HOP SCENES: If you love playing creative HOP scenes, you will love this game. You have the option to play a jigsaw puzzle in lieu of the scenes. The scenes are creatively designed. There is storybook scene with items in BOLD letters. You use the dreamcatcher to locate symbols hidden within the scene. There is also a scene which has the player searching for items which match up to patterns. There is also a search and replace scene. All the scenes are very well-done.
PUZZLES: There are only five in the demo so it is difficult to ascertain the quality of the puzzles. However, I was not impressed with the ones provided. They are all easy. There is a logic problem in which you position symbols according to information contained in five statements. You use the dreamcatcher to pair up runes. There is a maze in which you choose items at three (3) crossroads to direct you toward the right path. This is more of a HOP scene than a puzzle. There is also a rotating rings puzzle to restore a picture and another matching puzzle.
LEVELS: Casual, Normal, Hard, Custom
Hints: 10 to 35 seconds Skips: 10 to 50 seconds
Hints: 10 to 35 seconds Skips: 10 to 50 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
12 Achievements
Magical Dreamcatcher which, when used, displays hidden runes within the scene.
Collect many collectibles including masks and eyes and there are morphing objects to locate.
9 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art, 3 Screensavers, Music
Map is provided as you play the game
12 Achievements
Magical Dreamcatcher which, when used, displays hidden runes within the scene.
Collect many collectibles including masks and eyes and there are morphing objects to locate.
9 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art, 3 Screensavers, Music
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a jigsaw puzzle in lieu of the scenes.
(A) Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters. (B) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 5 miniature buildings and plants to place in a mock-up of a town. (C) Dreamcatcher scene. Using this “magical device” locate seven (7) symbols hidden within the mist. (E) Silhouette. Locate symbols in scenes from a journal. (F) List of items to complete a recipe. (G) Multiple step. (1) Patterns from the scene. Locate the items with the distinctive patterns on the swatches from the scene. (2) List of items. (H) Search and replace. Locate items and place them into the proper position. (H) List of items
PUZZLES: They are all easy
A. Logic problem. Based on a series of five (5) statements, ascertain the symbols and their positioning to open a lockbox.
B. Matching puzzle. Slide figurines to match up with news articles on a bulletin board.
C. Maze puzzle. Choose items at 3 crossroads to be directed to the right path.
D. Matching puzzle. Using the dreamcatcher, match up symbols.
E. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate four rings to restore a picture. Moving one affects the others.
A. Logic problem. Based on a series of five (5) statements, ascertain the symbols and their positioning to open a lockbox.
B. Matching puzzle. Slide figurines to match up with news articles on a bulletin board.
C. Maze puzzle. Choose items at 3 crossroads to be directed to the right path.
D. Matching puzzle. Using the dreamcatcher, match up symbols.
E. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate four rings to restore a picture. Moving one affects the others.
I recommend this game!
Can you save the mayor’s wife in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
91 of 158 found this review helpful
JUST ANOTHER PUPPET GAME ON A STRING - HOT OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE
PostedOctober 4, 2017
sunnyglow
fromAfter nine (9) years of producing puppets for this series, perhaps AMAX will enter the puppet business and stop producing "Puppet Show" games.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
OVERVIEW: Detective! Will poetic justice prevail? You are off to Mudwater Creek at the bequest of the mayor and puppet master, Richard Reeves. His wife, Rosalind, is ill and acting strangely. She is involved in an unusual treatment program which requires massive sums of money to pay for it. However, there is something not quite right about this treatment program. Her health is not improving and her behavior is secretive and bizarre. In addition, a group of life-sized masked puppets are attacking the mayor. What is behind Rosaline’s need for such massive amounts of money? Why is she wearing a bracelet which seems to be tied to her therapy? And why are the masked live-sized puppets designed by the mayor attacking him? This is for you to discover, Detective! Someone has a score to settle with Richard and is out for revenge – but who and why?
GAME MECHANICS: With the barking of dogs, howling of wolves, and meowing of cats, we know we are entering an AMAX game. The demo is very short so it is difficult to assess this game; however, there is nothing in the demo which enticed me to purchase it. This game has the same format as all the other games in the series. This is an easy breezy game which should appeal to those who love this series or those who love “helper” games. You can choose the gender and physical attributes of your character in the game. I do believe AMAX spent more time on creating the optional characters you play rather than in creating the actual game. It was painful for me to play this slow-paced demo.
