sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:821
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 27, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
It’s up to you to save the Swan Princess’s kingdom!
Overall rating
4
/
5
148 of 287 found this review helpful
SMOOTH SOME RUFFLED FEATHERS ON A FEATHERY FLIGHT OF FANCY TO A “KINGDOM UNDER THE TREE”
PostedJuly 7, 2016
sunnyglow
fromLike Ariel’s Kingdom under the Sea, Flora’s Kingdom under the Tree should have its own Disney theme song. Borrowing from Ariel: Under the tree. Under the tree It's better weather Where there are feathers
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE DEMO:
OVERVIEW Get ready to dance to the “dire” tune of some deceptive swans in this modified fable of Swan Lake. I rate this feathery offering 4 stars. For those who love fantasy games and/or FROGS, you will love this game! However, for me, the game falls flat lacking an engaging story, creative HOP scenes, and a decent pace. The whole “black swan/white swan” theme has been used so often in gaming and other entertainment venues, it has become trite. In this case, I found the game script very bizarre evidenced by using a tailor to “seam” together cracks on the surface of the kingdom. Sorry to disagree with our “editor;” however, I see nothing in this game which makes it anything but an average fantasy game. Perhaps, it may be I am just tired of fantasy games with pretty princesses and nonsensical stories.
I felt the pace of the game is bogged down by the back-and-forth travel in the game searching for items. To me, this is more time consuming than the activities in the game. There appears to be an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles. The HOP scenes are all FROGS in the demo (with the exception of one), which fit nicely into the swamp-like atmosphere in the game. However, the lack of variety in the HOP scenes also adds to my lack of enthusiasm for this game. The puzzles are varied in both style and difficulty with a couple of difficult ones toward the end of the demo. However, the excellent puzzles are not enough to salvage this game for me.
This game has the “flavour” of Blue Tea more than EIPIX. The graphics are all Blue Tea and are amazing as usual for this developer. The extras include the replaying of HOP scenes and puzzles. Back are the usual signs which you collect in EVERY EIPIX game! It would be nice if EIPIX would come up with some new ideas for collectibles. You also collect pieces to open up parables.
If you love fantasy games, you may enjoy it. For me, this game is a disappointment for the EIPIX/Blue Tea venture. However, that being said, this game is a fairly decent fantasy game for those who like this genre. However, in my opinion, it certainly does not merit the any special recognition.
STORY: You return as a detective investigating the Kingdom of Dire Island. The Black Swan has stolen a magic seed which holds the key to the regeneration of the goddess Flora, who keeps nature in balance. The theft has caused cracks to develop throughout the kingdom. Desmond McBride is a tailor who has been summoned by the kingdom’s princess to heal the cracks in the surface of the kingdom. However, he will also aid you in your quest. Venture into a swamp to search for the villain in this game. Just watch out for feathers flying between the swans as you trek through this game!
HOP SCENES: Keeping with the swampy atmosphere of the game, all the scenes are predominantly FROGS. You will locate pieces of inventory items.
PUZZLES: The puzzles in the demo vary in difficulty. They include a matching puzzle in which you use a looking glass to locate items which is somewhat unique and creative. There is also a switch puzzle in which you search for and replace items back into a scene in a storybook. I found this puzzle not only extremely easy but also extremely boring. There is a decent logic (mathematical) puzzle and a fiendish maze puzzle which is unique and very creative.
LEVELS: Casual, Hard, Insane, 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
12 Achievements
Collect 39 signs (the same as with every EIPIX game)
Replay 22 puzzles and 12 HOP scenes
Strategy guide
8 Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Souvenirs
Collect pieces to unlock 7 parables.
Map is provided as you play the game
12 Achievements
Collect 39 signs (the same as with every EIPIX game)
Replay 22 puzzles and 12 HOP scenes
Strategy guide
8 Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Souvenirs
Collect pieces to unlock 7 parables.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE:
HOP SCENES:
A. FROG to create an inventory item
B. FROG to produce an inventory item
C. Given a set of symbols, locate them on a wall
D. Mini-FROG scene. Locate items of armor to create an inventory item
E. Another FROG. Locate pieces of Flora’s mosaic.
A. FROG to create an inventory item
B. FROG to produce an inventory item
C. Given a set of symbols, locate them on a wall
D. Mini-FROG scene. Locate items of armor to create an inventory item
E. Another FROG. Locate pieces of Flora’s mosaic.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Matching puzzle. Match up landmarks with symbols along the side of a type of a looking glass. Must be done in sequence Rating: 2
B. Switch puzzle. Search for and replace of items back into the correct locations in a storybook. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Not listed as a puzzle; however, you must switch pieces of a picture to create a picture to open a door. Rating: 2
D. Logic/Mathematical puzzle. Connect squares using lines based on the amount of dots in each square. The number indicates how many connections that square should have with the other squares. 2X Rating: 2 to 3 depending if you have played this type of game before
E. Maze puzzle. Create paths to get 3 balls to the bottom of a segmented maze so that each ball matches up by color and symbol with those on the bottom of the maze. Rating: 3
B. Switch puzzle. Search for and replace of items back into the correct locations in a storybook. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Not listed as a puzzle; however, you must switch pieces of a picture to create a picture to open a door. Rating: 2
D. Logic/Mathematical puzzle. Connect squares using lines based on the amount of dots in each square. The number indicates how many connections that square should have with the other squares. 2X Rating: 2 to 3 depending if you have played this type of game before
E. Maze puzzle. Create paths to get 3 balls to the bottom of a segmented maze so that each ball matches up by color and symbol with those on the bottom of the maze. Rating: 3
FINAL THOUGHTS: I, for one, am tired of the consistent diet of sugary sweet fantasy games. Hopefully BFG will provide something different such as sci-fi game in the coming weeks.
I recommend this game!
Haunted Legends: The Iron Mask Collector's Edition
Explore 17th-century France as you track down a masked killer.
Overall rating
5
/
5
207 of 305 found this review helpful
“ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL” IN THE COURT OF THE SUN KING
PostedJune 30, 2016
sunnyglow
fromI want to adopt this game’s designer “le chat” from Paris. He is my type of cat! No matter the historical period, this cat goes with everything and would look fashionable sitting on my lap-top!
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 – REVIEW BASED ON THE DEMO PLUS PART OF CHAPTER 3
OVERVIEW: Return to 1653 France during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, in this beautifully crafted 5-star game of mystery and political intrigue. Be warned – THIS IS A LONG GAME! The graphics are exquisite as usual for this developer, providing a somewhat realistic graphic depiction of this period in France. The game script is well written, keeping you in suspense trying to make the connections between the characters in solving the identity of a man in an iron mask committing the murders. The pace is excellent and I was engaged throughout the demo. There are more puzzles than HOP scenes in the game; however, both are well-crafted. Vox, the grunting dwarf, is back in this game, and to me, seems out-of-place in this period piece. However, his character is well-integrated into the spider’s web of court politics and intrigue of this game. The collectibles are horseshoes which are used to purchase items for your horse and seals to unlock a book from the De’ Medici family from Florence, Italy. You have the ability to replay the HOP scenes and the puzzles.
WARNING: Be prepared for a “sneaky snake” moment in the demo! AFTER THE DEMO YOU ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A "DOG" FOR TWO CHAPTERS WHO BARKS AND WHINES INCESSANTLY; HOWEVER, YOU CAN SKIP THE SCENES!
STORY: Loosely based on two class novels by Dumas, “The Man in the Iron Mask” and “The Three Musketeers,” you play an agent from the French secret service looking into the murders of the members of the French court by a man in an iron mask. You, as the agent will be searching for clues concerning this man who seems to be a prisoner residing in Bastille. However, how can that be possible? There are quite a few entanglements in this game between several characters. Somehow the dwarf, Vox is behind this and seems to be thwarting your efforts to locate the killer. He seems interested in the prisoner as well. It seems this mysterious prisoner is being treated royally, being supplied with the best food, wine and clothing. But why? Besides Vox, the Cardinal (RIchlieux?) and the King himself are embroiled in this game of mystery and suspense.
HOP SCENES: They vary in style. They are interactive as well. In the demo they include a mini-HOP scene involving some catnip for the ERS “cat with in attitude,” a matching scene using chess pieces, and two silhouette scenes using the same scene twice. The silhouette scenes are interactive and puzzle-like and very well crafted.
