sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:815
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 25, 2025
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Status:
Can you find the Wise Dragon and save your people?
Overall rating
3
/
5
87 of 164 found this review helpful
A BEAUTIFUL FAIRY TALE GAME RUINED BY A RACCOON RUMMAGING THROUGH IT
PostedAugust 17, 2017
sunnyglow
fromHope to see more HOWG games (Helpers OPTIONAL Within Games). Lately, there are way too many of these gimmicky “helper” games from BFG.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter
OVERVIEW: Return to the dragon-infested days of yore with Diana, a Druid in training. When summoned by her father to return home, she witnesses a fire engulfing her town. The town suspects the Wise Dragon behind the incident; however, her father believes otherwise. He believes the Wise Dragon has arcane knowledge to help mankind. Armed with her father’s book to unlock the entrance to the dragon’s castle, she is off to locate the Wise Dragon, learn who is behind the fire in the town, and learn secrets from the dragon which may be helpful to all of mankind.
This is a beautifully illustrated fairy tale game. The graphics are gorgeous. The story is a well-written saga of one girl’s quest to save her town. This is a great game for those who love fairy tale games and a good game for children. You collect fragments to complete a fresco. There are also dragons to collect and morphing objects. The HOP scenes are standard fare; however, the puzzles from the demo are excellent, including a cleverly designed multi-step Super Puzzle.
This is game would have been an automatic purchase for me EXCEPT FOR……
ROCKY RACCOON -THE DANCING, PRANCING HELPER: For me, this game is ruined by a rummaging raccoon, who dances and prances throughout the game. This “helper” is out-of-character and is used excessively – five (5) excruciating scenes just within the demo. The game did not need this “gimmick” – it can stand on its own merit. This “comic relief” is misplaced in this game. I realize there are some who love the helpers within the games. However, there are some of us who don’t. MAKE THE HELPERS OPTIONAL!
HOP SCENES: The scenes are consistent with those from other games. I did not see anything exceptional about them. Included in the demo are a mini-HOP scene, a multiple-step one in which you locate four of one item which opens a list of items. The remainder are standard lists of items. There is also one silhouette scene and a matching scene.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are the best part of the game. There are quite a few puzzles and they are well-designed. They vary in design and difficulty, although none are challenging. There is an awesome Super Puzzle within this game. This Super Puzzle has seven (7) puzzles within it. They include a creatively designed matching puzzle to remove gems used repeatedly within the puzzle sequence. There are also a connection puzzle, a maze puzzle and a jigsaw puzzle. Other puzzles in the game include switch puzzles, an assembly puzzle to create a picture, and rotating tiles puzzles to restore a picture.
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.
24 Achievements
Collect 31 Fragments to complete a picture and dragons
Morphing objects (no count)
8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art, Music, Secret Room
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
24 Achievements
Collect 31 Fragments to complete a picture and dragons
Morphing objects (no count)
8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art, Music, Secret Room
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
(A) Mini-HOP scene. Small list of items to locate (B) Multiple-step. (1) Locate four of one item which opens (2) a list of items. (C) Silhouette. (D) List of items (E) List of items (F) Matching. Locate parts on a fresco which match up with pieces shown at the bottom of the screen.
(A) Mini-HOP scene. Small list of items to locate (B) Multiple-step. (1) Locate four of one item which opens (2) a list of items. (C) Silhouette. (D) List of items (E) List of items (F) Matching. Locate parts on a fresco which match up with pieces shown at the bottom of the screen.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate 3 tiles to restore a picture. Rating: 1
B. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens in the bottom and top rows from three (3) rows so that the tokens on these rows combine to produce the symbol in the middle. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. On a picture, switch circular pieces to restore the picture. You only have a few of the circles available at one time. You must click an on-and-off a lever at the bottom to make them available. Rating: 2
D. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate eleven (11) rings to restore a picture. Rating: 1
E. Assembly puzzle. Choose tokens to create the symbol in the center of a circle. There will be more than two tokens for each symbol. 2X. Rating: 1
F. Super Puzzle. Solve these puzzles to enter the castle of the dragon.
A. Matching puzzle. Match up 3 or more of the same item to remove it from the scene. You must match a specific number for each of 3 symbols to complete the puzzle. Rating: 1
B. Matching and destroying. Match up chips on a snake-like chain until only one remains. Select a chip between two matching chips to destroy the matching chips. Rating: 2
C. Repeat of A
D. Connection puzzle. Connect stars with lines. Lines cannot be crossed more than once. Rating: 1
E. Repeat of A
F. Maze puzzle. Move 3 animal tokens to empty spaces containing their image. Rating: 1
G. Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces of a medallion into the proper position. Rating: 1
A. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate 3 tiles to restore a picture. Rating: 1
B. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens in the bottom and top rows from three (3) rows so that the tokens on these rows combine to produce the symbol in the middle. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. On a picture, switch circular pieces to restore the picture. You only have a few of the circles available at one time. You must click an on-and-off a lever at the bottom to make them available. Rating: 2
D. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate eleven (11) rings to restore a picture. Rating: 1
E. Assembly puzzle. Choose tokens to create the symbol in the center of a circle. There will be more than two tokens for each symbol. 2X. Rating: 1
F. Super Puzzle. Solve these puzzles to enter the castle of the dragon.
A. Matching puzzle. Match up 3 or more of the same item to remove it from the scene. You must match a specific number for each of 3 symbols to complete the puzzle. Rating: 1
B. Matching and destroying. Match up chips on a snake-like chain until only one remains. Select a chip between two matching chips to destroy the matching chips. Rating: 2
C. Repeat of A
D. Connection puzzle. Connect stars with lines. Lines cannot be crossed more than once. Rating: 1
E. Repeat of A
F. Maze puzzle. Move 3 animal tokens to empty spaces containing their image. Rating: 1
G. Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces of a medallion into the proper position. Rating: 1
I recommend this game!
Journey into your nephew’s mind to save him from a nightmare!
Overall rating
5
/
5
97 of 190 found this review helpful
THE GAME MEISTERS HAVE DELIVERED ANOTHER OUTSTANDING GAME
PostedAugust 12, 2017
sunnyglow
fromFor sweet dreams – call Auntie at Dreamscapes Extermination Service. She will debug your nightmares with her “demonsterizer” (engineered by her nephew Tim), leaving your dreams a happy and pleasant place to come home to at night!
