Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
There’s more to this restoration project than meets the eye.
Overall rating
5/ 5
238 of 380 found this review helpful
PACK YOUR PARACHUTE AND “JUMP INTO” AN ACTION PACKED ADVENTURE GAME
PostedJanuary 7, 2016
sunnyglow
fromThis game has gotten me into the mood to find that Fountain of Youth, create my own skin care line, find a “mature” Hollywood star as its spokesperson and finally “erase the lines of time” by selling it through a late-night infomercial.
BASED ON 3 CHAPTERS OF 6 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER
Pack your parachute and get ready to “jump into” an action packed adventure set in Sri Lanka! Shady businessman, Dario Aturnin has received clearance to “restore” the Sigiriya Temple. However, his team is really searching for a plaque to locate the Fountain of Youth. What a GREAT GAME from this developer! It has a suspenseful, action-packed storyline. There are three collectibles, including fact cards which provide some history lessons as you continue to play this game. This game is puzzle-intense and HOP lite. The graphics are well-crafted and realistic as usual for this developer. Get ready! With three H.E.L.P. agents kidnapped and agents of Aturnin destroying a World Heritage site, you need to hit the ground running in this game. The possession of the Fountain of Youth in the wrong hands could cause havoc on the world!
The best part of the game are the numerous amount of puzzles. All are well-designed and vary in both style and difficulty. What a delightful assortment of them. In the demo there are maze puzzles, manual dexterity puzzles, moving tiles puzzles, Simon Says puzzles, matching puzzles, a multiple-step puzzle and a Rube-Goldberg super puzzle! There are easy puzzles and some which are moderately difficult. My favorite puzzles were the maze puzzles, which are fairly easy but entertaining. I also enjoyed the super puzzle at the end of the demo.
The HOP scenes are few in the demo but include lists of items, silhouette items, replacement items, and a FROG scene. The scenes are interactive and puzzle-like. There are quite a few collectibles including 21 fact cards, 41 signs, and 17 morphing objects which are not all placed in the HOP scenes. You also 13 Achievements you can aspire to.
AFTER THE DEMO: Chapter 3 continues your quest. It also continues with an excellent array of both HOP scenes and puzzles. There more HOP scenes than puzzles in this chapter. There are four more HOP scenes which include silhouette scenes, list of items to locate and a FROG scene. My favorite was an awesome HOP scene which has you search for silhouette items in three books. Quite unique! There are three puzzles, two of which I found moderately difficult. They include two sliding tiles puzzles (one which is a mini-puzzle) and a matching puzzle which is slightly difficult.
I love the educational aspect of this game and would highly recommend it for the school aged fish as well as the adults in learning historical facts including those about Magellan and a temple in Sri Lanka.. I knew nothing about the temple and found the fact cards entertaining.
LEVELS: Easy, Medium, Hard, Custom There is an option for random clicking in HOP scenes Hints 10 to 120 seconds Skips 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS: Map is provided as you play the game Collect 20 fact cards. Learn facts about the temple, Magellan, and other historical facts Collect 41 signs 17 Morphing objects 13 Achievements Strategy guide – 47 pages Usual video, pictures, music, and replay of HOP scenes and puzzles
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-GAMES
HOP SCENES: A. (1) List of items and one silhouette which open up (2) replacement items which, upon replacement in the scene open up (3) a mini-puzzle B. (1) Silhouette items. As you locate silhouette items, you receive pieces of grille work for a birdcage C. FROG scene. Locate fragments of items to create an inventory item. AFTER THE DEMO: D. Silhouette items. Each item interacts with the scene in some way. There is a mini-puzzle E. List of items to locate F. FROG scene to create an inventory item G. VERY AWESOME SCENE. Locate silhouette items in 3 books. Unique and creative
MINI-GAMES: There are a series of mini-puzzles involved with the inventory items. They are also listed A. Maze puzzle. KAPOW! Slide a “fist” through a maze collecting lights of energy along the way to increase your strength. If you collect all of them, you can PUNCH out your enemy. EASY B. Mini-puzzle. Mathematical puzzle. Set three numbers of a briefcase to the proper numbers in order to open it. C. Mini-puzzle. Manual dexterity puzzle. Move three dots until they align. EASY D. Variation of a moving tiles puzzle. Move a string of green and purple chains to their proper locations. Using logical thinking you will need to move three other chains out of the way to get these two chains to their proper locations MODERATELY DIFFICULT E. Mini-puzzle. Manual dexterity puzzle. Focus a stone in a slingshot to hit a bullseye EASY F. Maze puzzle. Using a written code, rotate arrow buttons to create a path from start to finish so that all arrows are used. EASY G. Mini-puzzle. Simon Says. Repeat a light sequence to open a box. EASY H. Mini-puzzle. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate circular tiles and press in buttons to recreate a picture and open a box. EASY I. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols on candles. The symbols DO NOT remain on the candles. You must memorize where the symbols are located EASY J. Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Spot the difference puzzle. Locate the differences between a photo and the actual scene. (2) Mathematical puzzle. Arrange numbers in numerical order. BOTH ARE EASY K. Goldberg-Rube puzzle. (Super puzzle). You are able to skip parts of the puzzle or the whole thing. They range from EASY TO MODERATELY DIFFICULT. There are seven puzzles to complete. I am omitting the puzzle details as this may give you an answer as to the sequence of the puzzles which is something you are to figure as part of the puzzle. However I am able to inform you that they include a sequential puzzle, a maze puzzle, a mathematical puzzle, a manual dexterity puzzle, a pipe puzzle, a map puzzle, and a moving tiles puzzle (and these are not in order) L. Mini-puzzle. Matching. For four tokens, place them in the correct location. AFTER THE DEMO: M. Mini-puzzle. Sliding tiles puzzle. Move tiles into the proper positions to open a door. EASY N. Sliding tiles puzzle. Rotate marbles to recreate an image on a piece of paper. MODERATELY DIFFICULT O. Matching puzzle. Rotate disks to match up shapes on a middle disk to create a door key. 2X EASY TO MODERATELY DIFFICULT
A “QUANTUM” LEAP INTO THE WORLD OF GRIDDLERS WHERE THE “MECHANICS” OF THIS GAME HAVE NO “PARALLEL!”