HOP SCENES: They vary in style. They are interactive as well. In the demo they include a mini-HOP scene involving some catnip for the ERS “cat with in attitude,” a matching scene using chess pieces, and two silhouette scenes using the same scene twice. The silhouette scenes are interactive and puzzle-like and very well crafted.
PUZZLES: In the demo there are more puzzles than HOP scenes, and they range in variety and difficulty. I did encounter two switch puzzles which I thought were a little difficult and time consuming. Unlike in previous games from this developer, there are mini-puzzles within the inventory which are also well-crafted. The puzzles from the inventory are matching puzzles – matching up keys and matching up positions of levers to open a lock. There is also a nifty little assembly puzzle involving a wheel for a cart and a sequence puzzle involving four owls to open up a case.
The standard puzzles within the game include a manual dexterity puzzle which includes tracing a symbol, a sequence puzzle putting letters in chronological order from various characters in the game, a couple of switch puzzles (which are somewhat difficult), an easy jigsaw puzzle using pieces of a letter. There is also a clever, well-designed dot-to-dot puzzle involving a signature which we seldom seen in HOP games.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: The two switch puzzles are my favorites. In one you must switch picture pieces from one scene to another to recreate two pictures. You accomplish this with the help of a button in the middle of the scene to switch the pieces. The other switch puzzle I found somewhat difficult as you must switch segments of a lock to recreate an emblem surrounding the lock. There are several buttons which switch the pieces of the lock and it took me time to figure out the sequence to restore the image.
AFTER THE DEMO: There is another HOP scene and a slightly wicked manual dexterity puzzle involving throwing apples, a sliding tiles puzzles which allows you to choose between casual and hard settings, a maze puzzle, a switch puzzle, and a matching puzzle.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips – 5 to 200 seconds
Hints and Skips – 5 to 200 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the start of the game
12 Achievements
Collect horse shoes to purchase items for your horse.
Collect 12 seals to open up the De’ Medici book of hidden secrets
Strategy guide - 67 pages
Wallpapers, Screensavers, Concept art, music, movies
Replay of HOP scenes and puzzles
Map is given to you at the start of the game
12 Achievements
Collect horse shoes to purchase items for your horse.
Collect 12 seals to open up the De’ Medici book of hidden secrets
Strategy guide - 67 pages
Wallpapers, Screensavers, Concept art, music, movies
Replay of HOP scenes and puzzles
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES:
A. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 5 leaves of catnip.
B. Matching scene. Locate 6 pairs of chess pieces. It is interactive
C. Silhouette. Locate a specific number of four items.
D. Silhouette. Return to the previous scene to locate items and then replacing them back into the scene in the correct location
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Silhouette. Interactive and you locate pieces which are used to create an inventory item.
A. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 5 leaves of catnip.
B. Matching scene. Locate 6 pairs of chess pieces. It is interactive
C. Silhouette. Locate a specific number of four items.
D. Silhouette. Return to the previous scene to locate items and then replacing them back into the scene in the correct location
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Silhouette. Interactive and you locate pieces which are used to create an inventory item.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy (2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Inventory puzzle. Sequence puzzle. Press owls in sequence to open up a case Rating: 1
B. Inventory puzzle. Matching puzzle. Match up keys with their proper locations Rating: 1
C. Manual dexterity puzzle. Tracing puzzle. Drag a dot form one end of a figure to the other using your cursor. Rating: 1
D. Sequence puzzle. Place letters in sequence from most recent to oldest by date. Rating: 1
E. Inventory puzzle. Matching puzzle. Align levers on a gate to match up with those on a picture. Rating: 1
F. Inventory puzzle. Assembly puzzle. Assembly a wheel with pieces found in a HOP scene.
G. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to recreate two pictures. The center has a button to switch the tile pieces between the two scenes. Rating: 3
H. Switch puzzle. Using 9 buttons switch segments of a lock to recreate an emblem on the lock. Rating: 3
I. Jigsaw puzzle. Recreate a letter by placing fragments into their proper position. Rating: 1
J. Dot-to-dot puzzle. Recreate a signature by “connecting the dots” in the proper sequence. Rating: 2
AFTER THE DEMO:
K. Manual dexterity puzzle. Adjust levels on a bar to use apples to hit a set of keys to release them 3X Increased in difficulty Rating: 1 to 2
L. Sliding tiles puzzle. Choice between Casual and Hard. Rotate and move tiles on a gate to recreate the pictures of four dogs. Rating: 2 to 3
M. Maze puzzle. Move two tokens into their correct locations in a rather tiny maze. Rating: 2
N. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles pieces to create a picture of a dog. Rating: 3
O. Matching puzzle. Match up images on a tortoise shell. Rating: 1
B. Inventory puzzle. Matching puzzle. Match up keys with their proper locations Rating: 1
C. Manual dexterity puzzle. Tracing puzzle. Drag a dot form one end of a figure to the other using your cursor. Rating: 1
D. Sequence puzzle. Place letters in sequence from most recent to oldest by date. Rating: 1
E. Inventory puzzle. Matching puzzle. Align levers on a gate to match up with those on a picture. Rating: 1
F. Inventory puzzle. Assembly puzzle. Assembly a wheel with pieces found in a HOP scene.
G. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to recreate two pictures. The center has a button to switch the tile pieces between the two scenes. Rating: 3
H. Switch puzzle. Using 9 buttons switch segments of a lock to recreate an emblem on the lock. Rating: 3
I. Jigsaw puzzle. Recreate a letter by placing fragments into their proper position. Rating: 1
J. Dot-to-dot puzzle. Recreate a signature by “connecting the dots” in the proper sequence. Rating: 2
AFTER THE DEMO:
K. Manual dexterity puzzle. Adjust levels on a bar to use apples to hit a set of keys to release them 3X Increased in difficulty Rating: 1 to 2
L. Sliding tiles puzzle. Choice between Casual and Hard. Rotate and move tiles on a gate to recreate the pictures of four dogs. Rating: 2 to 3
M. Maze puzzle. Move two tokens into their correct locations in a rather tiny maze. Rating: 2
N. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles pieces to create a picture of a dog. Rating: 3
O. Matching puzzle. Match up images on a tortoise shell. Rating: 1
NOTE TO DEVELOPER: IF YOU ARE GOING TO PROVIDE A DOG IN THESE GAMES, PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO BARK AND WHINE THROUGHOUT THE SCENE! VERY IRRITATING TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT DOG LOVERS!
I recommend this game!
A magical egg is about to turn one girl's world upside-down.
Overall rating
4
/
5
113 of 175 found this review helpful
WARNING: A “FIERY” PASSION TO PLAY THIS GAME MAY CAUSE YOUR HAIR TO TURN GRAY
PostedJune 28, 2016
sunnyglow
fromA new product for a television infomercial. Purchase a “light-up” tattoo for your arm. No need to carry matches. No need to carry a flashlight. You will carry light and fire with you. Purchase one & second one is free to gift or put on the other arm.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER – REVIEW BASED ON DEMO
OVERVIEW: Welcome to Beoglinn Valley where darkness is threating to overtake the kingdom. As Alice, with the help of your uncle, you will venture through many parts of the kingdom to vanquish evil and fight brutish conquerors. This is a decent 4-star games. I do not feel it rates five stars due to its old-school design, blurry graphics, and poorly written game script. I also found the pace to be a little slow in the game. However, the puzzles, HOP scenes, and extras are decent. This is definitely a puzzler’s delight! There are only two HOP scenes in the demo and they are silhouette; however they are interactive and puzzle-like. The puzzles are ones we have seen before and they are not terribly difficult. At the end of the game you have the ability to replay both the puzzles and the HOP scenes. There are quite a few collectibles (62 in number) in this game. The morphing objects are also numerous and a little difficult to locate.
STORY: As Alice, you are forced to go into hiding when your farm is attacked by marauding invaders. Being overtaken by a firebird, you attain its powers which is symbolized by a tattoo on your arm. You will use the power of the firebird throughout the game. You watch as your father is murdered. Before he dies, he tells you to seek out your Uncle Colin, your mother’s brother, to help you escape and defeat these marauders. Amazingly, although you live within the same hamlet in this kingdom, you have never met your Uncle Colin. Really? So comical!
HOP SCENES: There are only two in the demo. Both contain silhouette items, which, when collected, are replaced back into the scene to interact with items within the scene. They both contain mini-puzzles as well.
