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
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you uncover who’s after your dance troupe?
Overall rating
5
/
5
98 of 163 found this review helpful
EIPIX IS “STEPPING UP" THE PACE WITH THIS GAME
PostedJuly 20, 2017
sunnyglow
fromA Banshee: A normal woman who can go from Bambi to a screaming monster in 3 seconds depending on the circumstances.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
5 Chapter plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 pages
OVERVIEW: Who is that veiled woman in white? Saints preserve us! Could it be a banshee wailing away to warn you of the impending death of one of the kin of Fin O’Connor? You are off to Clifden, Ireland to play the daughter of Finn. You and your whole family are part of an Irish Step Dance group, the Swift O’Connors. During the festival of Lunasa, this “banshee” appears, sitting in the audience, unnerving your father. Although your father is wearing his medallion to protect himself from the likes of this “banshee,” you think it is pure blarney. You believe she is a flesh-and-blood woman up to some shenanigans, perhaps even involved with your own kin. Wander around the town of Clifden searching for clues to discover of mystery behind this “banshee” and what she is up to. You will need to “be on your toes” and open your eyes and ears as to solve the mystery behind this “banshee,” before tragedy entraps your family.
EIPIX is “stepping up” the pace with this game. It is not as outstanding as some former games from EIPIX; however, it is a decent game, and for me, much better than their last two games. It has an excellent story which kept my interest along with excellent gameplay. It is missing that boring back-and-forth motion from their previous games. The demo is not very long, so it is difficult to ascertain the quality of this game; however, it did pique my interest enough to purchase it. The graphics are beautiful capturing the spirit of Irish Step Dancing.
HOP SCENES: There are only four in the demo, including a creatively designed scene with items to locate listed on a newspaper. There is also a mini-HOP scene searching for a small number of one item. The standard EIPIX scene returns which involves locating five of two items following by a list of items. Finally, there is a silhouette scene.
PUZZLES: Most in the demo are multiple-step ones. They are creatively designed and easy. One of them is a multiple-step one using dance steps which you move into location and then click on them as they come cascading down a board. There is a rotating tiles puzzle to create an image, a matching puzzle with musical notes, an extremely easy mathematical puzzle involving ropes and a tracing puzzle which also uses a rope.
LEVELS: Easy, Medium, Hard, 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
14 Achievements – Some with 3 parts
Collect 38 Note signs
14 Morphing objects within the HOP scenes
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 19 puzzles along with Match-3 game
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Music, Videos, Souvenir Room,
Map is provided as you play the game
14 Achievements – Some with 3 parts
Collect 38 Note signs
14 Morphing objects within the HOP scenes
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 19 puzzles along with Match-3 game
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Music, Videos, Souvenir Room,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You can play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scene.
(A) List of items in BOLD letters on a newspaper. (B) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 6 wheel stokes. (C) Standard EIPIX HOP scene. Locate 5 of two items which opens a list of items to locate. (D) Silhouette.
(A) List of items in BOLD letters on a newspaper. (B) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 6 wheel stokes. (C) Standard EIPIX HOP scene. Locate 5 of two items which opens a list of items to locate. (D) Silhouette.
PUZZLES: They are all easy
A. Multiple step. (1) Maze puzzle. Unique puzzle in which you move numbered feet into proper sequence on a stage floor. (2) Physical puzzle. Click on tokens of dance moves for a “hit” as they move down a board. The dance tokens must be in the green area before they are counted as a hit.
B. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to create a figure consisting of only straight lines.
C. Matching. Place notes on a music sheet according to a given diagram.
D. Mathematical/Logic puzzle. Move four ropes up-and-down until they snap into place.
E. Multiple step. (1) Tracing puzzle. Starting at a beginning point, create a line going through all points on the rope without retracing your steps. (2) Physical puzzle. Throw a rope to the other side of a bridge by centering 2 lines. 2X
A. Multiple step. (1) Maze puzzle. Unique puzzle in which you move numbered feet into proper sequence on a stage floor. (2) Physical puzzle. Click on tokens of dance moves for a “hit” as they move down a board. The dance tokens must be in the green area before they are counted as a hit.
B. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to create a figure consisting of only straight lines.
C. Matching. Place notes on a music sheet according to a given diagram.
D. Mathematical/Logic puzzle. Move four ropes up-and-down until they snap into place.
E. Multiple step. (1) Tracing puzzle. Starting at a beginning point, create a line going through all points on the rope without retracing your steps. (2) Physical puzzle. Throw a rope to the other side of a bridge by centering 2 lines. 2X
I recommend this game!
Join two tribes of dinosaur tamers and help them save their world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
68 of 128 found this review helpful
ANOTHER BURNED OUT STAR FOR EIPIX
PostedJuly 15, 2017
sunnyglow
fromA BIG burnt-out star for BFG signals the end of a horrible week for games! I am wishing on a star that next week will see some better games or are they becoming extinct as well?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
OVERVIEW: Plundering across the gaming landscape comes another rather large (dinosaur) EGG for this developer! And like the dinosaurs, this series is ending, going into the archives of gaming history. Unfortunately, this series is ending with a rather large THUD! I loved the games in this series; however, for me this one does not match the quality of the others. Get ready for a battle of mismatched themes, (much like a B-rated horror movie), as Dinosaur Land meets Medieval Times all while dealing with an extinction level event based on the Nibiru myth!
STORY: Play the ever-intrepid anthropologist, Eve Plommer, returning to investigate yet another alien world - this one showing up in Montana. After a massive earthquake, research came to a halt. Now, you, as a spunky explorer, have ventured into those caves. Finding an artifact, you are transported through a portal to another planet. Bordon Loi (all attired in his funky Medieval regalia with a crown no less) greets you and tells you the sad story of his planet, with his people forced to leave due to the arrival of a burning star. His race arrived on this dinosaur infested planet. Through the years, the populace has divided into two warring tribes, Carnis and Herbanis. (Gee - could this be a reference to Carnivorous and Herbivorous dinosaurs?). You will be engulfed into this territorial battle as a NIbiru-like star now looms over this planet foreshadowing another extinction-level event.
In my opinion, this is a game with incredibly beautiful graphics which plods along at a slow pace. It gets slower as the game continues. It is a poorly designed game which has been sitting on the shelf for quite some time awaiting release. I found the game tedious due to an excessive amount of dialogue, lack of any challenging puzzles, and lack of an engaging story. In other words, I did not feel any urgency to save this civilization from extinction. As far as I was concerned, by the end of the demo, I was hoping it would get clobbered by the meteorite just to see the demo end!
I would recommend this game for children, dinosaur lovers, or those who love Medieval tales. You collect dinosaurs and you can replay the HOP scenes and puzzles. Even with the thunder of the plundering dinosaurs in the game, I practically fell asleep playing this game. I played the beta and replaying the demo (which is exactly like the beta) was tortuous. If you enjoy it – good for you!
YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE – NOT! For your delight, EIPIX has provided a little “light” for your hint bar. Joining you throughout the game will be a lucent dragonfly sitting at the side of this bar. At least he does not jump around, sing songs from Barney the Dinosaur, nor help you in the game.
HOP SCENES: There are only four in the beta and they lack creativity and are a rehash of the same ones we have seen in the past. That standard, reliable EIPIX HOP scene returns. Most of the others are multiple step scenes which include silhouette and lists of items. However, there is one in which you locate the items and interact with them in the scene. You can play a bubble popper game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are all easy, a little too easy for my taste. The first puzzle has three parts. First take a hoe and aimlessly hit the ground until you uncover a relic. Second, take a scoop to remove the object and finally take a brush to brush off the dirt. To me, this is NOT a puzzle. Other less-than-thrilling puzzles include a sequence puzzle placing symbols in order, a sliding tiles puzzle using statues, and a connection/maze puzzle removing obstacles to create a path for a marble. The final puzzle of the demo requires matching up bricks to assemble a bridge.
LEVELS: Hatchling, Fledgling, Mature, Diverse (Custom)
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
Collect 30 dinosaur symbols
12 Achievements
Replay 13 HOP scenes and 21 puzzles
8 Wallpapers, Replay 12 Movies, Music, Souvenir Room
Map is provided as you play the game
Collect 30 dinosaur symbols
12 Achievements
Replay 13 HOP scenes and 21 puzzles
8 Wallpapers, Replay 12 Movies, Music, Souvenir Room
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You can play a Bubble Popper game in lieu of the scene.
A. Multiple step. (1) List of items. (2) Silhouette.
B. EIPIX standard HOP scene. (1) Locate five of two items followed by (2) List of items
C. Multiple step. I1) Silhouette. Locate items and then interact with the scene using the items. There is a puzzle within this scene. (See Connection Puzzle D) (2) Silhouette
D. Silhouette
A. Multiple step. (1) List of items. (2) Silhouette.
B. EIPIX standard HOP scene. (1) Locate five of two items followed by (2) List of items
C. Multiple step. I1) Silhouette. Locate items and then interact with the scene using the items. There is a puzzle within this scene. (See Connection Puzzle D) (2) Silhouette
D. Silhouette
PUZZLES: They are all easy
A. Sequence puzzle. As per a diagram, press symbols on a cave wall in correct sequence.
B. Sequence puzzle. Strike ground with a hoe locating areas by hit-or-miss until all are removed. Second. Use a scoop to remove those pieces of dirt you hoed. Third, brush dirt out of the way to uncover a skeleton.
C. Slider puzzle. Move statues to that they match up with the symbol beneath them. Then move them again to drop down a hole until they all disappear.
D. Connection puzzle. Move blocks to create a path for a marble to travel from end of a square to the other.
E. Matching puzzle. Match up stones so they click together to create a bridge.
A. Sequence puzzle. As per a diagram, press symbols on a cave wall in correct sequence.
B. Sequence puzzle. Strike ground with a hoe locating areas by hit-or-miss until all are removed. Second. Use a scoop to remove those pieces of dirt you hoed. Third, brush dirt out of the way to uncover a skeleton.
C. Slider puzzle. Move statues to that they match up with the symbol beneath them. Then move them again to drop down a hole until they all disappear.
D. Connection puzzle. Move blocks to create a path for a marble to travel from end of a square to the other.
E. Matching puzzle. Match up stones so they click together to create a bridge.
I recommend this game!
Someone’s attacking the Witches’ University!
Overall rating
2
/
5
115 of 215 found this review helpful
ANOTHER BAD MOON RISING!
PostedJuly 13, 2017
sunnyglow
fromAstrologers: Beware the “Mercurial” Retrograde: This day brings the dreaded return of this quixotic ferret-infested series! Perhaps this retrograde action will also witness a return to games sans helpers!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
OVERVIEW: Have you missed this witchy crew? The coven returns in another game including Jack, his side-kick Bertha the Ferret, and his sister, Anabel! In this game, a sorcerer, who has been imprisoned in a magical sphere by Morgana, is trying to break free! He has only one night to escape his imprisonment – during a Blood Moon! Help Jack rescue his sister and all the other apprentice witches at the University of Witchcraft, whose souls he is targeting to perform a dastardly ritual.
THE DREADED MOON! I must be missing something within this series because every game in the series receives an “Editor’s Choice” award. For me, this series is a perfect conjunction of everything I detest in games. It is a planetary alignment of gaming forces which, unfortunately, occurs two to three times per year with the return of another game in this series. (It could be called by astrologers – a “mercurial” gaming retrograde, taking us back to the same quixotic, boring game with the same cast of characters!). Who would be interested in this game? Those could include witches, astrologers, or those interested in the occult. This game has the same slightly modified storyline. For me, the graphics are horrible; the HOP scenes are poorly constructed; and the puzzles are ridiculously easy. Adding to the irritation of playing this game is the helper, Bertha.
DANCING, PRANCING HIGH-PITCHED BERTHA THE FERRET: First the series began with a demonic imp. Now it has a half-human ferret. The ferret, like the imp before it, is used often within the game. There is an irritating high-pitched voice emanating from this nefarious creature. I am tired of the time-consuming antics and stunts performed by Bertha. She even wears the same parochial plaid outfit in EVERY GAME! Maybe Bertha is a parochial school girl gone heretic! Note to Jack: I will buy the ring (or collar if you wish) if you will marry this hybrid human and end this boring series! Oh – and by the way, I would NOT purchase this game even if the helper was optional! However, if this game is up your alley – then good for you! Enjoy!
HOP SCENES: The scenes are the same ones seen in every game from this developer. They include a multiple-step one (seen in many other developers’ games) in which you locate four of one item opening a list of items to locate. Others include two storybook scenes, a silhouette scene, and two min-HOP scenes.
PUZZLES: For me, the puzzles are easy and lack creativity. The first puzzle is a modified Donkey Kong game which is played on a dated computer with horrible graphics. This puzzle is one in which you just click, click, click away to remove obstacles. There is NO challenge whatsoever. Don’t scratch your head to help an owl get through a maze in the second puzzle! Just rotate those three rings so that the owl can enter holes around the maze. For those physical puzzle lovers, you will NOT be disappointed by one which requires you to remove portraits with a choice of a dark crystal and a light crystal. You are timed; however, I don’t think you will need all the time allowed. There is a multiple-step puzzle which requires matching up monsters and removing rocks. The final puzzle is an assembly puzzle in which you combine symbols in three bubbles to produce a larger symbol.
FINAL NOTE TO ELEFUN – POND FRIENDS FORUM SURVEY: Recently we did a survey on the Pond Friends Forum. This was the ONE series most of those who participated in the survey wanted to END!
