sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:815
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 25, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A dark story is creeping into the streets of Paris.
Overall rating
1
/
5
113 of 161 found this review helpful
A TRIP TO THE PARISIAN MAGIC KINGDOM ENDED BY CORRUPTION!
PostedMarch 9, 2023
sunnyglow
fromLOCATION? Back at the beginning – being ousted from the game by an evil corrupt file right before it ended. Thwarted by this corrupt file I face the cruel reality of having to replay the entire game!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON MOST OF THE GAME (PLAY ENDED BY A CORRUPT FILE)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 50 pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 50 pages
Oh no! Not again! Another game, a trip to a magic kingdom within Paris, cut short by a corrupt file! However, I did manage to play most of the game. I can comment on most of the game sans the bonus chapter. As a magic detective, you are off to Paris. You have been asked by the Ministry of Control of Magic Races, to investigate hostilities between the animages and werewolves. What is an animage? It is a docile, non-aggressive shapeshifting wolf. Unlike a werewolf, an animage is born as a shapeshifter and has more power and strength than a werewolf. Werewolves are humans who suffer from the disease of lycanthropy. Of course, there is always some evildoer behind these problems. Discover the evildoer who is the source of the discontent between the wolves and try to stop this person before they cause destruction within the magic kingdom.
I would have loved to play the entire game but, as with many Domini Games, I ended up locked out of the game due to a corrupt file which prohibited me from playing the end of the main game and the bonus chapter. Not only was my game ended, my file was also removed so I could not return to where I left off in the game. Instead, I need to replay the entire game. This is not the first time I have had issues with this developer’s games. It is very difficult to be too judgmental about this developer’s games. Most of their games are phenomenal, offering much more within their games than those from other developers. However, the fact remains that some of their games have issues. Perhaps, Domini should produce less games and spend more time in proofing them before releasing them for publication. And, of course, BFG should have proofed this game as well before releasing it.
On the plus side, the portion of the game I played was excellent. There are more HOP scenes and mini-games than other developer’s games. I love the story behind the game. I feel the varied interpretation of the werewolf saga rather creative. There are the usual three collectibles. Collect creature dolls and morphing building models. Collect tokens which can be exchanged to provide items to outfit a boudoir. I do like the extra footage which can either be played or skipped. Those extra scenes provide more puzzles and HOP scenes. No other developer provides an option for extra gameplay. The two I played incorporated a basement scene where a female werewolf was incarcerated and another which involved the undercity inhabited by a satyr. There are Easter eggs throughout with Domini logo featured. There is also the album cover from Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumors” album hidden beneath a cabinet.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 38 achievements.
• Collect 15 creature dolls and 15 morphing building models.
• Collect 70 tokens to exchange for items to deck out a boudoir
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 25 HOP scenes and 23 mini-games.
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 38 achievements.
• Collect 15 creature dolls and 15 morphing building models.
• Collect 70 tokens to exchange for items to deck out a boudoir
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 25 HOP scenes and 23 mini-games.
BONUS CHAPTER: I was not able to finish the game, thus, I could not play the bonus chapter.
HOP SCENES AND MINI-GAMES. Since I was not able to play the game in its entirety I do not know the exact number of HOP scenes nor mini-games within this game. The player can replay twenty-three (23) HOP scenes and twenty-five (25) mini-games. Before the game crashed, I played twenty-two (22) minigames and seventeen (17) HOP scenes. I was within the last chapter of the game before being ousted and having the game file completely removed. The HOP scenes I played were creatively designed. They are highly interactive and consist of a variety of styles. There are scenes with the usual standard lists of items and silhouette. Returning are rebus clue scenes, matching and narrative scenes which provide background information for the story behind the game. There are also scenes in which fragments of the scene are presented and must be located. There are also scenes where items must be located and returned to their proper location within the scenes.
Most of the mini-games are offered in both an easy and hard version. I played most of the puzzles in the hard version; however, the “hard” ones I played I did not find challenging. It appears that some of the puzzles are repeats of those from previous games. I have no problem with recycled puzzles if they are modified in some way and not just duplicated. The “gnomes puzzle” was in a previous game. I do not know if it was the same puzzle as it was within the bonus chapter, and I could not access that chapter. Most of the puzzles I played I found thematic and creatively designed.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES I WAS ABLE TO PLAY BEFORE MY GAME CRASHED:
A. E/H. Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes so none touch a puppet in the center of the grid. Easy version has less ropes to move away from the puppet.
B. E/H. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate 3 rings with paths so that every path is connected. In the hard version, rings move two at a time.
C. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Place boards into position to create a ladder using screws to keep them in place. The easy version has some boards in place.
D. E/H. Switch puzzle. Move spiders from a web to matching colored stones. The easy version has 3 spiders and the hard has 4 to place.
E. E/H. Switch puzzle. Rotate and switch flower petals so that a complete flower image is created. The easy version has 6 petals whereas the hard has 8.
F. E/H. Card game. Play War! Score more points than your opponent, a satyr. Your card must be higher than your opponent’s card to get the trick.
G. E/H. Weights and balances puzzle. Balance a scale by placing tokens into the right combination to balance it. The hard version has one extra token.
H. E/H. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate rings, each with 4 colored stones, so that the stones in the inner rectangles of the circles are the same color.
I. Gear puzzle. Move two gears on paths to their designated slots. There will be other gears which must be rotated to change the paths for each gear to reach its destination.
B. E/H. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate 3 rings with paths so that every path is connected. In the hard version, rings move two at a time.
C. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Place boards into position to create a ladder using screws to keep them in place. The easy version has some boards in place.
D. E/H. Switch puzzle. Move spiders from a web to matching colored stones. The easy version has 3 spiders and the hard has 4 to place.
E. E/H. Switch puzzle. Rotate and switch flower petals so that a complete flower image is created. The easy version has 6 petals whereas the hard has 8.
F. E/H. Card game. Play War! Score more points than your opponent, a satyr. Your card must be higher than your opponent’s card to get the trick.
G. E/H. Weights and balances puzzle. Balance a scale by placing tokens into the right combination to balance it. The hard version has one extra token.
H. E/H. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate rings, each with 4 colored stones, so that the stones in the inner rectangles of the circles are the same color.
I. Gear puzzle. Move two gears on paths to their designated slots. There will be other gears which must be rotated to change the paths for each gear to reach its destination.
I don't recommend this game.
Solve a series of near-hopeless cases full of suspense and drama!
Overall rating
4
/
5
187 of 250 found this review helpful
FOUR SLEUTH-WORTHY CASES AWAIT INVESTIGATION
PostedFebruary 25, 2023
sunnyglow
fromComputer programming requires detective skills. Take debugging. Debugging is being the detective in a crime movie where you are also the murderer!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 46 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 46 pages
Grab your magnifying glass as you investigate four cases, three involved with murder most foul and one involved in a disappearance. Work with your fellow detective Scott Matthews to uncover the culprit behind each case. Each chapter is devoted to a different case. As with the previous game within this series, the choices you make will influence the outcome of each case.
The first chapter, “Lost Journey” deals with a murder of a famous attorney on a train with seemingly no connection to anyone on the train. The second story, “Lost in Horror,” finds you and your partner investigating the murder of the fiancé of Scott’s sister. The third story, “Murder on Air,” involves the murder of a Hollywood producer. The bonus chapter, “The Murderous Script,” sees the detective duo investigating the disappearance of a famous actress.