PUZZLES: This is a puzzle-rich game. I gave all the puzzles within the demo a “2” rating. They are fairly easy and are ones we have seen before. There is quite a variety as well. They include sequence puzzles, matching puzzles, switch puzzles, sliding tiles puzzles, a manual dexterity puzzle, and a moving tiles puzzle. I feel that the puzzles are the best part of the game!
LEVELS: Easy, Normal, Hard – You can customize the game; however there is no “custom” designation
Hints 15 to 90 seconds Skips 30 to 150 seconds
Hints 15 to 90 seconds Skips 30 to 150 seconds
EXTRAS: THE STRATEGY GUIDE AND COLLECTIBLES ARE FOUND IN THE FIGURE OF THE FIREBIRD AT THE LEFT OF THE SCREEN “ADDITIONAL”
Map is given to you at the start of the game. You receive another map of the Fertile Lands as you play the game
20 Achievements
Collect 12 capsules
Collect 50 items – 7 fire bird eggs, 15 feathers, 7 red fish, 7 gold bugs, 7 hour glasses, 7 skulls
35 Morphing objects:
Strategy Guide – 50 pages
10 Wallpapers, 16 Concept art, Music, Replay 24 mini-games and 7 puzzles
Map is given to you at the start of the game. You receive another map of the Fertile Lands as you play the game
20 Achievements
Collect 12 capsules
Collect 50 items – 7 fire bird eggs, 15 feathers, 7 red fish, 7 gold bugs, 7 hour glasses, 7 skulls
35 Morphing objects:
Strategy Guide – 50 pages
10 Wallpapers, 16 Concept art, Music, Replay 24 mini-games and 7 puzzles
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE:
HOP SCENES:
A. Silhouette items. Interactive. Once found, use the items to interact with the scene. Opens up into a puzzle.
B. Silhouette items. Interactive. Once found, use the items to interact with the scene. There is a sliding tiles puzzle within the scene.
B. Silhouette items. Interactive. Once found, use the items to interact with the scene. There is a sliding tiles puzzle within the scene.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy (2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Sequence puzzle. Pull down ropes in sequential order. You must start again if you have the incorrect order. Rating: 2
B. Matching puzzle. Locate two items to correspond with pictures on a chest. 4 X Rating: 2
C. Manual Dexterity puzzle. Escape a guard by running past him so you are not seen. Rating: 2
D. Sequence puzzle. Match up pictures of flowers on a planter with the actual flowers in sequence. Rating: 2
E. Switch puzzle. On a gate, switch the positions of rabbits and wolves through paths in which the rabbits and wolves cannot be placed next to each other in the moves. Rating: 2
F. Matching puzzle. Position parts of a deer to match that of another deer. Rating: 2
G. Sequence puzzle. Create a potion by following the directions given on a formula adding items in correct sequence. Rating: 2
H. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles within a frame to create a picture. Rating: 2
I. Matching puzzle. Move the position of fish so they match up with those portrayed in a diagram. Rating: 2
J. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide tiles within a maze to create a path so a block can move from the right to the left side of the maze. Rating: 2
K. Moving tiles puzzle. Move weather and nature symbols into proper location by pressing on 4 buttons to move and rotate the figures. Rating: 2
B. Matching puzzle. Locate two items to correspond with pictures on a chest. 4 X Rating: 2
C. Manual Dexterity puzzle. Escape a guard by running past him so you are not seen. Rating: 2
D. Sequence puzzle. Match up pictures of flowers on a planter with the actual flowers in sequence. Rating: 2
E. Switch puzzle. On a gate, switch the positions of rabbits and wolves through paths in which the rabbits and wolves cannot be placed next to each other in the moves. Rating: 2
F. Matching puzzle. Position parts of a deer to match that of another deer. Rating: 2
G. Sequence puzzle. Create a potion by following the directions given on a formula adding items in correct sequence. Rating: 2
H. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles within a frame to create a picture. Rating: 2
I. Matching puzzle. Move the position of fish so they match up with those portrayed in a diagram. Rating: 2
J. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide tiles within a maze to create a path so a block can move from the right to the left side of the maze. Rating: 2
K. Moving tiles puzzle. Move weather and nature symbols into proper location by pressing on 4 buttons to move and rotate the figures. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a vengeful spirit before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
197 of 299 found this review helpful
DING DONG BELL – FLORRY’S STUCK IN A WELL - A WHIMSICAL DELIGHTFUL GAME
PostedJune 25, 2016
sunnyglow
fromDing Dong bell, Florry’s in a well. Who threw her in? That’s her husband’s sin. Who will drive her out? There remains no doubt. You will “drive” her out. (Just don’t let Oscar, the drunken ghost, help you “drive!”).
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 - REVIEW BASED ON THE DEMO PLUS PART OF CHAPTER 3
OVERVIEW: Pack up your ghostbusting gear along with earplugs and protective gear and head to England to investigate a “ghost gone wild” in this “phantasmic” 5-star game. I LOVE this whimsical delight! For once, I think Vendel may have a super hit on their hands with this game. This is an “easy breezy” game which is just fun to play. This game contains some witty moments with low-key “humour.” The game script is well-written. The graphics are cartoon-like show a vast improvement for Vendel. The addition of the ghostly drunken sot as a helper provides a wee bit of “humour” to this game. The HOP scenes and puzzles are creatively done and fit the theme of this story. You collect signs. There are no achievements. It is seldom we get a truly entertaining, comical game. However, it is a SHORT game!
STORY: You play Brenda Gale, a psychic detective called in by your former boss, a police detective who has just purchased a haunted pub. However, there will be no peace this side of heaven until you deal with the likes of Florry, the tempestuous ghost! It seems to me that this little pub “be needing” an exorcism by the likes of a Father O’Malley instead of a psychic investigator. This local ghost, Flossy is on a rampage, looking for revenge against a “mighty fine little red-headed lass!” But why?
Accompanying you into the world of “spirits,” is a ghostly sot, Oscar Quincy, who will more than willing to help you for the price of another drink! Actually, I thought the “helper,” another ghost, looked surprisingly like Edgar Alan Poe, another man who also liked his “spirits.”
As you investigate you are facing more questions than answers. Was Flossy a loose woman, carrying on with no good philanderer while her husband was away at war? Did her husband “do her in” and throw her into a well when he returned from the war? And how does a dear sweet little red headed lass fit into all of this? Does she remind Florry of someone? You better be watching out for flying objects dealing with Florry.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are very creative. They are varied and the one thing I like about them is that they are interactive. In most of the HOP scenes you will not only locate items, but also use them to interact with the scene. The very first scene requires you to create a type of drink for your loveable drunken helper, but it only adds to “humour” and delight of this game. Most of the scenes in the portion of the game I played are interactive lists of items or silhouette.
PUZZLES: So well-done and creative! There are more puzzles than HOP scenes and they are not only varied, but also, include some new puzzles we have not seen before. They are all easy. My favorite puzzle was a matching puzzle in which you must place couples together (just as in real life with E-Harmony) according to their preferences. I LOVED that puzzle. Although it is not difficult, it is a fun activity – even more so seeing what is available in the “dating pool” for that quaint little village! Other puzzles from the demo include a multiple-step one using a storybook, a gear puzzle, a math puzzle, a weights and balance puzzle, rotating tiles puzzle, matching puzzle, sequence puzzle, and switch puzzle. After the demo there is a maze puzzle (which I found hard to maneuver), a logic puzzle, and a Simon Says puzzle.
FAVORITE MOMENT: My favorite segment of the game was the budding romance-in-bloom between an Italian confectioner and a writer/horticulturist. And, of course, our stereotypical chubby little “novelist” is hiding behind an awesome pair of large, horn rimmed glasses working away diligently behind her typewriter. Your liquored up helper will assist in this budding romance by helping you translate old French poetry as a gift from the candy maker to his own sweet lady love. So comical!