THE RETURN OF FORMER HELPERS: The helper in the game is a nameless male puppet. He is not used to retrieve items; instead, you play a Match-3 game when his assistance is needed. Missing the previous helpers from the last two games in this series? You be glad to know they return in this game as well. You collect dolls and once you have the requisite number, you open diaries from the helpers from previous games. I hate helpers in games and don't want to play a series of Match-3 puzzles throughout the game.
JUST ANOTHER PUPPET (GAME) ON A STRING: After eight years, AMAX’s puppet “cash cow” is running dry and has been milked for all its worth. This series should have been retired long ago. They all contain the same coin and doll collectibles, HOP scenes and puzzles. The puzzles are all easy – some of which I would hardly call puzzles. I was bored playing the demo. Of course, every one of the games in this series has a helper. PLEASE MAKE HELPERS OPTIONAL IN THESE GAMES!
HOP SCENES: The scenes from the demo are better than the puzzles. There are two storybook scenes with items listed in BOLD letters. The storybook scenes are multiple-step ones. The other scenes in the demo are lists of items.
PUZZLES: They are all easy. There is a slider puzzle in which you move a few slats up-and-down to restore a picture. There is also a tracing puzzle which requires you stay within the lines of the figure. Somehow staying with the lines reminds me so much of first grade and coloring within the lines. Same thing. There is a maze puzzle in which you amble around the town collecting fists in which to sock it to the evildoer. I felt removing muddy clothing from a puppet hardly a puzzle and a little creepy as well.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: There is only ONE puzzle which I felt was somewhat well-created. Escape an evildoer by playing hide-and-seek as you wander through a maze of the town trying to outsmart the evildoer. You collect items along the way to help you in your quest to escape.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
12 Achievements
Collect coins and dolls
Replay 19 Puzzles and 16 HOP scenes
Male puppet helper
Options for the gender and physical appearance of your character.
10 Wallpapers, 16 Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Movies
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
12 Achievements
Collect coins and dolls
Replay 19 Puzzles and 16 HOP scenes
Male puppet helper
Options for the gender and physical appearance of your character.
10 Wallpapers, 16 Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Movies
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
(A) Multiple step. (1) Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters. (2) Locate more of the items you found in the storybook scene. (B) Multiple step. (1) List of items (2) Locate 12 of one item – buttons (C) Mini-HOP scene Search for 8 pieces of jewelry (D) Storybook with items listed in BOLD letters.
(A) Multiple step. (1) Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters. (2) Locate more of the items you found in the storybook scene. (B) Multiple step. (1) List of items (2) Locate 12 of one item – buttons (C) Mini-HOP scene Search for 8 pieces of jewelry (D) Storybook with items listed in BOLD letters.
PUZZLES: All the puzzles are easy!
Puppet Helper puzzle. Every time you need to activate the puppet helper, you will play a variation of a Match -3 puzzle.
A. Bullseye puzzle. Center two sliders into the green area of a bar.
B. Matching puzzle. Match up tokens hidden under shards of glass.
C. Sequence puzzle. Remove muddy clothing in proper sequence from a puppet. A little creepy – even for me.
D. Multiple step. (1) Matching puzzle. Place keys into the proper location on a board according to an outline. (2) Escape puzzle. Go through the streets of the town without being seen. Interact with the scene locating items and using them within the scene.
E. Multiple step. (1) Maze puzzle. Follow a path to locate “fists” which, when you land upon them, socks the evildoer. You cannot touch the sides without returning to the beginning. (2) Tracing puzzle. Guide a ball along a path to trace an image of a syringe.
F. Slider puzzler. Slide slats to restore a picture.
B. Matching puzzle. Match up tokens hidden under shards of glass.
C. Sequence puzzle. Remove muddy clothing in proper sequence from a puppet. A little creepy – even for me.
D. Multiple step. (1) Matching puzzle. Place keys into the proper location on a board according to an outline. (2) Escape puzzle. Go through the streets of the town without being seen. Interact with the scene locating items and using them within the scene.
E. Multiple step. (1) Maze puzzle. Follow a path to locate “fists” which, when you land upon them, socks the evildoer. You cannot touch the sides without returning to the beginning. (2) Tracing puzzle. Guide a ball along a path to trace an image of a syringe.