PostedJanuary 6, 2016
sunnyglow
fromIf I enter a parallel universe, would an altered version of myself have a new “mechanically altered” set of mosaic puzzles to play? If valid, then I would never need to purchase another game! How awesome is that?
Happy “Three Kings Day!” Playing so many mosaic games, our penguin has found a way to enter an alternate universe. Entering this parallel universe with our penguin, one would expect that the “quantum mechanics” of this game should vary slightly from previous games. However, that is not the case. The game mechanics of this game are the same as in the other games from this developer, but don’t tell our penguin! He has returned with another Mosaic game (AKA O’Ekaki, Griddlers, Paint-by-Numbers, Pic-a-Pix, Nonograms or whatever you call them) puzzle game. A BIG THANK you to BFG for a game in one of my favorite genres.
I LOVE these games and this developer is the BEST creator of them in this universe of reality. This penguin must have been stuck in a parallel universe as we have not had a game from this developer in quite some time. This makes a nice holiday present for those who celebrate the festival of “The Three Kings.”
HOW TO PLAY:
This is variety of a Sudoku puzzle. In this puzzle, create pictures by filling in squares in a grid. The grids in this game will vary in number from 10 x 10 to 20 x 20.
Each side of the grid will have numbers for each line of squares indicating the amount of squares which are to be filled in for that line of squares. Squares are filled in where the squares intersect between the two sets of numbers on each side.
• Levels: Casual and Advanced. The advanced screen begins with a 10 x 15 grid. The casual version will begin with a simplistic 10 x 10 grid and has a tutorial as well.
• Colors: The game has three (3) colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• Autofill: There is autofill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Hints: Hints are given as you proceed and are based on the difficulty of the puzzle and how well you perform in solving the grid
• Number of Levels and Puzzles: There are 100 puzzles – 20 levels with 5 puzzles per level in the game.
• Aids: You have a pickax as an aid in the game
• Awards: There are 3 trophies: a gold trophy for no mistakes, a silver trophy for 1 mistake, and a bronze trophy for two mistakes. If you make 3 mistakes, you must start the game over again.
• Collectibles. When you complete one level of 5 puzzles, you receive an item to place in your garden with the “portal” to another world.
I highly recommend this game if you like Sudoku games or any type of mathematical puzzle.
I recommend this game!
+10points
81of152voted this as helpful.
Sable Maze: Soul Catcher Collector's Edition
After 20 years, you're ready to make peace with your brother's disappearance. But the spirit world has other plans for you... Welcome to the other side!
Overall rating
5/ 5
191 of 302 found this review helpful
AN A”MAZE”ING ADVENTURE! CONJURING UP SOME “SPIRITS” TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR.
PostedDecember 31, 2015
sunnyglow
fromHappy New Year to everyone out there in the Pond and to the staff at BFG! Hope this game raises some good "spirits" for you
After 20 years, you, as Alex, return to Sullivan River to commemorate the disappearance of your brother. Lately, your brother has been contacting you through your dreams. Is he dead or simply missing trapped in a maze in the "Afterlife?" I LOVE this game. I will definitely purchase this ghostly delight. BFG is getting the New Year off to a good start by conjuring up some “spirits” to celebrate the New Year. This game is an “a-maze-ing” delight. The graphics are beautifully created and create a creepy depiction of the “Afterlife.” There are more puzzles than HOP scenes and this game is a puzzler’s delight!
I feel that the puzzles are the best part of the game. In the demo there is a nice selection of easy and moderately difficult puzzles. The puzzles include variations of moving tile puzzles, assembly puzzles, sliding tiles puzzles, and assembly puzzles. I especially liked the maze puzzles in the demo. Some of the puzzles are ghoulishly difficult. Throughout the game I believe you must recreate a shattered rune to battle ghouls from the afterlife.
The HOP puzzles are very well-done as well. You have the ability to play a Match-3 game instead. The demo included two multiple-step scenes in which you locate a specific number of two items which unlocks a list of items to locate. One of the HOP scenes is interactive and you must not only locate the items but use them in the scene to proceed. This scene also included a mini-puzzle as well. There is a story-book scene in which you must locate and replace items back into the scene. Also in the demo there are two silhouette scenes.
The extras include locating jigsaw pieces to use in jigsaw puzzles and 10 statuettes of the characters in the game. There are 37 achievements. As you traverse the maze looking for your brother, you will meet ghosts of the "Afterlife" who will help you in your quest. However, you will also find yourself battling an entity which is trying to prevent you from locating your brother.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom Hints and Skips – 1 to 100 seconds
EXTRAS: Map is provided as you play the game 37 Achievements Collect puzzles pieces to create jigsaw puzzles Collect 10 statuettes of the characters Strategy guide Usual wallpaper, artwork, music, and developer’s diary
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Match-3 game instead
A. Multiple step scene. (1) Locate a specific number of two different items - flashlights and canteens, which unlocks (2) a list of items to locate B. List of items to locate. You must interact with items in the scene in order to proceed. There is also a mini-puzzle (switching puzzles) in the scene. C. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 8 picture pieces. D. Silhouette items to locate. E. Multiple step scene. (1) Locate a specific number of two different items - medical symbols and magnifying glasses, which unlocks (2) a list of items to locate F. Storybook sequence. Silhouette and replacement. Locate and replace items back into the scene to tell the story of what happened at the camp.