Skill Level:Expert
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: 35 Pages
It is Auntie to the rescue in this wonderfully created psychological thriller. A BIG THANK YOU to BFG for offering this thriller. I have been waiting for the release of this game for some time. Your nephew Tim is suffering from nightmares in which monsters are chasing him. Luckily, you are a Dreamscapes researcher, who can enter his mind and try to help rid him of these monsters. However, are the monsters just in his dreams or are they part of the real world? Help your nephew “demonsterize” his dreams with his own “demonsterizer.” However, be warned! There is a human monster in his dreams who is thwarting your every effort! Can you save your nephew? Enter the maze and break through the walls of his mind as you find yourself on a tumultuous trip to bring your nephew out of his deep sleep and back to reality!
What a fabulous game which was an automatic purchase for me. It is truly a testament to a developer who puts quality into their games. They revamped this game (including the beta) to “get it right” denoting a true game meister who strives for perfection. The story is very well-written. The pace is excellent. You do have some choices involved in some of the activities such as leaping out or peeking out slowly from behind a wall. Codes for puzzles require either writing them down or memorization. Playing a Mad Head game is pure joy. They truly are the top developer to beat on this site. Looking at the strategy guide it appears that the game has some decent, even slightly difficult puzzles throughout.
HOP SCENES: The scenes are cleverly designed. There is a silhouette scene which requires searching for items which look like Rohrschach ink blots. There is a storybook scene which has you searching for the same items within a group of different scenes. They are then replaced back within the scene. There is a list of items which consist only of the word “dog.” So look for as many dogs as possible! Very humorous!
PUZZLES: The puzzles are well-designed. There is a variety of puzzles in style and difficulty with at least one difficult one in the demo. There is a sequence puzzle to turn on a light, a search and replace puzzle (which is more a HOP scene), a bullseye puzzle clicking on crosshairs until they align on a window, a switch puzzle restoring a clock and picture, Simon says following a light sequence, and a checker puzzle.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: The math puzzle in the demo is my favorite from the demo. You slide down a wall with wallpaper containing number and as you proceed you much choose number which add up to dice along the sides of this grid. Very creatively designed.
LEVELS: Slumber, Deep Sleep, Nightmare, Night Terror, Sleepwalk (Custom)
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
10 Achievements (Some with 3 parts)
Collect 31 swirls
Replay 19 HOP scenes
Jigsaw puzzle
Morphing objects (no amount given)
4 Wallpapers and Soundtrack
Map is provided as you play the game
10 Achievements (Some with 3 parts)
Collect 31 swirls
Replay 19 HOP scenes
Jigsaw puzzle
Morphing objects (no amount given)
4 Wallpapers and Soundtrack
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: (A) Silhouette. Very creative. Look for silhouettes within a book (Rohrschach ink blots) which look like actual items. Locate items one-at-a-time. (B) Storybook. Look for items listed in BOLD letters. There are different scenes for same item Then replace items back into the scene. (C) List of items which are all listed as “dog.” (D) Locate 5 items (marbles) releasing a list of objects to locate.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Slider puzzle. Slide tokens into the proper position on a grid so that each row has the same type of token. Rating: 2
B. Sequence puzzle. Search for a code to unlock a sequence on a game controller. Rating: 2
C. Search and replace. Search for items out-of-place and place them where they belong. Rating: 1
D. Physical puzzle. Click on crosshairs when they are centered on a window opening. Rating: 1
E. Math puzzle. Ingenious. Slide down the wallpaper and click on numbers to add up to the dice along the sides of the grid. Rating: 3
F. Switch puzzle. Switch and rotate pieces to restore the face of a clock and 2 pictures. 3X Rating: 2
G. Simon says. Follow the pattern of a light sequence. Rating: 2
H. Checkers puzzle. Jump over tokens removing them until only one remains. Rating: 2
A. Slider puzzle. Slide tokens into the proper position on a grid so that each row has the same type of token. Rating: 2
B. Sequence puzzle. Search for a code to unlock a sequence on a game controller. Rating: 2
C. Search and replace. Search for items out-of-place and place them where they belong. Rating: 1
D. Physical puzzle. Click on crosshairs when they are centered on a window opening. Rating: 1
E. Math puzzle. Ingenious. Slide down the wallpaper and click on numbers to add up to the dice along the sides of the grid. Rating: 3
F. Switch puzzle. Switch and rotate pieces to restore the face of a clock and 2 pictures. 3X Rating: 2
G. Simon says. Follow the pattern of a light sequence. Rating: 2
H. Checkers puzzle. Jump over tokens removing them until only one remains. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the infamous Crows League before they strike again?
Overall rating
5
/
5
168 of 259 found this review helpful
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A GAME WITH A “MURDER” OF CROWS
PostedAugust 10, 2017
sunnyglow
fromAfter this game, I am going to be on the lookout for the pitter patter of “crow’s feet!” It may take some time, but unfortunately they will arrive.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter - Strategy Guide: 41 Pages
Debonair Dupin returns in another exciting game! You are off to the town of Goldstone as the assistant to the ever-handsome Dupin, who has just received a much-needed face-life from the game’s illustrators. Children are disappearing within the town. Summoned by the mayor, you learn that the Crows League is involved in the abductions. After writing a letter to his father to abdicate his position, it seems that the mayor’s own son may be involved with the cult as well. After passing a test by the town tavern’s ghostly owner, you learn about Lenore, a young girl orphaned at a young age who is now betrothed to the mayor’s son. What sinister plot is being concocted by the secret cult of the Crows League? And, why are the town’s children being kidnapped?
This is my favorite series by this developer. The graphics are incredibly beautiful as always with AMAX. The story, for a change, kept my attention and the pace is active with plenty of activities. The HOP scenes and puzzles are creative and well-done. You collect extremely large feathers, which practically jump out at you from the scene There are morphing objects as well which are not as easy to locate. To me, this game is an improvement from recent games. There are NO HELPERS (alas nevermore - a raven, crow, cat, dog, or hybrid-ferret will help you) within this game. It is puzzle-intense and fast moving. There is a wonderfully crafted escape room puzzle at the end of the demo. One of the best puzzles I have seen from AMAX in quite some time. Kudos AMAX!
HOP SCENES: They vary in style and difficulty in locating the items. There is a storybook sequence in the beginning of the game which has items so large, you cannot help but see them. You will not even have to search for them – most are highlighted within the scene. However, there are several mini-HOP scenes locating a small number (four to six) of crows, buttons, chalk and numbers. In some of these scenes the items are somewhat difficult to locate. There is a very creative and well-designed multiple step scene in which the player locates three each of different items followed by a matching scene in which two symbols are combined to create a larger symbol.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are incredibly well-designed. To me, they are the best part of the game. The puzzles are of easy and middle-level difficulty. There are some which give you the option to choose between Casual and Hard settings. There is a maze puzzle involving crows, a jigsaw puzzle to recreate a mirror, a couple of switch puzzles, a lock puzzle, a rope puzzle to untangle live wires.