F. Slider puzzler. Slide slats to restore a picture.
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the secrets hidden in the Alexander Valentine Hotel?
Overall rating
4
/
5
94 of 193 found this review helpful
CELEBRATE A DARK ‘VALENTINE’S’ DAY IN A HAUNTED HOUSE
PostedSeptember 30, 2017
sunnyglow
fromThis game reminds me of a song from “South Pacific.” “Some ‘enchanted’ evening” you will find a strange house which, once it has found you, “will never let you go.”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME – TIME: 4 Hours
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 46 Pages
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 46 Pages
OVERVIEW: Tricks or Treats for my Sweet? Are you ready for a twisted Halloween tale of romance? Welcome to Valentine’s Day in September. Celebrate with some black hearts and an obsessive romance in a house which is planning to keep you in its grasp forever. Play James Alexander, paranormal researcher, in search of his cousin Rachel, who disappeared within the Alexander Valentine Hotel. Cousin Rachel was part of the television series, “Ghost Seekers.” After they entered the hotel, she and her crew have not been seen since. Investigate this hotel and learn the whereabouts of your cousin. Watch where you step in this game. With all the rats and decay, you may just end up falling – falling in love with this game!
This is another creepy horror-lite game from Elephant. The graphics ooze of decay with dark scenes set in a dilapidated hotel. The pace is excellent in the demo with many activities to keep you busy within a house which is trying to catch you within its web. The collectibles are jigsaw puzzle pieces and business cards. There are also morphing objects in the game. All are easy to locate. This game should appeal to those who love the paranormal and ghost stories.
PATRICK – A COMPUTERIZED ‘PET’ PEEVE: Your assistant (helper) in this game is “Patrick,” a ‘chatty’ device which detects paranormal activity. You need to use this device excessively throughout the game. Either you need to get new batteries every time you use it or parts become defective and you need to replace them. When in use, you will need to restore some type of picture on the lens by playing various types of puzzles. “His” presence became irritating after his continued use in the game.
TOKENS, TOKENS AND MORE TOKENS! Love to search for tokens and insert them to open various objects? Then this is the game for you! Search for token-after-token to insert into some box, chest, drawer, or statue. Guess what? After you open them, you will find even more tokens to insert into yet another item somewhere else. I got rather tired of this activity. One statue required three tokens to open its hand.
SORRY! A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT: I purchased this game based on the demo and what promised to be an exciting game. Now I regret doing so. The game is very short with lackluster HOP scenes and puzzles. For me, the developer put all their goodies in the demo and then coasted the rest of the game. I now wish I had waited for the SE to appear. It is a decent game – but, to me, not as good as others in the series.
RUNES, RUNES AND MORE RUNES! Are runes taking over the gaming world? This developer, as many lately, seems to use runes as much as possible. The use of runes is excessive in both the puzzles and the HOP scenes.
BONUS GAME: I have not played the entire Bonus game. However, it does relate to the main story as a sequel. From what I have played, it seems decent.
HOP SCENES: There are 17 in the game (from what I could count). I was disappointed in the HOP scenes. They are the usual lists of items, silhouette and matching (after the demo). They are not creative nor are they interactive. The matching scenes did involve moving items to locate the pairs. Just no pizzazz here! There is no alternative game to play in lieu of these rather boring scenes.
PUZZLES: From what I could count there are 34 puzzles in the game (including the puzzles used to activate PATRICK) The puzzles vary in genre and difficulty. I feel the puzzles are better in the demo than in the main game. After the demo, the quality of the puzzles decline. ONE OF THE PUZZLES HAD INCOMPLETE DIRECTIONS! Many of the puzzles seem more like HOP scenes than puzzles. Elephant threw in quite a few physical puzzles as well. There are at least three (3) Bullseye puzzles in the game. Here is a sample of some of the puzzles within the game.
A. Jigsaw puzzle. Place metal disks with slotted ends into a maze-like grid so that all are used and placed into proper position. The grid rotates as well. It will turn green if in proper position.
B. Physics puzzle. Reposition six (6) pointers so they set the path for 3 balls to reach the top of a grid at the same time. It is not that difficult if you do things in sequence. With no time and velocity, it is a trial and error puzzle!
