sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,068
- Reviews Submitted:758
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:September 12, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A mysterious Owl Man is terrorizing citizens!
Overall rating
5
/
5
140 of 180 found this review helpful
ALL JAZZED UP TO BOOGIE ON DOWN TO THE LOUISIANA BAYOUS ON A VARIATION OF "ROMEO AND JULIET" CAJUN STYLE. BEST GAME OF THIS SERIES!
PostedMarch 26, 2015
sunnyglow
fromResting the soles of my feet after fighting off "gators" at work,drinking sweet tea and having a "boocoo" of fun solving this "whodunit"
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Leaving the British Isles, we boogie on down to the bayous of Willowsville, Louisiana in the 1970's, where much is hidden in the murky waters of the swamps . The graphics are excellent, with a "boocoo" of HOP scenes, puzzles - all well-done, not too difficulty , accompanied with an inventory which is interactive and puzzle-like. To me, this game is a much needed improvement in this series. Our ankle biter, Elf is back as a helper but is hidden away in the inventory and only used 3 times in the demo. Yeah! This is a fantastic "whodunit" with many secrets with an undercurrent of "prejudice."
HERE ARE THE DETAILS BASED ON THE DEMO:
In a game reminiscent of "Romeo and Juliet" Cajun-style, the feud between the towns of Nightville and Willowsville is resurrected with the reappearance of the legendary "Owlman." It seems this character has kidnapped Oliver Johnson. You, playing the detective, uncover the secrets of these two towns,. You will soon find ome murky water and some "alligators" you must wrestle to solve this case. Remember - the bigger the paycheck t the bigger the "alligators" you must wrestle. As the detective you have some major battles to wage to get to the bottom of this kidnapping while trying to ease tensions between two feuding town. Secrets abound in this hidden bayou town even between family members!
HERE ARE THE DETAILS:
CHAPTERS - 7 plus a Bonus chapter
LEVELS: Four -
Casual, (Sparkles and help)
Advanced (No sparkles)
Hardcore (No help at all - no hints nor skips)
Customized
All vary in amount of times for penalties on clicking in HOP scenes The hint and skip recharge range from 15 to 90 seconds
Casual, (Sparkles and help)
Advanced (No sparkles)
Hardcore (No help at all - no hints nor skips)
Customized
All vary in amount of times for penalties on clicking in HOP scenes The hint and skip recharge range from 15 to 90 seconds
GRAPHICS: With the added "muzac" I felt I was in the heart of Cajun country. Very realistic depiction of the people and surrounding countryside. Voiceovers were well-done as well.
INVENTORY: Interactive and puzzle-like.
HOP SCENE: Innovative and puzzle-like All are theme related.
A. Silhouette items to be found recreating an inventory item
B. List of items to find on a suspect. RATHER AWESOME DEV!
C. Items given to be replaced into the HOP scene
B. List of items to find on a suspect. RATHER AWESOME DEV!
C. Items given to be replaced into the HOP scene
PUZZLES: All well crafted and innovative. You collect evidence as you investigate and after collecting a series of items you make a "deduction," which opens up a video sequence giving information about the kidnapping and unfolds the story. Very nicely done and a new concept dev. There are ring alignment puzzles, pressing items in sequence, tile puzzles, and mini puzzles in a story telling sequence.
EXTRA GOODIES:
A. "Gift of Sight" which allows you to view the world in a shadowy way. While in that world of gray - after replacing items to their proper positions in the scenes, you relive past events which relate to the game and also play some mini puzzles to interact with.
B. Collect 1 statues of legendary horror monsters
B. Map is provided at beginning of the game
C. 20 Achievements
D. Collect coins for a Vending Machine to purchase statues of 8 characters in the game
E . 22 morphing objects
G. Strategy Guide
A. "Gift of Sight" which allows you to view the world in a shadowy way. While in that world of gray - after replacing items to their proper positions in the scenes, you relive past events which relate to the game and also play some mini puzzles to interact with.
B. Collect 1 statues of legendary horror monsters
B. Map is provided at beginning of the game
C. 20 Achievements
D. Collect coins for a Vending Machine to purchase statues of 8 characters in the game
E . 22 morphing objects
G. Strategy Guide
EXTRA COMMENTS: Devs - What a nice change for you! This game also deals with the theme of "prejudice." Great job! BTW - it is nice to see some new locations for games
Although there are few "crocs" in Florida, in Louisiana the toothy inhabitants are alligators, affectionately called "gators." "Crocs" are the name given to rather "ugly" footwear in the U.S. Yuk! Allligators have blunt snouts unlike the pointed ones on "crocs." Also Social Security numbers in the States do not expire - EVER! You just carry it for life and then it expires right along with you.
I RATE THIS GAME 7 FICTITIOUS OWLMEN OUT OF 5 OWLMEN. THE EXTRA FICTITIOUS OWLMAN IS HIDING IN THE BAYOUS ALONG WITH THE FICTITIOUS "CROCS."
I recommend this game!
Pinecreek Hills just keeps getting better! Help the Rangers protect Animals and Visitors, clean up the Park and spot Wildlife.