LEVELS: Casual, Normal, Hard, Custom - Hints: 10 to 35 seconds Skips: 10 to 50 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
15 Achievements
Collect 36 puzzle pieces for 4 puzzles and 33 Morphing objects
9 Wallpapers, 9 Concept Art, 3 Screensavers, Music,
Map is provided as you play the game
15 Achievements
Collect 36 puzzle pieces for 4 puzzles and 33 Morphing objects
9 Wallpapers, 9 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 can play a Matching game in lieu of the scenes
A. Multiple step. (1) Find four pumpkins (2) List of items.
B. Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters. (B) List of items.
C. Mini-HOP scene. Locate symbols within a drawing of the sorcerer.
D. (1) Storybook. Look for items listed in BOLD letter while learning the sad tale of the sorcerer. (2) List of items
E. Silhouette. (1) Locate items to create a potion. (2) List of items.
F. Mini-HOP scene. Silhouette. Locate denizens of the deep
A. Multiple step. (1) Find four pumpkins (2) List of items.
B. Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters. (B) List of items.
C. Mini-HOP scene. Locate symbols within a drawing of the sorcerer.
D. (1) Storybook. Look for items listed in BOLD letter while learning the sad tale of the sorcerer. (2) List of items
E. Silhouette. (1) Locate items to create a potion. (2) List of items.
F. Mini-HOP scene. Silhouette. Locate denizens of the deep
PUZZLES: They are all easy
A. Play Donkey Kong! On a DATED computer with a DATED game, help Jack go through a maze by collecting items to be used in this puzzle. All you do is click the items if you can’t figure out which one to use. Graphics are blurry in this puzzle.
B. Multiple step puzzle. Maze puzzle. Help an owl go through a maze to the middle of it by rotating the rings to create a path.
C. Physical puzzle. Protect yourself from the attacks from several portraits of the sorcerer by choosing between two crystals. You are timed on this puzzle.
D. (A) Matching puzzle. Match up monsters. (B) Sequence puzzle. Remove rocks as you sail your boat. Removing one affects the other rocks.
E. Matching puzzle. Combine 3 figure “bubbles” to recreate a figure in a larger bubble. 3X
A. Play Donkey Kong! On a DATED computer with a DATED game, help Jack go through a maze by collecting items to be used in this puzzle. All you do is click the items if you can’t figure out which one to use. Graphics are blurry in this puzzle.
B. Multiple step puzzle. Maze puzzle. Help an owl go through a maze to the middle of it by rotating the rings to create a path.
C. Physical puzzle. Protect yourself from the attacks from several portraits of the sorcerer by choosing between two crystals. You are timed on this puzzle.
D. (A) Matching puzzle. Match up monsters. (B) Sequence puzzle. Remove rocks as you sail your boat. Removing one affects the other rocks.
E. Matching puzzle. Combine 3 figure “bubbles” to recreate a figure in a larger bubble. 3X
I don't recommend this game.
Become a Firewielder and prevent the Dark Lord’s rise!
Overall rating
5
/
5
78 of 149 found this review helpful
“DAMMED” (UP) SOULS TRY TO MAKE A BREAK FOR IT FROM THE UNDERWORLD!
PostedJuly 8, 2017
sunnyglow
fromThis game makes me wonder what is hiding beneath all those dams around the world?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: Get ready! Death and destruction are about to break loose in this game! Welcome to another magical fantasy game by Mad Head Games. HURRAY! AND A BIG THANK YOU to BFG for another one of this developer’s games. This game appears to be another creative masterpiece. It is a fantasy world of excitement filled with spells, potions, and amulets where noble warriors vanquish some type of evil - in this case, the Dark Lord, a real devil.
This is a well-crafted game which is a tad on the dark side. The graphics are realistically illustrated with purplish shades in the beginning then moving to those hotter than the shades of fire red and blazing yellow in the Underworld. The game should appeal to all levels of gamers – from beginning to expert. There are an equal number of HOP scenes and puzzles and they are thematic and in many cases ingeniously designed. It is a must have for fantasy game lovers.
STORY: Queen Valera, a mage called a Firewielder, is given the task to protect the kingdom from evil magic. Throughout the ages the evil Dark Lord has been kept prisoner under a seal protected by a talisman. Erasmus, (no – not the Dutch philosopher - the grand mage), to be certain that this baddie did not escape, sealed the Dark Lord and his minions to the dark recesses of the underworld. He not only sealed the entrance to this underworld, but also built a dam over it and flooded it with water. Now, it appears that all those “dammed” up souls from the Underworld may be breaking loose and soon flooding the world.
HOP SCENES: They are ingenious! There is one HOP scene which contains three scenes hidden within a box with three drawers. You open each drawer to locate items and then replace them either within that scene or you must open another drawer to replace it in another scene. Other HOP scenes include two story book scenes – one of which you must search for items and then return them to the scene to interact with it. The other storybook scene finds you searching for four of the same symbol within a scene. The other scene from the demo is a silhouette scene In which you locate valves on a rather large control board.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are varied and there are a couple of more challenging ones in this game. They are very creative as well. One of the puzzles involves moving lights to create constellations. There is a Simon Says and a lock pick puzzle. There is an “a-maze-ing” puzzle taking you through a labyrinth. This one is not easy as you must confront some obstacles in your path. The most creative puzzle to me is one involving some logic in which you design your own tiles to place in a square. You must follow a pattern and the difficult aspect of it is trying to figure what order to place those completed tiles into the square.
LEVELS: Egg, Hatchling, Wyvern, Dragon, Hydra (Custom)
Hints and Skips: 1 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 1 to 90 seconds
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Silhouette. Very creative. Locate symbols etched into an hourglass. Very interactive.
B. Storybook. Listen to the story about the kingdom versus the Dark Realm and locate 4 of the same symbol for 5 symbols which are embedded on a stone.
C. List of items.
D. Silhouette. Locate valves located on a control board. Very ingenious
E. Storybook. Search and replace. Locate items in the scene and replace them in the correct location.
F. Search and replace scene. Incredibly creative. There are three scenes which you must release from a box. Find items and then interact with the scene using the items located. Go back-and-forth between 3 scenes.
A. Silhouette. Very creative. Locate symbols etched into an hourglass. Very interactive.
B. Storybook. Listen to the story about the kingdom versus the Dark Realm and locate 4 of the same symbol for 5 symbols which are embedded on a stone.