This is great game for those who love detective stories! I feel the stories behind the game are well-written. The outcomes are not predictable as in some detective stories. I found elements of surprise within each of the whodunits within this game. One element I enjoy about this game is that each chapter has a different story. This allows the player to play one chapter, finish it, and then return much later and not have to remember where they left off in the game. However, I feel the game is tedious in some sections due to a massive amount of dialogue throughout the game. This is not a detective novel - it is a detective game! Hopefully, future games within this series will see more activities and less dialogue.
As in previous games, Domini provides more gameplay for the money. I do not mind paying full price for their games because they are longer and provide more features than other gaming developers. There are more puzzles, most with the option to be played in either a hard or easy mode. There are more HOP scenes, more collectibles, more wallpapers, and more achievements which can be earned. There are three collectibles as in most of this developer’s games. They provide a sidebar which lights up when a collectible is available, and I love the fact they indicate how many collectibles are within the game. Collect morphing pieces of evidence and vinyl records. Also collect beverage stickers which can be exchanged to purchase drinks at a bar. I found most easy to locate, especially the large record albums which practically jump out at the player.
As in previous games, Domini provides more gameplay for the money. I do not mind paying full price for their games because they are longer and provide more features than other gaming developers. There are more puzzles, most with the option to be played in either a hard or easy mode. There are more HOP scenes, more collectibles, more wallpapers, and more achievements which can be earned. There are three collectibles as in most of this developer’s games. They provide a sidebar which lights up when a collectible is available, and I love the fact they indicate how many collectibles are within the game. Collect morphing pieces of evidence and vinyl records. Also collect beverage stickers which can be exchanged to purchase drinks at a bar. I found most easy to locate, especially the large record albums which practically jump out at the player.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 35 achievements.
• Collect 14 pieces of morphing evidence and 14 vinyl records.
• Collect 70 beverage stickers which can be used to purchase drinks in a bar.
• 9 Wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 16 HOP scenes and 17 mini-games.
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 35 achievements.
• Collect 14 pieces of morphing evidence and 14 vinyl records.
• Collect 70 beverage stickers which can be used to purchase drinks in a bar.
• 9 Wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 16 HOP scenes and 17 mini-games.
HOP SCENES AND MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-one (21) HOP scenes, sixteen (16) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. The HOP scenes vary in style and format which is one element I love about this developer’s games. I encountered difficulty in locating items within some of the scenes. The items are well- hidden or require combining parts to create the item. There are lists of items and silhouette. There are some narrative scenes which provide history or background information about the game. My favorites are the rebus scenes in which two items must be located which, when combined, either define or create the item given.
There are thirty-nine (39) mini-games, seventeen (17) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. Most of the puzzles can be played in easy an “easy” or “hard” level. I enjoy this because the game can be an easy play with the easy puzzles or a little more challenging for those who want to tackle the hard puzzles. This level of difficulty can be set in the menu, but if the puzzle seems too easy or too challenging, the difficultly can be changed while playing the puzzle.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE 39 MINI-GAMES WITHIN THIS GAME. (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Arrange square segments to restore a picture. Use a switch to turn on and off the picture on each segment. The easy version has 12 squares; the hard version has 16.
B. Sequence puzzle. Arrange four stones with gems on them so that the number of gems increases in order from left to right on the grid.
C. E/H. Logic puzzle. On a chess board gird, place fishing lures into the square grids so that the number of those lures equals the numbers at the bottom and right side of the grid. The hard version has a larger grid.
D. E/H. Map puzzle. Navigate a boat down a river avoiding obstacles within your path. The hard version has more obstacles to avoid.
E. E/H. Sequence/Weights & Balances puzzle. Place 5 (easy) or 6 (hard) piñatas in the proper order with the heaviest as #1. Use a balance to compare the weights of the piñatas.
F. E/H. Mathematical puzzle. Press on buttons at the sides of each column to fill tanks with petroleum. Figure out the numbers needed to either add or subtract to reach the number indicated by a red arrow. Choose only 3 numbers – one in each of 3 triangles – adding to or subtracting that number. The easy version has 3 tanks to fill – the hard 4.
G. E/H. Tangram puzzle. Place boxes on a rectangular grid so all fit in the grid with no spaces left. The hard version has more boxes to fit into the grid.
H. Assembly puzzle. Choose the right facial features to reconstruct the suspect’s appearance.
I. E/H. Maze puzzle. In the dark go through a maze using arrows. Move two characters at the same time. You must position them moving them sideways so they can both move upward. 2 screens.
J. E/H, Connection puzzle. Ye Ole Connect the Gears. Connect like colored gears creating a chain. Do not cross paths with other chains. The hard version has longer chains of gears to connect.
K. Strategy puzzle. Place birds into a grid so there are birds of the same color in each row and birds of the same species in each column. The hard version has more birds to place.
A. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Arrange square segments to restore a picture. Use a switch to turn on and off the picture on each segment. The easy version has 12 squares; the hard version has 16.
B. Sequence puzzle. Arrange four stones with gems on them so that the number of gems increases in order from left to right on the grid.
C. E/H. Logic puzzle. On a chess board gird, place fishing lures into the square grids so that the number of those lures equals the numbers at the bottom and right side of the grid. The hard version has a larger grid.
D. E/H. Map puzzle. Navigate a boat down a river avoiding obstacles within your path. The hard version has more obstacles to avoid.
E. E/H. Sequence/Weights & Balances puzzle. Place 5 (easy) or 6 (hard) piñatas in the proper order with the heaviest as #1. Use a balance to compare the weights of the piñatas.
F. E/H. Mathematical puzzle. Press on buttons at the sides of each column to fill tanks with petroleum. Figure out the numbers needed to either add or subtract to reach the number indicated by a red arrow. Choose only 3 numbers – one in each of 3 triangles – adding to or subtracting that number. The easy version has 3 tanks to fill – the hard 4.
G. E/H. Tangram puzzle. Place boxes on a rectangular grid so all fit in the grid with no spaces left. The hard version has more boxes to fit into the grid.
H. Assembly puzzle. Choose the right facial features to reconstruct the suspect’s appearance.
I. E/H. Maze puzzle. In the dark go through a maze using arrows. Move two characters at the same time. You must position them moving them sideways so they can both move upward. 2 screens.
J. E/H, Connection puzzle. Ye Ole Connect the Gears. Connect like colored gears creating a chain. Do not cross paths with other chains. The hard version has longer chains of gears to connect.
K. Strategy puzzle. Place birds into a grid so there are birds of the same color in each row and birds of the same species in each column. The hard version has more birds to place.
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the truth behind a deadly shadow entity in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
190 of 254 found this review helpful
BEWARE! YOU BETTER KNOW YOUR CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS IN THIS GAME
PostedFebruary 23, 2023
sunnyglow
fromRunaway groom? Now where is Rick Rogers? I am beginning to think he is hiding out in some alternate universe to avoid marrying Rachel!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 49 pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 49 pages
Join Rachel as she continues her search for her boyfriend, Rick Rogers. Rachel and crew return to the shop, World’s Mysteries, the magical boutique where Rick disappeared. Meet Rick’s doppelganger, the owner of this shop who gains magical abilities from the contracts he makes with those looking for fame, money, or a way out of a difficult situation. Now Rick is being used by its new owner, “Alt Rick,” and is lost somewhere within one of those alternate universes. Will Rachel finally be united with Rick? We hope so! Just be warned: You better look at the fine print when dealing with this shop owner.