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 300 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 300 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you as you play the game
Collect 44 signs
Strategy guide - 33 pages
6 Wallpaper, Music, Video clips
Map is given to you as you play the game
Collect 44 signs
Strategy guide - 33 pages
6 Wallpaper, Music, Video clips
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE:
HOP SCENES:
A. Silhouette. Find items to create a drink and interact with the scene
B. List of items to locate
C. Silhouette. Locate items, then use them within the scene.
D. Locate a specific number of one item – 7 seagulls.
E. List of items to locate
AFTER THE DEMO:
F. List of items to locate
B. List of items to locate
C. Silhouette. Locate items, then use them within the scene.
D. Locate a specific number of one item – 7 seagulls.
E. List of items to locate
AFTER THE DEMO:
F. List of items to locate
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy (2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Multiple-step puzzle. Storybook sequence. (1) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 7 ghosts. (2) Locate 5 items which are out of place and replace them back into the proper position within the scene. (3) Replacement of items back into the scene Rating: 1
B. Gear puzzle. Replace gears back into a clock to get it to run Rating: 2
C. Math problem. Provide the correct amount of money to purchase a bus pass. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Search a mini-scene for pieces of a plaque. Rating: 1
E. Weights and balance puzzle. While playing a HOP scene, use weights to measure out an exact amount of sugar. Rating: 2
F. Rotating tiles puzzle. Recreate a Celtic symbol by rotating stones with symbols on them to match those in the middle of the screen Rating: 2
G. Matching puzzle. Create a flower garden by following an illustration provided for you. Rating: 1
H. Sequence puzzle: Press stones in a well in proper order. Rating: 1
I. Switch puzzle. Switch books to create a picture. Rating: 2
J. “E-Harmony” Logic puzzle. Match couples according to their preferences. Rating: 2
AFTER THE DEMO:
K. Maze puzzle. Collect 3 butterflies by moving them through a maze. Rating: 3 (I found it difficult to maneuver the butterflies through the maze.)
L. Logic puzzle. Very unique puzzle. Connect numbers for a circuitry code by colored ends. Rating: 3
M. Simon says puzzle. Repeat a sequence of colored waters on a fountain. 3X Rating: 2
B. Gear puzzle. Replace gears back into a clock to get it to run Rating: 2
C. Math problem. Provide the correct amount of money to purchase a bus pass. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Search a mini-scene for pieces of a plaque. Rating: 1
E. Weights and balance puzzle. While playing a HOP scene, use weights to measure out an exact amount of sugar. Rating: 2
F. Rotating tiles puzzle. Recreate a Celtic symbol by rotating stones with symbols on them to match those in the middle of the screen Rating: 2
G. Matching puzzle. Create a flower garden by following an illustration provided for you. Rating: 1
H. Sequence puzzle: Press stones in a well in proper order. Rating: 1
I. Switch puzzle. Switch books to create a picture. Rating: 2
J. “E-Harmony” Logic puzzle. Match couples according to their preferences. Rating: 2
AFTER THE DEMO:
K. Maze puzzle. Collect 3 butterflies by moving them through a maze. Rating: 3 (I found it difficult to maneuver the butterflies through the maze.)
L. Logic puzzle. Very unique puzzle. Connect numbers for a circuitry code by colored ends. Rating: 3
M. Simon says puzzle. Repeat a sequence of colored waters on a fountain. 3X Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Who broke the agreement between good and evil?
Overall rating
4
/
5
130 of 231 found this review helpful
THE MONSTROUS FIRST EPISODE OF A NEW SERIES FOR EIPIX
PostedJune 23, 2016
sunnyglow
fromWith this new series from EIPIX, I need to locate my goggles, fire up my steam-powered dirigible and fly above the dark, crime-infested streets of Victorian London. I am off to fight against evil and to meet some famous literary figures along the way.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON THE DEMO:
OVERVIEW: Return to 1895 London in an underground Steampunk fantasy world where secret agents fight off criminal elements. This is the first entry of a new series for EIPIX. Like tea and crumpets, this game has a distinctive British “flavour.” I like, but do not love this game. To be fair to EIPIX, it is a decent, well-crafted game which will appeal to many players; however, this game does not appeal to me. The game script is excellent, patterned off the “League of Exceptional Gentlemen.” I like the Steampunk genre; however, I felt the pace was a little slow for me and I could not “get into” this game.
As I played the demo, I found myself getting a little bored wondering how much longer the demo would last. I felt that the graphics were very dark, a little too dark for my taste. Perhaps, further into the game, the scenery will change; however, I found milling around a deserted Victorian factory a little depressing. There are an equal number of HOP scenes and puzzles. However, there are only three of each in the demo so it is difficult to ascertain. The HOP scenes and puzzles I played show great improvement from recent games from this developer. The extras were a disappointment to me. They are the same as in all of their other games; you collect signs and morphing objects within the HOP scenes. You are able to replay the HOP scenes and puzzles. At the end of the demo it appears you get to choose between three alternative scenes to investigate. The concept of choosing your next scene of action is new. I have not seen this any other game. This is a game which I feel everyone will need to play to decide for themselves.
STORY: Return to the prim and proper social scene of Victorian London to fight against criminal forces. As a legacy of the Vermillion Watch, (due to your Uncle Ernest Hawkes’ membership within the group), you are off to carry on the family legacy of defending England for the monarch and the world from evil. In this fantasy world of British superheroes, you find yourself in a world where a treaty, the Moorgate Accord, a treaty to stop a war erupting between good and evil, has been violated. Monsters have now overtaken London. When your uncle is attacked and killed by a monster, (believed to be Dr. Jekyll’s alter ego), you believe that perhaps that Dr. Jekyll survived his execution. Assisting you will be Phileas Fogg (from “Around the World in 80 Days”). You continue your uncle’s current research, searching for the kidnapped Lady Pemberton, whose husband convicted Dr. Jekyll. Upon locating her, she informs you that, Irene Adler, may be the mastermind behind all this. Is she following in Dr. Jekyll’s steps and using chemicals to turn prisoners into monsters for her own nefarious purposes?
HOP SCENES: From the demo, it appears that EIPIX has freshened up their HOP scenes with some new concepts. The scenes are mainly multiple step and show creativity. In one of the scenes you use a map as the scene to locate six of each type of building or item within the town. They are also providing scenes in which you must locate more than one of a particular item to remove it from the list. There are only three scenes in the demo and they include lists of items and silhouette items.
PUZZLES: There are only three puzzles in the demo; however, they are more challenging and show more innovation than in previous games. In the demo they include an assembly puzzle, an assembly puzzle, and a variation of a checkboard puzzle. My favorite was the checkboard puzzle in which you must move two tiles in only two moves to cover the entire board. You play this twice and the second level is more difficult than the first.
LEVELS: Trainee, Inspector, Chief, and 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 44 signs. Same collectible as in every other game from EIPIX
15 Morphing objects – within HOP scenes
Replay 15 HOP scenes
Replay 20 puzzles
Strategy guide
9 Wallpapers, Music, Souvenir Room, Concept Art and pictures, 16 Videos
15 Achievements
Collect 44 signs. Same collectible as in every other game from EIPIX
15 Morphing objects – within HOP scenes
Replay 15 HOP scenes
Replay 20 puzzles
Strategy guide
9 Wallpapers, Music, Souvenir Room, Concept Art and pictures, 16 Videos
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-GAMES
HOP SCENES:
A. Multiple step. List of items to locate. With each item found, you receive a piece to open up a suitcase. (2) Silhouette items to locate.
B. Unique and creative HOP scenes. Silhouette. Using a map as the scene, locate 6 of each type of item on the map.
C. Multiple step. (1) List of items. 3 each of 3 items. (2) Silhouette. Locate a number of 3 items to remove the silhouette.
B. Unique and creative HOP scenes. Silhouette. Using a map as the scene, locate 6 of each type of item on the map.
C. Multiple step. (1) List of items. 3 each of 3 items. (2) Silhouette. Locate a number of 3 items to remove the silhouette.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy (2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Assembly puzzle. First choose the correct body parts to recreate the image of the monster who attacked you, then rearrange his face. Rating: 2 (if you pay attention at the beginning)
B. Moving tiles puzzle. Move 7 tokens into green slots. Rating: 3
C. Checkerboard puzzle. Move two tiles so that all blocks on the board are filled. You only have two moves to accomplish this. 2X. The second puzzle is more difficult than the first. Rating: 2 and 4
B. Moving tiles puzzle. Move 7 tokens into green slots. Rating: 3
C. Checkerboard puzzle. Move two tiles so that all blocks on the board are filled. You only have two moves to accomplish this. 2X. The second puzzle is more difficult than the first. Rating: 2 and 4
I recommend this game!
Can you defeat the mysterious Blade Master?
Overall rating
5
/
5
215 of 339 found this review helpful
CELEBRATE YOUR ANNIVERSARY WITH A GAME WHICH IS A “CUT ABOVE” THE REST!