C. List of items.
D. Silhouette. Locate valves located on a control board. Very ingenious
E. Storybook. Search and replace. Locate items in the scene and replace them in the correct location.
F. Search and replace scene. Incredibly creative. There are three scenes which you must release from a box. Find items and then interact with the scene using the items located. Go back-and-forth between 3 scenes.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy (2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Dot-to-Dot puzzle. Rearrange beams of light on a box to recreate three constellations. Rating: 2
B. Matching/Assembly puzzle. Recreate tiles to place in a square to recreate an image as indicated in a guide. 2X. Ingenious. Rating: 3
C. Maze puzzle. Following a map, find your way through a labyrinth. Becomes very tricky as you need to overcome some obstacles to get through that maze. Rating: 3
D. Simon Says puzzle. Hit symbols in the order in which the appear. Rating: 1
E. Lock pick puzzle. Move tumblers up and down to open a door lock. Rating; 2
F. Spot the difference. Locate the differences between a scene and a painting of it. Rating: 1
A. Dot-to-Dot puzzle. Rearrange beams of light on a box to recreate three constellations. Rating: 2
B. Matching/Assembly puzzle. Recreate tiles to place in a square to recreate an image as indicated in a guide. 2X. Ingenious. Rating: 3
C. Maze puzzle. Following a map, find your way through a labyrinth. Becomes very tricky as you need to overcome some obstacles to get through that maze. Rating: 3
D. Simon Says puzzle. Hit symbols in the order in which the appear. Rating: 1
E. Lock pick puzzle. Move tumblers up and down to open a door lock. Rating; 2
F. Spot the difference. Locate the differences between a scene and a painting of it. Rating: 1
I recommend this game!
Can you free Prometheus from Zeus's eternal punishment?
Overall rating
2
/
5
118 of 210 found this review helpful
A GREEK TRAGEDY FOR EIPIX
PostedJuly 6, 2017
sunnyglow
fromIs Lysandra the Greek version of Elsa from “Frozen?” Reflecting on this game, she needs to modify the theme song to fit this travesty to the Greek tragedies: - “Let it Go - Away”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
OVERVIEW: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE EIPIXIAN EMPIRE! At one time, this developer had the best games on the BFG site. I used to look forward to each new game! Nowadays, plagued by cookie cutter games lacking creativity along with stereotypical characters, this is not the case. One word describes this game for me – DREADFUL! I would rather be Prometheus bound to a stone, on fire with a bird eating my flesh than to continue playing this depressing and boring game. Perhaps it does get better after the demo; however, I don’t want to purchase it to find out.
This game is another cookie cutter version of many others from this developer, lacking any originality nor creative effort! The gaming pace is slower than the turtle from Aesop’s Fables. There is a great deal of back-and-forth movement within the game with boring repetitive actions and the same HOP scenes and puzzles seen in all their games. One of the puzzles is lacking sufficient directions to solve it. The musical accompaniment with chanting was so irritating to me, I finally turned it off! You get a gimmicky orb which turns items and people into ice cubes. You collect omega signs. This is the same game you have seen a dozen times before.
I still hold out hope! Hopefully, we will see much better offerings in the future! Like the Ancient Greeks, perhaps EIPIX will reflect upon its past successes and regain some its former glory. Also, hopefully, we will see them sailing away from Europe for some new ideas for those “Myths of the World,” not “Myths of Europe.” Again, this is my opinion of this game. For those who enjoy it – I am happy for you! Enjoy!
STORY: Grab your toga and get ready to battle the gods of Ancient Greece! Play Lysandra, Goddess of the Eternal Frost. Your father, Prometheus, stole fire from Mt. Olympus is now being held by the gods for treason. As punishment, Zeus has chained your father to a rock at the end of the world, setting him on fire, with a bird slowly pecking away his flesh. As a dutiful daughter, you are off to save him; however, that won’t be easy as Zeus has removed your godly powers. Your father, however, gives you an orb which allows you to return to Ancient Greece to get help from the Oracle of Delphi. Go through the orb and return to Ancient Greece. Be careful in your Hellenic journey – you are now mortal!
HOP SCENES: Expecting some new creative scenes? Well, you won’t find them in this game. Going back to the ancient past has also inspired EIPIX to resurrect their now ancient HOP scene in which you locate five of one items which just happens to open a list of items to locate. To create that truly Hellenic feel, EIPIX provides a scene in which you look for Greek letters. There are the usual cryptic, silhouette and storybook scenes. You can also play the same old skipping stones game in lieu of the HOP scene.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are all easy! There is an assembly puzzle creating circles, a logic puzzle with the same design as a nonogram puzzle. Again, you can bound up ledges by choosing the correct stones to break your fall. There is a LESS than “a-maze-ing” maze puzzle in which you move triangles to align with each other. Become a pinball wizard with a modified pinball machine. There are also a rotating tiles puzzle and a sequence puzzle to lull a snake to sleep. (And it worked – it put me to sleep as well)
EIPIX – YOUR SLIP (UP) IS SHOWING: Please EIPIX! Your “slip-ups are showing” within the puzzles. Please provide better details on solving the puzzles. This is NOT the first game which I found the directions lacking in detail.
LEVELS: Mortal, Hero, Demigod, Olympian
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
You get special power to zap items into ice as indicated by a handy dandy orb on your inventory bar.
12 Achievements – Some with 3 parts
Collect 38 Omega Signs
Replay 9 HOP scenes and 20 puzzles
8 Wallpapers, 2 Concept Art, Video, Music, Souvenir Room, Skipping Stones
Map is provided as you play the game
You get special power to zap items into ice as indicated by a handy dandy orb on your inventory bar.
12 Achievements – Some with 3 parts
Collect 38 Omega Signs
Replay 9 HOP scenes and 20 puzzles
8 Wallpapers, 2 Concept Art, Video, Music, Souvenir Room, Skipping Stones
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You can play a skipping stones game in lieu of the scenes.
(A) Multiple-step. (1) Locate 5 spearheads. (2) List of items. (B) Multiple-step. (1) Cryptic clues. (2) List of items. (C) Good ole EIPIX HOP scene seen in EVERY game (1) First locate 5 each of two types of items. (2) Each one opens a list of items. (D) Silhouette. (1) Look for Greek letters. (2) List of items. (E) Storybook. Items listed in BOLD letters.
(A) Multiple-step. (1) Locate 5 spearheads. (2) List of items. (B) Multiple-step. (1) Cryptic clues. (2) List of items. (C) Good ole EIPIX HOP scene seen in EVERY game (1) First locate 5 each of two types of items. (2) Each one opens a list of items. (D) Silhouette. (1) Look for Greek letters. (2) List of items. (E) Storybook. Items listed in BOLD letters.
PUZZLES: They are all easy
A. Assembly puzzle. Move segments of two symbols until they create two circles. Is this truly a puzzle?
B. Logic puzzle. Based on nonogram puzzles. Place tokens into a grid so that the tokens match up with the numbers given on each side.
C. Physical puzzle. Go down a ledge choosing the correct stones to break your fall.
D. Maze puzzle. Move blue triangles so they interconnect. I found this puzzle confusing. Directions not explicit.
E. Geometric puzzle. In a modified pinball “machine,” move a ball to a hole by creating a path moving bars to angle them so they hit their mark. 2X
F. Rotating Tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to restore a picture.
G. Logic/Sequence puzzle. Play the proper strings on a lyre to lull a snake to sleep. Figure out the sequence by figuring out the logic behind the sequence.