OPINION: This game is a vast improvement for Elephant Games. I loved this game because it is innovative in its approach. The player travels to alternate universes in this game and the artwork reflects that fact. The scenes are surrealistic and provide a nice backdrop for the theme. I found this game reminiscent of those from a former gaming developer, Mad Head Games. The game is dark, filled with dark magic, creepy characters and occult symbols throughout. The length of the game makes it worth the price unlike recent games from the developer. The game is long with many activities. The pace is excellent due to a consistent change in scenes throughout the game.
There are two collectibles. Collect twenty-five (25) eyes which become jigsaw pieces which are used to play a puzzle with the Secret Room of the game. The other collectibles are twelve (12) figurines of the game’s characters. I found most easy to locate. My only complaint is that, unlike other games from this developer, the player cannot return to the scenes to retrieve puzzles pieces which were missed. The jigsaw puzzle cannot be completed without all the pieces and no way to retrieve missing ones.
BRING BACK RICK ROGERS! BRING BACK RICK ROGERS! This should be on a sign and posted in front of the BFG offices so Felix can see it! Several of us on a forum to which we are members, want to see Rick Rogers return. At least for me, I loved this series because of Rick’s good looks, roguish charm, and humor. However, snatching defeat from victory, someone or a group decided to change it. Why? Many loved Rick Rogers. Now the series has evolved into gaming soap opera where a somewhat frumpy, older Rachel with her flock of newbie paranormal investigators search for paranormal activity. And, as expected, our forlorn Rachel will find some trace of Rick in every case she and her staff undertake. Lately the games within this series have become cookie cutter variations of each other with woeful Rachel pining away after fourteen (14) years searching for her lost beau. We were all hoping Rick would be back with this episode – but alas, so close and yet so far. Like Rachel, we wait, hoping Rick will take over the series once again.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 8 achievements. (One of these has several sections called “Sequence of Right Decisions”)
• Collect 12 figurines of the game characters.
• Collect 25 eyes which become jigsaw puzzle pieces to create a jigsaw puzzle upon completion of the game. It is hidden within the Secret Room.
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver, concept art, music, and video sequences.
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 mini-games.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 8 achievements. (One of these has several sections called “Sequence of Right Decisions”)
• Collect 12 figurines of the game characters.
• Collect 25 eyes which become jigsaw puzzle pieces to create a jigsaw puzzle upon completion of the game. It is hidden within the Secret Room.
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver, concept art, music, and video sequences.
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 mini-games.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Play Rachel, who, after battling Alt Rick, investigates the World’s Mysteries shop for further information about Rick. Enter a series of rooms within its maze, encountering three ghosts who are trapped and out for revenge against the former owner. They have escaped their contracts, so Rachel must put them back within their contracts and replace the seals. If found this chapter well worth the collector’s edition price. It is a long chapter and of the same quality of the main game. There are four (4) HOP scenes along with two mini-HOP scenes – each with six (6) items to locate. There are also seven (7) mini-games.
HOP SCENES AND MINI-GAMES: There are nineteen (19) HOP scenes and twenty-two (22) mini-games. The player can replay thirteen (13) of each upon completion of the game. Both the HOP scenes and puzzles are much better constructed than those of recent games from the developer. I found the activities much more difficult as well. I had difficulty locating some items within the HOP scenes and found some of the puzzles difficult as well. In this game, many of the HOP scenes are placed within a storytelling narrative which is somewhat unusual for this developer. Most of the other scenes are standard lists of items or silhouette. Elephant has discovered rebus clues for their HOP scenes, and I find this a nice addition to their games.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES FROM THE GAME AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Switch/Connection puzzle. Rotate and switch triangles on a grid so that all lines within each triangle connect - creating paths with the triangles surrounding it.
B. Sequence puzzle. Choose items to give a knight to create a sequence of events to reach a princess at the other end of a clock.
C. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces in four stained glass windows so each piece is within its proper location.
D. Assembly puzzle. Take items off a mannequin and put them onto shelves so none of the items overlap each other.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch sections of train tracks to lead 3 trains to their matching color houses. At junctions, switch the tracks to create paths.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Alignment puzzle. Set up darts so all align with a red line. Choose between 3 settings. 3X
G. Math Puzzle. Arrange flowers on a 3 x 3 grid so that the sum of the flowers is 10 horizontally and vertically
H. Assembly puzzle. Arrange body parts of 2 mannequins so they match their given shadows.
B. Sequence puzzle. Choose items to give a knight to create a sequence of events to reach a princess at the other end of a clock.
C. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces in four stained glass windows so each piece is within its proper location.
D. Assembly puzzle. Take items off a mannequin and put them onto shelves so none of the items overlap each other.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch sections of train tracks to lead 3 trains to their matching color houses. At junctions, switch the tracks to create paths.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Alignment puzzle. Set up darts so all align with a red line. Choose between 3 settings. 3X
G. Math Puzzle. Arrange flowers on a 3 x 3 grid so that the sum of the flowers is 10 horizontally and vertically
H. Assembly puzzle. Arrange body parts of 2 mannequins so they match their given shadows.
I recommend this game!
Welcome to Catstown, a scenic village with beautiful views, quaint cobblestone pathways, and stunning architecture!
Overall rating
4
/
5
176 of 232 found this review helpful
THE “PURR-FECT” GAME FOR CAT LOVERS
PostedFebruary 9, 2023
sunnyglow
fromFor your "a-mews-ment." The Great Cat was a calico cat who met a “cat-astrophic” fate. The cat was a “she” and not a “he,” because a calico cat can never be a "he."
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 33 pages (My Time: 5 Hours)
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 33 pages (My Time: 5 Hours)
STORY: The claws are out in Catstown! Normally a peaceful cat burg governed by Governor Nicholas, a gang of traitorous felines are out to cause turmoil! Take a short jaunt through this kingdom as you help a neophyte guard, Shavan, keep a “cat”astrophe from destroying this happy city. Fur will be flying as traitors plot to overthrow the local government. Help Shavan restore order to the town as he ferrets out those who wish to usurp the governor.
GAME SYNOPSIS: Cat lovers (even dog lovers) should love this game. Be warned! It is a very short game. I completed the entire game in five hours including the bonus chapter. However, the stories in both the main chapter and bonus chapter are excellent.
The game is an easy play and can be enjoyed by the entire family. This is one the small fry may enjoy with adult guidance. The graphics are cartoon-like. The characters are adorable and somewhat “a-mew-sing.” There are not many activities within this game. The collectibles are armaments and puzzles pieces which are represented as shields. Both are easy to locate within the scenes. There are no morphing objects within this game.
Since you play a cat, “cat vision” (represented by a huge eye) is provided which allows you to see in dark places. The token will alert you when you need to use it. There are an equal number of HOP scenes and puzzles. Elephant Games did vary the game somewhat from the beta version of the game. I do feel the slight changes made the game a better one. My only complaint is the brevity of the game. I feel it is somewhat short for a collector's edition game.
HOP SCENES: There are nineteen (19) HOP scenes, thirteen (13) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. Most of the scenes are standard lists of items, silhouette, and matching. There are two which I found creative in design. In one scene, some of the items located are placed back within the scene. A matching scene requires uncovering buildings on a diorama and matching up items which are hidden underneath the building.
PUZZLES: There are nineteen (19) puzzles, thirteen (13) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. As noted previously, the puzzles are easy – I found none which were even of middle difficulty. Most of the puzzles are ones as seen in other games. However, there are two which I felt were cleverly designed. One is a painting puzzle with three brushes lettered A, B, and C. Areas to be painted are assigned a number and the player must add together the number of two of the paints to match the number on the area to be painted. For our little kittens out there, this would be a good way to help with math skills. The other puzzle I enjoyed was a mirror puzzle in mirrors must be adjusted so that beams of light create patterns. Eight light patterns must be created to solve the puzzle.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 12 armaments.