PUZZLES:
A. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to create a picture. Moving one tile affects the others. MODERATELY DIFFICULT B. Matching puzzle. Create your map. Select between three tiles to complete the picture of the map of the maze. After choosing the correct piece place it into the correct column and location within that column. MODERATELY DIFFICULT C. Assembly puzzle. Rotate and center a shattered image of a rune until it is recreated. EASY D. Sliding tiles puzzle. Move colored tiles into slots of the same color. EASY E. Moving tiles puzzle. Move and swap skulls to create a symbolic design. EASY F. Sequencing puzzle. Press tiles to raise them. Moving one raises others. All tiles must be raised. MODERATELY DIFFICULT G. Assembly puzzle. Repair a net by placing string of various sizes into the correct positions on the net. You receive 3 each of short, medium and long pieces. EASY H. Checkers puzzle. On a rose bush, remove all roses except one by jumping over them to remove them until only one remains. MODERATELY DIFFICULT I. Maze puzzle. Move a knob on a chain from one end of a maze to the other. What makes this slightly difficult is that you need to press buttons to open up passages. MODERATELY DIFFICULT J. Maze puzzle. Move four tokens to the center of a maze. Moving one affects the others. MODERATELY DIFFICULT
fromRadiant from a happy “sunny” vacation, suddenly I find this game which has cast me into a spell of a “witchy” mood. What happened to cheery holiday games for Christmas? Bah humbug!
It is big brother Jack is to the rescue of little sister Nikki in yet another “ad nauseum” episode of the eternal legacy of witches and their nefarious tricks. This time “hottie witch” Cassandra has kidnapped your clueless sister. As with this game you are aging by the minute and need to fast. I LOATHE this game. First, with all the witchcraft and demonic elements in this game, I hardly consider this an appropriate game for the Christmas season. Second, I hate the nasal-toned helper ferret (a bewitched girl named Bertha), which is thrown into the game for its gimmicky “cutesy” appeal. Her nasal pitched voice drove me crazy while playing the long demo. The ferret is used three times in the demo and performs idiotic stunts such as floating on a modified mini air blimp powered by a balloon to reach an inventory item and putting an ionized bowl on her head to provide a light source. Just dreadful!
This could have been an excellent game minus the absurd, complicated storyline and the helper. This story seems to become longer and more complicated as this series continues. There are way too many characters in this story – so many that I had trouble keeping track of all of them. The game does provide a storybook for you to read to help you keep up with this complicated mess. In this game, we join middle-aged Lynn and Edward, now both professors, trying to appear super intelligent with newly sprouted glasses. Thankfully, we were spared the “precious moments” of the “baby” years with their daughter, another aspiring witch. Yes, this series just keeps conjuring up more and more witches to add to the brew. At least three new witches have joined the coven.
The HOP scenes were decent and multiple-step. You have the option to play a Match game in lieu of the HOP scene. There were an even amount of HOP scenes and puzzles. Most of the HOP scenes are multiple-step ones. They include some story-book sequences in which you locate and replace items back into the scenes. In this game you really need the story-book sequences just to figure out what is going on. They include lists of items, silhouette, and replacing of items back into the scene. They are interactive and puzzle-like. I thought the HOP scenes were the best part of the game.
Most of the puzzles are extremely easy and somewhat varied. They include variations of sliding tiles puzzles, gear puzzles, maze puzzles, pipe puzzles, painting puzzles, matching puzzles, and Pac-man puzzles. There are 36 puzzles pieces to collect to complete jigsaw puzzles and 34 morphing objects.
Everyone has differing tastes in games. I see that many have been mesmerized by this game and have fallen under its spell. Personally, I am tired of the rehashed characters and gimmicky helpers thrown into this developer’s games. Helpers should be used only if they are an integral part of the game, which this helper is not. I was hoping for a wonderful Christmas surprise upon my return – kind of a sweet little Christmas present from good old BFG. Well – it is a surprise – coal for my Christmas stocking which can never light up any warmth in my heart for either this game or the series.
Hopefully this series will end. However, this seems doubtful with the glowing reviews for this game.
LEVELS: Casual, Normal, Hard, Custom Hints 10 to 35 seconds Skips 10 to 50 seconds There is a hidden object penalty
EXTRAS:
Map - Map is provided as you play the game 12 Achievements Collect 36 puzzle pieces 34 Morphing objects: Strategy guide - PAGES Usual wallpaper, art gallery, screensavers, soundtrack
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WHO JUST CANNOT WAIT TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN THIS DREADFUL GAME.
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Matching game. A. Mini-HOP scene. Silhouette items and replacement. Locate items from the scene which are instantaneously replaced within a picture. B. Multiple-step. Story-book sequence. (1) Silhouette. Search for four similar items which opens up to (2) List of items to locate which opens up (3) Replacement items. After locating the listed items, you receive four parts of an item to be replaced back into the scene C. Multiple-step. (1) Silhouette items which open up (2) items used within the scene which opens up (3) list of items to locate D. Replacement. Locate items from the scenes which are instantaneously replaced within a picture. E. List of items to locate. Uncovering HOP items releases items to add to a potion. F. Silhouette. (1) Collect silhouetted thistles. (2) Find four silhouetted items.