H. Same as G but with two more strings in the lyre.
A. Assembly puzzle. Move segments of two symbols until they create two circles. Is this truly a puzzle?
B. Logic puzzle. Based on nonogram puzzles. Place tokens into a grid so that the tokens match up with the numbers given on each side.
C. Physical puzzle. Go down a ledge choosing the correct stones to break your fall.
D. Maze puzzle. Move blue triangles so they interconnect. I found this puzzle confusing. Directions not explicit.
E. Geometric puzzle. In a modified pinball “machine,” move a ball to a hole by creating a path moving bars to angle them so they hit their mark. 2X
F. Rotating Tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to restore a picture.
G. Logic/Sequence puzzle. Play the proper strings on a lyre to lull a snake to sleep. Figure out the sequence by figuring out the logic behind the sequence.
H. Same as G but with two more strings in the lyre.
I don't recommend this game.
Travel to the underworld and save your love from Death's embrace!
Overall rating
5
/
5
102 of 206 found this review helpful
DOES LOVE CONQUER ALL?
PostedJuly 1, 2017
sunnyglow
fromThis game caused me to “resurrect” all my old romance novels “buried” deep in boxes from the “underworld” of trash in my garage!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 44 Pages
OVERVIEW: Does love conquer all? Well, in this game, you are going to find out as you play love-sick Aaron. Aaron – how much do you love your bride-to-be? Is it enough to defy the laws of nature – to upset the balance between the two worlds of the living and that of the dead? As a promising up-and-coming mage, you have magic within your fingertips! However, it is not enough to save your bride-to-be, Ophelia from death. Now your grief and love have propelled you to defy the laws of nature and enter the World of the Dead, fighting its lord to reclaim your bride. They say love is blind and in this case, you will deal with a blind witch and make a deal with a demon to enter this dark world. Is your love strong enough to doom the world to darkness in order to fulfill your selfish desire to save your beloved? Or perhaps, you can somehow find a way to save both.
There are many activities within this game to keep you “hopelessly in love” with this game! This game will appeal to all those hopeless romantics devoted to the quest for “true love” or those who like romance novels. The graphics are beautiful with opulent scenes. The story is loaded with saccharine, but is well-written and easy to digest. This is a beautiful romantic sequel to this series with an excellent pace. There is a gimmicky dark compass which indicates items which are hidden from view. Personally, I don’t think this compass adds anything to the game and would be better without it. I say only one collectible - hearts. I generally hate this developer’s games due to their excess use of helpers. However, for once, this is a decent game from them with NO helpers leaping out from the underworld. I recommend this game but it is a little too much of a sugar-fest for me. I cannot handle that much “undying love!”
HOP SCENES: The scenes are creatively designed. There is a multiple-step one in which you search for silhouette items followed by replacement of items back into the scene. There is a storybook scene in which you locate four (4) symbols within each of five (5) screens.
PUZZLES: There are quite a few puzzles and they vary in style and difficulty. Puzzle lovers should love this game. There is the option between Casual and Hard versions for some of the puzzles; however, the “hard” versions are not difficult. The other puzzles are extremely easy. There are quite a few physical puzzles. In one you try to get a grappling hook centered on a boulder. I found the two items which need to be centered to place that grappling hook on the boulder difficult to maneuver. There is another one which has an optional Casual and Hard option, which finds you stabbing a specific number of bubbles before the time runs out. Other puzzles include matching puzzles, switch puzzles, several rotating rings puzzles.
LEVELS: Mage’s Apprentice, Wizard, Sorcerer, Warlock
Hints and Skips: 5 to 240 seconds
Hints and Skips: 5 to 240 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
Dark Compass to help you see what is hidden from view.
Achievements – I did not see any in this game
Collect 26 Hearts
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music,
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
Dark Compass to help you see what is hidden from view.
Achievements – I did not see any in this game
Collect 26 Hearts
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Multiple step. (A) Silhouette. (B) Replacement. Replace items back into a storybook.
B. Silhouette. Locate 4 each of 2 items to assemble a dreamcatcher.
C. List of items.
D. Storybook. Locate 4 symbols as they are presented individually on the center of the screen for 5 scenes
A. Multiple step. (A) Silhouette. (B) Replacement. Replace items back into a storybook.
B. Silhouette. Locate 4 each of 2 items to assemble a dreamcatcher.
C. List of items.
D. Storybook. Locate 4 symbols as they are presented individually on the center of the screen for 5 scenes
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Matching puzzle. Match up like amulets. Rating: 1
B. Multiple step. (A) Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore an image. (B) Matching puzzle. Combine two halves of a series of keys to restore them. Rating: 1
C. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings until an image is restored. Rating: 1
D. Search puzzle. Using the Dark compass locate 8 symbols. Rating: 1
E. Choice between Casual and Hard. Manual dexterity puzzle. Using a sword, stab the number of bubbles for each hand before your time runs out.
F. Choice between Casual and Hard. Assembly puzzle. Place parts of a fish within the fish to restore it. You are timed in the hard version.
G. Bullseye puzzle. Click on a slider when it hits the center of a grid to center a grappling hook. Rating: 1
H. Switch puzzle. Switch door handles so they match up with the faces. Rating: 2
I. Rotating rings. Rotate hexagons to move colored lights into those spaces which are the same color. Rating: 3
J. Choice between Casual and Hard. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings so they are all horizontal. Moving one affects the others.
K. Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces of a symbol back into place to restore the symbol. Rating: 1
A. Matching puzzle. Match up like amulets. Rating: 1
B. Multiple step. (A) Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore an image. (B) Matching puzzle. Combine two halves of a series of keys to restore them. Rating: 1
C. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings until an image is restored. Rating: 1
D. Search puzzle. Using the Dark compass locate 8 symbols. Rating: 1
E. Choice between Casual and Hard. Manual dexterity puzzle. Using a sword, stab the number of bubbles for each hand before your time runs out.
F. Choice between Casual and Hard. Assembly puzzle. Place parts of a fish within the fish to restore it. You are timed in the hard version.
G. Bullseye puzzle. Click on a slider when it hits the center of a grid to center a grappling hook. Rating: 1
H. Switch puzzle. Switch door handles so they match up with the faces. Rating: 2
I. Rotating rings. Rotate hexagons to move colored lights into those spaces which are the same color. Rating: 3
J. Choice between Casual and Hard. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings so they are all horizontal. Moving one affects the others.
K. Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces of a symbol back into place to restore the symbol. Rating: 1
I recommend this game!
Your brother gets in trouble during the filming of his ghost hunting show!