• Collect 24 puzzle pieces to play a jigsaw puzzle upon completion of the game.
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver, concept art, and music.
• Gimmicky Cat vision to see in dark places.
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles.
• Secret room which contains a jigsaw puzzle to be completed upon completion of the game.
• Expedition room which allows the player to return to scenes to pick up collectibles not found while playing the game.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 12 armaments.
• Collect 24 puzzle pieces to play a jigsaw puzzle upon completion of the game.
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver, concept art, and music.
• Gimmicky Cat vision to see in dark places.
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles.
• Secret room which contains a jigsaw puzzle to be completed upon completion of the game.
• Expedition room which allows the player to return to scenes to pick up collectibles not found while playing the game.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Play Alvin, the mayor of Fishville, a character from the main game. Your girlfriend, an engineer named Valerie, has been kidnapped by a gang of renegade foxes from Foxtown. This gang resents the fact that Fishville has an abundance of fish within its waters and wants to lay claim to the fish. They want Valerie’s engineering skills to help blow up a dam within the town. As a tag team, you and Valerie are off to thwart this gang of misfit foxes. The story is like the one from the main game. It is well-written. Continue to collect the collectibles within this chapter. There are five (5) HOP scenes and four (4) puzzles. It is a short chapter but masterfully designed.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Switch puzzle. Switch colored gems so that their placement matches that of a given diagram.
B. Math puzzle. Using 3 brushes lettered A, B, and C, combine paints by adding them together so they equal the number of the section of a map which needs to be painted.
C. Picture puzzles. (1) Slat puzzle – move each slat to the proper position to restore an image. (2) Rotating circles. Rotate circles to restore an image. (3) Switch puzzle. Switch 9 pieces to restore an image.
D. Assembly puzzle. Move parts on cat statues so they match in appearance to those positioned on a diagram
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Map puzzle. Navigate a map by following directions to a campsite. Press on a directional compass in the center of the map. There are question marks in which the player must guess the direction. If the direction is incorrect then the player restarts from beginning or further within the puzzle, from the last question mark.
F. Connection puzzle. Use a cryptex to rotate segments with paths on them to create a path for 3 fish to be connected to 3 like-colored slots. Create each path one at a time.
G. Assembly/Mirror puzzle. Position 8 mirrors so they produce 8 images using light beams reflecting off their surface.
B. Math puzzle. Using 3 brushes lettered A, B, and C, combine paints by adding them together so they equal the number of the section of a map which needs to be painted.
C. Picture puzzles. (1) Slat puzzle – move each slat to the proper position to restore an image. (2) Rotating circles. Rotate circles to restore an image. (3) Switch puzzle. Switch 9 pieces to restore an image.
D. Assembly puzzle. Move parts on cat statues so they match in appearance to those positioned on a diagram
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Map puzzle. Navigate a map by following directions to a campsite. Press on a directional compass in the center of the map. There are question marks in which the player must guess the direction. If the direction is incorrect then the player restarts from beginning or further within the puzzle, from the last question mark.
F. Connection puzzle. Use a cryptex to rotate segments with paths on them to create a path for 3 fish to be connected to 3 like-colored slots. Create each path one at a time.
G. Assembly/Mirror puzzle. Position 8 mirrors so they produce 8 images using light beams reflecting off their surface.
I recommend this game!
Step into a tale of mystery, intrigue, deceit, and murder!
Overall rating
5
/
5
130 of 176 found this review helpful
NEW PODCAST: - IS DR. FRANKENSTEIN HIDING OUT IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
PostedJanuary 26, 2023
sunnyglow
fromLocation? Anywhere but this mecca for murder! This burg has a murder rate higher than most large cities!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 32 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 32 pages
Engage in some sleuthing as you help a widow, Emily, investigate a series of murders within her town. After a period of mourning the death of her husband, Emily, with a little help from her friends, is creating a new life for herself. As a former journalist, her new interest is murder most foul, helping the police locate the perpetrators as well as sharing her stories as a podcaster. This game has Emily investigating two murders, one in the first chapter and another in the bonus chapter.
I loved this game for its story and feel it is a vast improvement for Elephant Games. However, I enjoy this type of game genre (murder mysteries). Personally, did not feel the game needed a “warning” concerning graphic or unsettling content. I have seen much worse from a former developer, Mad Head Games; however, there are some who might find it unsettling.
I feel the pace is decent. The story is excellent and will have you trying to guess the culprit behind the murders. However, it is obvious Elephant is downsizing their HOPA games. There are not as many activities as in previous games. There are less collectibles and less mini-games and HOP scenes. Nevertheless, I would rather have a well-designed short game than one which is loaded with activities but is somewhat boring. There are 36 collectibles – twelve (12) morphing personal items and twenty-four (24) puzzle pieces which are used to play a jigsaw puzzle upon completion of the game. To give the game a current feel to it, the developer has two gimmicks – a phone and a recorder to record people’s voices.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 21 achievements.
• Collect 12 personal items and 24 puzzle pieces to create a puzzle in a Secret Room
• Get a phone and microphone to record people’s voices.
• 6 wallpapers along with screensavers, concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 mini-games
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 21 achievements.
• Collect 12 personal items and 24 puzzle pieces to create a puzzle in a Secret Room
• Get a phone and microphone to record people’s voices.
• 6 wallpapers along with screensavers, concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: I believe this is a prequel. Emily is off to solve another murder in which a struggling widow, who is in prison, has been sentenced for the murder of her neighbor, a wealthy businessman. The murder is illogical with a lack of motive for this widow. The money she saved for her daughter to have a medical procedure was stolen at the time she supposedly murdered this businessman. Discover the weird set of circumstances related to this case. I found the story behind the game fascinating. Usually, I can figure out the culprit and motive long before it is revealed; however this murder had me stumped until the very end. The chapter is a nice addition to the game, if for no other reason than the whodunit aspect of the game. However, as with the main game, there are few activities with only five (5) HOP scenes and three (3) mini-games. The player will continue to collect the collectibles within the scenes.
HOP SCENES: There are not many activities within this game. There are only seventeen (17) scenes, thirteen of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. There are also a few mini-HOP scenes with six items to be located. Most of the scenes are standard lists of items with little interactivity. There are also a few silhouette scenes. The developer did include one scene in which the player must search for parts of the scene and not items per se. There is also a scene in which items are located within words highlighted within a narrative. There is one scene in which items are placed within their proper location within a scene.
MINI-GAMES: There are not many within this game. There are nineteen (19) mini-games, thirteen (13) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. There are a few puzzles which I did enjoy. However, for the most part, many of the puzzles are very easy, a tad too easy for my taste. To me, entering a combination into a lock is NOT a puzzle. This is something everyone does daily. There are quite a few picture puzzles which is something new for Elephant as well. I felt the picture puzzles were thrown in as filler for the game.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Logic puzzle. Using a crane pick up items and place them into position on a square grid so all spaces are filled.
B. Matching puzzle. Turn 12 keys (6 on each grid) to create matches of the key ends.
C. Sequence puzzle. Press on numbers on cones in ascending order. Parts of the cones must be moved to disclose the numbers.