PUZZLES: All are extremely easy! No excess brain power needed here. A. Variation of a gear puzzle. Place gears in sequence to open a box. EASY B. Variation of a maze game. Place amber pieces on a board containing arrows which will destroy all skeleton tokens on the board. You are to clear the board of all skeleton pieces. 2X EASY C. Variation of a sliding tiles puzzle. Move tiles to recreate a picture. EASY D. Storybook. (1). Place four items back into a storybook scene. 2X EASY E. Variation of a maze/pipes puzzle. Move Jack back to Cassandra’s house by picking up keys along a path. You must set up the path by moving pipe pieces and avoiding “thorns” which are situated throughout the various paths. EASY F. Paint by Number. Paint a picture according to a model. EASY G. Variation of a Pac-Man/manual dexterity game. Guide an energy ball so that it “eats up” all the “dark energy” balls without eating up itself. The energy ball elongates as it collects dark energy. EASY
TICK TOCK. TIME TO PLAY - I’VE BEEN AWAITING THIS GAME FOR FOREVER AND A DAY.
PostedDecember 17, 2015
sunnyglow
from“Dying” to meet the Ward family? You are invited to attend the Ward annual Christmas party. Travel with the Ghost of Christmas past and get into the “spirit” by frolicking with each member of the family in some death defying games.
BASED ON TWO CHAPTERS OUT OF 7 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER.
Welcome to the “Psycho” Ward family reunion, where your dearly departed murderous relatives Patrick, Abigail, Claude, Norman and Lisbeth are anxiously awaiting your arrival. I LOVE this game and have been awaiting its arrival. This developer has given us another “killer” game. The graphics are phenomenal, exquisitely portraying the decaying family mansion and those of the twisted family members occupying its deserted corridors. Be forewarned! The story is creepy and this reunion will pit you against the ghosts of the Ward family.
There are more puzzles than HOP scenes; however the HOP scenes, as well as the inventory are puzzle-like with mini-puzzles within both. There is the option to play a theme-related Match-3 game instead. Most of the HOP scenes are multiple-step with two or three different scenes. The scenes include looking for a specific number of one item, silhouette, replacement of items back into the scene, and morphing objects. Throughout the HOP scenes, there are mini-puzzles. I particularly enjoyed one of the scenes in the demo which requires sequenced moves in which you must locate the items in a particular order. Once locating an item you must then use it within the scene in order to proceed in locating the next item.
The mini-games vary in difficulty; most are easy in the demo; however the last puzzle of the demo is moderately difficult. The ones in the demo include variations of matching puzzles, sequencing puzzles, moving tiles puzzles, mathematical puzzles, and switching puzzles. There is one multiple-step puzzle in the demo which requires you to solve two successive puzzles.
The extras include 42 (easy to locate) wooden horses and 20 morphing objects to collect, 7 characters from the game to unlock, 14 achievements, replay of 18 HOP scenes and 20 puzzles, and a souvenir room for the 16 souvenirs you collect in the game.
AFTER THE DEMO: After the demo, the game has a chapter devoted to each of the various characters in the game. I was able to play into and finish chapter two. This is a long game. The HOP scenes are similar to the first chapter and involve lists of items to locate. The puzzles are numerous but relatively easy including variations of a switch puzzle, moving tiles, puzzle, mathematical puzzle and assembly puzzle.
This game is as finely tuned as a watch. You should not only watching your back but also watching the time. You will find many twists and turns in your quest to “beat the clock” and to escape the mansion unharmed. It seems a “black-eyed” child is somehow involved in all of this drama. If you liked the Ravenhearst saga, you will love this game. The Dalimars must be kissing cousins to this family.
LEVELS: Easy, Medium, Hard, Custom. You can opt to have a penalty for random clicking on HOP scenes Hints 10 to 120 seconds Skips 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game 14 Achievements Collect 42 wooden horses Collect 16 souvenirs Unlock 7 characters from the game 20 Morphing objects: Strategy guide - 44 pages Replay 18 HOP scenes and 20 puzzles Usual music art, souvenir room, wallpaper
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES: A. Multi-step. (1) Location of 5 of each of two items – balls and alarm clocks. (2). List of items to locate. B. Silhouette, followed by cryptic clue to get an inventory item. C. Multi-step. (1) Locate 5 Morphing objects. (2) Silhouette items. D. Silhouette. Locate items and then replace them back into the scene. Interact with the items in the scene to uncover other items. There is a mini-puzzle within this scene as well – a variation of a jigsaw puzzle – placing tiles into the correct location. AFTER THE DEMO: E. Multiple-step. (1) List of items to locate (2) Cryptic clue to receive the inventory item F. Multiple step. (1) Locate a specific number of two items. (2) List of items to locate
PUZZLES: You can play a theme-related Match 3 game instead. A. Variation of a matching puzzle. Match up symbols on a bell chime with those in a picture, EASY B. Variation of a matching puzzle. Match up wings on gargoyles according to those in a picture. EASY C. Variation of a moving tiles puzzle. Create 3 pictures by moving tiles into the proper location. EASY D. Variation of a sequencing puzzle. Move arrows sequentially to open a terrarium. EASY E. Multi-step puzzle. (1) Variation of a matching puzzle. Match up descriptions on plates with markings on moths. (2) Variation of a mathematical puzzle. Each moth is assigned a number or a numerical sign. Perform the mathematical equations and turn tumblers until you get the correct answer EASY F. Variation of a switch puzzle. Based on color and astrological sign, move signs so that they are in the correct location by sign and color. EASY G. Variation of a moving tiles puzzle. Choose hands on a clock and move them with dials so that the hands are in the right quadrant of the clock matching up with a picture in that quadrant. MODERATELY DIFFICULT AFTER THE DEMO: H. Multiple-step puzzle. (1 ) Variation of a switch puzzle. Move four token which match the center token into an inner ring with four slots. EASY (2) Variation of a moving tiles puzzle. Move tokens into the correct locations. MODERATELY DIFFICULT I. Variation of an assembly puzzle. (1) Mathematical puzzle. Figure out the correct amount of liquid to add by mathematical calculations. EASY (2) Sequential puzzle. Place the ingredients in correct order to create chemical fertilizer for plants. EASY J. Manual dexterity puzzle. Move a ball into the center of a bullseye to collect tears. EASY
AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AT BFG, EIPIX, AND ALL THE PLAYERS OUT THERE IN THE BFG POND!!!