FAVORITE PUZZLES: (A) Escape Room! Escape a room by passing through three sets of booby traps. Find that “proper time” to enter while avoiding swinging blades, spikes, and knives. Very creative! (B) Maze puzzle! This is a fiendish little puzzle in which you must move a scarab through a maze without getting killed. You lose life force when you are hit by a blade. You must open locks with keys you collect of the same color. You can also collect repair kits to repair your scarab. The difficult version is truly difficult!
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
16 Achievements
Collect 66 feathers and 32 Morphing Objects
Replay 16 puzzles and 21 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, 5 Screensavers, Music, Movies
Map is provided as you play the game
16 Achievements
Collect 66 feathers and 32 Morphing Objects
Replay 16 puzzles and 21 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, 5 Screensavers, Music, Movies
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE:
HOP SCENES:
(A) Storybook. Locate three (3) each of a series of items within a ghostly scene. (B) Locate 12 of one item (C) Mini-HOP scenes. Locate a small number of specific items in various scenes - 4 crows, 4 buttons, 4 pieces of chalk and six (6) numbers. (D) Multiple step. 1. Find 3 each of different items – animals, sharp objects, game objects, and 6 lock parts. 2. Matching. Locate two symbols which combine to create a larger symbol.
(A) Storybook. Locate three (3) each of a series of items within a ghostly scene. (B) Locate 12 of one item (C) Mini-HOP scenes. Locate a small number of specific items in various scenes - 4 crows, 4 buttons, 4 pieces of chalk and six (6) numbers. (D) Multiple step. 1. Find 3 each of different items – animals, sharp objects, game objects, and 6 lock parts. 2. Matching. Locate two symbols which combine to create a larger symbol.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Choice between Casual and Hard. Maze puzzle. Rotate and switch (in hard version) four (4) rings to create paths for two crows to travel to the other end of the maze.
B. Jigsaw puzzle. Take shards and replace them into a broken mirror to restore the mirror. Rating: 2
C. Switch puzzle. Switch parts of an insignia so they match with those on a given letter seal. Rating: 1
D. Lock puzzle. Enter a given code to open a lock. Rating: 1
E. Rope puzzle. Untangle a series of live wires so that none intersect with the each other. Rating: 2
F. Assembly puzzle. Create a chemical compound to expose a message written in invisible ink. Rating: 2
G. Physical puzzle. “Sock it to the Crow.” Sleight of hand. Follow a tile with a fist on it as it moves rapidly back-and-forth with other tiles. When they stop moving, choose that tile from the rest. 3X Rating: 2
H. Choice between Casual and Hard. Maze puzzle. Lead a scarab through a maze which contains keys and knives. Collect the keys to open locks to proceed while avoiding the knives. You lose life force when you are hit by the knives. You can also collect kits to repair your scarab if you get hit with a knife. Keys must match the color of the lock.
I. Switch puzzle. Switch four diamonds on a box according to color. Rating: 1
J. Escape Room puzzle. Escape a room by passing through three sets of booby traps. Find that “proper time” to avoid swinging blades, spikes, and knives. Very creative! Rating: 2
A. Choice between Casual and Hard. Maze puzzle. Rotate and switch (in hard version) four (4) rings to create paths for two crows to travel to the other end of the maze.
B. Jigsaw puzzle. Take shards and replace them into a broken mirror to restore the mirror. Rating: 2
C. Switch puzzle. Switch parts of an insignia so they match with those on a given letter seal. Rating: 1
D. Lock puzzle. Enter a given code to open a lock. Rating: 1
E. Rope puzzle. Untangle a series of live wires so that none intersect with the each other. Rating: 2
F. Assembly puzzle. Create a chemical compound to expose a message written in invisible ink. Rating: 2
G. Physical puzzle. “Sock it to the Crow.” Sleight of hand. Follow a tile with a fist on it as it moves rapidly back-and-forth with other tiles. When they stop moving, choose that tile from the rest. 3X Rating: 2
H. Choice between Casual and Hard. Maze puzzle. Lead a scarab through a maze which contains keys and knives. Collect the keys to open locks to proceed while avoiding the knives. You lose life force when you are hit by the knives. You can also collect kits to repair your scarab if you get hit with a knife. Keys must match the color of the lock.
I. Switch puzzle. Switch four diamonds on a box according to color. Rating: 1
J. Escape Room puzzle. Escape a room by passing through three sets of booby traps. Find that “proper time” to avoid swinging blades, spikes, and knives. Very creative! Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the truth behind a string of strange thefts?
Overall rating
2
/
5
69 of 156 found this review helpful
“GET YER GUN” DOROTHY - YOU ARE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE
PostedAugust 5, 2017
sunnyglow
fromNeed ideas for more characters to add to the burgeoning cast for this series? On a warpath to lasso up that Red Queen, how about Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Sitting Bull and his entire tribe, plus the entire U.S. Calvary for a real Wild West Show?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
OVERVIEW: Adding to the burgeoning cast of characters from this series, EIPIX returns us to Victorian England with Phileas Fogg and young Hawkes to fight another crime perpetrated by the puppet master, the Red Queen. In this game, our heroes get some assistance from some American Yanks, characters loosely based on the those from “The Wizard of Oz.” The Egyptian statue of Ra has been donated to a museum by the upper crust Lord Kingsbury; however, it is feared that operations headed by the Red Queen are afoot to steal the statue before it arrives. Can this crew save the day? Nothing is as it seems and you will need investigate who you can trust in this game.
LESS IS MORE BUT NOT TO EIPIX: The story is the next episode in the quest by Vermillion Watch to capture the Red Queen. It is a great game for those who love Victorian novels. The graphics are realistic with only a couple of scenes which I felt were poorly designed. One of my drawbacks in purchasing this game is the excessive amount of characters. EIPIX keeps adding more with each game. The characters from the “Wizard of Oz” seem out-of-place in upper-crust, keep a stiff upper lip Victorian society. These bounty hunters are portrayed as “hicks-from-the-sticks” country bumpkins bringing with them an annoying dog, Toto to help sniff out clues. Toto is not used as a helper (at least in the demo) but to me, he seems out-of-place. I think this is another series which is reaching its saturation point. The stories and plots are so similar they are now blending together into one BIG Victorian nightmare. I have never liked this series and this game does nothing to endear me to it.