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 28 found this review helpful
A BREATH OF FRESH SPRING AIR ARRIVES AT BF WITH AN AMAZING HOP GAME
PostedMarch 24, 2015
sunnyglow
fromSpring has sprung and looking forward to camping and campfire stories - real creepy ones
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Ah - smell that breath of fresh air! Doing some spring cleaning, BF has brought us a good old fashioned primitive HOP game spruced up a little with a few modern goodies. THIS IS A GREAT HOP GAME for all you primitive HOP campers; however, this game does not appeal to me. Actually this game reminded me of working toward my GS Silver Award and it was the pits - digging pits for latrines and cooking - well not together at least! LOL Ah yes - the great allure of the wilderness has hit BF today. You play a ranger supervisor, managing other rangers in a nameless National Park.
HOP SCENES: Good old fashioned lists of items throughout found the camp No primitive searching for sites here - They have been modernized to include some puzzle-like elements. Going along with the HOP scenes are tasks to perform such as blowing up a tire.
.
PUZZLES: Slider puzzle with a map of the National Parks, including major creepy Cuyahoga Valley Park and that is a freaky little campfire story worth telling. I also encountered a Jigsaw puzzle, a matching puzzle in the demo as well.
.
PUZZLES: Slider puzzle with a map of the National Parks, including major creepy Cuyahoga Valley Park and that is a freaky little campfire story worth telling. I also encountered a Jigsaw puzzle, a matching puzzle in the demo as well.
EXTRA GOODIES: There are quite a few extras in this little gem
A. 20 Achievements
B. Collect 126 types of wild life for your scrapbook WOW
B. Souvenir shop in which to purchase mementos of your stay at the park such as a cool mug for your desk at work, a keyring, Kachina dolls etc. After purchasing, they up in your own trophy case.
C. Stars - Bronze star for completing a level , a silver star for finding either all wildlife or all trash items; and a gold star for finding everything
D. Coins - to purchase your souvenirs.
E. Hints - There are hints and mega hints (grizzly bear sized hints which shoots down a load of items in the scene - now that was cool)
You receive coins to pay for the hints by being eco friendly and cleaning up trash.
You get points for locating wildlife, trash, and being eco-friendly
F. Eagle- eye bonus
A. 20 Achievements
B. Collect 126 types of wild life for your scrapbook WOW
B. Souvenir shop in which to purchase mementos of your stay at the park such as a cool mug for your desk at work, a keyring, Kachina dolls etc. After purchasing, they up in your own trophy case.
C. Stars - Bronze star for completing a level , a silver star for finding either all wildlife or all trash items; and a gold star for finding everything
D. Coins - to purchase your souvenirs.
E. Hints - There are hints and mega hints (grizzly bear sized hints which shoots down a load of items in the scene - now that was cool)
You receive coins to pay for the hints by being eco friendly and cleaning up trash.
You get points for locating wildlife, trash, and being eco-friendly
F. Eagle- eye bonus
I recommend this game!
When Julia reaches an abandoned laboratory to rescue her sister, she discovers there is more to this mystery than a mere abduction.
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 46 found this review helpful
AN MAGNIFICENT SE WHICH DOES NOT NEED ANY FURTHER EXPERIMENTATION BY THE DEVELOPERS
PostedMarch 23, 2015
sunnyglow
fromWondering where I can get an awesome mask to wear like the Oracles.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
For an SE, this game receives a lab quality grade of 100% perfection! I LOVE this game by our little Urchins. The graphics and there are a few extra goodies as well. The HOP scenes vary between junk piles and silhouette, the puzzles are mechanically based, and there is an equal amount of puzzles and HOP scenes. The storyline is decent Having nothing of interest to play from last week from this site, I will definitely purchase this one with a coupon. To me, it is as good as many of our CE offerings.
You play Julia, whose sister, Sophia was kidnapped as a child for research by the Oracles. Your quest is to locate her and save her from danger. You find out your sister is the "special" one in the family (every family has their "fair-haired" child LOL), and has been chosen by the Oracles. She is special because she can help then attain their goals. Where is your sister and what is being done to her at this laboratory? You will be taking quite a trip in this lab.
LEVELS: 3
Normal (Sparkles)
Hard (No sparkles) Can skip puzzles
Detective: Longer hint times
Normal (Sparkles)
Hard (No sparkles) Can skip puzzles
Detective: Longer hint times
GRAPHICS: Excellent with voice overs and mouth movements.
HOP SCENES: I encountered 3 in the demo. Two were slightly interactive junk piles and one was silhouette.
PUZZLES: Excellent and more mechanical - at least the ones I encountered in the demo.
EXTRA GOODIES: Unusual for an SE.
Collect 10 oracle symbols
There is NO MAP but you have a clipboard with objectives
Collect 10 oracle symbols
There is NO MAP but you have a clipboard with objectives
After a hard day - it was a nice Grumpy Monday surprise to see this game! Thanks BF!
I recommend this game!
Trapped in the past, Sarah must find a way home.
Overall rating
5
/
5
81 of 118 found this review helpful
TAKING A " BITE OUT OF CRIME" ENTER THE "UNDERWORLD" FOR A HELPER - A CRIME FIGHTING JACKAL WITH "AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE"
PostedMarch 21, 2015
sunnyglow
fromTrying to get out of my own private "underworld" of massive columns of work
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Trapped in the past in her attempt to recover dangerous artifacts from the Dragon Clan, Sarah Pennington is desperately trying to return to the present. The storyline is a bizarre mishmash of Egyptian deities residing in a fairy tale kingdom in the past. This is a PUZZLE-INTENSE GAME. The puzzles are varied in difficulty and well-done ; there is good variety of themes used in the puzzle-like HOP scenes; the graphics are vastly improved. However, it LACKS THE ABILITY TO CUSTOMIZE THE GAME AND DOES NOT HAVE AN INTERACTIVE INVENTORY. You are escorted through the game with a gimmicky helper, "Nubi" (nicknamed after Anubis) with four abilities. It seemed to me that at the times Nubi was used - it took him forever to perform his actions. I LOVE THE PUZZLES. I would purchase this game if the helper was eliminated.