What a WONDERFUL surprise! BFG is ringing my bell today! (And hopefully not in Morse Code – a little inside humor) Thank you so much BFG! I LOVE these games; however, I am not as fond of this developer’s griddler games as other developers who provide these games on this site. Their “black and white” pictogram is a little dated. Most of the developers of the computerized versions of these games now provide multi-colored screens and auto-fill (filling in unused squares in the game). However, considering, I used to (and still do) complete these puzzles in gaming magazines, this is still a delight. Counting squares, with pencil and eraser in hand, can be somewhat nerve racking. I actually used to create my own on paper; however, computer programs can develop these fairly quickly nowadays.
This developer needs to get into the Christmas spirit and “spruce” up their games. They need to leave the era of “black-and-white” pictograms (in this case “blue” and white), and put some Christmas festive color and pizzazz in their griddlers. The music is also not very Christmas-like and I don’t think you will be singing along while playing this game. I also did not like the “pictures” which are created from the puzzles. At least from what I played, they seem to be more geometric figures than actual pictures. However, if you are a true aficionado of this type of game you will love it anyway. Even with the use of “blue” and white colors in the puzzles, I don’t think this game will create a “blue” Christmas for me even if it won't be a "white" Christmas for me!
HOW TO PLAY: This is variation of a Sudoku puzzle. In this puzzle, create pictures by filling in squares in a grid. The grids in this game will vary in number from 5 x 5 to 20 x 20 if it is like the games of the past. Each side of the grid will have numbers for each line of squares indicating the amount of squares which are to be filled in for each line of squares. Squares are filled in where the squares intersect between the two sets of numbers on each side.
• Levels: Adventure and Training. The puzzles become more difficult and larger as you proceed in the game. • Mistakes: You are able to have 3 mistakes before restarting a griddler. You are rated by stars in this game. You lose one star for each mistake you make in the puzzle • Collect points and earn coins to purchase hints, rights for a mistake, and refill hints • You receive trophies as you proceed in the game for your success in solving the griddlers • Colors: There is only one color in this game – blue! Hopefully you will not have a “blue” Christmas! • Autofill: There is NOT the option to fill in unused spaces. You must fill them in yourself. • Hints: Hints are given as you proceed and are based on the difficulty of the puzzle and how well you perform in solving the grid • There are 6 locations with approximately 20 griddlers per location. There are approximately 100 puzzles.
These games have many differing names – pictograms, paint-by-numbers, o’ekaki, pic-a-pix, nonograms, and of course griddlers. They can be fun and a little challenging as well!
BASED ON FIRST 3 CHAPTERS OF 7 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER
What evil lurks in an Arkansas gem mine? You, as Brenda Gayle, a parapsychologist, are on an investigation to locate your niece who is missing along with the other children from a camp. I LOVE this game, especially the puzzles, which are numerous and well crafted. The storyline is intriguing, complex and has me baffled as to the mystery behind all the calamity both past and present. The graphics are decent, but not stellar.
There are more puzzles than HOP scenes and the puzzles are the best part of this game. They vary in difficulty and type. There were several puzzles which were slightly difficult; however, none were extremely difficult. They include variations of assembly puzzles, manual dexterity puzzles, matching puzzles, maze puzzles, switching puzzles, moving tiles puzzles. There is one Super Puzzle (Rube Goldberg puzzle) in the demo. The individual puzzles in the Super Puzzle are not difficult; the real challenge in the Super Puzzle is figuring out the sequence of actions to be performed and where needed items are located. After the demo, I played a Simon Says puzzle and a few more matching puzzles, including one using Morse Code for all you fellow hams out there. CQ
The HOP scenes are very creative as well and extremely innovative and well-done. They are varied and there are several multi-step ones in the demo. They include lists of items, matching, cryptic clues, and replacement of items back into the scene. The demo contains one storybook sequence in which you locate a specific number of one items followed by replacement of those items back into the scene. There is also one mini-puzzle within a HOP scene. I especially liked the HOP scene set in a shooting gallery in which you use an air gun to “shoot” the items given through cryptic clues. Quite ingenious! After the demo I found a HOP scene in Chapter 3 which is one of the best HOP scenes I have ever played.
Upon entering the town of Nickfield, you begin to receive visions. It is “crystal” clear the town mine is involved in all of this. Find yourself going back in time to 1931 to retrace the steps of four ghostly children, their beloved teacher and an angry woman out for revenge to get answers as to what is happening in this town. And what curse is involved with the gem mine? Are the children, including your niece, descendants of the ghostly children? The camp counselor, Molly, is acting as if she is possessed, speaking about revenge and human sacrifice. Who is out for revenge and why?
Remember - Revenge is a dish best served cold! However, your arrival should turn up the heat on the person seeking revenge.
