MatildaRabbit's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:118
- Reviews Submitted:44
- First Review:July 1, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 5, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome Collector's Edition
Help Sam rescue his love Anna in Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome, an incredible Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
They Don't Do Atmosphere Like This Anymore
PostedJanuary 5, 2022
MatildaRabbit
fromAt that point where I'm teetering on the edge of being devastatingly honest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches
(60)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I've been playing a combination of both old and new games. There are different qualities that shine in both, so if you like casual gaming, you'll find some great games in the archives. Age isn't necessarily a determination of quality, but the 160+ five-star reviews probably tell you something about a game.
It has been ten years since this game was released, and it still stands out. One thing that the game did very well and that most new games lack is atmosphere. Maybe it was the combination of the rain, the soundtrack, and the dilapidated mansion. (I'm a sucker for creepy old houses.) Or, maybe it was Oscar's Count Rugenesque voice emanating from the speakers mounted in every single location. But the developers handled the atmosphere very well, and that's one of my favorite things about a game. You can get lost in a book, but you're reading someone else's story; you're not doing the navigating. A game is an opportunity to live the story, but games without atmosphere leave the experience wanting. This game had atmosphere in spades.
Although you can tell that some of the graphics, particularly in the HOS scenes, are from an earlier style of gaming illustration, the game still had very well rendered art in every scene. The carousel in the bonus game was just beautiful, as were several other details.
The story is complete and related in detail. Throughout the game, the hero is taunted by the villain, but you can "X" out of the audio if you don't want to hear him. However, I will warn you that if you click skip during the long monologue at the end, you will be taken to the end of the game and won't know what happened. (I thought I was skipping the audio, but I skipped the cut scene, which was the ending. Doh.) I had to pull up a YouTube walk-through video to see what happened. I did feel that the story was complete enough without the bonus material. "The evil escapes to torment another day" is a dominant theme in horror. Most rational people don't say, "I want something with a happy ending. How about a horror game/movie/book?" Don't get me wrong. I like when good triumphs over evil, but it's just not the way most horror stories end. To the individual who wanted to know how it really ended in the bonus, go watch the YouTube walk-through, and you'll get your happy ending... or not.... :)
There were several puzzles that I don't remember seeing before, but perhaps they're just not as common today. Most of the puzzles have a question mark in the frame that gives you the instructions, but it took a while for me to notice. They weren't impossible, but a couple were challenging. I really enjoyed the puzzles. Some of the HOSs can be explored more than once, so it's helpful to backtrack.
Another welcome attribute was the layout. If you have played disappointing sequel games that only had about three chapters and three scenes each, you'll appreciate the beautiful complexity of this architecture. You'll be referring to the map again and again throughout the game. I'm not sure how many scenes there are, but I counted at least 58 different locations in the game, so you're getting a lot. This game clearly took a lot of time to make.
This isn't criticism of the maps and hints, but I thought it might be good to point out to potential players: The map will tell you where puzzles and areas of interest are, but you can't teleport, and there's no mark for a "current task." The rooms with something that needs to be solved when you get the key/part are clearly noted on the map with a bright red X or a green gear symbol (or a lock on the doorway). The hint button will highlight areas if there are any, but it will only tell you nothing can be done in that particular location if there's no further action needed. In other words, it won't tell you where to go from there. You'll have to consult the map, and, if that fails, backtrack until you find where an HOS has been reactivated or consult the built-in guide if you have the CE. If you don't have the CE, it's online, or find a video online if words aren't your thing. For the record, when you get to the generator, it's going to keep highlighting the pull cord even though it won't crank until you add gas. Just so you know, you can stop pulling the crank. :)
Still, I want to emphasize how much I appreciate that there was a map available on the interface. I have played games that I wished had maps, and some of those were probably great games. I wouldn't call the maps and hint features useless, because I went room by room clicking hint to see if I missed something. "Nothing to do here right now" means I can move on, and that's helpful. It's kind of unfair to blame an old game for not having features that are common in new games and, therefore, probably taken for granted. Let's just be real here: Having read an article about the recently remastered games due to computer upgrades causing them to not work, I installed this on my machine just to see if it still worked; therefore, I knew it was old before I started, meaning it's not logical to think I'm going to get new features from an old game. You're looking for Bluetooth on a horse and buggy. Okay, not that old. :) So, maybe we're not being challenged enough with new games. Or maybe we're overusing the hint buttons and maps. So I don't look at the lack of "current task" indicators or an invitation to teleport immediately to some other location as a deal-breaker. I mean, being able to do so is nice, but that doesn't mean I'm limited to playing games that allow me to teleport.