THUMB'S UP:
The puzzles and puzzle-like HOP scenes
The graphics
Mah Jongg which is theme-based. I actually liked playing this game - seemed to fit into the Egyptian theme
"Nubi " (if you like helpers) has a little pizzazz with four abilities and is not used as much as in other "helper" games
The graphics
Mah Jongg which is theme-based. I actually liked playing this game - seemed to fit into the Egyptian theme
"Nubi " (if you like helpers) has a little pizzazz with four abilities and is not used as much as in other "helper" games
THUMB 'S DOWN:
Storyline - Beyond bizarre
Lack of many extras we expect in a CE such as morphing objects, customization, and interactive inventory
"Nubi" (If you dislike helpers - he slows down the game by taking forever to perform his activities)
Slow pace of the game
Lack of many extras we expect in a CE such as morphing objects, customization, and interactive inventory
"Nubi" (If you dislike helpers - he slows down the game by taking forever to perform his activities)
Slow pace of the game
HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF THE DEMO:
You play Sarah Pennington, trying to return home to her own time period. Her time machine was cast into the ocean and cannot be repaired. You, as Sarah will attempt to contact your father in the future to save you; however, trying to contact your father is going to be more difficult than you think. You may become permanently in time and space.
CHAPTERS - 6 plus the Bonus Chapter
LEVELS: Three and NO CUSTOMIZATION
Casual - Sparkles No penalties for misclicks
Advanced Sparkles Some penalties for misclicks
Expert No sparkles Penalties for misclicks and no indications of activities on map
Advanced Sparkles Some penalties for misclicks
Expert No sparkles Penalties for misclicks and no indications of activities on map
GRAPHICS: Realistic and very well done. They are vastly improved from the previous games by this dev. The voiceovers were "British" and decent.
INVENTORY: Standard inventory collection. No interactivity nor puzzle-like
HOP SCENES: They are varied. In the demo I found puzzle-like scenes which require interaction and are theme-based. They also vary in difficulty and variety of style. You may play Mah Jongg in some scenes instead of playing the HOP scene
PUZZLES: . The puzzles are well-crafted and vary in difficulty. There are variations of slider puzzles, directing light using mirrors,, creating paths without retracing your steps, replacing symbols into their proper locations, and some jigsaw like puzzles, storybook interaction.
EXTRA GOODIES:
A. 24 Achievements - an award for caring for Nubi - a wing for activating the hint system.
B. Collect 12 eagle masks, 12 jaguar masks, and 12 crocodile masks A sign alerts you if there is one available in the scene in which you are in.
B. Map is provided after you open a chest
C. Wallpaper, Music, Artwork, Bonus Game
D. "Nubi" (Nickname for Anubis). In time "Nubi" will acquire four functions - Fetch, Create lightning, and two others not disclosed in the demo.
E. . A Strategy guide
F. 5 "Medals" indicating something activated after completing the game
A. 24 Achievements - an award for caring for Nubi - a wing for activating the hint system.
B. Collect 12 eagle masks, 12 jaguar masks, and 12 crocodile masks A sign alerts you if there is one available in the scene in which you are in.
B. Map is provided after you open a chest
C. Wallpaper, Music, Artwork, Bonus Game
D. "Nubi" (Nickname for Anubis). In time "Nubi" will acquire four functions - Fetch, Create lightning, and two others not disclosed in the demo.
E. . A Strategy guide
F. 5 "Medals" indicating something activated after completing the game
In your next game in this series, dev, please look at the possibility of providing an "opt out" for helpers for those of us who do not like interacting with them in your games.
OTHER GAMES IN THE SERIES:
THE SECRET ORDER: ANCIENT TIMES
THE SECRET ORDER: MASKED INTENT
THE SECRET ORDER: NEW HORIZON
THE SECRET ORDER: MASKED INTENT
THE SECRET ORDER: NEW HORIZON
I recommend this game!
Experience the Travels of Marco Polo - a historical Point & click Adventure for the whole family!
Overall rating
3
/
5
14 of 39 found this review helpful
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY - ITALIAN STYLE!
PostedMarch 17, 2015
sunnyglow
fromGoing out the for a wee bit of "cheer" with my fellow leprechauns!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Happy St. Patrick's Day - Italian style! Put a little bada bing - bada boom into your St. Paddy Day Parade! Put a few of corned beef meatball s on your spaghetti. Actually, supposedly, Marco Polo brought the idea of spaghetti back from the Orient. However, I am certain the Vikings arrived there first! Anything in the field of seafaring - the Vikings did it first and BETTER!
Adding to the international intrigue - we have an adventure game produced by a French dev! I would like to thank the French National Center of Cinematography for putting a stamp of approval on this game. LOL Actually, I thought the graphics were good. There are no voiceovers but this is a "first run" SE game. What d'ya expect? Huh? You cannot change the screen size which I hate when I am reviewing a game. The inventory is interactive. I gave up with I could not find the locking mechanism for the vise in the shop. I searched Venice high and low and could not find a way to saw a board to fix the gondola. So - what did I do -I gave up! Guess I'm not off to China! I guess no "lo mein" Italian style for me tonight. I did encounter a slider puzzle to open a lock. There are no hints in this game. The "hint" system consists of tasks to do. I have no idea if there were any HOP scenes. I got stuck in the canals of Venice and that is one place in which I want to be waterlogged.