LEVELS: 3 levels (not named) increasing in difficulty plus a customized version Hints 15 to 270 seconds Skips 15 to 270 seconds
EXTRAS: Map is given to you as you play the game. No Achievements Collect 26 items for four children’s boxes. Collect 28 morphing objects Ghost catcher to catch ghosts. Strategy guide – 51 Pages Usual wallpaper, artwork, soundtrack,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES: A. Locate and place items which belong to four children into the proper backpacks. B. Multi-step. (1) Variation of a matching puzzle. Match up names and descriptions of children along with writing styles to identify their hobbies. (2) Locate 3 associated items in a scene for Scroll, Fish, Merry-go-round, and Book. Very creative and nicely done. (3) Match up signs with frames for pictures of children. C. List of items combined with a puzzle. Very cool and creatively designed. Using a gun from a shooting gallery – shoot the items which are suggested at through cryptic clues (2). Variation of a mathematical puzzle. Place numbers onto a board to that they equal to the numbers at the side due to a mathematical problem EASY D. Multi-step sequence. Storybook sequence. (1) Find a number of a certain item. (2) Match up similar items (3) Replace items back into the scene AFTER THE DEMO: E. VERY AWESOME AND CREATIVE HOP SCENE. ONE OF THE BEST! Silhouettes for a specific number of items. After you find all of the number of an item, you will receive the actual item to replace into the scene to open up more areas to look for items. The scene also contains a few mini-puzzles as well.
PUZZLES: A. Climb up a cliff by selecting the correct items to grasp onto. 3X EASY – Logical trial and error B. Variation of an assembly puzzle. Find parts to create a ghost catcher. EASY C. Variation of a manual dexterity puzzle combined with a matching puzzle. As a center button displays symbols for an activation code on your ghost meter, click on them in time to place them into one of four spots on the lamp. MODERATELY DIFFICULT D. Variation of a matching puzzle. Press on symbols located on a bike to match a code. EASY E. Variation of a maze with letters to spell a name. Place letters into correct order to spell out a Smithson. MODERATELY DIFFICULT F. Switching puzzle. Switch tiles so that colors and connections match up on each side of the tiles. MODERATELY DIFFICULT G. Variation of moving tiles puzzle. Move colored marbles to match colored circles. Place the same colored marbles into the same colored circles H. SUPER PUZZLE. You can skip each puzzle individually and you can get hints for each puzzle. (1) Search for items within the scene and place them on coffins to open them up to discloser and items to be used within the scene. (2) Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to disclose the face of a clock to discover the time. (3) Variation of an assembly puzzle. Move two symbols together to create the larger symbol underneath it. (4) Rearrange letters to spell out a phrase. (5) Manual dexterity game. Using a slingshot, hit a witch 5 times without harming the children. (6) Variation of a matching puzzle. Following a pattern, place items into the correct location to match the pattern MODERATELY DIFFICULT TO SOLVE THE COMPLETE PUZZLE AFTER THE DEMO: I. Variation of Simon Says. Replicate a light sequence on a compass. 3X INCREASES IN DIFFICULTY J. Variation of a matching puzzle. Tap out OPEN in Morse Code using a bell. SO FUNNY! Are you a ham operator? EASY if you are. CQ K. Variation of matching puzzle. Adjust a figure using arrows so it matches a picture EASY L. Variation of a sequencing puzzle. Click on colors to match the amount shown in a picture. EASY
Awakening in a prison cell in 1789 France, you, Jacques Perrault, discover that you have lost all your memories. As one-half of a set of star-crossed lovers, the love of your life, Angelica, is the next victim to marry the Count D’Morten. Being sentenced to death for kidnapping your love and seemingly trying to murder her, you will need to act fast to save her and yourself. The game is a repackaged telling of the “Bluebeard” story set to music with a Disneyesque theme song. The graphics are realistic and beautifully created. This is a decent game which I would recommend to those who like games which are easy to play and/or like love stories and romantic novels.
There are more puzzles than HOP scenes. In the demo, the puzzles are all easy, some of which are extremely easy. There are variations of jigsaw puzzles, sequential puzzles, moving tiles puzzles, switching puzzles, and quite a few matching puzzles.
The HOP scenes are few in number and lack variety. There is one multi-step HOP scene in the demo. The scenes include lists of items to locate and silhouettes.
In addition to searching for your love, you will also be searching for quite a few collectibles, including 20 cameos of D’Morten’s 20 ex-wives (or should I write “axed wives?”) and 21 morphing objects. As an aid, you receive an amulet to turn back time from the ghostly presence of D’Morten’s first wife, Valery, who has a score to settle with her ex-husband. She will readily assist you from beyond the grave in stopping the Count “dead” in his tracks.
It is a decent game, but sadly, not for me. Nothing excites me about this game. First, the game tells a dark, morbid story; however, a sugary sweet Disneyesque love song is attached. Quite bizarre! Second, I found all the puzzles in the demo boringly easy. I also found the HOP scenes lacking creativity as well. Third, to me, there are way too many collectibles, 41 in total.
Paraphrasing the theme song from the game, “Have you lost what you have been searching for?” Yes. I had been “searching for” a challenging game to play today. However, after playing the demo I have “lost” any interest in continuing to play this game.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom Hints 10 to 180 seconds Skips 10 to 320 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you as you play the game 20 Achievements (There are 3 parts to each achievement) Amulet to turn back time Collect 20 cameos of D’Morten’s wives Collect 21 morphing objects items Strategy guide Usual wallpaper, artwork, screensavers, music and replay of HOP scenes and mini-games
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES: A. Multi-step scene. (1) List of items to locate. As you locate items, you collect pieces of a map (2) Create a handprint which opens up a new list of items to locate B. List of items to locate. This scene is somewhat interactive. C. Mini-HOP scene. Variation of a silhouette scene. Locate parts for a music box D. Series of silhouette scenes. Complete one scene to open up a door to enter another scene containing silhouettes.