Overall rating
5
/
5
106 of 165 found this review helpful
DOMINI HAS RESURRECTED ANOTHER 5-STAR PLUS GAME
PostedJune 29, 2017
sunnyglow
fromGossip has it that Count Valack is getting his own reality show, “Midnight Magic with Count Valack.” Filming live from the Afterlife Time Studios, our Count will try “revive” the “dead” careers of Hollywood has-beens.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
5 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 51 pages
OVERVIEW: Detective! More family drama awaits you! What trouble has your brother gotten himself into this time? Race against time to save your brother and his assistant, also his fiancé. As a producer for the reality television show, “Ghost Riders,” he has gotten more than he bargained for while filming an episode in a desolated, spooky old mansion, once inhabited by the serial killer, Count Valack Arden. While filming this show, the Count takes over your brother’s body and his fiancé is kidnapped by this dastardly ghost! This Count is planning to use black magic to resurrect his daughter’s soul into the body of his assistant. You better act fast or you may end up with a serial killer for a brother!
Such a great game! It also appears to be a lengthy game as well. This is another top-notch, puzzle-intense game from Domini. (Side note: I looked all through the game, and there are no annoying helpers hiding anywhere in the rafters of this old mansion!) It will appeal to those who love detective stories and paranormal reality shows. The graphics are dark and somewhat spooky. The story is unique and well-written. The pace if good with plenty of activities and intrigue to keep the player’s interest. As with most Domini games, there are quite a few collectibles. You collect butterflies to purchase items for a Cursed Objects Exhibit, morphing objects, figurines, and cards of people. You get a set of gimmicky spectral glasses to see the spirit world. It was an automatic purchase for me!
HOP SCENES: They are creatively designed. They include a list of items which include a puzzle within the scenes. The puzzle is a switch puzzle reversing the placement of black and white tiles. There are two silhouette scenes, one of which requires the player to match up two like items before the silhouette is removed. There is also a spot-the-difference scene. You also have the option to play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: Domini games are puzzle-rich. They also are one of the few developers who offer the choice between “casual” and “hard” versions of their puzzles. They are varied, numerous, and are all very creative. They include a moving tiles puzzle to restore an image, a spot-the difference puzzle between two pictures, a variation of a chess puzzle to trap a ghost, a sequence puzzle, a paint-by-number puzzle, a sequence puzzle, a connection puzzle to link to connect gems, and a lock pick puzzle. There is also a variation of a Twenty Questions puzzle to answer questions in which you pick a card with the correct response.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
34 Achievements
Replay of 18 HOP scenes (Saw nothing concerning puzzles)
Collect 44 butterflies to purchase objects for the Cursed Objects Exhibit, 15 figurines, 16 Cards of people, and 15 Morphing objects
Spectral glasses to see the spirit world
13 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art, Music
Map is provided as you play the game
34 Achievements
Replay of 18 HOP scenes (Saw nothing concerning puzzles)
Collect 44 butterflies to purchase objects for the Cursed Objects Exhibit, 15 figurines, 16 Cards of people, and 15 Morphing objects
Spectral glasses to see the spirit world
13 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art, Music
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You can play a Match-3 game instead.
(A) List of items (there is puzzle within this scene). (B) Silhouette. (C) Spot the differences between items and their mirror images. (D) Silhouette. Very interactive. Must match up items with each other before removing them.
(A) List of items (there is puzzle within this scene). (B) Silhouette. (C) Spot the differences between items and their mirror images. (D) Silhouette. Very interactive. Must match up items with each other before removing them.
PUZZLES: Choice between casual and hard settings for most puzzles.
A. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate four circles to create four images. Moving one affects the other.
B. Switch puzzle (within first HOP scene). Switch the position of black and white tokens on a grid.
C. Spot-the-differences puzzle. Spot differences between two pictures.
D. Variation of a chess puzzle. Move tokens to a corner and trap two ghosts to remove them.
E. Lock pick puzzle. Bend a bobby pin to match the tumblers in a lock.
F. Sequence puzzle. Using arrows, move a planchette on a Ouija board so that tiles are removed to restore a picture.
G. Switch puzzle. Switch books to restores 3 images.
H. Twenty Questions. Novel puzzle in which you answer a series of questions from picking the proper card from a series of given cards.
I. Paint-by-Number. Paint a picture by matching up colors with numbers. You will need to do some math to come up with some of the colors.
J. Matching puzzle. Match up bottles on the outside with those on the inside.
K. Connection puzzle. Connect all gems without crossing lines.
A. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate four circles to create four images. Moving one affects the other.
B. Switch puzzle (within first HOP scene). Switch the position of black and white tokens on a grid.
C. Spot-the-differences puzzle. Spot differences between two pictures.
D. Variation of a chess puzzle. Move tokens to a corner and trap two ghosts to remove them.
E. Lock pick puzzle. Bend a bobby pin to match the tumblers in a lock.
F. Sequence puzzle. Using arrows, move a planchette on a Ouija board so that tiles are removed to restore a picture.
G. Switch puzzle. Switch books to restores 3 images.
H. Twenty Questions. Novel puzzle in which you answer a series of questions from picking the proper card from a series of given cards.
I. Paint-by-Number. Paint a picture by matching up colors with numbers. You will need to do some math to come up with some of the colors.
J. Matching puzzle. Match up bottles on the outside with those on the inside.
K. Connection puzzle. Connect all gems without crossing lines.
I recommend this game!
Follow Emily on her quest to trace the mysterious woman, elude death and ultimatly catch the killer in Ghost Files: The Face of Guilt.
Overall rating
5
/
5
100 of 155 found this review helpful
NO VACATION FOR YOU EMILY – LOCATE THE GUILTY MAN IN A SERIAL KILLER CASE
PostedJune 27, 2017
sunnyglow
fromNo vacation for Emily! While Emily’s partner in crime is killing off a few Bloody Mary’s at a 5-star resort hotel, Emily is analyzing the bodies of a few bloody Mary’s in a seedy hotel.
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: 61 Pages
OVERVIEW: A serial killer, “The Guilty Man” is on the loose! Play Emily, a detective for the Boston Police Department. When your partner in crime alerts you that he is leaving for vacation, it is up to you to solve this case on your own. No sunny beaches for you, Emily! Instead, you will be collecting and analyzing evidence while trekking through the alleys and broken-down, rat-infested tenements in the seamier side of Boston. However, you will be offered some unsolicited help from Sarah, a psychic detective. In this case, you may want to take any help you can get! This case won’t be easy, Detective!
This is a good whodunit for murder mystery buffs and wannabe detectives. The game is old-school with scenes which are dark and dreary showing the seedier part of a big city. The characters are one-dimensional. You play a detective with your own forensic kit to collect and analyze blood samples and fingerprints. You even carry your own microscope with you as you amble through those tenement houses. There are several collectibles including pictures of serial killers, tarot cards, and pieces of forensic equipment. And here is a final note for your case file - this case won’t be easy but the puzzles are!