Well - off I go like a little leprechaun with a little bag full of gold to purchase some much needed "cheer" to celebrate the "wearin" of the green" and to listen to some old Irish ditties sung by Tony Bennett. LOL Boy - like I so need a life and a vacation!
I recommend this game!
A meteorite devastates a town, yanking Emily from her normal life.
Overall rating
4
/
5
54 of 99 found this review helpful
LET'S GIVE A "BIG HAND" TO THIS GAME IN ITS ATTEMPT TO WIPE OUT A VIRUS - HOPEFULLY IT WON'T INFECT YOUR COMPUTER
PostedMarch 14, 2015
sunnyglow
fromGiving a "hand" up to our heroine in her fight against the worldwide spread of THE INFECTION
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Let's give a "hand" to Emily. It is Emily to the rescue as a cataclysmic extinction event which has unleashed an infection threatening humanity in a game by Alls A War. This is a cartoonish, adventure game with nicely crafted HOP scenes, intriguing puzzles; however, it was ruined by the annoyance of NOT ONE - BUT TWO HELPERS - A HAND which is used incessantly in the game and a cat. Both slowed down what I thought could have been a fantastic game. This game is " geared" more toward those love mechanics and robotics, which is "moi." However, the game soon became tedious for me with tedious amount of time in using THE HAND to draw designs to defeat the infection. With all the helpers -unlike Emily, I became very bored very early in the game. I did not finish the demo because I ran out of time in the game.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF A VERY LONG DEMO WHICH I DID NOT FINISH:
Yes, Emily - Life is not boring - but, unfortunately this game is. The Lancaster family contacts you because the world is in danger of being wiped out by an infection which looks like a "big, purple glob." Finding your "Inner Light" (is that like your inner self?) you realize you are the savior of the world. Yeah! And you thought you were just an ordinary girl with a HAND which has a nice manicure and awesome red nail polish! LOL Surprised you - right? A member of your family arrives and through a portal takes you to the family estate where you realize you have the "magic touch" to save the world from this infection. Everyone in the family is counting on you or the infection will spread causing people to become delusional and act crazy. After wiping out the infection from your house and cat, upon returning back to the familial estate through the portal, you realize it has been destroyed. You enter a robotic paradise where you interact and assemble robots to help in your battle against "THE BIG INFECTION."
LEVELS: Four
Casual, (Sparkles)
Advanced (Sparkles)
Hard (No hints, skips or sparkles)
Customized.
Skips and Hints range from 15 to 90 seconds
Casual, (Sparkles)
Advanced (Sparkles)
Hard (No hints, skips or sparkles)
Customized.
Skips and Hints range from 15 to 90 seconds
GRAPHICS: Cartoonish with bright colors. To me, the characters are "jerky," but they do have mouth movement. The voiceovers are nicely done.
INVENTORY: Interactive and puzzle-like. Most of this game consists of mechanical applications.
HOP SCENES: Innovative and puzzle-like. I found three in 90 minutes of the demo. They were puzzle-like and two were locate items in the HOP scenes to then be used within in the scene to locate other items. Very nicely done. The other HOP scene consisted of locating items to build a robot.
PUZZLES: All well crafted and innovative My favorite was building four trains. I found it a little challenging. I also enjoyed the puzzle in which you must rotate keys to point to a keyhole. As you move a keys, the other move as well so it requires synchronization. There is also a puzzle connecting lines between matching symbols without crossing other lines.
EXTRA GOODIES:
A. 20 Achievements
B. Map is provided at beginning of the game
C. Wallpaper, Music, Artwork, Bonus Game
D. "Hand of Light" which allows you to fight the infection. I did like the manicure - nice shade of red nail polish. Maybe this game can develop a complete line of pink and purple nail polish colors to commemorate this game "The Infection Collection."
E. A cat - rather cute but still annoying. Well - at least I didn't have to name her.. She already had a name - Ayra..
F. A Strategy guide
G. Collectibles? I did not see any; however, they are mentioned in the "extras" section. Maybe someone else saw something to collect???
A. 20 Achievements
B. Map is provided at beginning of the game
C. Wallpaper, Music, Artwork, Bonus Game
D. "Hand of Light" which allows you to fight the infection. I did like the manicure - nice shade of red nail polish. Maybe this game can develop a complete line of pink and purple nail polish colors to commemorate this game "The Infection Collection."
E. A cat - rather cute but still annoying. Well - at least I didn't have to name her.. She already had a name - Ayra..
F. A Strategy guide
G. Collectibles? I did not see any; however, they are mentioned in the "extras" section. Maybe someone else saw something to collect???
EXTRA COMMENTS: This game is too much like my job - so I will not purchase it. However, there are parts which I found enjoyable. I did like the liquid nitrogen freezing the robot! So awesome when he exploded into pieces. LOL I also found another use for duct tape to add to my ever growing list. (Hey -you have your hobbies - I have mine) You can attach a mouse to a toy car with duct tape. I might try this with my grumpy cat. I would HAVE PURCHASED THIS GAME BUT THE "HELPERS" SLOWED IT DOWN, ESPECIALLLY THE HAND (HEY - "THE HAND" - WASN'T THAT THE NAME OF AN OLD HORROR MOVIE ABOUT A HAND WHICH MOVES AROUND BY ITSELF AND KILLS PEOPLE?) GUESS IT HAD THE SAME EFFECT ON ME - IT "KILLED" MY INTEREST IN PLAYING THIS GAME - EVER!