PostedJune 18, 2016
sunnyglow
fromMy grumpy cat is “looking daggers” at me. I think he may have purchased a ticket for me to attend a performance by the Blade Master.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Happy Anniversary, newlyweds! To celebrate, you and your hubby will be attending a 5-star dinner theater performance by the Blade Master. I LOVE this game which has everything a love smitten gaming couple could wish for. To me, this game is a better produced game than previous ones by this developer. The graphics are realistic and up-to-date (and it is nice to see a college-age girl who has a modern, current look). The game script is well-written. The pace is excellent and you will keep busy with various tasks trying to escape the Blade Master who is “shooting daggers” at you. The HOP scenes are standard fare; however, the puzzles are exceptional! The game is fairly basic with only one collectible and no achievements (which is rather unusual). There are no morphing objects nor a replay of the HOP scenes and puzzles. There is also no game to play in lieu of the HOP scenes. Your “helper” is a knife coffin, containing knives you use throughout the game.
STORY: Celebrating your anniversary, you discover that this celebratory evening will not be the entertainment you expected. The Blade Master has some hidden secrets up his sleeve, including his desire to exact revenge against the town of New Auburn and to complete a ritual to open up the Dark Dimensions. When you are chosen to help the Blade Master with his performance, you soon realize that there are more to these daggers than meets the eye. When the performance begins with the Blade Master “shooting daggers” at his assistant and hitting her, your husband rushes to help her and gets hit with a poisoned dagger. You will need to chase down the Blade Master and get the antidote to save your husband. At the same time, you will need to stop the Blade Master from opening up the Dark Dimensions.
HOP SCENES: There is an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles. I am impressed with the HOP scenes in the demo; however not so much in the actual game. Two of them in the demo are quite unique. The HOP scenes vary and provide some new twists in HOP design. One of those includes a matching scene in which you must match up pieces of daggers with the daggers themselves. Quite creative! The other impressive HOP scene is a scene in which daggers are suspended in air aimed at you and you must locate all of them, (hopefully, before the reach their mark – you). The other HOP scenes in the demo include a multiple-step one with a list of one type of item to locate followed by a list of items, and the other is a list of items to locate which is very interactive and which also contains a mini-game. After the demo I felt the HOP scenes were cookie cutter versions of each other. You use one of the scenes twice.
PUZZLES: I LOVE the puzzles in this game. The puzzles are AWESOME and vary in difficulty. There are some difficult puzzles in this game, or, at least they require some time to complete. In the demo they include an assembly puzzle, a lock puzzle which is more of a tricky matching puzzle, a sequence puzzle, also a little tricky, and another matching puzzle. After the demo there were some slat puzzles, a sliding tiles puzzle and a maze puzzle. All of the puzzles after the demo are well-done as well.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: I LOVED ALL THE PUZZLES!! However, if I had to choose a favorite in the demo it would be the assembly puzzle in which you must rotate and place pieces of a mask which is in the center, as a target. So well done. Actually all the puzzles I played were excellent!
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 1 to 100 seconds
Hints and Skips: 1 to 100 seconds
EXTRAS:
2 Maps are provided as you play the game. (Old Auburn and New Auburn)
Blade coffin containing magic knives
Collect puzzle pieces for four puzzles played at the end of the game
Strategy guide - 53 pages
11 Concept Art, 6 Wallpapers, Music
2 Maps are provided as you play the game. (Old Auburn and New Auburn)
Blade coffin containing magic knives
Collect puzzle pieces for four puzzles played at the end of the game
Strategy guide - 53 pages
11 Concept Art, 6 Wallpapers, Music
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES:
A. Multiple-step. (1) Locate a small amount of two items (5 booklets and 5 office supplies). (2) List of items to locate
B. Matching. Match up pieces of knives with 8 knives
C. Locate 12 knives being hurled toward you.
D. List of items to locate which must be used sequentially. The scene also includes a matching puzzle with boards. Very interactive
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Multiple step. (1) Locate four items (2) List of items to locate.
F. List of items. Return to the same scene. Interactive and puzzle-like
G. Multiple-step. (1) Locate a small amount of two items (5 horseshoes and 5 chains). (2) List of items to locate
B. Matching. Match up pieces of knives with 8 knives
C. Locate 12 knives being hurled toward you.
D. List of items to locate which must be used sequentially. The scene also includes a matching puzzle with boards. Very interactive
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Multiple step. (1) Locate four items (2) List of items to locate.
F. List of items. Return to the same scene. Interactive and puzzle-like
G. Multiple-step. (1) Locate a small amount of two items (5 horseshoes and 5 chains). (2) List of items to locate
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy (2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Assembly puzzle. Rotate a mask in the middle of a target and move pieces to attach to the mask accordingly. Very creative Rating: 2
B. Lock puzzle. Matching. Switch gray grooved tiles to interconnect with copper ones at the top and bottom. What makes it tricky is that you can only move from one tile by switching it with a tile which is next to it. Alternate plates between those on top and those on the bottom Rating: 3
C. Sequence puzzle. Light all candles in sequence. Lighting one affects the others. Rating: 2
D. Matching and assembly. On a map locate “branches” to fit over gems and connect with the branches on the map. You will need to use arrows to rotate them into position. Rating: 2
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate knives so that they fit into their perspective places. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 2
F. Moving slats puzzle. Restore a picture by moving slats into the proper locations. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 2
G. Slat puzzle. Swap adjoining slats to recreate a picture Rating: 1
H. Sliding tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to recreate a picture. Rating: 3
I. Maze puzzle. Plot a route on a map in 8 steps to go from New Auburn to Old Auburn. Rating: 3
B. Lock puzzle. Matching. Switch gray grooved tiles to interconnect with copper ones at the top and bottom. What makes it tricky is that you can only move from one tile by switching it with a tile which is next to it. Alternate plates between those on top and those on the bottom Rating: 3
C. Sequence puzzle. Light all candles in sequence. Lighting one affects the others. Rating: 2
D. Matching and assembly. On a map locate “branches” to fit over gems and connect with the branches on the map. You will need to use arrows to rotate them into position. Rating: 2
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate knives so that they fit into their perspective places. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 2
F. Moving slats puzzle. Restore a picture by moving slats into the proper locations. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 2
G. Slat puzzle. Swap adjoining slats to recreate a picture Rating: 1
H. Sliding tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to recreate a picture. Rating: 3
I. Maze puzzle. Plot a route on a map in 8 steps to go from New Auburn to Old Auburn. Rating: 3
I recommend this game!
Not all fairy tales are just stories…
Overall rating
5
/
5
215 of 317 found this review helpful
ENJOY A DISNEY ROLLER COASTER RIDE HOPPING BETWEEN FANTASY LAND AND REALITY
PostedJune 16, 2016
sunnyglow
fromCould I be a Fairyland character? I do love creating chemical potions, have an affinity for brooms and have collected and kissed a few frogs. Maybe if I kiss enough frogs I will find Prince Charming which I can then turn into a lizard to collect flies!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
5 CHAPTER PLUS BONUS CHAPTER – REVIEW BASED ON THE DEMO
Are you going insane? Things are not as they appear in this game. As Cindy Allen (in the real world) and Cinderella (in Fairyland), traverse both worlds to stop the Huntsman from disrupting both worlds. I LOVE this 5-star Disneyesque game where fairy tale characters have been propelled into the real world. The graphics are cartoonish. The script has the feel of Disney written into it. There are more puzzles than HOP scenes; however, they are very creative and the puzzles reflect the theme of the game. You collect flowers and figurines from Fairyland. There are some creative HOP scenes in this game and some slightly difficult puzzles as well.
STORY: When a struggle develops in stealing the storybook controlling Fairyland, pages from the book are torn and end up in the two worlds of Fairyland and the real world. You, as Cinderella, have been propelled into the real world along with others from Fairyland. Your cat, who is the Cheshire Cat in disguise, indicates that you are needed to restore order to both kingdoms. It seems the “Huntsman” is responsible for this bedlam. As you play this game, you will feel you are in a Disneyesque world with an array of characters from Disney movies including the pretty princesses and princes coupled with the Cheshire Cat and your therapist, Charles Bunny (the White Rabbit). Who is controlling Fairyland? Return to this kingdom and try to restore order to the real world and Fairyland.