PUZZLES: All the puzzles are EASY in the demo A. Variation of a jig-saw puzzle. Arrange strips of paper to create a face of a woman. EASY B. Variation of a lock pick puzzle combined with a sequential puzzle. Move tumblers in a lock in correct order to unlock a cell door. EASY C. Variation of a switching puzzle. Switch two parts of keys so that the top and bottom of the keys match. EASY D. Variation of a moving tiles puzzle. Slide tokens of colored skeletons into its matching colored slot. EASY E. Variation of a switching puzzle. Complete three portraits by switching tiles. EASY F. Variation of a matching puzzle. Place four flags, each containing two holes over the correct circles on a safe to open up the safe. EASY G. Variation of a matching puzzle. Match up like masks. To make it a little more difficult, if you guess incorrectly, the masks move to different locations. EASY H. Variation of a moving tiles puzzle. Create numbers around a clock. Match up two halves of numbered circles to create a number around a clock EASY I. Variation of a matching puzzle. Uncover mosaic pieces and match them up by association. To make it a little more difficult, if you guess incorrectly, the mosaic will move to different locations. EASY J. Variation of matching puzzle. Open a door by matching up two figures in correct order. EASY
FIVE STARS PROJECTED ONTO THE FINAL SCENE OF A PICTURE PERFECT SERIES
PostedDecember 5, 2015
sunnyglow
fromGuys – Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your girl? Get the projector necklace. The perfect gift to create the perfect girl. It will always “project” the right image for every occasion.
Just in time for the holidays, “star wars” have erupted in “Tinsel” town, between the movie studios of Wolf and Horizon, both vying for top billing. With Wolf Studios engaged in some shady business dealings, things seem to have gotten out of focus on this film set, and people are not what they appear to be. With this game, the developer says a final farewell to the “Final Cut” series, their very first production. Also celebrating the holidays, hidden away in their secret room of extras, our developer has also gotten into the Christmas spirit with some holiday trim and some little presents as well!
To me, this is a low 5-star game. The storyline is decent; however, this Hollywood “whodunit” series has definitely arrived at its “final scene.” This developer ends the series on a high note. The graphics are well-done as is the usual fare for this developer. It reflects the mood of the Golden Age of Hollywood. This game is a cutter-cutter “whodunit” similar in composition to the numerous others in the series. There is an equal amount of HOP scenes and mini-games. The HOP scenes are puzzle-like, creative and interactive. The mini-games are creative as well.
The HOP scenes are varied and most are multi-step scenes. In the demo they include lists of items, silhouette scenes, cryptic clues, and rebus clues. In some scenes you must locate items and interact with the scenes to locate additional items. You may opt to play a Match 3 game instead.
I thought the puzzles were creative and varied. There are a nice blend of easy and moderately difficult puzzles. The puzzles in the demo include matching puzzles, and a maze puzzle. Throughout the game, you will film suspects and using a camera containing three lenses, which will be used to bring their pictures into focus. After that, you must outline various images on the pictures. They become more difficult as you play into the game.
This is an average game. This is definitely not the best game this developer has produced nor the worst. There is no “wow” factor as we have experienced in some recent games by this developer. However, this game is better than the best games from some other developers. It is a nice “whodunit.” It did keep my interest.
On the “negative” side of this picture, many of the mainstay elements and gimmicks of this developer’s games are beginning to become a little hackneyed as they have been used in so many games. It might bode well for them to “freshen up” their gaming style and “develop” some new approaches to mini-games and HOP scenes. On the “plus side,” they realize when a series has run its course. They are bowing out of this series to “produce” some new story lines for their games, leaving this one on the cutting room floor.
As Wolf Studios is preparing to film “Myths of the World – The Heart of Desolation,” (also the name of one of my favorite HOP games!) some undercover work is going on. Behind all of this is an inventor with a secret invention which is causing chaos! With things not as they appear, you are going to have your work cut out for you.
LEVELS: Easy, Medium, Hard, Custom Hints 10 to 120 seconds Skips 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game Projector which is used to take pictures throughout the game. 15 Achievements which include some Christmas items as well Collect 41 hidden signs 16 Morphing objects in HOP scenes Usual wallpaper, artwork, videos, souvenir room, music Merry Christmas! Replay 17 HOP scenes, replay 18 puzzles (If you collect a Christmas stocking – you can play an extra puzzle. Collect a candy cane and you can play an additional HOP scene).
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES: You can opt to play a Match 3 game instead. ACT 1: Demo shots A. Scene 1. Multi-step. (1) Look for 5 wax seals and 5 pens which open up (2) two lists of items to locate B. Scene 2. Silhouette scene. C. Scene 3. Multi-step scene. (1) List of items to locate. (2) Silhouette items D. Scene 4. Multi-step scene. (1) Cryptic clue used to locate 6 of a certain item (2) List of items to locate (3) Final silhouette of the inventory item. E. Scene 5. Multi-step game. (1) Silhouette items to locate. After locating the items, they will be used and interact with the HOP scene to locate other items in the scene. F. Scene 6. Multi-step puzzle. (1) Rebus clues. (2) List of items to locate. (3) Final silhouette of the inventory item G. Scene 7. Mini-HOP scene. Interact with drawers on a bureau to locate pieces of a microscope.
PUZZLES: You have the option to reset the puzzles A. “Flashback.” Variation of a matching puzzle. Match up evidence on strips of paper with pictures of suspects. EASY B. “Double exposure.” Multi-step puzzle. Adjust camera lens to adjust a photo so that it is in focus using 3 lens adjustments. (2). Reproduce a pattern on the face in the photo you just brought into focus. You can reset the puzzles EASY C. “Passing shot.” Variation of a maze puzzle. Move a marble from one magnet to another using arrows at the side of a pin ball machine. MODERATELY DIFFICULT D. “Another double exposure.” Multi-step puzzle. Adjust camera lens to adjust a photo so that it is in focus using 3 lens adjustments. (2). Reproduce a pattern on the face in the photo you just brought into focus. You can reset the puzzles EASY E. “Change of scenes.” Variation of a matching puzzle. Using arrows, change rows to the colors of green and red, matching the color pattern illustrated on a board. 3 X INCREASING IN DIFFICULTY FROM EASY TO DIFFICULT
REVIEW BASED UP TO THE INTRO OF CHAPTER 3 - 5 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER
Christmas is in peril and Santa Claus needs your help! After adopting an adorable kitten during the holiday season, your kind heart causes Santa Claus to enlist your aid in saving Christmas. I LOVE this game. Set to the sound of Christmas music, this is a family delight which should appeal to all ages. The graphics are twinkling and glistening set in the North Pole coupled with a whole village of big-eyed soulful cats. This is an easily played game with enough sugary sweetness and cuteness to impress everyone in the BFG family.