I RATE THIS GAME 4 ROBOTS OUT OF 5 ROBOTS. HOPEFULLY THE EXTRA ROBOT WILL PLAY THIS GAME FOR YOU.
OTHER GAMES INTHE SERIES:
HOUSE OF 1000 DOORS: FAMILY SECRETS
HOUSE OF 1000 DOORS: SERPENT FLAME
HOUSE OF 1000 DOORS: THE PALM OF ZOROASTER
HOUSE OF 1000 DOORS: SERPENT FLAME
HOUSE OF 1000 DOORS: THE PALM OF ZOROASTER
I recommend this game!
A murder mystery party turns deadly in real life!
Overall rating
5
/
5
89 of 116 found this review helpful
'WHODUNIT?" THE MASTER GAMERS - OF COURSE. THEY HAVE SOLVED THE MYSTERY OF CREATING AN EXCEPTIONAL AND AWARD WINNING MURDER GAME
PostedMarch 12, 2015
sunnyglow
fromJust sent my RSVP to the dev that I will be attending this murder mystery party this weekend!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
What fun and an automatic purchase for me! Based on the game of "Clue, " we're off to a 1930's murder mystery party (I love these -so much fun!) with the Master Gamers (AKA- the PixIES). This is a game well worth the price of a CE. So beautiful, so well-crafted with an exciting story keeping the gamer involved, with well crafted, varied, and theme-related HOP scenes, puzzles, and inventory. What makes this a great game is the amount of variety in creation of both the puzzles and HOP scenes.
In this "case" it is a double entendre as your murder mystery involves the host who is not only supposed to play the victim, but actually becomes the victim. As usual, this is a "must have" game for me with a captivating storyline (so well written), beautiful realistic graphics, inventory, HOP scenes and puzzles - all exquisitely done and unique.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS FROM A LENGTHY DEMO: (AND SO APPRECIATED MY FAVORITE DEV!)
We return to the 1930's - this time to Wall Street tycoons and a ticker tape parade which leads to murder most foul! You play a renown detective who investigates the case of a wealthy investment banker, Reginald Greer. He is poisoned and there are six suspects - his son Mortimer (how major was the jealousy issue with his fair-haired sister which may have caused him to poison his father?), his daughter, Penelope, (a spoiled princess who is apple of her father's eye but could she be an "angel of death" fallen from grace and so up to her eyeballs in debt that she would murder her father for money?), a mentalist (what dark future did he foresee for Greer and did he help it along?), a business associate Thomas Darvis (is all fair in love and war in business ? - or is he trying to keep his partner in the dark about the shaky financial mess of the business?), a lover?, Gabriella Burns (what was the relationship between these two and could she have a motive for murdering him?) and a journalist (did she dig up just a tad too much dirt?) Was the tycoon Greer in some financial trouble and how would this lead to his death?
LEVELS: Four
P.I. (Sparkles)
DETECTIVE (Sparkles)
INSPECTOR (No sparkles)
Customized.
Hints recharge from 10 to 120 seconds
Skips recharge from 10 to 400 seconds
P.I. (Sparkles)
DETECTIVE (Sparkles)
INSPECTOR (No sparkles)
Customized.
Hints recharge from 10 to 120 seconds
Skips recharge from 10 to 400 seconds
GRAPHICS: Movie quality realistic characters as usual for this dev. Well-done with muted tones worthy of a work of art. Beautiful art-deco recreations. So masterful, dev! The voiceovers are magnificent.
INVENTORY: Interactive and puzzle-like. They have more interest puzzles in their inventory than most devs have in their whole game.
HOP SCENE: So innovative and puzzle-like . They create HOP scenes within HOP scenes. And even when others copy them (remember - imitation is the sincerest form of compliment LOL) they always create some new methods to present the HOP scenes. You may play a bubble-shooter games instead of the HOP scene. ACTUALLY I WANT TO PLAY BOTH! AT THE SAME TIME ! LOL
In the demo I encountered from first to last in the demo:
A. Junk pile search for items, followed by a cryptic clue to locate the inventory item
B. Your own" lie detector kit" which asks you to find items on the victim to verify if statements are true or false. AWESOME!
C. As you collect evidence, use a detective kit search for items using cryptic clues
D. Silhouette of items in an aquarium. Also involved is A NEW TYPE OF HOP SCENE - REBUS TYPE - YOU MUST COMBINE CLUES TO LOCATE AN ITEM. SO AWESOME DEVS! THIS DEV NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME You may play a bubble shooter instead.
E. Search a wardrobe for a number of a specific item. When finished opens up drawer for a list of items to locate in the scene
F. Matching clay pots for plants with a image on the front with an item matching it in the HOP scene
B. Your own" lie detector kit" which asks you to find items on the victim to verify if statements are true or false. AWESOME!
C. As you collect evidence, use a detective kit search for items using cryptic clues
D. Silhouette of items in an aquarium. Also involved is A NEW TYPE OF HOP SCENE - REBUS TYPE - YOU MUST COMBINE CLUES TO LOCATE AN ITEM. SO AWESOME DEVS! THIS DEV NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME You may play a bubble shooter instead.