C. Slider puzzle. Slide strips of a photograph up-and-down and sideways to restore a picture.
D. Runes puzzle. (To ruin your day). Matching. Match up like runes to descend a ladder. 3X – right after a matching HOP scene. A little excessive.
E. More runes! Matching puzzle. Using a gimmicky lens, look for six underlined runes. Then press the symbols on a lock to open it.
F. And even more runes! Connection puzzle. Using a transfer bar, transfer two fuses at a time to restore the runes above them.
G. Maze puzzle. Create a path for a gas cannister to end up at the end of the maze. You must pass through a series of gas tokens (which is NOT listed in the directions) Once you set the path, push a button to see if it is correct. INCOMPLETE DIRECTIONS!
H. Weights and Balance puzzle: Pour liquid from two bottles with 5 and 3 upon them to equal a bottle with a 4 on it.
I. FINAL RUNE SHOWDOWN! Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Match up runes on Patrick’s screen with those on a tomb. (2) Push orbs into a dish. (3) Match up ritual items with the dish in which they must be placed. (3) Rearrange a set of two symbols next to each ritual dish so they combine to create the rune behind each dish.
B. Physics puzzle. Reposition six (6) pointers so they set the path for 3 balls to reach the top of a grid at the same time. It is not that difficult if you do things in sequence. With no time and velocity, it is a trial and error puzzle!
C. Slider puzzle. Slide strips of a photograph up-and-down and sideways to restore a picture.
D. Runes puzzle. (To ruin your day). Matching. Match up like runes to descend a ladder. 3X – right after a matching HOP scene. A little excessive.
E. More runes! Matching puzzle. Using a gimmicky lens, look for six underlined runes. Then press the symbols on a lock to open it.
F. And even more runes! Connection puzzle. Using a transfer bar, transfer two fuses at a time to restore the runes above them.
G. Maze puzzle. Create a path for a gas cannister to end up at the end of the maze. You must pass through a series of gas tokens (which is NOT listed in the directions) Once you set the path, push a button to see if it is correct. INCOMPLETE DIRECTIONS!
H. Weights and Balance puzzle: Pour liquid from two bottles with 5 and 3 upon them to equal a bottle with a 4 on it.
I. FINAL RUNE SHOWDOWN! Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Match up runes on Patrick’s screen with those on a tomb. (2) Push orbs into a dish. (3) Match up ritual items with the dish in which they must be placed. (3) Rearrange a set of two symbols next to each ritual dish so they combine to create the rune behind each dish.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
PATRICK – A gimmicky and “chatty” device to help you keep track of paranormal activity
18 Achievements
Collect 20 Picture Part and 14 Business Cards
25 Morphing objects
Replay 12 Puzzles and 15 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, 4 Screensavers, Music, Secret Room
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
PATRICK – A gimmicky and “chatty” device to help you keep track of paranormal activity
18 Achievements
Collect 20 Picture Part and 14 Business Cards
25 Morphing objects
Replay 12 Puzzles and 15 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, 4 Screensavers, Music, Secret Room
I recommend this game!
Can you keep history from destroying the present?
Overall rating
5
/
5
115 of 173 found this review helpful
ANOTHER JEWEL TO ADD TO THE CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT OF EXCELLENCE FOR DOMINI
PostedSeptember 28, 2017
sunnyglow
fromIt is “crystal clear” that Amber (and what an apropos name) has the perfect talent to become a supplier for crystals. She can grow all kinds of crystals out of thin air.
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 4 HOURS
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter - Strategy Guide: 52 Pages
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter - Strategy Guide: 52 Pages
OVERVIEW: Imperium Healer – get ready to battle a diva who is a real witch! Out for revenge, Amber, is out to settle the score concerning her mother. Her mother, a famous ballerina, was wrongfully accused of witchcraft and, as a result, was fired from her job. This devastating event caused Amber and her mother to live a life of poverty. Amber inherited her grandmother’s witchly power, and is now using it to turn everyone into crystal to exact her revenge. Her mother’s ghost has now contacted you from beyond the grave for your help to stop her daughter’s rage. Amber’s aim is to retrieve the “Healing Heart” to revive the dark magicians to vanquish the Kingdom of Tar. Can you stop her vengeance before she destroys the entire kingdom?