The game is puzzle heavy and HOP light. The puzzles are varied and all are easy. In the demo, there is a variety of puzzles including varieties of jigsaw puzzles, sliding tiles puzzles, matching puzzles, manual dexterity puzzles, maze puzzles, and a sequencing puzzle. There is also a combination maze/hidden object puzzle which has you tracking down footprints in the snow. After the demo I encountered more matching puzzles, a sequencing puzzle, plus an assembly puzzle.
In the demo, the HOP scenes are varied and each one incorporates the Christmas spirit. They include lists of items to locate and sentences telling the story of Catstown with items listed in BOLD. There are also silhouette items to locate and items which are to be replaced back into the scenes. I particularly enjoyed one HOP scene set in a toy shop with the toys being characters from the developer’s past games. This is quite a tribute to Christmases past from this developer. After the demo I encountered another list of items and silhouette items to locate.
There is a helper in this game which is used six times in the demo. Normally, I hate “cutesy” helpers; however, your adopted cat, Simon, is adorable and easily fits into the genre of this game, adding to its holiday spirit. This clumsy, chubby little charmer is adorable, bouncing throughout the scenes of the game helping you. You will have two to three optional dialogue choices when speaking with the characters. You collect 36 jigsaw pieces which are used in three jigsaw puzzles. There are also 12 morphing objects flitting about in the scenes. Collecting all 24 achievements should make you feel like a shining star atop the Christmas tree!
The poor misguided villain is someone leaving boot prints in the snow and causing havoc for everyone during the holiday season. You will discover this villain is sadly trying to save his own “shining star.” Hopefully your kind heart will save the day and bring hope to him and everyone else in this village. In the process, you will also be returning the bright, shining Christmas spirit to everyone as well. This twinkling, shimmering ornament should also find your Christmas smile and keep you grinning like a Cheshire cat!
LEVELS: Kitten, Santa, Puss n’ Boots, Custom Hints and Skips – 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you as you play the game Animal helper – Simon the Cat. He is used approximately 6 times in the demo. He is cute and adorable and fits well into the theme and movement of the game. 24 Achievements Collect 36 puzzle pieces for three jigsaw puzzles (12 each) 12 Morphing objects: Strategy guide – 48 Pages Usual wallpaper, artwork, screensaver, music, secret room
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES: I am certain you will “cat”ch on to playing these. A. List of items to locate for the trip to the North Pole. I hope you find “the cat’s meow!” B. Sentences with items listed in BOLD letters which tell the story of Catstown. Surely in this town you will find “the whiskers on kittens.” C. Silhouette items to locate. Will you find “the cat’s pajamas?” D. Replacement of items back into scenes. Items are parts of dolls of the characters from the developer’s games from Christmas past. All these items call for “A real bag of cats.” AFTER THE DEMO: E. List of items to locate F. Silhouette items to locate
PUZZLES: All the puzzles are “as EASY as a getting a cat to ignore you” A. “A real copycat.” Variation of matching puzzle. Match up like constellations. 3X So much kitten fun! B. “A real tabby cat.” Variation of a jigsaw puzzle. Recreate a picture to help with the case. C. “Going round and round like an alley cat!” Variation of a sliding tiles puzzle. Move three rings to create a picture to open a door D. “You will need some copy cats.” Variation of matching puzzle. Match up a picture of a scene with items within the scene and locate the differences between the two. E. “Kittens in their mittens!” Variation of a manual dexterity game. Use 3 snowballs to hit and remove a present in a Christmas tree F. “Walk the cat back to find the cat burglar.” Variation of a matching puzzle. Move hands on a clock to set the time back to when the thief arrived G. “Looking for dust kittens.” Variation of a manual dexterity game. Move a duster around to clean the museum. H. “Playing cat and mouse with a real cookie.” Variation of a matching puzzle. Move the hands and legs of a gingerbread man to fit a silhouette on a door. I. “Like a cat on a ‘hot’ tin roof.” Variation of a Match 3 game. Match up and remove three pieces of coal to stoke the flame of an oven by the name of Juliet. Continue matching pieces of coal until the fire is well stoked to start the over. J. “This a cat of another color.” Variation of a matching puzzle. Match up colors to paint a picture of a cat to match its twin K. “Remember - curiosity killed the cat.” Variation of a maze puzzle. Move a ball out of a boxed maze. L. “Sweeten the kitty.” Variation of sequencing puzzle. Push down three buttons on a cash register in correct sequence. M. “Pussyfooting around.” Variation of a maze puzzle/Hidden Object puzzle. Look for footprints in the snow in various scenes. 5X AFTER THE DEMO: N. Variation of a matching puzzle. Match up birds O. Variation of a sequencing puzzle. Move tumblers in sequence to open a lock to a door. P. Variation of matching puzzle. Locate the differences between two pictures. Q. Variation of assembly puzzle. Rearrange the wings on an owl R. Variation of a sequencing puzzle. Place items in correct sequence into a flask to create ink developer