HOP SCENES: The scenes are creatively designed and reflect the theme of the game. In the demo there is a multiple-step scene with matching pairs opening up to silhouette items which you locate and then use to interact with the HOP scenes. Others include another silhouette scene and a list of items to locate. My favorite HOP scene is a common one for this developer – alternating between locating items and replacing items back into the scenes.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are EXCEPTIONAL! To me, this is the best part of the game. They vary in style and difficulty. They include a clever matching puzzle in which you match up fairy tale characters with their psychological disorders. There is also a manual dexterity puzzle, an assembly puzzle in which you interact with a fairy tale scene from Cinderella, and another assembly puzzle using symbols.
FAVORITE PUZZLES: I have two favorite puzzles from the demo. In a maze puzzle, move a key through a long maze of glass piping. This maze is divided into three scenes. Awesome! The other puzzle which I thought very creative is an assembly/jigsaw puzzle. You must restore memories by maneuvering clouds within the scene which causes them to appear and disappear.
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 start of the game
Achievements
Collect over 100 flowers
Collect 12 morphing figurines
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
Strategy guide - 50 pages
Wallpaper, Concept Art, Music, Screensavers
Map is given to you at the start of the game
Achievements
Collect over 100 flowers
Collect 12 morphing figurines
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
Strategy guide - 50 pages
Wallpaper, Concept Art, Music, Screensavers
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES:
A. Multiple-step. (1) Matching pairs. (2) Silhouette items. Locate and then use to interact with the scene.
B. Alternate between replacing items back into the scene and searching for an item.
C. Silhouette.
D. List of items to locate
B. Alternate between replacing items back into the scene and searching for an item.
C. Silhouette.
D. List of items to locate
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy (2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Matching puzzle. Match up fairy tale characters with their psychological disorders. Rating: 1
B. Manual dexterity puzzle. Drive a car through town avoiding obstacles in your path. Rating: 1
C. Assembly puzzle. Interact with a fairy tale scene of Cinderella, locating items and replacing them back into the proper locations. Rating: 1
D. Investigation. Find out what time a clock stopped and set the clock hands to that time. Rating: 2
E. Assembly/Jigsaw puzzle. Restore memories by moving items within the scene until all the memories are restored. Moving the clouds affects the memories appearing and disappearing. 3X Very creative Increases in difficulty. Rating: 3 EXCELLENT PUZZLE
F. Matching puzzle. Match up fairy tale tokens with the country from which they originated. Rating: 2
G. Assembly puzzle. Repair a net by matching up three pieces of various symbols which combined together match the symbol in the middle of the net. 4X Rating: 3
H. Maze puzzle. Move a key through a very long maze of glass piping (divided into three sections) using magnets. Rating: 3
B. Manual dexterity puzzle. Drive a car through town avoiding obstacles in your path. Rating: 1
C. Assembly puzzle. Interact with a fairy tale scene of Cinderella, locating items and replacing them back into the proper locations. Rating: 1
D. Investigation. Find out what time a clock stopped and set the clock hands to that time. Rating: 2
E. Assembly/Jigsaw puzzle. Restore memories by moving items within the scene until all the memories are restored. Moving the clouds affects the memories appearing and disappearing. 3X Very creative Increases in difficulty. Rating: 3 EXCELLENT PUZZLE
F. Matching puzzle. Match up fairy tale tokens with the country from which they originated. Rating: 2
G. Assembly puzzle. Repair a net by matching up three pieces of various symbols which combined together match the symbol in the middle of the net. 4X Rating: 3
H. Maze puzzle. Move a key through a very long maze of glass piping (divided into three sections) using magnets. Rating: 3
I recommend this game!
Can you save your sister before it's too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
198 of 311 found this review helpful
THE GAMING “RAZZIE” AWARD FOR A 2016 CE GAME GOES TO ELEPHANT GAMES
PostedJune 11, 2016
sunnyglow
fromE-mail to the Blue Fairy: 5-star light, 5-star bright, No 5 star game I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might, I wish “helper games” would disappear out of sight
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
OVERVIEW: Step right up folks! Looking for a game with some “cutesy” game helpers? Then this 2-star game (my rating) is for you. This game has everything I DISLIKE in a HOP game. The pace is slow and the story is a mishmash of several themes which do not seem to jell together. The HOP scenes are all cookie cutter versions of each other and the puzzles are ridiculously easy, including the puzzles within the super puzzle. In addition, the graphics are “fuzzy” in parts of this game and I experienced a few technical issues in using the helpers. Need I say more? It was a struggle for me to finish the demo. This game is perfect – a perfect storm. May I use one word to describe this game? “FIASCO!”
May I use another word to describe this game? “FRUSTRATING!” To add to the “un-enjoyment” of this game, the “cutesy” helpers are used many times in the demo. The helpers not only take forever to perform their actions, they are also difficult to use. I found it cumbersome to “pick them up” to move them to the location in the scene in which they are to be used. Feathered, the fluttering and sputtering bird in the game, got on my nerves as did the nameless inane giggling rabbit. There were no “oohs and ahs” from me over the adorable pets in this game; rather, I just wanted to “kick them out” of the game so I could proceed at a decent pace.
This, of course, brings me to yet another word to describe this game – “BORING!” The pace is very slow in this game due to the helpers and lack of creativity in the HOP scenes and puzzles. Surprisingly some of the puzzles have a choice between “Casual” and “Hard” settings. Please explain to me the difference. The “Hard” setting is not much different that the “Casual” setting. Most of the HOP scenes are silhouette and fairly repetitious
There are collectibles of tarot cards and morphing objects. You collect coins to purchase food for the animals. Actually, the morphing objects, I felt, were the only decent element in this game.
STORY: To me, it is a strange mishmash of themes and characters. You play, Jeronimo, a former safecracker, who retires, opening up a tavern. As he smokes his pipe, he relives the story of his youth and the quest to save his sister’s life. He tries to steal the “merlin elixir” and “mandrake” from a nasty old witch to save his sister’s life by putting his life and that of his friend in peril.
Along the way you will get to “ooh and ah” by encountering a menagerie of “cutesy” little forest creatures with BIG brown eyes. Thrown into the story is an out-of-place werewolf who inhabits the forest as well. It is difficult to conclude what his purpose is in this game. Added to this “Little ‘Game’ of Horrors,” is an array of snapping Venus Fly Traps (Feed me Seymour!). Actually, I had an urge to feed them this demo to put myself out of the misery of playing it.
HOP SCENES: In the demo the HOP scenes are silhouette with one storybook sequence. There is also one mini-HOP scenes which amounts to locating four of one item. They are poorly constructed and not very creative.
PUZZLES. Although you have a choice between “Casual” and “Hard” settings, both are extremely easy. I did not find one puzzle which I would consider “hard.” There is a super puzzle which consists of five ridiculously easy puzzles. The puzzles include rotating tiles, switch puzzle, a manual dexterity puzzle, paint-by-number puzzle, a several matching puzzles, a sequence puzzle, a rope puzzle, and an assembly puzzle.
FINAL THOUGHT: The game may get better after the demo; however, I have no desire to continue. Also, I am certain there are some who will enjoy this game as we all have different tastes. Good for you! My analysis is based on my own personal enjoyment of this game – which is lacking. Elephant has some great games; however, for me, this is NOT one of them. Personally, I would also like to see an end to the current influx of helpers into these games. After playing both the beta and demo of this game, I feel, as in eating an overload of candy, the need to brush my mind to remove all the sticky sugary sweetness from this game.
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 start of the game
“Ooh and ah” to two “cutesy” helpers – an inept bird (ooh) plus a “cuddly” little bunny with “adorable” floppy ears. (ah)
24 Achievements
Collect tarot cards
Collect coins to purchase food for the cutesy animals Yuck!
17 Morphing objects:
Strategy guide - pages
Usual wallpaper, artwork, screensavers,
Map is given to you at the start of the game
“Ooh and ah” to two “cutesy” helpers – an inept bird (ooh) plus a “cuddly” little bunny with “adorable” floppy ears. (ah)
24 Achievements
Collect tarot cards
Collect coins to purchase food for the cutesy animals Yuck!
17 Morphing objects:
Strategy guide - pages
Usual wallpaper, artwork, screensavers,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES:
A. Silhouette.
B. Silhouette items. Locate several of each item to release the item from the list.
C. Silhouette All items are tiny symbols – some are difficult to see.
D. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 4 of one item.