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are replicas of those seen in other HOP games. There are two types in the demo – lists of items and silhouette. In one of the silhouette scenes you locate the items and then interact with them within the scene. They are somewhat interactive and the lists of items have morphing objects within the scenes. You have the option to play a Matching game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: Easy breezy sailing through this game! There are plenty of activities and puzzles within the game. There is a fingerprint puzzle in which you pass a magnifying glass over a fingerprint to locate five identifiers. There is a lock puzzle using a code. Other puzzles include a chess puzzle involving a knight, another lock puzzle using a numbered code, and two matching puzzles.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hints (HOP scenes): 2 to 240 seconds Hints: (General) and skips: 10 to 120 seconds
Hints (HOP scenes): 2 to 240 seconds Hints: (General) and skips: 10 to 120 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
22 Achievements
Forensic kit to help in solving the cases.
Collect 10 Pictures of Serial Killers, 20 Tarot cards, and 5 pieces of equipment
Morphing objects (within the HOP scenes)
Nothing given on wallpapers, music, or videos
Map is provided as you play the game
22 Achievements
Forensic kit to help in solving the cases.
Collect 10 Pictures of Serial Killers, 20 Tarot cards, and 5 pieces of equipment
Morphing objects (within the HOP scenes)
Nothing given on wallpapers, music, or videos
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: Play a Matching Game instead.
(A) List of items (B) Silhouette (C) Silhouette – Locate and interact with the scene with the items (D) List of items
(A) List of items (B) Silhouette (C) Silhouette – Locate and interact with the scene with the items (D) List of items
PUZZLES: They are all easy
A. Lock puzzle. Unlock a safe by entering in the combination which is given to you.
B. Matching puzzle. Look for 5 similarities on a fingerprint.
C. Matching puzzle. Match up pairs of 3 microbes between two slides with blood samples.
D. Lock puzzle. Open a latch on a lock by gliding it on a path just as you would in your own house.
E. Matching puzzle. Play a song on a piano by matching the notes on a piece of music with the piano keys.
F. Chess puzzle. Move a knight in its normal “L” shaped move as in chess around a box so that all lights are lit surrounding the box.
G. Storybook puzzle. Search for symbols within scenes of the book.
A. Lock puzzle. Unlock a safe by entering in the combination which is given to you.
B. Matching puzzle. Look for 5 similarities on a fingerprint.
C. Matching puzzle. Match up pairs of 3 microbes between two slides with blood samples.
D. Lock puzzle. Open a latch on a lock by gliding it on a path just as you would in your own house.
E. Matching puzzle. Play a song on a piano by matching the notes on a piece of music with the piano keys.
F. Chess puzzle. Move a knight in its normal “L” shaped move as in chess around a box so that all lights are lit surrounding the box.
G. Storybook puzzle. Search for symbols within scenes of the book.
I recommend this game!
A young journalist following a wanted felon chases him to a golden elevator that takes her to other worlds, where huge danger threatens everything.
Overall rating
5
/
5
90 of 175 found this review helpful
GET ON THE ELEVATOR, PUSH A BUTTON AND ENTER A 5 STAR PLUS GAME – ANOTHER MAD HEAD MASTERPIECE
PostedJune 24, 2017
sunnyglow
fromMad Head not only has my heart, but the “heart of my pocketbook” as well! True gaming genius!
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: 42 pages
A BIG THANK you to BFG for providing this fantastic game from Mad Head.
Miss Chambers – you are off for the biggest scoop of your life! Investigate Mark Tailor, an escaped prisoner who is armed and dangerous! However, what should be a run-of-the-mill story will expand into a fight to save the world. Find yourself traversing between the real world and the world of fiction via a cosmic elevator. Your villain is out to steal the “heart” out of every work of fiction with devastating consequences. Entering an abandoned publishing house, you find a portal to open literary worlds. Jump on the elevator! Next stop – The Twilight Zone, or perhaps the Wild, Wild West, or even your own Bat Cave. You can do it! You are a Wonder Woman off to become a true Superhero!
A TESTAMENT TO A DEVELOPER’S GENIUS! What a fantastic game! This game is a well-crafted game. It is a great game for about everyone, including children. It could instill an interest in children to explore the wonderful literary worlds which can be entered through reading. The graphics provide surrealistic portrayals of the different literary worlds our heroine enters. There are plenty of activities within the game and most of them are creatively designed. There are quite few collectibles including morphing objects, books with hearts, and treasures. You can replay the HOP scenes. I did not see any indication in which to replay of the puzzles, although the introductory blurb for the game states there is this option.
HOP SCENES: THE PRESENCE OF THE CREATIVE GENIUS OF MAD HEAD GAMES! The developer provides the same types of scenes seen in most developers’ games. There are lists of items, storybook, silhouette and replacement scenes. However, the presentation is unique and creative. In one scene, you get the list of items on a typewriter sheet. Another has lists of items located on the shelves of a post office. In yet another, you piece together a cell phone which contains a list of items to locate. My favorite is a surreal scene in which you locate parts for an elevator.
PUZZLES: THE HEART OF THIS GAME: The puzzles are varied in content and difficulty and cleverly designed. In the demo, they include a matching puzzle, switch puzzle, assembly puzzle and a logic problem.
CREATIVE REPETITION NEVER GETS BORING! There are two repetitive puzzles. One is a physical puzzle in which you locate clues by maneuvering two lines, aligning them until they meet at the center of a circle. This is much more creative device to search for clues than just clicking on a scene looking for them. Another repetitive puzzle is one used to operate the hotel elevator by pressing on a symbol. After that you will be give four choices of symbols which appear in a larger symbol. This is no easy task. To me, most of the symbols seemed to be part of the larger symbol.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: My favorite is the last puzzle of the demo, a logic puzzle which involves pushing on squares of a large grid to light up the squares of three smaller grids. All the lights on the smaller grids must light up and all the grids must contain the same pattern.
LEVELS: Amateur, Published, Best-Seller, Literary Giant, Critic
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.
Get x-ray goggles which allow you to track clues
24 Achievements (Gold, Silver, and Bronze)
Collect 36 Books with Hearts and 36 Treasures
Replay 17 HOP scenes
17 Morphing Objects
4 Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Scrapbook, Profile Icons
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
Get x-ray goggles which allow you to track clues
24 Achievements (Gold, Silver, and Bronze)
Collect 36 Books with Hearts and 36 Treasures
Replay 17 HOP scenes
17 Morphing Objects
4 Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Scrapbook, Profile Icons
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Silhouette. Locate items imprinted on a typewriter. Very creative!
B. List of items
C. List of items – items in a series of shelves at a post office.
D. Storybook. Look for parts within a scene which are missing on an elevator. Gorgeous graphics
E. List of items. Very creative. Search for pieces of a telephone code to unlock the phone and then get items to search from the phone.