A TRIBUTE TO DOMINI GAMES: I purchased this game immediately! This is another excellent puzzle-intense game from Domini Games. I always feel I get more game for my money with this developer’s games. I do not mind paying a little more for their games because they don’t skimp in producing a quality game with those little extras most developers are now removing from their games.
THOSE LITTLE EXTRAS: As in other games, Domini provides indicators on the inventory bar to indicate if you have gotten all the collectibles within a scene. You collect three (3) collectibles - crystals, statuettes, and flowers. There are many in the scenes and all are easy to locate. To appeal to more gamers, Domini goes the extra mile providing a choice of “Hard” and “Casual” options for most puzzles. There is a mini-game to play in lieu of the HOP scenes, in this case a Match-3 puzzle. You can also replay some of the HOP scenes and puzzles.
INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL: This game should appeal to those who like fairy tale games. Unlike most games of this genre, this game is fast-paced with plenty of activities to keep the player engaged. The graphics are bright and colorful as usual. The vivid colors are cartoon-like. The chapter dealing with the forest is breathtaking! The sound is much better than in previous games. They must have invested in a better sound system for their games.
HEALER KIT: You get a gimmicky healer kit used throughout the game. The “healing glass” will be used to identify crystalline formations on five characters in the game. You also will get a recipe after locating these crystalline outbreaks. You will then need to locate items to create healing potions. There is a puzzle involved in which you must locate the proper slots on a healing device for each of five items.
BONUS GAME: I have not finished the Bonus game; however, it is NOT related to the main game. Get ready for some baby napping (I promise you won’t fall asleep in this sequel!)
HOP SCENES: There are 20 HOP scenes in the game. They include the usual lists of items and silhouette scenes. There are storybook scenes with items listed in BOLD letters to be located. In one you must replace them back within the scene. There are two silhouette puzzles in the main game which are somewhat interactive. There is also a beautiful matching scene in which you must move lanterns to match up symbols behind the lanterns.
PUZZLES: There are 27 puzzles in the game and most have the option for “Casual” and “Hard” puzzles. They are creative as usual for Domini Games. Here are some examples of those from the game:
A. Twist me and turn me until I am a-maze-d! Maze puzzle. Create paths by rotating segments of the grid to create a path to connect 3 crystals and their counterparts opposite them on a grid.
B. Match my path! Maze puzzle. Move 3 tokens along a path by only moving onto those spaces with a matching symbol. After passing through a token, it will change to another symbol. Go back-and-forth maneuvering all three tokens until they all reach their proper positions at the bottom of the maze.
C. Gear up for a difficult puzzle! Gear puzzle. Connect gears. It is rather unique as the gears have lines emanating from them. The lines NOT the gears should match up. It is ingenious and a little toughie in the hard mode.
D. Mathematical puzzle. Angle mirrors so that the light from a crystal can connect with all the mirrors. In the hard version, moving one mirror affects the others.
E. INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL! Matching. Not difficult – just beautiful. Place butterflies on their matching flowers by color. Then the butterflies flutter away.
F. Connection puzzle. Move tokens to same colored slots without crossing lines. You are only given so many spaces you may move before having to restart the puzzle in the hard mode.
G. More runes to ruin your day! Matching puzzle with a twist. In three circles, place runes so they match up with those on a sword. NOT EASY! Move runes from one circle to another by rotating them and using arrows to transfer them.
H. The battle for worldwide domination against AI! Battlefield domination. Play against the computer to get more tokens in a grid than the computer. Moving next to your enemy’s token will result in their capture. Good! Take that Computer!
B. Match my path! Maze puzzle. Move 3 tokens along a path by only moving onto those spaces with a matching symbol. After passing through a token, it will change to another symbol. Go back-and-forth maneuvering all three tokens until they all reach their proper positions at the bottom of the maze.
C. Gear up for a difficult puzzle! Gear puzzle. Connect gears. It is rather unique as the gears have lines emanating from them. The lines NOT the gears should match up. It is ingenious and a little toughie in the hard mode.
D. Mathematical puzzle. Angle mirrors so that the light from a crystal can connect with all the mirrors. In the hard version, moving one mirror affects the others.
E. INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL! Matching. Not difficult – just beautiful. Place butterflies on their matching flowers by color. Then the butterflies flutter away.