E. Storybook sequence. Look for a 4 symbols in each of 4 scenes.
B. Silhouette items. Locate several of each item to release the item from the list.
C. Silhouette All items are tiny symbols – some are difficult to see.
D. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 4 of one item.
E. Storybook sequence. Look for a 4 symbols in each of 4 scenes.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy (2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderate difficulty (5) Difficult
BASICALLY – THEY ARE ALL BORINGLY EASY
A. Rotating tiles. Rotate tiles to complete a picture. Rating: 1
B. Switch puzzle. Switch up tokens so that each token is within its own element. Choice between casual and hard. I played the hard mode which was still easy. Rating: 2 for the hard level Seriously?
C. Manual dexterity puzzle. Beat a ghost by centering a circle within a shield. 4X Followed by centering a bar within a colored green space. The bars get smaller as you continue. Choice between casual l and hard. 3X I played the hard level and it was still easy. Rating: 2
D. Paint-by-number. Actually paint by symbol. Rating: 1
E. Matching puzzle. Match up kitchen utensils. Rating 1
F. Super puzzle. (1) Sequence puzzle. Press rays in order to disarm an alarm system protecting the potion. Rating: 1 (2) Matching puzzle. Match up like symbols Rating: 1 (3) Assembly puzzle. Choose two or three correct parts of symbols and place them into the correct locations to create a completed symbol. Rating 1. (4) Rope puzzle. Move ropes so that they do not cross each other. Rating: 1(5) Switch puzzle. Switch spider’s legs so they are in the proper position. Rating: 2
B. Switch puzzle. Switch up tokens so that each token is within its own element. Choice between casual and hard. I played the hard mode which was still easy. Rating: 2 for the hard level Seriously?
C. Manual dexterity puzzle. Beat a ghost by centering a circle within a shield. 4X Followed by centering a bar within a colored green space. The bars get smaller as you continue. Choice between casual l and hard. 3X I played the hard level and it was still easy. Rating: 2
D. Paint-by-number. Actually paint by symbol. Rating: 1
E. Matching puzzle. Match up kitchen utensils. Rating 1
F. Super puzzle. (1) Sequence puzzle. Press rays in order to disarm an alarm system protecting the potion. Rating: 1 (2) Matching puzzle. Match up like symbols Rating: 1 (3) Assembly puzzle. Choose two or three correct parts of symbols and place them into the correct locations to create a completed symbol. Rating 1. (4) Rope puzzle. Move ropes so that they do not cross each other. Rating: 1(5) Switch puzzle. Switch spider’s legs so they are in the proper position. Rating: 2
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save your uncle before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
209 of 316 found this review helpful
BUILD YOUR OWN CUSTOMIZED DREAM - HOME TO AN ETERNAL NIGHTMARE WITHIN A BOOK.
PostedJune 9, 2016
sunnyglow
fromThis game provides a new career choice for writers – engineering nightmares, or better yet, customized lives. A writer can now design and construct a life for you based on your personal preferences. Just enter the book and enjoy!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: Step out of a dream and into a 5-star nightmare in this game. Enter a book in which the writer customizes your very own nightmare. You, as Alexandra, discover your uncle has disappeared into a book written by a novelist attempting to create the perfect masterpiece of terror. During your search for your uncle, you will meet Joe Milton, whose sister has also disappeared into the same book. Each chapter of this book is devoted to one of the book’s victims and each nightmare is customized especially for him or her. You and Joe will need to find a way to release all the souls trapped in the book before both of you find yourselves are trapped in an eternal nightmare as well.
The story is exceptionally creative for a gaming format. The graphics are fairly well-done; however, in some places they seem a little dated. I also felt the pace was decent. The story and activities kept me engaged. There is an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles. The HOP scenes are varied in style and difficulty. The mini-games are varied in design; however, most of them are easy. You collect puzzle pieces to play a jigsaw puzzle at the end of the game. Collect five types of keepsakes and morphing objects. Both are not easy to detect. There is a helper, a fire dragon; however, he does nothing except provide la needed flame when needed. He is hardly what I would call a helper
HOP SCENES: EXCELLENT! BEST PART OF THIS GAME! SO CREATIVE! This developer has provided some of the most innovative HOP scenes I have seen in quite some time. They are cleverly designed and puzzle-like. Some of the HOP scenes contain mini-puzzles. There are some mini-HOP scenes in which you search for a small number of one items. There are a few multiple-step ones as well. The first HOP scene is unique and well done in which you look for musical instruments for seven musicians. After that, you exchange the musicians so they are properly placed with the correct musical symbol. Awesome!
The other HOP scenes include some creative matching scenes, a few mini-HOP scenes in which you locate a small number of one items, a storybook sequence, lists of items, and silhouette items. I would advise other developers to look at the quality and innovation displayed in constructing these scenes.
MINI-GAMES: There is a variety in the difficulty and type of puzzles. Most are easy in the demo with the exception on one involving a multiple-step “slat” puzzle and a maze puzzle which requires some logical thinking. The other puzzles include a couple of assembly puzzles, a Simon Says puzzle, a tangram puzzle, and a manual dexterity puzzle.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: There was only one puzzle I enjoyed from the demo. It is a multiple-step “slat” puzzle. You must turn over slats in correct sequence so that all pieces of a picture puzzle are exposed. After that you must switch the slats to reassemble the picture. It is slightly time consuming.
LEVELS: Casual, Normal, Hard, Custom
Hints 10 to 35 seconds Skips 10 to 50 seconds
Hints 10 to 35 seconds Skips 10 to 50 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
12 Achievements
Collect 36 puzzles pieces to play a jigsaw puzzle at the end of the game
Collect 33 keepsakes – 7 Gramophone pieces, 7 Galaxy items, 7 Portraits, 6 Horns of plenty, 6 Birds with cage
33 Morphing objects:
Strategy guide
9 Wallpapers, 11 Art gallery pictures, 3 Screensavers, Soundtrack
Map is provided as you play the game
12 Achievements
Collect 36 puzzles pieces to play a jigsaw puzzle at the end of the game
Collect 33 keepsakes – 7 Gramophone pieces, 7 Galaxy items, 7 Portraits, 6 Horns of plenty, 6 Birds with cage
33 Morphing objects:
Strategy guide
9 Wallpapers, 11 Art gallery pictures, 3 Screensavers, Soundtrack
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES:
A. Multiple-step. (1) Matching. Search for musical instruments and match them up with 7 musicians. (2) Matching. Switch 7 musicians with notes labeled under them. Afterwards, boogie on down to some New Orleans jazz!
B. (1) Search for pieces of pictures and newspaper articles and then return them to the scene to match up with their other half. (2) List of items to locate
C. Mini-HOP scene. Silhouette. Locate 5 missing gears missing from a device.
D. Mini-HOP scenes. Locate 5 missing elements missing on a recorder
E. Storybook sequence. Search for items listed in BOLD letters.
F. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 5 missing boards to form a bridge.
G. Multiple-step. (1) Locate 5 silhouette items (2) List of items
H. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 6 pieces of a book cover.
I. List of items to locate including a sequence in which a bird turns into a cat which then turns into a dog. Some very creative moments in this scene.
B. (1) Search for pieces of pictures and newspaper articles and then return them to the scene to match up with their other half. (2) List of items to locate
C. Mini-HOP scene. Silhouette. Locate 5 missing gears missing from a device.
D. Mini-HOP scenes. Locate 5 missing elements missing on a recorder
E. Storybook sequence. Search for items listed in BOLD letters.
F. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 5 missing boards to form a bridge.
G. Multiple-step. (1) Locate 5 silhouette items (2) List of items
H. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 6 pieces of a book cover.