A. Silhouette. Locate items imprinted on a typewriter. Very creative!
B. List of items
C. List of items – items in a series of shelves at a post office.
D. Storybook. Look for parts within a scene which are missing on an elevator. Gorgeous graphics
E. List of items. Very creative. Search for pieces of a telephone code to unlock the phone and then get items to search from the phone.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Matching puzzle. Click on four tokens, changing them to match up with the shape of the slot in which they are located. Rating: 1
B. Assembly puzzle. Select from a series of up to four symbols based on their shape and appearance on a given diagram. Rating: 2
C. Switch puzzle. Move 5 colored lights in a grid so they match up with the color of the slot in which they are located. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Rotate rings, matching up pieces of symbols to create larger symbols. Then place those symbols into the blank spaces created by the combination of symbols. Rating: 2 (What makes this puzzle interesting is that the symbols must also point in the same direction as well). Rating: 3
E. Physical puzzle. Using a “tracking device” point in all directions until two lines intersect each other in the center of the device. 3X Rating: 2
F. Same as B
G. Same as E
H. Logic puzzle. On a large circular grid, push on squares upon the grid so that only green lights on 3 smaller grids are lit. The patterns must also match on all 3 as well. Rating: 3
A. Matching puzzle. Click on four tokens, changing them to match up with the shape of the slot in which they are located. Rating: 1
B. Assembly puzzle. Select from a series of up to four symbols based on their shape and appearance on a given diagram. Rating: 2
C. Switch puzzle. Move 5 colored lights in a grid so they match up with the color of the slot in which they are located. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Rotate rings, matching up pieces of symbols to create larger symbols. Then place those symbols into the blank spaces created by the combination of symbols. Rating: 2 (What makes this puzzle interesting is that the symbols must also point in the same direction as well). Rating: 3
E. Physical puzzle. Using a “tracking device” point in all directions until two lines intersect each other in the center of the device. 3X Rating: 2
F. Same as B
G. Same as E
H. Logic puzzle. On a large circular grid, push on squares upon the grid so that only green lights on 3 smaller grids are lit. The patterns must also match on all 3 as well. Rating: 3
I recommend this game!
Can you recover your memories and save a missing girl in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
92 of 156 found this review helpful
WHAT IS LURKING IN THE SHADOWS OF AN ABANDONED OBSERVATORY?
PostedJune 22, 2017
sunnyglow
fromWhat is Elf’s sign? Hopefully it is EXIT! Let’s hope the next game will give him an optional Agent Elf Badge giving us the option to allow him to play or stay away.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
5 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter
OVERVIEW: Try to remember Detective! What happened at the Shadowfield Observatory? While searching for eighteen-year old Ann McPherson at this site, something happened to cause you to develop episodic amnesia. What events are hiding within the shadows of your mind? A psychologist is helping you pull back the curtain of your memory to sort out the details. Something “monstrous” happened there. Get ready for a case in which entails much more than locating a missing girl. You will have to watch your back at every turn, question everyone, at the same time clear up your mind as to the details of this case. There is more to this dilapidated observatory than meets the eye.
The story is an excellent detective story with a sci-fi theme. This game will appeal to aficionados of this series. The graphics are breathtaking as usual for Elephant Games. I do love the blending of the elements of astronomy coupled with the pseudo-science of astrology throughout the game – absolutely, stellar! As usual, there are quite a few activities within the game and quite a few collectibles as well including screen segments which, when all are collected, reveal a starry sky. You also collect the twelve (12) signs of the Chinese Zodiac and there are morphing objects to collect as well. Elf returns as a canine helper. However, it is a non-purchase for me due to the overuse of the helper in this game.
HOP SCENES: The scenes are very creative. They include a list of constellations located on a star map. Unique and creative! There is a replacement scene and the typical storybook scene to help further the story.
PUZZLES: They are stellar! Many are based on the stars (astronomy and astrology), and all are all moderately difficult. They are beautiful, and very creatively designed. incorporating the astronomy/astrology theme within them. There is a multiple-step puzzle using the Zodiac in which you match up signs with their person or animal token. There is one which uses a sky globe which you whirl around to locate three (3) dissimilar stars. Other puzzles include a maze puzzle,an easy sequence puzzle and a rotating rings puzzle. My favorite puzzle involves a clever variation of a key puzzle in which you match up wedges with “teeth” so they interconnect.
OPTIONAL AGENT ELF BADGE! I WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS GAME IF I COULD OPT OUT OF USING THIS ANNOYING “HELPER” DOG. He is used excessively and is a major distraction. He prances, barks excessively, and his antics are time consuming. He is out-of-place in this game. Please remember, not all your customers are enamored by these helpers! MAKE THEIR USE OPTIONAL!
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Detective
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.
22 Achievements
Collect 40 screen fragments to create a night sky and 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac.
Collect Morphing objects (no number given)
8 Wallpapers,8 Concept Art, Music, Secret Room
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
22 Achievements
Collect 40 screen fragments to create a night sky and 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac.
Collect Morphing objects (no number given)
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). Silhouette. (B). List of items. Search for constellations on a star map. (C). Replacement puzzle. Replace items back into the scene. (D). Storybook. Listen to the story of the observatory and locate items listed in BOLD letters.
PUZZLES: They are of Moderate Difficulty.
A. Maze puzzle. Move a tool box token along a straight path from left to right removing obstacles within its path.
B. Multiple step. (A) Moving tiles puzzle. Move tokens with astrological signs on them to match up to the appropriate person or animal associated with that sign. (B) Matching. Match up signs of the Zodiac.
C. Sequence puzzle. Remove brambles using a glove in sequential order.
D. Multiple step puzzle. (A) Matching puzzle. On a circular wheel containing notched tokens, whirl the wheel around to locate each token’s matching one to make a connection. (B). Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate segments of a jigsaw puzzle to restore an image.
E. Multiple step. (A). Alignment puzzle. Align planets so they are in a straight line. Moving one affects the others. (B) Matching puzzle. Place tokens into the correct slots to correspond to a given diagram. Moving one affects the others.
F. On a sky globe, locate three stars of different sizes.
A. Maze puzzle. Move a tool box token along a straight path from left to right removing obstacles within its path.
B. Multiple step. (A) Moving tiles puzzle. Move tokens with astrological signs on them to match up to the appropriate person or animal associated with that sign. (B) Matching. Match up signs of the Zodiac.
C. Sequence puzzle. Remove brambles using a glove in sequential order.
D. Multiple step puzzle. (A) Matching puzzle. On a circular wheel containing notched tokens, whirl the wheel around to locate each token’s matching one to make a connection. (B). Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate segments of a jigsaw puzzle to restore an image.
E. Multiple step. (A). Alignment puzzle. Align planets so they are in a straight line. Moving one affects the others. (B) Matching puzzle. Place tokens into the correct slots to correspond to a given diagram. Moving one affects the others.
F. On a sky globe, locate three stars of different sizes.
I recommend this game!