THE AMAZING WIZARDRY OF SNATCHING DEFEAT FROM VICTORY: How is it possible to take a story with so much potential for a great game and turn it into a boring fiasco? The amazing, wondrous wizards of gaming at EIPIX have found a way! Even with the creatively designed HOP scenes and more challenging puzzles, I found the pace slow. I kept waiting for more action, which never actualized until the end of the demo. I grew tired of the tedious back-and-forth activities (creating time filler) to search for a seemingly endless list of items to be gathered on the scavenger hunt. The slow pace made me want to find those “ruby boots” click my heels and exit this game. It may get better; however, I find most EIPIX games do not. It will be a pass for me. There is one element, however, I do like about this game – you can choose between the three chapters in the order in which you play them.
HOP SCENES: There are a series of multiple step ones which include lists of items, cryptic clues, and silhouette. They are well-designed and rather creative. There is a storybook scene with items listed in BOLD letters as well.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are creatively designed and fit the theme of the game. They include a matching puzzle involving rotating and positioning rings to match up with 3 given symbols. There is a physical puzzle which requires clicking on rings when they are in a green zone to sock it to a villain. There is a connect-the-dots puzzle, an assembly puzzle to create a disguise, and a maze puzzle. To me, the maze puzzle is the best puzzle within this game as it only shows you a small portion of the maze as you maneuver through it to the end.
INADEQUATE PUZZLE INSTRUCTIONS IN YET ANOTHER GAME! Again, we have another game, which, to me does NOT provide adequate instructions on how to solve the puzzles. In the first puzzle, I could not understand exactly what I was supposed to do. However, by trial and error, I discovered that you need to move the dials so that for each symbol, the number of exposed symbols on the circle must match up with a number associated with each symbol. Again, EIPIX needs to get someone to help them write better instructions to these puzzles.
LEVELS: Trainee, Inspector, Chief, Custom
Hints: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
Hints: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
15 Achievements
Collect 42 Signs (which are HUGE) and 14 Morphing objects (Within HOP scenes)
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 31 Puzzles (That’s a lot of puzzles)
9 Wallpapers, 9 Concept Art, 9 Pictures, Music, Video, Souvenir Room
Map is provided as you play the game
15 Achievements
Collect 42 Signs (which are HUGE) and 14 Morphing objects (Within HOP scenes)
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 31 Puzzles (That’s a lot of puzzles)
9 Wallpapers, 9 Concept Art, 9 Pictures, Music, Video, Souvenir Room
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
(A) Multiple step: (1) Cryptic Clues. (2) Silhouette (B) Storybook with items listed in BOLD letters. (C) Multiple step: (1) List of items (2) Silhouette (D) Multiple step. (1) List of items. (2) Silhouette (3) Cryptic clues
(A) Multiple step: (1) Cryptic Clues. (2) Silhouette (B) Storybook with items listed in BOLD letters. (C) Multiple step: (1) List of items (2) Silhouette (D) Multiple step. (1) List of items. (2) Silhouette (3) Cryptic clues
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Matching. Rotate 3 rings until you expose the correct number for each of the 3 symbols. Rating: 2
B. Physical puzzle. “Sock it to ‘em’ “ puzzle. Stop a ring when it turns green to fight off an enemy. 3X. Rating: 1
C. Connection/Origami puzzle. Connect dots on a sheet of paper without crossing any flowers. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Create a disguise matching it with a given picture. Rating: 1
E. Maze puzzle. Within a lock system, move a token through a path to unlock the lock. You are only given a small portion of the maze at any one time, so you must go back-and-forth to figure out the correct path. Rating: 2
A. Matching. Rotate 3 rings until you expose the correct number for each of the 3 symbols. Rating: 2
B. Physical puzzle. “Sock it to ‘em’ “ puzzle. Stop a ring when it turns green to fight off an enemy. 3X. Rating: 1
C. Connection/Origami puzzle. Connect dots on a sheet of paper without crossing any flowers. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Create a disguise matching it with a given picture. Rating: 1
E. Maze puzzle. Within a lock system, move a token through a path to unlock the lock. You are only given a small portion of the maze at any one time, so you must go back-and-forth to figure out the correct path. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Can you save your young nephew from an unimaginable fate?
Overall rating
5
/
5
106 of 180 found this review helpful
ANNA GREY RETURNS IN TIME FOR ANOTHER SPOOKY VICTORIAN-STYLE GHOST STORY
PostedAugust 3, 2017
sunnyglow
fromWith Anna Grey being “haunted” by her past relationship with her “daddy dearest,” Richard, she is a perfect candidate for the TV shows “Dr. Phil” or “Haunted Lives.”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
5 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter: Strategy Guide: 40 Pages
OVERVIEW: What is the mystery behind the Mansfield mansion and the family tragedy echoing through its halls? Anna Grey, our time traveler, has returned bringing more family drama! This time she is sleuthing at Evergreen Boarding school where her great nephew, Billy, has gone missing after a fire engulfed the school. Shortly before the fire both he and his friend, Sarah, reported seeing the wispy image of a woman in white floating among the rafters of this former mansion. Could this be the ghost of the former owner, Laura Mansfield? Go back in time with Anna and solve the mysteries of this mansion turned boarding school while searching for her nephew. You will again get some ghostly help from the afterlife via Anna’s father, Richard.
This was an automatic purchase for me. This is another great game in the series for Elephant Games. This is one of my favorite series from this developer. I find this game much better than some of the others. The story is a nice Victorian-style ghostly delight. There are plenty of activities to engage in including creatively designed puzzles with a few more challenging ones as well. It is obvious that Elephant spent more time in puzzle development in this game than with the HOP scenes, which are for the most part rather lackluster. Richard Grey, Anna’s father, returns to help you in this game. The collectibles are emblems and pictures. There are morphing objects and they are not that easy to locate. The BFG blurb concerning the game states you can replay the HOP scenes and puzzles; however, I did not see this feature offered in the menu, but it could be in the Secret Room.
HOP SCENES: For me, they are the weakest part of the game. They are standard fare with few creative features within them. The demo includes lists of items, silhouette, and replacement scenes. There is a matching scene which is somewhat novel.
PUZZLES. The puzzles are exquisite in this game. They do vary in style and difficulty. There are a few puzzles which are slightly difficult; however, there are also many which are easier as well; however, I did not find any puzzles which were extremely easy. Most require some time to complete. The ones in the demo are standard ones we see in many other games – sliders, lock puzzles, logic puzzles, and the two listed below which I feel are exceptionally well-designed.
FAVORITE PUZZLES: (A) In the demo there is a unique variation of a Match-3 puzzle which uses a circle with four inner rings which must be rotated to create the matches. With every match of three (3) items, you light up a light from a series of lights surrounding the circle. Matching four (4) items results in a series of lights being lit up. (B) There is a maze puzzle in which you must lead Anna Grey to an exit. The maze is dark, only a small portion which is lit as she proceeds down the maze. Along the way you must search for levers to unlock doors with this maze. A very creatively designed puzzle.