D. Sequence puzzle. Rotate the dials on 4 valves so all point to zero. They must be turned in a specific sequence.
E. Sequence puzzle Place 10 cards in the proper sequence to create a logical story
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Switch puzzle. Switch hexagonal shaped fragments to restore an image of a painting.
G. Matching puzzle. Rotate parts on a key until they match those on a given lock.
H. Assembly puzzle. Move dials up and down to move plus enlarge and diminish the size of the picture fragments to restore pictures
B. Matching puzzle. Turn 12 keys (6 on each grid) to create matches of the key ends.
C. Sequence puzzle. Press on numbers on cones in ascending order. Parts of the cones must be moved to disclose the numbers.
D. Sequence puzzle. Rotate the dials on 4 valves so all point to zero. They must be turned in a specific sequence.
E. Sequence puzzle Place 10 cards in the proper sequence to create a logical story
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Switch puzzle. Switch hexagonal shaped fragments to restore an image of a painting.
G. Matching puzzle. Rotate parts on a key until they match those on a given lock.
H. Assembly puzzle. Move dials up and down to move plus enlarge and diminish the size of the picture fragments to restore pictures
***I awarded this game 5 stars because of the improved quality of this game over others offered by this developer within the last year.
I recommend this game!
Revisit Moonfell Wood in this stunning remaster of the hidden object classic!
Overall rating
3
/
5
162 of 205 found this review helpful
ANOTHER REFURBISHED CLASSIC FROM THE PAST
PostedJanuary 12, 2023
sunnyglow
fromClassics stand the test of time. Hopefully we will see more of the classics remastered in the future.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter
Join Princess Sophia in the second remastered game within this series. Enjoy a long trek through Moonfell Wood, a puzzle-filled adventure. After awakening from a one-hundred-year sleep, Sophia’s quest is to be reunited with her family and other fellow humans. She will be accompanied by the fairy Mira and a fiery little pocket dragon who will start fires when needed. As Sophia, you, the player, will encounter goblins, a centaur, a minotaur, and fairies galore as you continue your journey through Moonfell Wood.
I did not play the original game, so my review is based on the game and is not a comparison between the original and remastered versions. The developer did an excellent job in refurbishing the graphics within this game. The graphics are incredibly beautiful, a fairy tale come to life. Some of the scenes are breathtaking. However, it is also a very long game. With 134 puzzles, this game is probably the longest game I have ever played from BFG. However, many of these “puzzles” would be classified as HOP scenes in other developers’ games. Since this developer allows the player to skip these “puzzles” I have designated them as mini-games. There are very few designated HOP scenes – only eleven (11), and most of these are standard lists of items.
I loved the demo; however, after the demo ended, to me, the game became tedious and fell apart. What happened to the voiceovers? The demo has voiceovers and a much different format than the remainder of the game. There are NO voice overs after the demo. There are also repeated scenes within the game, and, at one point, I became confused as to some of the scenes being almost identical to those from the demo. The collectibles are eighty-eight (88) Tri-Peaks cards and eighty-eight (88) morphing game characters. I found most easy to locate and from the graphics it appears they were an added to the original game. I did love the journal and the ability to pin pages from the journal to the puzzle I was working on. This is a nice concept I hope other developers will look at as well.
I loved the demo; however, after the demo ended, to me, the game became tedious and fell apart. What happened to the voiceovers? The demo has voiceovers and a much different format than the remainder of the game. There are NO voice overs after the demo. There are also repeated scenes within the game, and, at one point, I became confused as to some of the scenes being almost identical to those from the demo. The collectibles are eighty-eight (88) Tri-Peaks cards and eighty-eight (88) morphing game characters. I found most easy to locate and from the graphics it appears they were an added to the original game. I did love the journal and the ability to pin pages from the journal to the puzzle I was working on. This is a nice concept I hope other developers will look at as well.
The game consists of sequential puzzles The predominant puzzles within the game are picture puzzles. In one type, the player searches for a number of fragments either for a picture or a statue and then, uses those fragments to create a picture or statue. The other most common type of picture puzzle involves rotating and switching fragments to restore a picture. With so many variations of the same puzzles, the game became tedious and boring. There are way too many picture puzzles for my taste. Less is more and in this case the game is too long for the lack of variety in puzzles.
MECHANICS:
• 3 Levels of difficulty – Easy, Normal, and Hard
• 20 achievements.
• Collect 88 morphing objects and 88 Tri-peaks cards (2 of each in each scene)
• 12 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Mira, a fairy, to help with navigating Moonfell Woods.
• Pocket dragon to start fires as needed.
• Magnifying glass used to see close-up within scenes
• Journal which allows you to pin pages which will be needed as you journey in this game.
• Tri-peaks card game which has 46 games which can be played upon completion of the game.
• 20 achievements.
• Collect 88 morphing objects and 88 Tri-peaks cards (2 of each in each scene)
• 12 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Mira, a fairy, to help with navigating Moonfell Woods.
• Pocket dragon to start fires as needed.
• Magnifying glass used to see close-up within scenes
• Journal which allows you to pin pages which will be needed as you journey in this game.
• Tri-peaks card game which has 46 games which can be played upon completion of the game.
BONUS CHAPTER: Saddle up your griffin and soar into the sky. Play Sophia as she leaves Moonfell Woods on journey west to meet her family. However, her griffin has other ideas and lands her on an island. From there, discover why the bird decided to land at this location. I feel in some ways this chapter was better than the main game. I feel this chapter has a faster pace and more variety in puzzles as well. It is a lengthy chapter. There are three (3) HOP scenes and twenty (20) mini-games. As in the main game, most of the “puzzles” would be considered HOP scenes in other developers’ games. However, there are not as many picture puzzles as in the main game.
MINI-GAMES: There are one-hundred thirty-one (131) puzzles from what I have counted within this game. In addition to picture puzzles, there is a variety of other types as well. There are some cryptic puzzles which I enjoyed, providing clues on how to play the puzzle. However, the instructions are not explicit, they must be deciphered as to how to play the puzzle. Several times during the game the player will play a Tri-Peaks game. This consists of eliminating cards that are either one above or one below each card played. The player must have no cards remaining at the end of play. There are also additional Tri-Peaks games available upon completion of the game. There are also many matching puzzles (which in most games would be matching HOP scenes). Every time the player gets a new tarot card, they will search for 15 to 16 items such as hearts, moons, stars, hidden on each card.
HOP SCENES: This developer considers most HOP scenes to be standard list of items with small puzzles included within them. This is a nice touch. I feel the few actual HOP scenes were well-designed and better than those from most developers. I found some the scenes difficult, almost puzzle-like themselves. They are longer than most HOP scenes and some items must be combined or items are well-hidden within the scene. They include one to two puzzles within them and require interaction with other parts of the scene. There are so many puzzles in this game I will only outline those which are NOT picture puzzles.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES WHICH ARE NOT PICTURE PUZZLES:
A. Switch puzzle. Switch imprinted bricks so that flower halves on the bricks match up where the bricks come together. (Puzzle used twice within the game)
B. Sequence puzzle. Place tokens with the life cycle of a tree on them in the order in which they grow and mature then press on 6 colored diamonds changing their color according to a given clue.
C. Logic puzzle. Arrange tokens on a circular grid according to a given inscription (Variations of this puzzle throughout the game)
D. Rope puzzle. Separate threads so none overlaps each other. 3X (Puzzle repeated several times within the game)
E. Match-3 game. Match up 3 or more of the same items to removed them to produce a picture. (Puzzle used twice within the game)
F. Paint by number. Paint by symbols on a rose
G. On 3 columns, choose the images which best relate to the picture at the top of each column/pillar – Mountain, tree, and water drop.