F. Connection puzzle. Move tokens to same colored slots without crossing lines. You are only given so many spaces you may move before having to restart the puzzle in the hard mode.
G. More runes to ruin your day! Matching puzzle with a twist. In three circles, place runes so they match up with those on a sword. NOT EASY! Move runes from one circle to another by rotating them and using arrows to transfer them.
H. The battle for worldwide domination against AI! Battlefield domination. Play against the computer to get more tokens in a grid than the computer. Moving next to your enemy’s token will result in their capture. Good! Take that Computer!
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided at the beginning of the game
30 Achievements
Collect 39 crystals to purchase items for your laboratory
Collect 15 statuettes and 15 morphing flowers
You get a diagnosis lens and a healer kit.
Replay 17 HOP scenes and 17 puzzles.
16 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music
Map is provided at the beginning of the game
30 Achievements
Collect 39 crystals to purchase items for your laboratory
Collect 15 statuettes and 15 morphing flowers
You get a diagnosis lens and a healer kit.
Replay 17 HOP scenes and 17 puzzles.
16 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a ghost bride and save the city?
Overall rating
4
/
5
63 of 93 found this review helpful
HERE COMES THE BRIDE – WITH REVENGE AT HER SIDE
PostedSeptember 23, 2017
sunnyglow
fromI believe the ghostly Amanda Aquille may have a new career after this game. Able to soar through the air from one crime scene to another, perhaps she could become a new comic book archvillain – “Super Ghoul!”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: Is a phantom killer on the lose? Detective, you are off to the village of Anzio to help Inspector Lestrade on another case. This one centers on the murders of locals possessing jewelry which the killer desires. However, is jewelry the only motive behind the murders? All the murders seem to point to the recently deceased, Amanda Aquille. Is the jewelry part of her dowry? Not able to investigate a flying ghost, you interrogate her mother, Madam Aquille. The formerly wealthy Madam Aquille has lost everything – her fortune (due to her husband’s gambling), her husband to death, and her daughter to death. Hopefully, she has not lost her mind as well. There are no suspects, except a flying ghost, the dearly departed Amanda. The ghost appears before the killings, leaving a calling card for the next intended victim. Is the killer a phantom bride searching for her dowry or a real live person?
This is a horror-lite game. It should appeal to the fans of this series, AMAX game lovers, and those who like a beautifully illustrated game with standard HOP scenes and puzzles which are of average difficulty. The story is decent, although it is somewhat obvious who the culprit might be in this game. However, at times, stories do throw an unexpected element of surprise into the mix. The graphics are dark and dreary and the perfect setting for a bloody tale of revenge and murder most foul. As usual, you collect coins to purchase items. This time purchase items to be used in the game. You also collect roses for bouquets for a skeletal crew of brides. The gimmicky Memory Fragment Detector (which allows you to view those “invisible” items in the HOP scenes) returns in this game. This developer’s games are usually better after the demo; however, there is nothing in the demo which incites me to purchase this game as a CE. It is a great game but I will wait for the SE edition.
HOP SCENES: They are a disappointment. In the demo, they are all lists of items. They are not interactive and rather boring.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are better than the HOP scenes. They include a sliding tiles puzzle featuring skeletal tokens. You must move and rotate pieces of these tokens so that they fit into the missing slots of four tokens. This is not as easy as it may seem. Rotating the pieces also rotates the pieces of the others. There is an easy jigsaw puzzle involving placing pieces for five signs into place. There is one puzzle I felt was bizarre and illogical. This is sequence puzzle in which you must locate the proper three keys to open a door. However, there is no logic behind the keys to be found – so it become a matter of trial and error.
KUNG FU FIGHTING – BRIDAL STYLE! Take on the skeletal bride in this puzzle. First there a puzzle with more runes to ruin your day.. You are given a rune to match up with one of many from the scene. Then hold off a Shuriken (Chinese Star) attack by zapping those lethal weapons before they hit you.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
24 Achievements
Collect roses for bridal bouquets and coins to purchase items from a vendor’s stand.
Gimmicky Memory Fragment Detector which allows you to see items no visible in the scene. Every time you use it, you must locate 5 hidden items.