All that being said... and this is for reviewers who are critical... when a game developer puts this much raw effort into a game, this doesn't even compare to most new games. I've seen some recent reviews, perhaps by users who are new to the genre or just haven't thought of things outside of the realm in which they were taught (and we all do that at some point), and I'd like to point out that having to figure out what to do is why they call it a puzzle. It is supposed to challenge you. The limitations of one's own ability are not necessarily an indication that the developers have failed. You can't get mad at a developer because you couldn't cheat faster. This isn't a hard game. Not even close. However, that's not to say it's easy. It just takes patience. If you don't have that, the answers are on the web. If you don't want to bother looking for answers, why are you playing a puzzle game?
Although there are no collectables, achievements, or morphing objects in this CE (I don't think those things were normal at the time of release), the bonus game continues the story with a second confrontation between the hero and Oscar. Also in the bonus materials, you get some concept art, a full soundtrack, a handful of wallpapers, and recorded interviews with the developers, which was interesting in how they arrived at the concept for the game. The layout in the second game still had several locations and was intriguing, despite the lack of "creepy old house."
While modern graphics are very sleek, I hope that developers will look back at some of the most successful games to see what it was that made them so successful. I think people want to put a label on HOGAs and assign them to a certain demographic or think that no one is playing these games anymore, but I tend to think that they aren't making games like they used to. Like, this game wasn't very scary to me (although it was creepy, possibly a tad disturbing, depending on what you are accustomed to--that sounds weird, right? Like, yes, I'm accustomed to seeing large vats containing embalmed people... just everywhere....), but most newer "scary" games are only scary if you're 5. I think it's the contrast with the color palette and the soundtracks that are too mundane and take us out of the story (in most new horror games), but that's just a thought. I play these old games, and they remind me why I fell in love with this genre, going from playing Doom on my first computer, Twisted Metal on the PS, American McGee's Alice, and then discovering Big Fish and The Exorcist, Grim Tales, Haunted Hotel, and so on. There was something that happened the first time I played those games. I shivered, then pressed forward. Although, I am not completely comfortable with all of them. I don't have pictures of the robot spiders in Doom hanging on my wall. I hid the figurine of the twins from Alice that a friend gave me because it was too creepy to look at. I still don't like to play Twisted Metal alone. But that's what makes them horror.
I would implore developers to not listen to those who review every single game and leave critical reviews for genres they don't like. If I were to suffer through a game in a genre I hated just so I could make a mean comment pleading with the developer to end it now, that would make me a certifiable idiot. Judging by the number of movies, books, and other games available now, I think there is still a lot that can be done in the horror games.
I recommend this game!
Campfire Legends: The Babysitter
Discover the hair-raising tale of Campfire Legends - The Babysitter, the highly anticipated sequel in the hit horror series!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Retro Campy Horror Game (Good Game... Just a Few Issues)
PostedFebruary 15, 2021
MatildaRabbit
fromMS
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I like looking at older games and comparing them to what's new. While technology has brought us a lot of shiny new things, I feel that a lot of seasoned gamers have fallen out of love with the genre because there's something missing in the newer games. Maybe I've simply become desensitized, but I remember feeling scared or thrilled playing certain games. Maybe I've just gotten old and think that everything invented by these cocky green whippersnappers is subpar, not like the great games of legend. ;-) That being said, I'm hoping to find games that give me that same excitement that first brought me to the genre.
The oldest review on BFG for this game was 2015, but I found a reference that dates back to 2010 online. So, this game is at least 10 years old. I thought that the graphics on this one looked good. They are older style but pretty easy to see (and I have horrible eyesight). The main character appears poser-rendered, but it's in keeping with the era of the game. The map is in two sections. Once you get to the second part, you can't go back to the first half until the game is at its end. However, it's complex enough to keep you looking around.
The game is different from most other games I have played. You do look for hidden objects, but they are not all within the same scene. You have to travel around. For this reason, there is a lot of back and forth, but most of the objects being hunted are relevant to the story. Some of the objects were challenging to find. I think that I was looking too hard for some of them, but it became easier after I found the first one and knew what I was looking for.