BONUS CHAPTER:
H. Tangram puzzle. Create a square without gaps by placing pieces into the proper position.
I. Paint by Numbers – in this case symbols to paint dolls so they get happy faces
J. Sequence puzzle. Remove bars in sequential order so all are removed
K. Place books into a shelf so all fit. Books can be rotated
B. Sequence puzzle. Place tokens with the life cycle of a tree on them in the order in which they grow and mature then press on 6 colored diamonds changing their color according to a given clue.
C. Logic puzzle. Arrange tokens on a circular grid according to a given inscription (Variations of this puzzle throughout the game)
D. Rope puzzle. Separate threads so none overlaps each other. 3X (Puzzle repeated several times within the game)
E. Match-3 game. Match up 3 or more of the same items to removed them to produce a picture. (Puzzle used twice within the game)
F. Paint by number. Paint by symbols on a rose
G. On 3 columns, choose the images which best relate to the picture at the top of each column/pillar – Mountain, tree, and water drop.
BONUS CHAPTER:
H. Tangram puzzle. Create a square without gaps by placing pieces into the proper position.
I. Paint by Numbers – in this case symbols to paint dolls so they get happy faces
J. Sequence puzzle. Remove bars in sequential order so all are removed
K. Place books into a shelf so all fit. Books can be rotated
I recommend this game!
Immerse yourself in an amazing world of puzzles and riddles!
Overall rating
1
/
5
41 of 67 found this review helpful
Boring
PostedDecember 24, 2022
sunnyglow
fromMerry Christmas to everyone at BFG and their members! Hopefully better games await us in 2023 and hopefully Domini will stop producing games like this!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The title says it all. Sad to see a great developer descend into producing low-end games like this.
No voice, no story, no collectibles - no extras - just an endless succession of incessant HOP scenes with a few mini-games thrown in.
Paid the CE price this time for this "HOPA game." Never again. This is NOT a HOPA - it is a HOP game!
I don't recommend this game.
Treacherous villains attempt to deprive the world of the Christmas spirit!
Overall rating
5
/
5
137 of 194 found this review helpful
SAVE CHRISTMAS FROM AN ELF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHELF
PostedDecember 15, 2022
sunnyglow
fromMerry Christmas! Kudos to Domini Games for another fantastic Christmas game!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 74 pages (My Time: 10 Hours)
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 74 pages (My Time: 10 Hours)
Take very long sleigh ride into Christmas! My ride through this game took ten hours - the longest HOPA game I have played this year! This game has twice the gameplay as other HOPA games. It is almost like two games for the price of one! Enjoy a delightful Christmas delight, filled with Christmas scenes filled with all the joy and wonder of the season. Your grandfather is Santa Claus! He has hidden his identity from you throughout the years, but now that you are a young adult, he has revealed the truth at last. However, the holiday is in trouble and chaos has come to the North Pole. Treachery is afoot at the North Pole, where a disgruntled elf, Ambrus, is plotting to see the holiday eliminated and with it, your grandfather, Santa Claus. The Guardians of Christmas are a team which have worked to keep the spirit of Christmas alive! However, Ambrus, has infiltrated the group and there is a traitor working with him in his plans to end the holiday. Discover the evildoers behind the scenes and help your grandfather save Christmas. You will have the assistance of many magical creatures along the way.
If this game does not get you into the Christmas spirit, nothing will. This is a very long game, chock full of Christmas spirit and scenes resplendent with bright festive scenes with delightful music, lights, presents, and glistening Christmas trees. A lot of work went into the creation of this game. There are numerous activities within this game. The story is unique in its depiction of the North Pole. This is a great holiday game; however, I do not believe it is one which can be played with younger players. I believe the puzzles are more difficult than a younger child would enjoy playing or would be able to play. However, it could be played if a parent played with the child.
The collectibles are morphing Christmas items and Christmas stockings. Collect candy canes which can be exchanged for Christmas items to deck out a bedroom. I found the stockings and candy canes easy to locate; however, I did have difficulty in locating some of the morphing Christmas items. As in previous games, this developer provides extra gameplay. The player can opt out of playing the scenes if they do not want to play the extra scenes. The player is asked if he wants to enter or tour this extra scene. There are four (4) instances of extra footage including a romp through Santa’s toy workshop, a tour of Blizzard Castle, a search for the Snow Queen’s mirror, and another romp through Santa’s toy workshop in the bonus chapter. No other developer offers this feature and I feel this is a nice touch.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 41 achievements.
• Collect 15 morphing Christmas items and 15 Christmas stockings
• Collect 70 candy canes to exchange for Christmas items for a bedroom.
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 23 HOP scenes and 21 mini-games
• 41 achievements.
• Collect 15 morphing Christmas items and 15 Christmas stockings
• Collect 70 candy canes to exchange for Christmas items for a bedroom.
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 23 HOP scenes and 21 mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: It is another story. Play a ragged girl with a good heart and kind disposition who has been asked by the King to locate his daughter, Goldilocks. She has been missing for years. Her star-shaped medallion is rumored to be located within the woods where she disappeared. Only a person who is pure at heart can locate this medallion. The King feels you are the right person for the job. Nevertheless, there is one person who will be opposed to you searching for the missing princess. Help the King find his daughter and discover something about yourself as well. This is a nice addition to the game. There are five (5) HOP scenes and ten (10) mini-games. This chapter is well-worth the price of this game.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-three (23) HOP scenes, all of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. As with their other games, this developer provides a variety of HOP scenes, and all are interactive. Although Domini Games is best known for their puzzles, their HOP scenes are amazing as well. They are creatively designed and provide some new innovative design with each new game. The scenes include standard lists of items, silhouette, and matching. There are scenes with items which are found and returned and used within the scene. I personally love the scenes with rebus clues. There are a few scenes with items highlighted within a narrative. There is a scene with items portrayed on a Christmas themed stained-glass window. As in their other games, an optional Match-3 game can be played instead of the scenes.
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-eight (38) mini-games, twenty-one (21) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. Most of these can be played in either a “hard” or “easy” level. The “hard” level is not challenging but provides a little more challenge than the “easy” level. For me, the “hard” level games are more moderately difficult as opposed to mind crushing. As in other games by this developer, the difficulty of the puzzles can be set in the menu; however, if a puzzle is too difficult, it can be changed while playing it within the game.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE 38 MINI-GAMES FROM THE GAME: (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Rotate rings on a staff to re-create a picture. In the hard version, rotating one segment of the staff affects the others
B. E/H. Connection puzzle. Create a railroad track by connecting 2 ends using given segments of a railroad track. The easy version has more silhouettes of places where track is to be laid. The hard version has only 1 silhouette section shown. All segments must be used to create the track
C. E/H. Connection puzzle. Rotate knobs within the inner workings of a hair dryer so they are attached to wires within. In the hard version, moving one knob affects the others.
D. E/H. Riddle me this. Choose items on a gate which answer riddles within a book.
E. E/H. Map puzzle. Skate down a frozen river avoiding obstacles within your path. The easy version gives you 2 extra lives. The hard version has more obstacles to avoid.
F. E/H. Picture puzzle Novel idea. Push pistons up and down to move picture fragments to restore an image. The easy version has 3 pistons and the hard 4 and more pieces to maneuver.
G. E/H. Matching puzzle. On a whackamole arcade, click on, and uncover circles to find a matching image to the one in the center of the screen. In the hard version, the circles rotate with each move.