E. Search a wardrobe for a number of a specific item. When finished opens up drawer for a list of items to locate in the scene
F. Matching clay pots for plants with a image on the front with an item matching it in the HOP scene
PUZZLES: All well crafted and innovative. It is evident they spend a considerable amount of time searching for new approaches to standard puzzles:
In the demo I encountered from, first to last in the demo:
A. Based on the game "Clue," in a variation of a "train track" puzzles - move game pieces to their proper locations on the board. SO INNOVATIVE!
B. Black Jack based game - must get 21 on four rows vertically and horizontally
C. Gate puzzle. Move beads to proper location in a maze to open a gate.
D. Matching plants with seed packets
E. A series of tiles which must be turned by clicking to create a picture. Only one sequence works
B. Black Jack based game - must get 21 on four rows vertically and horizontally
C. Gate puzzle. Move beads to proper location in a maze to open a gate.
D. Matching plants with seed packets
E. A series of tiles which must be turned by clicking to create a picture. Only one sequence works
EXTRA GOODIES:
A. Collect 42 masks
B. "Find" the map as the game begins. You do not have to play a game to get it. Why not just provide it at the beginning dev?
C. Receive a "box" to keep evidence on six suspects
D. 15 Achievements
E. 15 Morphing objects
F. After finishing game you get all kinds of extras - bubble-shooter, movies, music, wallpaper, souvenirs
A. Collect 42 masks
B. "Find" the map as the game begins. You do not have to play a game to get it. Why not just provide it at the beginning dev?
C. Receive a "box" to keep evidence on six suspects
D. 15 Achievements
E. 15 Morphing objects
F. After finishing game you get all kinds of extras - bubble-shooter, movies, music, wallpaper, souvenirs
EXTRA COMMENTS: A BIG THANK YOU TO BF FOR AN AMAZING GAME ON THURSDAY! I WILL HAVE A MURDER PARTY WEEKEND AFTER ALL! WOW! That is all I can say about this dev! I keep repeating myself; however, they are the master craftsmen of gaming and I am changing my nickname for them to Master Gamers! It is obvious they are not just mass producing games. They spend time in creating beautiful masterpieces. This is the highest compliment I can give them. Devs - you never ever have a "bad hair" day. Now how is that possible? LOL
I RATE THIS GAME 7 INVESTMENT BANKERS OUT OF 5 INVESTMENT BANKERS. THE EXTRA TWO BANKERS WILL HOPEFULLY BANK ROLL THIS DEV TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK IN CREATING MAGNIFICENT GAMES AND ALSO YOUR OWN GAMING HABITS!
OTHER GAMES INTHE SERIES:
DEAD RECKONING: SILVERMOON ISLE
I recommend this game!
Shadows-kidnappers have arrived! Unravel the mystery of the Shadows and free the town from their dreadful fears!
Overall rating
3
/
5
24 of 47 found this review helpful
ANOTHER BLACK TUESDAY - DARK GAME WITH A HELPER - THIS TIME WE ARE "TROLLING" THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL WITH REED .
PostedMarch 10, 2015
sunnyglow
fromAfter playing the boring demo of this game, I am now tired enough to get a good night's sleep
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
ANOTHER BLACK TUESDAY - DARK GAME WITH A HELPER - THIS TIME WE ARE "TROLLING" THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL WITH REED .
Welcome to Black Tuesday game night. Tonight we have a little mood altering adventure game - it is "Les Miserables" orphan style! Accompanying the game is a healthy slice of gothic darkness, fear and despair. Adding to the misery is the inclusion of a "troll" as a helper. The graphics and puzzle are decent for an SE. The Shadows come out at night lurking to carry someone away; however, they do not have to work very hard to carry me away from this game.
You play an orphan who is living in this town with no means to escape. Poor kid! He is then arrested by an Elder and taken to prison. There are now many orphans in this town and they are taken to a workhouse. What an Oliver "Twist" in life changing events! I can just see this poor child begging, "Please Sir BF, can we have some more? - tearjerker, depressing games that is. You meet Emily, another dark waif who is also an orphan and seemingly has the key to save the kingdom and bring sunshine and happiness to the town again.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF AN HOUR'S WORTH OF PLAY IN THE DEMO WHICH MADE ME SLEEPY AFTER A HECTIC DAY.
LEVELS: Four
Beginner (Sparkles)
Advanced - no sparkles and longer hint times
Expert - no hints
Hard no hints and cannot change difficulty level
Beginner (Sparkles)
Advanced - no sparkles and longer hint times
Expert - no hints
Hard no hints and cannot change difficulty level
GRAPHICS: Good for a first attempt. There are no voiceovers. The "muzac" and scenery are a shade of gothic black, so out of fashion this year along with the Hipster look as well!
INVENTORY: Mainly find inventory in each of the scenes in the game.
HOP SCENE: I played only one HOP scenes and it was a junk pile with a small amount of interaction with the items.