I. List of items to locate including a sequence in which a bird turns into a cat which then turns into a dog. Some very creative moments in this scene.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy (2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Assembly puzzle. Recreate symbols located in the center of a display by combining two other symbols along the sides of a picture. 3X. Increases in difficulty. Rating: 1 to 3
B. Simon Says puzzle. Repeat a sequence of lights. 2X Rating: 1
C. Tangram puzzle. Within a HOP scene. Fill in a modified chess board with items so that no spaces remain. Rating: 2
D. Assembly puzzle. Within a HOP scene. Follow instructions to create food for a fire salamander. Rating: 2
E. Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Sequence puzzle. Turn over plates to reveal images underneath. Turning over one affects the other. (2) Switch puzzle. Switch slats to restore a picture. Rating: 2 to 3 for both puzzles
F. Manual dexterity puzzle. Remove an umbrella from a tree by aligning a bullseye with the target umbrella. I found this puzzle a little difficult to maneuver. Rating: 2
G. Spot the differences. Find differences between two book covers. Rating: 1
H. Maze puzzle. Move your uncle through a maze to a book in 10 moves. You will need to sequence arrows before moving the figure through the maze. Rating: 3
I. Assembly puzzle. Interact with a scene. Locate items and replace them back into the scene in their proper locations. Rating: 2
B. Simon Says puzzle. Repeat a sequence of lights. 2X Rating: 1
C. Tangram puzzle. Within a HOP scene. Fill in a modified chess board with items so that no spaces remain. Rating: 2
D. Assembly puzzle. Within a HOP scene. Follow instructions to create food for a fire salamander. Rating: 2
E. Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Sequence puzzle. Turn over plates to reveal images underneath. Turning over one affects the other. (2) Switch puzzle. Switch slats to restore a picture. Rating: 2 to 3 for both puzzles
F. Manual dexterity puzzle. Remove an umbrella from a tree by aligning a bullseye with the target umbrella. I found this puzzle a little difficult to maneuver. Rating: 2
G. Spot the differences. Find differences between two book covers. Rating: 1
H. Maze puzzle. Move your uncle through a maze to a book in 10 moves. You will need to sequence arrows before moving the figure through the maze. Rating: 3
I. Assembly puzzle. Interact with a scene. Locate items and replace them back into the scene in their proper locations. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Dreampath: Curse of the Swamps Collector's Edition
A mystical rain is turning everyone into frogs! It's up to you to find the cause of this wicked weather and save your loved ones.
Overall rating
5
/
5
127 of 195 found this review helpful
IT’S RAINING FROGS! RIBBIT! WELCOME TO SWAMP STOMP FEVER!
PostedJune 4, 2016
sunnyglow
fromI believe I am suffering the effects of “brain frog.” I am feeling “jumpy,” on edge, and just HOP from one scene to another. Can I be turning into something green? Ribbit!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE DEMO:
OVERVIEW! Happy Birthday Princess Daniela! Your gift is this wonderful campy 5-star game full of humor and good cheer! I LOVE this game and hope you do as well. Unfortunately, instead of raining golden sunshine on your birthday, the forecast is dooming you to “ frog rain,” bringing with it Swamp Fever! We all wish you many more happy birthdays; however, you will first need to save your family and the rest of the kingdom from Swamp Fever, which causes those afflicted to turn into frogs! Since you are the only one immune to the disease, you will need to save your family! Let us hope your family does not “croak” before you find the needed remedy to save them and the kingdom. However, that task may be not be as easy as you may think. I also have a suspicion there may be a sneaky evildoer behind all of this as well!
You are probably going to love hopping and jumping around the various HOP scenes which contain a few FROG scenes to help you remember your family. The puzzles you encounter will be varied and will vary in difficulty. A couple in the demo will be a trifle difficult, but nothing a noble princess cannot solve. The inventory is very puzzle-like as well with many mini-puzzles to perform before you can use the items.
You live in a cartoon-like fairy tale kingdom which has been so brilliantly illustrated by this developer for your game. You also will have a few helpers to help you in your quest. One will be a beautiful butterfly, whose fluttering wings will uncover much needed inventory items you will need to on your journey. Flitting and fluttering, this butterfly will perform its activity posthaste, so as to not “bog” you down in the swamp. You will also get help from a funny looking dragon named Dax, who will quickly help you find needed items. However, he, as well, will not “bog” you down in the performance of his activities. Also be on the lookout for morphing swamp creatures hiding in every nook and cranny of this game. They will chortle for you if you press on them!
Future advice: Just remember, Daniela, as you play this game, you will need to “kiss off” a few frogs and other creepy critters before you can meet your true Prince Charming. Today you are the Big Fish in the Pond! Just be careful for the frequent snakes and other swamp creatures as you make your birthday trek through the swamp.
HOP SCENES: “HOP” around the game with some well-crafted scenes. The HOP scenes in this game are some of the best designed scenes I have seen in some time. Besides containing some FROGS, there are also a matching scene, a storybook sequence with items listed in BOLD letters, and a silhouette scene. Most are interactive and puzzle-like.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are well-crafted and vary in not only in design but difficulty as well. There are some puzzles which I would rate as a 3 in difficulty. Some are multiple-step puzzles. There are three puzzles in one of the mini-games. They include a moving tiles puzzles (humorously moving knights’ shields to prevent them from being rained upon by frogs), a matching sequence and a spot-the-difference puzzle.
There are also several switch puzzles, a Simon Says puzzle, a sliding tiles puzzle and another multiple-step mini-game containing a switch puzzle and a jigsaw puzzle.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: Sliding slats puzzle. This is a fun time-consuming puzzle (a variation of a jigsaw puzzle) in which you move slats up and down and sideways to create a picture.
LEVELS: Casual, Normal, Expert, Custom
Hints and Skips: 10 to 120 seconds
Hints and Skips: 10 to 120 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the start of the game
Butterfly helper which discloses items you need in the settings.
Dragon helper to help you find items for a potion
19 Achievements
12 Morphing objects – adorable funny looking swamp creatures. They make cute giggly sounds when you press on them!
Strategy guide
Replay of mini-games and HOP scenes
Concept art, posters, video sequences, and music selections
Map is given to you at the start of the game
Butterfly helper which discloses items you need in the settings.
Dragon helper to help you find items for a potion
19 Achievements
12 Morphing objects – adorable funny looking swamp creatures. They make cute giggly sounds when you press on them!
Strategy guide
Replay of mini-games and HOP scenes
Concept art, posters, video sequences, and music selections
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES:
A. Multiple-step. (1) Matching like items - butterflies. (2) Silhouette
B. Variation of a FROG. Locate the pieces of a maple and an acorn. Pieces not easy to locate
C. Storybook sequence. Locate items listed in BOLD letters and learn a little more about the princess and the royal family
D. Rather creative HOP scene. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locate. (2) Silhouette items to locate
B. Variation of a FROG. Locate the pieces of a maple and an acorn. Pieces not easy to locate
C. Storybook sequence. Locate items listed in BOLD letters and learn a little more about the princess and the royal family
D. Rather creative HOP scene. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locate. (2) Silhouette items to locate
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy (2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Multiple step puzzle. (1) Moving tiles puzzle. Move knights’ shields into place to prevent them from the frog rain. Moving one shield affects the others. Rating: 2 (2) Matching puzzle. Match up pairs of items. Rating: 1 (3) Spot the differences puzzle. Locate differences between two pictures. Rating: 1
B. Simon Says puzzle. Push symbols on a stone ring in the proper sequence. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Switch circles to recreate a map. You must also rotate the circles to fit the scene Rating: 2
D. Switch puzzle. Rearrange books so the spines create a picture. Rating: 2
E. Sliding tiles. Slide 4 tiles into their correct location by color. Rating: 2
F. Sequence puzzle. On a board with 16 symbols, toggle the symbols until the entire board lights up. Rating: 3
E. Assembly puzzle. Choose the correct three leaves for each of two designs on a diagram which, when combined together create the design. Rating: 2
G. Multiple step. (1) Switch puzzle. Create pictures of animals by combining two images for 6 animals. (2) Jigsaw puzzle. Combine the pieces to create a picture Both are rated: 2
H. Sliding slats jigsaw puzzle. Slide slats up and down and right and left to restore an image on a fresco. Rating: 3
B. Simon Says puzzle. Push symbols on a stone ring in the proper sequence. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Switch circles to recreate a map. You must also rotate the circles to fit the scene Rating: 2
D. Switch puzzle. Rearrange books so the spines create a picture. Rating: 2
E. Sliding tiles. Slide 4 tiles into their correct location by color. Rating: 2
F. Sequence puzzle. On a board with 16 symbols, toggle the symbols until the entire board lights up. Rating: 3
E. Assembly puzzle. Choose the correct three leaves for each of two designs on a diagram which, when combined together create the design. Rating: 2
G. Multiple step. (1) Switch puzzle. Create pictures of animals by combining two images for 6 animals. (2) Jigsaw puzzle. Combine the pieces to create a picture Both are rated: 2
H. Sliding slats jigsaw puzzle. Slide slats up and down and right and left to restore an image on a fresco. Rating: 3
I recommend this game!