H. E/H. Strategy puzzle. Rotate hands and the face on a clock so they display the correct number of symbols shown on the weights. The easy version has 2 weights and the hard has 3.
I. E/H. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so no sections cross it other. The easy version has a less tangled rope than the hard version.
BONUS CHAPTER:
J. E/H. Move music notes up and down on a piano until they are within their proper position on a scale.
K. E/H. Map puzzle. Place wooden plaques with directional numbers on them into a grid to set the path for you to travel across an icy lake. Use all the numbered planks The hard version has more planks to place. All must be used.
L. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Cut an outline according to directions
M. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of a train track to create a track. The harder version has more track pieces to put together.
N. E/H. Ride a sled avoiding obstacles in your path. You get 3 lives and lose one every time you hit an obstacle. The easy version is just easier to navigate.
B. E/H. Connection puzzle. Create a railroad track by connecting 2 ends using given segments of a railroad track. The easy version has more silhouettes of places where track is to be laid. The hard version has only 1 silhouette section shown. All segments must be used to create the track
C. E/H. Connection puzzle. Rotate knobs within the inner workings of a hair dryer so they are attached to wires within. In the hard version, moving one knob affects the others.
D. E/H. Riddle me this. Choose items on a gate which answer riddles within a book.
E. E/H. Map puzzle. Skate down a frozen river avoiding obstacles within your path. The easy version gives you 2 extra lives. The hard version has more obstacles to avoid.
F. E/H. Picture puzzle Novel idea. Push pistons up and down to move picture fragments to restore an image. The easy version has 3 pistons and the hard 4 and more pieces to maneuver.
G. E/H. Matching puzzle. On a whackamole arcade, click on, and uncover circles to find a matching image to the one in the center of the screen. In the hard version, the circles rotate with each move.
H. E/H. Strategy puzzle. Rotate hands and the face on a clock so they display the correct number of symbols shown on the weights. The easy version has 2 weights and the hard has 3.
I. E/H. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so no sections cross it other. The easy version has a less tangled rope than the hard version.
BONUS CHAPTER:
J. E/H. Move music notes up and down on a piano until they are within their proper position on a scale.
K. E/H. Map puzzle. Place wooden plaques with directional numbers on them into a grid to set the path for you to travel across an icy lake. Use all the numbered planks The hard version has more planks to place. All must be used.
L. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Cut an outline according to directions
M. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of a train track to create a track. The harder version has more track pieces to put together.
N. E/H. Ride a sled avoiding obstacles in your path. You get 3 lives and lose one every time you hit an obstacle. The easy version is just easier to navigate.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a soul-stealing monster from terrorizing the kingdom?
Overall rating
3
/
5
49 of 102 found this review helpful
ENJOY A HAIRY EXPERIENCE WITH RAPUNZEL
PostedDecember 8, 2022
sunnyglow
fromLocation: Locked in a tower involved in a 'hairy' experience with a monster named Rapunzel
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 68 pages (My time: 4 Hours)
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 68 pages (My time: 4 Hours)
Grab your broomstick and fly to a northern kingdom to save it from a vengeful Rapunzel, a monster who has connected to her darker inner self. Her aim is to gain more power by sucking the life energy from every man she meets. Play Geheldia, an apprentice witch, hoping to join an esteemed coven of witches. Fly around the kingdom plotting ways to stop Rapunzel, getting help from others, as you battle to end her reign of terror. Hopefully you can lock her and throw away the key!
Want to relax and chill out? This game may be right up your alley. Let down your hair with light fare from Elephant Games. It is a short game (I completed it in four hours), and it is cookie cutter replica of others from this developer. The activities are fewer than I would expect from a Collector’s Edition game. It is not going to win any gaming awards; however, it is a decent game based upon a twisted fairy tale about Rapunzel. The graphics are all dressed up in medieval attire.
There are two collectibles, puzzles pieces and cards. I believe Elephant has listened to our complaints concerning tiny, well-hidden collectibles because I found all easy to locate and much larger than in previous games. However, there are less collectibles in this game, only twenty-four (24) within the entire game. Not every scene has a collectible. There is a secret room which provides two jigsaw puzzles. The first one has the pieces given to you to solve and the second contains the twelve pieces you collect within the game. If you are missing collectibles there is an exhibition room which allows the player to return to scenes to retrieve them.
MECHANICS:
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 24 puzzle pieces for two jigsaw puzzles hidden within the Secret Room
• Collect 12 cards
• 4 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 mini-games
• Exhibition room which allows the player to return to scenes to recover collectibles missed while playing the game
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 24 puzzle pieces for two jigsaw puzzles hidden within the Secret Room
• Collect 12 cards
• 4 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 mini-games
• Exhibition room which allows the player to return to scenes to recover collectibles missed while playing the game
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Play Leonard, King Harald’s envoy, as he attempts to negotiate a peace agreement with the kingdom of King Gottfried. Treachery is afoot as one of the court members is undermining King Gottfried and trying to initiate a war between the two kingdoms. There are six (6) HOP scenes and four (4) mini-games. The mini-games are unique. Three of them involve manipulation of the characters. I feel the chapter has a nice tie-in to the game. Without the bonus chapter, this game would extremely short. It does blend nicely with the main game and expands the story.
HOP SCENES: There are thirteen (13) HOP scenes plus several mini-HOP scenes in which the player either searches for 5 or 6 items or matches 5 or 6 pairs of items. All the regular scenes can be replayed upon completion of the game Most of the scenes are lists of items or silhouette scenes. My favorite scene is one in which items are located on an astrolabe which revolves between two scenes in which to locate items.
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty (20) mini-games, thirteen (13) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. All the puzzles are ones seen in other HOPA games. I found all the puzzles easy and none which were even of middle difficulty.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Tangram puzzle. Place pieces of a bridge into position to fix it.
B. Gear/Switch puzzle. Switch and rotate gears to restore an image.
C. Strategy puzzle. Lock puzzle. Using a hairpin, bend it (using up-and-down arrows) so that when pushing a start button, the lines on the tumblers within the lock match up with each other.
D. Strategy puzzle. Use Rapunzel’s tresses to extinguish torches, while avoiding moving scissors. Running into scissors will cut off your ability to cover a torch.
E. Picture puzzle. Rotate and place pieces on a grid with hexagonal squares to recreate a picture as per a given diagram. A little tougher than most picture puzzles. More pieces to use than normal.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Switch puzzle. Switch characters in a puppet show so they are positioned correctly according to the correct narrative not the one given by the puppet theater.
G. Sequence/Map puzzle. Follow a sequence on a map of markers to reach an end destination.
B. Gear/Switch puzzle. Switch and rotate gears to restore an image.
C. Strategy puzzle. Lock puzzle. Using a hairpin, bend it (using up-and-down arrows) so that when pushing a start button, the lines on the tumblers within the lock match up with each other.
D. Strategy puzzle. Use Rapunzel’s tresses to extinguish torches, while avoiding moving scissors. Running into scissors will cut off your ability to cover a torch.
E. Picture puzzle. Rotate and place pieces on a grid with hexagonal squares to recreate a picture as per a given diagram. A little tougher than most picture puzzles. More pieces to use than normal.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Switch puzzle. Switch characters in a puppet show so they are positioned correctly according to the correct narrative not the one given by the puppet theater.
G. Sequence/Map puzzle. Follow a sequence on a map of markers to reach an end destination.
I recommend this game!
Embark on a daring rescue through time!