PUZZLES: I found only three in the demo:
A. Open a cabinet door by pushing buttons in accordance to a paper with cryptic clues.
B. Place balls in slots to open a lock
C. Find the ode to lower a bridge.
A. Open a cabinet door by pushing buttons in accordance to a paper with cryptic clues.
B. Place balls in slots to open a lock
C. Find the ode to lower a bridge.
EXTRA GOODIES:
A. Helper - now in the SE games as well! When will we ever see the end of helpers in these games?
B. Map is provided at beginning of the game
A. Helper - now in the SE games as well! When will we ever see the end of helpers in these games?
B. Map is provided at beginning of the game
I RATE THIS GAME 3 DARK DEPRESSING TROLLS OUT OF 5 DEPRESSING TROLLS!
I don't recommend this game.
You're cordially invited to attend the world's greatest magic show! Thurman the Magnificent will give a performance no one will forget!
Overall rating
4
/
5
44 of 81 found this review helpful
NO BURNING DESIRE TO WATCH THIS MAGIC SHOW- THIS GAME SHOULD BE PART OF A VANISHING ACT
PostedMarch 7, 2015
sunnyglow
fromLooking through old class notes to find the mechanics of a teleportaiton device ran by a "milky" white liquid and a coal operated "fireplace."
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser
Current Favorite:
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call Collector's Edition
(114)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
In the continuing saga of a magician's feud, the Gunners try to catch your heart of fire with a new magic trick. There is very little magic in this game for me. This game is more puzzle oriented; however they are very easy; the HOP scenes are all the same - junk piles lacking innovation and creativity. The inventory is NOT puzzle-like nor interactive. This game is rather like sitting through a very boring magic show. It an average CE with no extra magic tricks to make it spectacular.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS:
You play a detective called in by Joseph Thurman, Master of Fire, who is afraid someone is out to sabotage his newest magic trick, his magnum opus. There has been a long running rivalry between him and Roger Addington, going back to their apprentice days under Charles Galdor, a master magician and founder of the town. Catching on fire and disappearing in a blaze of glory, Joseph Thurman seemingly "burns up" right in front of you and you must find out what happened. Is he really dead or is it all an illusion? And how does his rival, Roger Addington figure into this "sleight of hand" maneuvering of these magicians?
LEVELS: Four -
Casual, (Sparkles)
Expert
Hardcore
Customized. All vary in amount of times for hints and skips
Hints and skips vary in length according to the level of difficulty. There were no times given for the amount of time for the hints or skips
Casual, (Sparkles)
Expert
Hardcore
Customized. All vary in amount of times for hints and skips
Hints and skips vary in length according to the level of difficulty. There were no times given for the amount of time for the hints or skips
GRAPHICS: Cartoon-like with mouth movement (which to me seemed to be out of sync with the characters) Very colorful with intense colors t red, yellow, orange, green throughout.
INVENTORY: Not puzzle-like nor interactive.
HOP SCENE: Somewhat puzzle-like basically all the same and repetitive, After playing, they became boring. In some scenes, you can play Pyramid solitaire in lieu of the HOP scenes. In the demo I encountered:
A. 3 - Junk piles which are theme based and have some interaction.
B. Supermarket locating food items - HOW BORING! No magic here. You must place the items into the correct bins before releasing it from the list. I do that every day shopping for food. .
B. Supermarket locating food items - HOW BORING! No magic here. You must place the items into the correct bins before releasing it from the list. I do that every day shopping for food. .
PUZZLES: Variations of those we have encountered in the past and very easy: In the demo I encountered:
A. Open a crate with a cube which has symbols matching grooves in crate
B. Removal of a series of ropes by choosing the topmost one first to have it disappear
C. Name plate puzzle to enter Addington's residence.
D. Tile ring puzzle which must be placed in correct order to create a picture
E. Pattern puzzle in which you must flip light switches in accordance to an observed pattern
F. Wow - "I'm no chemist" - but actually I AM (CE) and I got to create a "white milky liquid" with three colored liquids. Well at least you have to measure the amounts - that is rather scientific! LOL I knew my four-1/2 year degree would come in handy! And guess what? After that you get to create a teleportation device with the milky colored liquid and a machine powered by a coal generated "fireplace." LOL
B. Removal of a series of ropes by choosing the topmost one first to have it disappear
C. Name plate puzzle to enter Addington's residence.
D. Tile ring puzzle which must be placed in correct order to create a picture
E. Pattern puzzle in which you must flip light switches in accordance to an observed pattern
F. Wow - "I'm no chemist" - but actually I AM (CE) and I got to create a "white milky liquid" with three colored liquids. Well at least you have to measure the amounts - that is rather scientific! LOL I knew my four-1/2 year degree would come in handy! And guess what? After that you get to create a teleportation device with the milky colored liquid and a machine powered by a coal generated "fireplace." LOL
EXTRA GOODIES: Lacking many we have come to expect in a CE.
A. Strategy Guide
B. Map is provided as you play the game and I have no idea why. No puzzle is required - just lying there So why not just provide at the beginning of the game
C. 15 Achievements
D. 37 morphing crystal balls
B. Map is provided as you play the game and I have no idea why. No puzzle is required - just lying there So why not just provide at the beginning of the game
C. 15 Achievements
D. 37 morphing crystal balls
EXTRA COMMENTS: I will NOT purchase this game. It is a decent game, but not "decent" enough for me to purchase at the CE price. I may purchase as an SE, but even that is doubtful for me. It just doesn't interest me. However, there are some who will probably love this game and if you do - go disappear into a room and play it! I guess I have been spoiled by all the "extras" provided by other devs.
HAVING A HEART OF COAL - I RATE THIS GAME 3 PIECES OF COAL OUT OF 5 PIECES OF COAL.