Replay 16 Puzzles and 13 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art,4 Screensavers, Music, Videos
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
24 Achievements
Collect roses for bridal bouquets and coins to purchase items from a vendor’s stand.
Gimmicky Memory Fragment Detector which allows you to see items no visible in the scene. Every time you use it, you must locate 5 hidden items.
Replay 16 Puzzles and 13 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art,4 Screensavers, Music, Videos
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
(A) List of items. Locate items (4 of each) (B) List of items (C) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 12 spokes. (D) List of items within a box.
(A) List of items. Locate items (4 of each) (B) List of items (C) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 12 spokes. (D) List of items within a box.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
Zap those memories away! Memory Fragment puzzle. Every time you use the memory fragment device, you must locate 5 hidden items within the scene.
A. Sliding/Rotating Tile puzzle. For each of four pieces of four skeleton tokens, move each of the partial token to their designated location and then rotate them so the pieces snap in place. Rating 2
B. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide crowns into their proper location by color. Rating: 2
C. Slider puzzle. Slide blocks to open a path for an eye to go through. Rating: 2
D. Sequence puzzle. Find those keys! Choose 3 keys from a keychain with numerous keys to open 3 locks. You must choose all 3 at one time. There is no logic behind this – so just guess away
E. Jigsaw puzzle. Place several pieces of 5 signs into their proper position. Rating: 1
F. Multiple-step – Sock it to the skeletal bride (1) Matching puzzle. Match up runes to fight the ghostly skeleton. (2) Our bride has a penchant for martial arts – so shoot and destroy shurikens (Chinese stars) before they hit you.
B. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide crowns into their proper location by color. Rating: 2
C. Slider puzzle. Slide blocks to open a path for an eye to go through. Rating: 2
D. Sequence puzzle. Find those keys! Choose 3 keys from a keychain with numerous keys to open 3 locks. You must choose all 3 at one time. There is no logic behind this – so just guess away
E. Jigsaw puzzle. Place several pieces of 5 signs into their proper position. Rating: 1
F. Multiple-step – Sock it to the skeletal bride (1) Matching puzzle. Match up runes to fight the ghostly skeleton. (2) Our bride has a penchant for martial arts – so shoot and destroy shurikens (Chinese stars) before they hit you.
Antiques from Rosen's Workshop are coming to life!
Overall rating
3
/
5
87 of 153 found this review helpful
KIWIS DON’T REALLY FLY AND THIS GAME DID NOT LIFT UP MY SPIRITS EITHER
PostedSeptember 21, 2017
sunnyglow
from“Enquiring” minds want to know - Is Ms. Gale the “Dorothy Gale” from the “Wizard of Oz? Upon returning to Kansas, did she bring with her all that bright “green smoke” from Oz which now permeates this town?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter:
OVERVIEW: Is a local town possessed, Ms. Gale? You are off through a fog of green smoke to investigate occurrences at an antique shop owned by Tom Larsson. Mysterious occurrences began when Tom discovered a puppet created by his great grandfather, Finn Rosen. Now it appears, the puppet has possessed him (as evidenced by the massive green smoke coming out of his Oz-green eyes). Since the discovery of this puppet, all items purchased at his shop have begun to come-to-life causing havoc throughout the town. His wife Emma has contacted you for help. Confront Tom, who is now referring to himself as Finn Rosen, his great grandfather, who lived over two hundred years ago, and try to expel the evil presence in the town.
This game will have you seeing green. Luminescent green-eyed monsters and green smoke are omnipresent in this town. The story is another tale of doll possession much like “Annabelle” or “Chucky.” The graphics consist of bright reds, yellows, and other garish colors which, at times, are immersed within this luminescent green smoke. The HOP scenes are the only element I like in this game. They are creatively designed. The puzzles are decent, with some offering the choice between “Casual” and “Hard” options. With the thick foreign accents, I found the voice overs irritating. You collect art supplies and there are morphing objects throughout the game. I would have purchased this game except for the “pièce de résistance,” the helper bird. Hope this developer enjoys creating helpers and NOT making them optional! It is their financial loss! I won’t purchase a game with an annoying helper in a game.