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
19 Achievements
Collect 40 Emblems and 14 pictures
22 Morphing objects – not too easy to locate
Replay HOP scenes and Puzzles (According to the BFG game blurb; however, I did not see it listed in the menu)
8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Secret Room
Map is provided at the beginning of the game
19 Achievements
Collect 40 Emblems and 14 pictures
22 Morphing objects – not too easy to locate
Replay HOP scenes and Puzzles (According to the BFG game blurb; however, I did not see it listed in the menu)
8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Secret Room
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 (C) Replacement. Replace items back into a family album. (D) Matching. Match up pairs of items. (E) List of items.
(A) List of items (B) Silhouette (C) Replacement. Replace items back into a family album. (D) Matching. Match up pairs of items. (E) List of items.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Maze puzzle. Move dowels within a lock creating paths for each dowel to reach an opening to remove it from the scene. Rating: 2
B. Lock puzzle. Open a lock with a given code. However, you must find the pattern to open it from the given code. Rating: 2
C. Slider puzzle. Slide tokens so they are next to the appropriate image. Rating: 3
D. Physical puzzle. Shoot down apple using two slider bars when each enters a “green” zone. Rating: 2
E. Match-3 puzzle. This puzzle variation uses a circle with four inner rings which must be rotated to create the matches. With every match of three (3) items, you light up a light from a series of lights surrounding the circle. Matching four (4) items results in a series of lights being lit up. Continue until all lights are lit. Rating: 3
F. Logic puzzle. Follow a code to press buttons in correct order to open a lock. Rating: 2
G. Maze puzzle. Lead Anna Grey through a dark maze. As you move her, the passage lights up. Search and find the path in this darkened maze. Along the way you will find switches to open locked doors. Rating: 2
A. Maze puzzle. Move dowels within a lock creating paths for each dowel to reach an opening to remove it from the scene. Rating: 2
B. Lock puzzle. Open a lock with a given code. However, you must find the pattern to open it from the given code. Rating: 2
C. Slider puzzle. Slide tokens so they are next to the appropriate image. Rating: 3
D. Physical puzzle. Shoot down apple using two slider bars when each enters a “green” zone. Rating: 2
E. Match-3 puzzle. This puzzle variation uses a circle with four inner rings which must be rotated to create the matches. With every match of three (3) items, you light up a light from a series of lights surrounding the circle. Matching four (4) items results in a series of lights being lit up. Continue until all lights are lit. Rating: 3
F. Logic puzzle. Follow a code to press buttons in correct order to open a lock. Rating: 2
G. Maze puzzle. Lead Anna Grey through a dark maze. As you move her, the passage lights up. Search and find the path in this darkened maze. Along the way you will find switches to open locked doors. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a deadly curse before it’s too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
71 of 108 found this review helpful
“THE BRIDE” VERSUS THE “KILLA BRIDEZILLA” IN A WWE (WACKY WEDDING EVENTS) GRUDGE MATCH
PostedJuly 29, 2017
sunnyglow
fromGrumpy Imps? Looking at these adorable nasty imps, they do have potential as the next marketing sensation. Imagine these grumpy imps taking on the Grumpster (Grumpy Cat).
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
6 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter
OVERVIEW: Looking for a game with picture perfect wedding full of hearts, flowers, birds chirping and connubial bliss? Well not in this game! Get ready for a showdown – a true grudge match! Here comes “Killa Bridezilla” Ursula, a slightly deranged woman to take on newlyweds, Tess and Darren on their wedding day. She is bitter and blames the death of her fiancé during a hunting accident on his friend, Darren Gray. Now she out for revenge. Being a sorceress, she kidnaps Darren and puts a curse on Tess, fating her to a slow death. You, as Tess must now stop her vindictiveness.
This is a decent game with a twist of humor on the side. The story is interesting, the pace is excellent with a variety of activities to perform. The only negative I found in the game are the graphics. I feel the graphics are blurry in some places and some characters look plastic. It should appeal to the hopeless romantics out there along with those who love easy-breezy games. The only collectible are candles. I usually hate this developer’s games due to their excessive use of helpers. However, there are NONE in this game (at least in the demo.) However, there are some comical imps. With the imps within the game and a decent story, I find it one I will purchase as an SE.
ZAP THOSE IMPS! This game could have evolved into a melodramatic soap opera; however, it is saved by some comic relief - the inclusion of some adorable grumpy fur balls – imps. I love these critters! These little fur balls add a touch of humor to an otherwise saccharine filled game. Instead of some prancing helper, the game is infested with adorable, grumpy imps which you must eliminate. You use an amulet charged by Ursula’s good memories to get rid of some of these little fur balls. At times, you also zap them physically such as hitting them on the head with a shoe and a flowerpot or using a slingshot to smack them off a ship. Humorous!
FAVORITE SCENE: You play tic-tac-toe with an imp. He is such a brat! He laughs at you if you lose. However, it is impossible to win this game and eventually the computer allows you to win to move on in the game. This scene is priceless!
HOP SCENES: There are two types within the demo – lists of items and storybook scenes. There are only four in the demo and in the storybook scenes, you either locate items listed in bold letters or search for a specific item on each page of a book. They are somewhat interactive and one of them in the demo has a puzzle within it.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are all easy. Many of them have two or three instances of the same puzzle. Supposedly the subsequent ones intensify in difficulty; however, I found all of them easy. The puzzles include a checkers puzzle in which you use two different colored hearts to jump over each other until only one remains. There is also a sequence puzzle involving removal of boards in order, a shooting puzzle to zap a baddie, a rotating rings puzzle to restore a picture, a maze puzzle to navigate a ship and a connection puzzle in which you must not only connect two like tokens, but fill in all the spaces as well.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hints: 10 to 180 seconds Skips: 10 to 320 seconds
Hints: 10 to 180 seconds Skips: 10 to 320 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
Amulet to overcome evil creatures You charge it with Ursula’s good memories.
27 Achievements (some with 3 parts)
Collect 22 candles (you get a sidebar to indicate if there are any candles within the scene).
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
7 Wallpapers, 20 Concept Art, 4 Screensavers, Music, Movies
Map is provided as you play the game
Amulet to overcome evil creatures You charge it with Ursula’s good memories.
27 Achievements (some with 3 parts)
Collect 22 candles (you get a sidebar to indicate if there are any candles within the scene).
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
7 Wallpapers, 20 Concept Art, 4 Screensavers, Music, Movies
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
To charge the amulet -locate Ursula’s good memories. (2X in the demo)
(A) List of items. (B) List of items (C) Storybook with items listed in BOLD letters. (D) Storybook. Locate a specific number of one item within the pages of the book.