OTHER GAMES INTHE SERIES: BTW - DEVS - YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE THIS SERIES VANISH.
SMALL TOWN TERRORS: LIVINGSTON
SMALL TOWN TERRORS: PILGRIM'S HOOK
SMALL TOWN TERRORS: PILGRIM'S HOOK
I recommend this game!
Redemption Cemetery: The Island of the Lost Collector's Edition
You crash-land on an island populated by ghosts. Like them, are you trapped here forever?
Overall rating
5
/
5
86 of 131 found this review helpful
FOR OUR GHOULS NIGHT OUT - "A HUNGRY-ARIAN GHOULISH" GAME IS SERVED UP WITH AN EXTRA "HELPING" OF A RAVEN
PostedMarch 5, 2015
sunnyglow
fromLooking for all the necessary ingredients and "spirits" to have a Hungarian "ghoulish" dinner tonight with my "ghoul" friends
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser
Current Favorite:
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call Collector's Edition
(114)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
A pilot's worst nightmare descends upon you as you crash land onto an island of ghostly ghouls. This is a "Hungarian ghoulish" game with a nice mixture of HOP scenes and puzzles (all are nicely done) - served up to you by the GamERS. They have released one of their animals from their menagerie - A RAVEN TO FOLLOW YOU AROUND THE ISLAND AS YOUR HELPER.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF A VERY SHORT DEMO:
You are a pilot (hey you just got your instrument ratings and off you go! ) However, not being too experienced, you crash land on an island - and not just any island - an island of breathtaking ghouls! Being contacted by a fisherman, you realize that a demonic spirit is feeding upon the despair of the souls of this island. You are the only hope for those poor in spirit - the spirit world that is. Involved in providing their salvation, you must find a stone to uncover all the names of the souls dwelling on the island and fix the lighthouse. In the VERY SHORT DEMO, you also meet Emily who somehow was involved in an accident involving her student, who unfortunately was the son of the family who donated the school. It seems you will also be transported through time to relive their stories. Can you save the poor souls on this island? You have given your coordinates to be rescued - but will you be rescued before the evil demon possesses you and exiles you to the island as well?
LEVELS: Four
Casual, (Sparkles)
Advanced( No Sparkles)
Hard (No sparkles)
Customized.
The difficulty varies with each level.
Hints and Skips are 30 seconds
Casual, (Sparkles)
Advanced( No Sparkles)
Hard (No sparkles)
Customized.
The difficulty varies with each level.
Hints and Skips are 30 seconds
GRAPHICS: Realistic and very well- done as usual for this dev. Artwork has muted tones as is customary with the dev
INVENTORY: Interactive and puzzle-like.However, you must transport an item to the item in the inventory to combine them.
HOP SCENE: Innovative and puzzle-like You can play a Marble Popper instead YEAH!
In the demo I encountered only one HOP scene but it was puzzle-like and varied:
Junk pile with theme related items to locate. Somewhat puzzle-like Locate items within the HOP scene to t assemble an inventory item You can play a marble popper instead of the HOP scene. HOWEVER THIS WAS WELL DONE.
PUZZLES: All well crafted and innovated. In the demo I encountered:
A. 2 Jigsaw puzzles - one with pieces and the other with moving tiles
B. Marching game with tiles and letters of the alphabet - choice between casual and hard modes
C. Swap tiles to create three chimeras
A. 2 Jigsaw puzzles - one with pieces and the other with moving tiles
B. Marching game with tiles and letters of the alphabet - choice between casual and hard modes
C. Swap tiles to create three chimeras
EXTRA GOODIES:
A. Strategy Guide
B. Map is provided after you play a puzzle
C. Collect items to open 4 chapters of a story concerning the island
D. A RAVEN WHO ADDS NOTHING TO THE GAME - DOESN'T FIT IN WITH THEME AND IS ANNOYING. USED TWICE IN THE DEMO
E. 17 Achievements
F. I did not see any morphing objects
A. Strategy Guide
B. Map is provided after you play a puzzle
C. Collect items to open 4 chapters of a story concerning the island
D. A RAVEN WHO ADDS NOTHING TO THE GAME - DOESN'T FIT IN WITH THEME AND IS ANNOYING. USED TWICE IN THE DEMO
E. 17 Achievements
F. I did not see any morphing objects
I RATE THIS GAME 4 GHOULS OUT OF 5 GHOULS. HOPEFULLY THE MISSING GHOUL WILL NOT FIND YOU AND TAKE ANNOYING RAVEN INSTEAD!
EXTRA COMMENTS: ERS - Please consider removing helpers from you games. It seems to be GREAT GAME. However, the raven is out-of-place and is just an annoyance. The demo is also so SHORT that it is hard to gauge if it would be something I would want to play. To me, I may consider purchasing this game; however, I DO NOT WANT TO BOTHER WITH A HELPER. I am on the fence on this one folks. It is of average enjoyment for me; however, the demo is so short, I really can't give you much of recommendation - even for myself.
OTHER GAMES INTHE SERIES:
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: BITTER FROST
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: CHILDREN'S PLIGHT
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: CURSE OF THE RAVEN
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: GRAVE TESTIMONY
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: SALVATION OF THE LOST
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: BITTER FROST
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: CHILDREN'S PLIGHT
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: CURSE OF THE RAVEN
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: GRAVE TESTIMONY
REDEMPTION CEMETARY: SALVATION OF THE LOST
I recommend this game!