BIRD-BRAINED PRODUCT DESIGN. Kiwis can’t fly – but no matter, in this game your helper kiwi bird will “get his wings.” (Sorry, but I don’t think you will hear a bell ring! 'It's a wonderful life' when you don't!) You are about to improve upon Mother Nature by creating a better designed mechanical Kiwi! Hope this “bird” is not patented. I don’t EVER want to see this bird-brained idea surface again! You also get to name your active little helper as well. He is quite a performer. He performs many stunts such as whirling around to open a jar, flying up the ceiling to retrieve items, and using his beak to retrieve items under doors You modify your helper throughout the game by adding items to his bird body to help you.
G.E.-NIUS IDEA: A light bulb just went off in my mind! I have a better idea – let us go back to the drawing board and nix this idea. Why even bother? Why not GET RID OF THE IDEA OF HAVING A HELPER IN A GAME? IF YOU MUST HAVE A HELPER – MAKE IT OPTIONAL IN THE GAME!
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are splendid. This is the ONLY ELEMENT I liked in this game. They are creatively produced. In one unique scene, you interact with a scene of a town searching for items and then replacing them in the proper location. In another scene, you search for a list of items in which you must locate more than one of the items.
PUZZLES: I must applaud the developer on providing two levels, “Casual” and “Hard,” for some of the puzzles. The puzzles do vary in design but most are easy. They include a cleverly designed gear puzzle which has you creating paths for the gears to be placed within the grid. There is also a unique puzzle involved in parallel parking a truck (now that spoiled my day!), a matching puzzle in which you move three segments of a wing to match the other wing in the picture, and a switch puzzle to move doorknobs into the correct position.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 300 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 300 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
Achievements
Collect paint tubes, musicians, and actors
10 Morphing objects
End of game – play 3 mini-games in a paint-by-number
8 Wallpapers, 6 Concept Art, Music, Video clips
Map is provided as you play the game
Achievements
Collect paint tubes, musicians, and actors
10 Morphing objects
End of game – play 3 mini-games in a paint-by-number
8 Wallpapers, 6 Concept Art, Music, Video clips
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: (A) (1) Silhouette. Collect more than one item for each one shown in silhouette. (2) Locate five screwdrivers (B) Search and replace. Locate items within a town which are in the incorrect locations. A great HOP scene. (C) Silhouette. Search for items and place them back interacting with the scene. This scene has a gear puzzle. (D) List of items. (E) Matching. Match up runes (F) Silhouette items followed by a list of items.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Gear puzzle. Slide gears along a series of paths and into position so that all paths are traveled at least once without retracing your steps. (Within a HOP scene) Rating: 1
B. Physical puzzle. Choice between Casual and Hard. Move a ping pong paddle at the bottom of a scene to stop darts which are falling from above.
C. Matching puzzle. Position three parts of a wing to match one on the other side of a box. 3X Rating 2
D. Parallel parking. Choice between Casual and Hard. Never learned to parallel park in high school? Well now is your chance. Park a truck by parallel parking
E. Switch puzzle. Switch door handles according to eye color of the characters on the handles. Rating: 1
F. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate three triangular sections of tokens (3 each) so that they are moved to the proper corresponding symbol. Rating: 2
G. Maze puzzle. Move a token across a maze of dots associated with items desired to be placed on a candy apple so that all the dots are crossed except for those of items not desired on the apple. Rating: 1
H. Moving tiles puzzle. Move 4 hands on a door so they all point down. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 1
A. Gear puzzle. Slide gears along a series of paths and into position so that all paths are traveled at least once without retracing your steps. (Within a HOP scene) Rating: 1
B. Physical puzzle. Choice between Casual and Hard. Move a ping pong paddle at the bottom of a scene to stop darts which are falling from above.
C. Matching puzzle. Position three parts of a wing to match one on the other side of a box. 3X Rating 2
D. Parallel parking. Choice between Casual and Hard. Never learned to parallel park in high school? Well now is your chance. Park a truck by parallel parking
E. Switch puzzle. Switch door handles according to eye color of the characters on the handles. Rating: 1
F. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate three triangular sections of tokens (3 each) so that they are moved to the proper corresponding symbol. Rating: 2
G. Maze puzzle. Move a token across a maze of dots associated with items desired to be placed on a candy apple so that all the dots are crossed except for those of items not desired on the apple. Rating: 1
H. Moving tiles puzzle. Move 4 hands on a door so they all point down. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 1
I recommend this game!