PUZZLES: They are all easy
A. Checkers puzzle. On a jewelry box with hearts, use the hearts to jump over other hearts so that only one remains. 2X
B. Sequence puzzle. Remove beams in sequential order by hitting some nasty imps over the head with a shoe to remove them.
C. Physical puzzle. Shoot a gun to kill a baddie by clicking on a sliding bar when the it reaches a yellow area.
D. Sequence puzzle. On a board beginning with green, and red pegs (adding a color on the subsequent turns, controlled by two to four colored rings, lower three tokens to slots at the bottom. You must alternate between the rings to get all the tokens to the bottom. 3X
E. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings to reproduce a picture on a box.
F. Map puzzle. Move a ship on a map stopping only when you come to a rock. Lead the ship to the exit on the right of the map by maneuvering through the rocks. 2X
G. Tic-Tac-Toe. Play with an imp to win. Eventually you will win.
H. Connection puzzle. Connect sets of tokens so that all spaces within the grid are filled. You get more tokens as you proceed to the successive levels. 3X
A. Checkers puzzle. On a jewelry box with hearts, use the hearts to jump over other hearts so that only one remains. 2X
B. Sequence puzzle. Remove beams in sequential order by hitting some nasty imps over the head with a shoe to remove them.
C. Physical puzzle. Shoot a gun to kill a baddie by clicking on a sliding bar when the it reaches a yellow area.
D. Sequence puzzle. On a board beginning with green, and red pegs (adding a color on the subsequent turns, controlled by two to four colored rings, lower three tokens to slots at the bottom. You must alternate between the rings to get all the tokens to the bottom. 3X
E. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings to reproduce a picture on a box.
F. Map puzzle. Move a ship on a map stopping only when you come to a rock. Lead the ship to the exit on the right of the map by maneuvering through the rocks. 2X
G. Tic-Tac-Toe. Play with an imp to win. Eventually you will win.
H. Connection puzzle. Connect sets of tokens so that all spaces within the grid are filled. You get more tokens as you proceed to the successive levels. 3X
I recommend this game!
Can you stop an ancient darkness before it’s too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
104 of 181 found this review helpful
MAD HEAD REANIMATES ITSELF WITH AN EXCITING 5-STAR PLUS GAME
PostedJuly 27, 2017
sunnyglow
fromThe Skull of Darkness is a must-have art piece! Not only can it sit on a fireplace as a piece of art – it can also provide energy to reanimate you when you are tired. Much better than energy drinks!
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
5 Chapters plus a Bonus chapter: Strategy Guide: 45 Pages
OVERVIEW: Looking for something to reanimate your life? This may be the game for you! A BIG THANK YOU to BFG for providing this long-awaited game! It is Mom to the rescue! Join Alice Hale, anthropologist at a museum where the arrival of the Skull of Darkness is putting some new life in that stuffy old building full of ancient artifacts, including some old bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex. The arrival of the skull has unleased “The Shadows”, a dark energy which can activate inanimate objects and is now causing havoc at the museum, including activating that dinosaur. When the skull is stolen, it becomes personal for Alice, when her daughter, Maya, is kidnapped by these dark entities. Now, she is off to take on this dark menace, rescue her daughter and retrieve the skull.
This is truly my idea of an “Editor’s Choice” game. I LOVE this thrilling, action-packed game! The pace is excellent! This game demonstrates the ingenuity and creativity of this developer. From the helpful selfie sticks (which have other uses than taking pictures) to the greasy, long-haired artist, a relic from the 1960’s, this game has some tongue-in-cheek humor as well. The graphics are rather campy and cartoon-like. You collect tokens. You are given a gimmicky magical lens to fight off those nasty dark critters infiltrating the game. This was an automatic purchase for me.
HOP SCENES: They are varied and creatively designed. In one scene, you open drawers to locate items which are placed back into the scene. Rock on fossils! Following that scene, you go back-and-forth between three scenes to locate fossils on a rock. A comical scene involves a truly clueless “art nouveau” type who asks you some cryptic questions and then you locate items to answer those questions. There is also a list of items and storybook scene.
PUZZLES: The puzzles vary in type and difficulty. There are a couple of challenging ones within this game. There is a chess puzzle which involves switching black knights with white knights on a chess board. There is a challenging maze puzzle in which you create a path from left to right jumping over four symbols by exact number count. There is another “a-maze-ing” puzzle which is a little less challenging involving moving an orb of light through rotating triangles. There is a switch puzzle using tangram pieces, a get-a-way chase puzzle, and a spot-the differences puzzle.
LEVELS: Enthusiast, Archaeologist, Conservator, Lecturer, Curator
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.
You get a magical lens.
11 Achievements – Some have 3 parts.
Collect 36 Tokens, 19 Morphing objects (within HOP scenes) and 8 Treasures
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
4 Wallpapers, Concept Art, Soundtrack, Code Puzzle, Showcase
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
You get a magical lens.
11 Achievements – Some have 3 parts.
Collect 36 Tokens, 19 Morphing objects (within HOP scenes) and 8 Treasures
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
4 Wallpapers, Concept Art, Soundtrack, Code Puzzle, Showcase
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Silhouette. Open several drawers to locate items which are placed back into a display case. Very creative.
B. Silhouette. Find fossils on a rock which is NOT easy. You must go back-and-forth between three scenes.
C. Cryptic clues. So creative. Meet a creepy, long-haired remnant of the “art nouveau” set and get him to help you. Answer some cryptic clues as you watch him paint some worthless piece of art.
D. List of items. So creative. Find items on a rolling screen of posters. Very creative.
E. List of items.
F. Storybook. Look for items in a storybook setting.
A. Silhouette. Open several drawers to locate items which are placed back into a display case. Very creative.
B. Silhouette. Find fossils on a rock which is NOT easy. You must go back-and-forth between three scenes.
C. Cryptic clues. So creative. Meet a creepy, long-haired remnant of the “art nouveau” set and get him to help you. Answer some cryptic clues as you watch him paint some worthless piece of art.
D. List of items. So creative. Find items on a rolling screen of posters. Very creative.
E. List of items.
F. Storybook. Look for items in a storybook setting.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
“Zap-The-Nasties” puzzle! You will need to fight off those dark little critters of nastiness. Use your Magical lens. You must click on the orb when two rings unite.