Overall rating
2
/
5
28 of 69 found this review helpful
TRAVEL BACK IN TIME ON THAT OLDIE BUT GOODIE – THE LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE
PostedDecember 6, 2022
sunnyglow
fromHopefully, we will see improvements in the next game from this developer.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME MINUS THE BONUS CHAPTER (I COULD NOT SOLVE NOR SKIP THE LAST PUZZLE IN THE MAIN GAME TO PLAY THE BONUS CHAPTER)
2 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 53 pages
The world is in chaos! A mad doctor has upended time! Time is mixed up as is this game! Play a man who has been asked by his wife, Alicia, via a hologram, to save the world from this chaos. Take that “last train to Clarksville” to save the world from a time traveling madman, Dr. Timothy (her boss no less). Only you can save the world from being destroyed by time manipulation. Travel to three different locations – one set in Russia (evidenced by the heavy accent by one of the characters), one set in China, and one set in the American Old West. (I knew Clint Eastwood inspired this game). I hate to rain on the parade of the dearly departed, but this game is a mess. Some parts are very good; however, there are aspects of this game which I found not to my liking. For me, not being able to enter the bonus chapter (which I paid for as an extra) is somewhat upsetting.
Say what’s your “bag” hipster? This game is a mixed bag of (as Eastwood would say) “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” Be prepared for an earful of droning music in the first part of the game. The same musical chorus drove me to insanity. I now understand why Dr. Timothy became crazed! Hey dude! Drag out your 1960’s tie-die shirt and head band as you listen to the same droning music for half the game. I would have rather heard the old 1966 Monkees song, “The Last Train to Clarksville” than that continuous song chorus repeated throughout. Find yourself traveling throughout Clarksville, searching for three crystals to prevent the mad doctor from accomplishing his mission to control time. I would have loved to finish this game; however, I was not allowed to “skip” the last puzzle. As a person who is not good at timed puzzles, I would have skipped this one – but the game developers from made certain that anyone who is handicapped in this regard, will not be allowed to continue to the bonus chapter. Gee wish I could have loved to time travel past the last puzzle! But alas, I could not and alas, I wasted my money by purchasing this collector’s edition.
There are few things I loved from the main game. I like the fact that the player must check the notes for information on entering codes and passwords. You don’t simply write them on a sheet of paper and store them in the inventory. This aspect did make the game seem more like an adventure game. The collectibles are gnomes and morphing objects. There are also thirty-two (32) symbols of luck to collect as well. I found most of the collectibles were easy to locate. It appears that the only collectibles within the bonus chapter are the symbols of luck. I do feel the game got off to a slow start, then chugged along, picking up steam as I continued into the game. The graphics are beautifully rendered. The game itself is much more difficult to play than most other HOPA games and this is a good thing. However, there should aways be the ability to escape any puzzle which proves difficult to the player.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 12 achievements.
• Collect 7 gnomes and 12 morphing objects
• Collect 32 symbols of luck
• Wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• 12 achievements.
• Collect 7 gnomes and 12 morphing objects
• Collect 32 symbols of luck
• Wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
HOP SCENES: This game is not a cookie cutter version of other HOPA games. It is unique in that respect. There are fourteen (14) scenes in the main game None can be replayed because the developer does not provide this option. However, I don’t actually know that because I could not finish the game. There are some amazingly creative scenes within this game. Many items are well-hidden within the scenes. My favorite scenes were the one which uses a claw within an arcade machine to pick up and release the items to be removed and the scene with the Russian stacking dolls.
MINI-GAMES: I counted thirty-one (31) mini-games (some of which are not so designed) I have no idea if any can replayed, because I could not finish the game) The mini-games are excellent for the most part. I found most easy to play. Nevertheless, I found the directions for some of the mini-games very confusing. There were some I skipped because I could not understand what I was supposed to do within the puzzle. There are a few challenging mini-games within this game. There is a map puzzle which involved a Native American chief maneuvering through thirty-six (36) squares by clicking on each one to create a path for him to proceed. This puzzle made absolutely no sense to me and there is no solution provided. I just figured it out by trial-and-error.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES FROM THE GAME:
A. Connection puzzle. On a grid rotate pipe links to they create a path for 4 balls of light to move from the outside edge to the middle of the grid.
B. Gear puzzle. Rotate 3 gears in a clock (each one set up as a maze) so that ball bearings within each take a path to reach an exit point in the middle of each gear.
C. Sequence puzzle. Press fuses in the proper order as displayed by flashing lights in sequence. 3X
D. Strategy puzzle. Plot a course to move from one end of an icy lake to another without breaking ice and starting over again.
E. Mirror puzzle. Move mirrors to move a beam of light from the mirrors to a bomb against the wall to light it
F. Ye Olde Book puzzle. Switch puzzle. Switch books to restore an image on its spines
G. Switch puzzle. Switch circular picture fragments so that a painting is restored.
H. Switch puzzle. Switch stones with path segments on them so a path is created for energy to flow down two pillars.
I. Strategy puzzle. Kung fu Chinese ducks. Using pineapples, throw them at arcade ducks to destroy them.
J. Map puzzle. Lead a chief through a 6 x 6 grid with 36 squares to the end point choosing for each square either a segment of a route or a device used to move forward. The strategy guide DOES NOT provide the solution so you must figure it out for yourself
K. Assembly puzzle. Place bottles on a 4 x 3 shelf with 12 slots so that each one is in its proper location
L. Battle scene. Try to defeat Dr. Time as you trace 5 designs on grids all while shielding yourself from this attacks.
A. Connection puzzle. On a grid rotate pipe links to they create a path for 4 balls of light to move from the outside edge to the middle of the grid.
B. Gear puzzle. Rotate 3 gears in a clock (each one set up as a maze) so that ball bearings within each take a path to reach an exit point in the middle of each gear.
C. Sequence puzzle. Press fuses in the proper order as displayed by flashing lights in sequence. 3X
D. Strategy puzzle. Plot a course to move from one end of an icy lake to another without breaking ice and starting over again.
E. Mirror puzzle. Move mirrors to move a beam of light from the mirrors to a bomb against the wall to light it
F. Ye Olde Book puzzle. Switch puzzle. Switch books to restore an image on its spines
G. Switch puzzle. Switch circular picture fragments so that a painting is restored.
H. Switch puzzle. Switch stones with path segments on them so a path is created for energy to flow down two pillars.
I. Strategy puzzle. Kung fu Chinese ducks. Using pineapples, throw them at arcade ducks to destroy them.
J. Map puzzle. Lead a chief through a 6 x 6 grid with 36 squares to the end point choosing for each square either a segment of a route or a device used to move forward. The strategy guide DOES NOT provide the solution so you must figure it out for yourself
K. Assembly puzzle. Place bottles on a 4 x 3 shelf with 12 slots so that each one is in its proper location
L. Battle scene. Try to defeat Dr. Time as you trace 5 designs on grids all while shielding yourself from this attacks.
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? As stated, this game is a mixed bag. It will appeal to some but not others as evidenced by the reviews posted. If you play adventure games (which I do) you will find this game more along the lines of that genre rather than the usual HOPA games evidenced on this site. It has some excellent puzzles and yet others with directions which are confusing. All HOPA games should include the ability to skip puzzles – period! Most of HOP scenes are creatively designed. However, in some, the items to be located are somewhat difficult to locate. This is a more difficult game to maneuver than most witnessed on this site. I love that, but it has aspects I dislike. As stated, no HOPA game should have puzzles which cannot be skipped.
I don't recommend this game.