A. Chess puzzle. Switch the positions of black knights with white knights on a chess board. Rating: 3
B. Maze puzzle. A little toughie which requires you to create a path from left to right by crossing over the exact number of four (4) symbols which are given. Rating: 3
C. Safe puzzle. Unlock a safe using a given code. Rating: 1
D. Maze puzzle. Move an orb of light through a grid with triangles with paths which rotate when you land within the triangle. Go back-and-forth through the rotating triangles until you reach the end. Rating: 2
E. Switch puzzle. Switch tangram pieces (they readjust to fit the location) until you recreate a picture. Rating: 2
F. Matching/Physical puzzle. Get away (literally) in a car chase by clicking on a matching up arrows trekking down the road. 3X Rating: 2
G. Spot the differences puzzle. In this case, move 8 elements within a poster to match up with those on another poster. Rating: 2
H. Matching puzzle. Enter a given code to open a cash register. Rating: 1
I. Switch puzzle. Switch colored tokens of two different colors so that they are on opposite sides. Rating: 2
B. Maze puzzle. A little toughie which requires you to create a path from left to right by crossing over the exact number of four (4) symbols which are given. Rating: 3
C. Safe puzzle. Unlock a safe using a given code. Rating: 1
D. Maze puzzle. Move an orb of light through a grid with triangles with paths which rotate when you land within the triangle. Go back-and-forth through the rotating triangles until you reach the end. Rating: 2
E. Switch puzzle. Switch tangram pieces (they readjust to fit the location) until you recreate a picture. Rating: 2
F. Matching/Physical puzzle. Get away (literally) in a car chase by clicking on a matching up arrows trekking down the road. 3X Rating: 2
G. Spot the differences puzzle. In this case, move 8 elements within a poster to match up with those on another poster. Rating: 2
H. Matching puzzle. Enter a given code to open a cash register. Rating: 1
I. Switch puzzle. Switch colored tokens of two different colors so that they are on opposite sides. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Become the hero of your own chapter in Tiny Tales: Heart of the Forest.
Overall rating
5
/
5
187 of 262 found this review helpful
A BEAUTIFUL FAIRY TALE COME-TO-LIFE: A 5 STAR PLUS GAMING MASTERPIECE FOR BRAVE GIANT/ARTIFEX MUNDI
PostedJuly 25, 2017
sunnyglow
fromA “tiny” developer (Brave Giant) with a BIG DREAM has brought us a dream come-to-life with this game!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
4 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter: Strategy Guide – 50 Pages
Play time: 4 hours for main game – 1 hour for bonus game
Play time: 4 hours for main game – 1 hour for bonus game
OVERVIEW: Remember the fairy tale games of yesteryear which were breathtakingly beautiful, with many activities to engage the player? This game is one of those. Welcome to a game reminiscent of those offered in the past which stand alone on their merit without the need for gimmicks of any type. You will not find any “helpers” in this game nor any gimmicks unless you consider a recipe book for potions as a gimmick. Thank you to Artifex Mundi for providing this game free of charge for me to enjoy and review. It is a masterfully produced game and one which we seldom see nowadays.
STORY: The story is based on the theme of the common man battling and overcoming obstacles larger than himself. In this whimsical fairy tale come-to-life, a tiny human hero, Max, from the Mouse Kingdom battles against all odds with a formidable villain to save the kingdom. The pace is excellent. The game engages the player in a beautiful background of a forest seen through the eyes of the creatures of a forest. You will meet other denizens of the forest including rats, moles and beavers whose whimsical presence make this game enjoyable to both adults and children. It is a gaming work of art!
There are equal number of HOP scenes and puzzles. However, many of the puzzles are designed with a HOP format. Collectibles include dolls and coins which are easily seen within the scenes. You create potions with your own recipe book. These potions will help your defeat the obstacles in your path. You will collect symbols and play puzzles to create and activate the potions you create. You can replay some of the puzzles and HOP scenes.
HOP SCENES: There are 21 in the main game and 6 in the bonus game. There is a variety of scenes including silhouette, lists of items, and FROGS. Many of the lists require looking for a specific number of items. The FROG scenes create inventory items which are used within the game. Most are somewhat interactive. The most creative one for me was one in which you create a box insert. This one involves moving items to locate items and playing mini-puzzles to finally create that inventory item.
PUZZLES: There are 22 in the main game and 6 in the bonus game. The puzzles vary in design and most are thematic. Most of them are easy. I feel that the puzzles are better and a little more difficult toward the end of the game. Many of the puzzles are modified HOP scenes set in a storybook setting in which you locate items or replace items back within the scene. There are also several physical puzzles. They include balancing yourself going across a tree stump and climbing up a tree. My favorite was a mathematical puzzle at the end of the game in which you manipulate numbers so that their sum equals a third number. The other puzzles are familiar ones seen in other games, modified to reflect the theme of the game.
BONUS GAME: Sadly this is my only complaint about the game. This chapter seems thrown into the mix. It loosely relates to the main story of the game; however, to me, I did not feel it related to the main story very well. It has only one objective to perform which is performed rapidly.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hints: 5 to 90 seconds in game. Hints: 5 to 60 seconds in HOP scenes Skips: 5 to 120 seconds
Hints: 5 to 90 seconds in game. Hints: 5 to 60 seconds in HOP scenes Skips: 5 to 120 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
Potion Kit to create spells.
20 Achievements
Collect 20 dolls, 16 coins (very easy to locate)
Morphing objects within the HOP scenes.
Replay 8 HOP scenes and 8 Puzzles
8 Backgrounds, 8 Cut scenes, 8 Concept Art, Music,
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
Potion Kit to create spells.
20 Achievements
Collect 20 dolls, 16 coins (very easy to locate)
Morphing objects within the HOP scenes.
Replay 8 HOP scenes and 8 Puzzles
8 Backgrounds, 8 Cut scenes, 8 Concept Art, Music,
EPILOGUE: For my favorite developer, Artifex Mundi, along with Brave Giant (who created this game) a BIG THANK you for restoring my faith that gaming masters (like fairies and Santa Claus) still exist. There are still those developers who take pride in their art and spend time in creating masterpieces. As ever, Artifex Mundi, the “siren’s call” of your games continues to beckon me to play your excellent games and those of your subsidiaries. You are truly my favorite developer and this game by Brave Giant is a perfect example of why that is the case.
I recommend this game!
Join the penguins on their mosaic adventure to a magic forest!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 41 found this review helpful
ENJOY A TRIP THROUGH A MAGIC FOREST OF GRIDDLERS WITH THE PENGUINS
PostedJuly 24, 2017
sunnyglow
fromTake a walk through a magic forest with the enchantment of mosaic puzzles!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: What a wonderful Monday surprise! Join our Penguin family on an adventure through an enchanted forest, enjoying the magic of griddler puzzles. A BIG THANK you to BFG for offering a game in one of my favorite genres. This is another excellent 5-star game from Match Gems. I have been anxiously awaiting this latest entry from the series to appear on BFG. I have played every game in the series and this game is designed exactly like the others.
I LOVE these games and Match Gems is one of the BEST developers for this type of game. This puzzle has many different names (AKA O’Ekaki, Griddlers, Paint-by-Numbers, Pic-a-Pix, Nonograms or whatever you call them); however, no matter the name, they are a fun puzzle game.
HOW TO PLAY: This is variety of a Sudoku puzzle. In this puzzle, create pictures by filling in squares in a grid. The grids in this game will vary in size. Each side of the grid will have numbers for each line of squares indicating the number of squares which are to be filled in for that row of squares. Squares are filled in where the squares intersect between the two sets of numbers on each side.
GAME FACTS:
• Levels: Casual and Advanced.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• 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 an item to place in your garden.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• 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 an item to place in your garden.
I highly recommend this game if you like Sudoku games or any type of mathematical puzzle.
I recommend this game!
Can you unlock the secrets of the mysterious meteor?
Overall rating
2
/
5
96 of 167 found this review helpful
NAME THAT DANCING, PRANCING HELPER! MINE IS “ANN O. YING”
PostedJuly 22, 2017
sunnyglow
fromRequesting more “HOWGS” (Helpers Optional Within Games)! This is an appeal to all developers to make those “helpers” optional. Hate game helpers? Join the cause!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
OVERVIEW: Catch an AMAX falling star! However, you may not want to put it in your pocket, saving it to play on a rainy day! This developer has truly fallen from grace with this dud. Play an investigative detective anxiously waiting to investigate the mysterious crash of a meteorite in a small town. Upon arrival, you realize that both you and your cohort, a photographer, are in trouble. When the photographer is kidnapped, and with puppets appearing throughout the town, you are all in for the big scoop of your lifetime, a big scoop full of danger being fomented by a puppet master, an evildoer hidden behind the scenes.
This developer has breathtakingly beautiful graphics within their games. However, that is not enough to save this game. It is the same story repackaged with different characters with little variation of the theme. This game will appeal to pre-teen girls, beginning players, or those who like easy breezy games. You do get to choose the physical appearance of your character in the game. This time, you have the choice between six characters. There is only one collectible – musical notes from what I could assess. You can replay HOP scenes and puzzles. I had trouble with the demo FREEZING UP. This game is a BIG YAWN and largely forgettable for me! If you enjoy it, good for you.
DOPEY EYED ANN O. YING! Remember – when a bell rings -an angel gets her wings! When AMAX rings, you get your own ‘lil’ angel – a dopey-eyed puppet helper! You get to name her as well. I decided to name her, “Ann O. Ying.” She lives up to her name as well. She has a high-pitched nasal voice which sounds as if our ‘lil’ angel has been sucking in helium. She will dance for you, prance around kicking her feet up-and-down throughout the game, sitting at the side of your inventory bar. Miss Dopey Eyed Barbie performs a dance recital for you on her own special stage.
HOP SCENES: Nothing new here. They are the same recycled lists of items and silhouette scenes. In one, your dopey-eyed helper is used to get an item within the scene. She also prances around to entertain you while she gets that item.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are all easy. There are quite a few physical puzzles in this game. The puzzles include a tracing puzzle in which you trace three symbols. These are supposed to become more difficult, but they are all easy. There is a “bulls-eye” game in which you must center two moving marbles in a grid. There is a maze puzzle in which you must lead a marble through a revolving maze clicking on the openings to get the ball to the center.
SOCK-IT-TO-THE-EVILDOER. In a strange combination of a fight scene with a puzzle, instead of a physical puzzle, you play a connection puzzle. Connect like tokens in a line. When you link four or more you sock the meanie in the snoot!
SOCK-IT-TO-THE-EVILDOER. In a strange combination of a fight scene with a puzzle, instead of a physical puzzle, you play a connection puzzle. Connect like tokens in a line. When you link four or more you sock the meanie in the snoot!
Other puzzles include a couple of assembly puzzles in which you create items and a multiple-step jigsaw puzzle.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Choice of character – 3 men and 3 women
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
Choice of character – 3 men and 3 women
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
15 Achievements
Collect musical notes
Replay of HOP scenes and Puzzles
10 Wallpapers, 9 Concept Art, 6 Screensavers, Music
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
15 Achievements
Collect musical notes
Replay of HOP scenes and Puzzles
10 Wallpapers, 9 Concept Art, 6 Screensavers, 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) Locate a specific number of three items. Yippee! – The dopey doll helps you. (C) Silhouette. Locate pieces of flowers.
(A) List of items (B) Locate a specific number of three items. Yippee! – The dopey doll helps you. (C) Silhouette. Locate pieces of flowers.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Jigsaw puzzles. (1) Place pieces of a meteorite into the proper location. (2) Jigsaw puzzle pieces to recreate a picture. Both - Rating: 1
B. Assembly puzzle. Choose between pieces of symbols to create 3symbols located on a doorframe. Rating: 2
C. Bulls-eyes! Manual dexterity puzzle. Center two rotating lights into their respective bars by clicking when they are centered. Rating: 2
D. Assembly puzzle. Repair a broken key by locating parts from four other keys to restore it. Rating: 1
E. Manual dexterity puzzle. Variation of a maze puzzle in which you must center a ball going through a moving maze as it passes an opening. Rating: 1
F. Connection puzzle Sock it to the Evildoer. Punch out a nasty dude by connecting three or more of the same fist token. You also have two other types of tokens. Rating: 1
G. Manual dexterity puzzle. Trace 3 symbols without touching their sides to get through a fire. Rating; 1
H. Connection puzzle. Draw a continuous line through a maze in which every line is crossed once. Rating: 2
A. Jigsaw puzzles. (1) Place pieces of a meteorite into the proper location. (2) Jigsaw puzzle pieces to recreate a picture. Both - Rating: 1
B. Assembly puzzle. Choose between pieces of symbols to create 3symbols located on a doorframe. Rating: 2
C. Bulls-eyes! Manual dexterity puzzle. Center two rotating lights into their respective bars by clicking when they are centered. Rating: 2
D. Assembly puzzle. Repair a broken key by locating parts from four other keys to restore it. Rating: 1
E. Manual dexterity puzzle. Variation of a maze puzzle in which you must center a ball going through a moving maze as it passes an opening. Rating: 1
F. Connection puzzle Sock it to the Evildoer. Punch out a nasty dude by connecting three or more of the same fist token. You also have two other types of tokens. Rating: 1
G. Manual dexterity puzzle. Trace 3 symbols without touching their sides to get through a fire. Rating; 1
H. Connection puzzle. Draw a continuous line through a maze in which every line is crossed once. Rating: 2
I don't recommend this game.