Although there are cut scenes where you are looking at the babysitter, you play the game as the babysitter. The puzzles are mostly unique and somewhat challenging. I got stuck on the handcuffs because I wasn't sure what I was doing and what I should be doing. At that point, I went online to dig up a walkthrough, which helped.
A few hiccups... there were two or three cut scenes that began right after completing a task in a popup window. The popup window did not automatically vanish, and the cut scene played behind the popup window. Or maybe didn't play at all. I couldn't see it, but I heard the video. My mouse was disabled during the cut scene, so I couldn't close the popup window to see what was happening. So, I felt that I lost some of the story by not being able to see what was happening. It's like when someone puts their hands over your eyes during the one moment that something is happening during a movie. You hear screaming, but no clue what is going on.
Thing number two... In this game, the hint feature is not some eternal gizmo that recharges after a set period of time. No, you have to gather the hints as you go around. If you don't have any, tough. (That's what Meghan said.) I had no idea how the hints worked until I looked at the walkthrough. The walkthrough described them as fireflies. I thought they looked like round buttons or eyeballs, like a beetle or something like that. They have a little circle in them. I had to use them a couple of times because the instructions on the puzzles are very scarce. It's like "rotate the knobs," but you have no idea where you're supposed to be aiming this beam of light. I figured out most of it on my own, but there were a couple of times where I would have abandoned the game if not for the walkthrough. When I was trying to open the handcuffs, I had no idea and was about to delete the game before I thought to look for a walkthrough.
The puzzles are challenging, and, in that way, it's good to have something different that will make you think outside of the template that most new games seem to rely on. Some of the puzzles where I had to click and drag the mouse seemed harder than they should have been. Maybe because my laptop is being worked on, and I'm using this prehistoric Vista model where the mouse and keyboard aren't even USB and require the 20-year-old port to function. (But the ancient PC doesn't have a malicious computer-killing update.) The story, set in the 1980s, is strong and entertaining. The graphics are excellent for their age. If you want something in the hidden object genre that has a retro campy horror story with a bit of challenge, I recommend it, but be prepared for a couple of blind cut scenes and some back and forth hunting for objects. It was entertaining enough that I'm planning to get the other campfire game and play it, as well.
I recommend this game!
A Halloween visit with distant relatives becomes more than you bargained for!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Pretty with a good beginning
PostedNovember 10, 2020
MatildaRabbit
fromMS
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I usually buy the annual holiday games, and this year is no exception.
On the pros, the graphics were gorgeous, and the wallpaper that you get with the CE is amazing. The scenes were very interactive, which is a huge plus. You could pop balloons or flick lights on and off here and there. I appreciate that the developers took the time to implement these features, which are rare. I often lament when developers have a beautiful scene but do little with it. Also, there is a really nice setup at the beginning with the ride through the carnival.
However, for me, that's as far as the spooky atmosphere went. Please forgive me for being honest here.
Despite the monsters and the pumpkins, I felt that the game missed the mood that I expect in a Halloween themed game. The music was generic and would have probably worked in any other game at any other time of the year. I don't think the spooky factor in this one was even up to the Goosebumps level for a ten-year-old. It took me a while to finish the game, which isn't really that long, simply because there was little there to compel me.
In an article on cinema I read a while back, that was one thing that movie makers in the UK said that Hollywood did well: quickly establish a mood via music. Music was a short-cut to setting the proper mood or theme, while they were spending more time trying to build up to it. So, UK-made movies were longer and less intense, but they recognized the power of music and were learning from what others did well.
While early games had lower quality graphics and were clumsy, they were successful at setting the tone and compelling players to continue exploring. Those games are the reason that I continue to play, hoping to one day find a new game that is as provocative as those were back in the day. With today's technology, one would think creating a good game that checks all the boxes would be far easier, but are developers sacrificing artistry in favor of easy tech?
There were a lot of pros to this game with the art, the interactive scenes, collectibles, and the bonus package. However, for me, the cons were sound and diminishing mood after the opening scene, so my enthusiasm tapered off quickly.
Solve a series of devious puzzles to escape Arcana manor and uncover the dark secrets of the mysterious magician once lived there.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Best New Puzzle Game in a Long Time
PostedMay 16, 2020
MatildaRabbit
fromMS
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches
(60)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Loved this game!
Having recently played an older point-and-click adventure game that had really good puzzles, I started looking for more games like it. I enjoy hidden object games, but lately, many of the developers seemed to be recycling the same puzzles (possibly using templates?) while trying new things, and I was looking for something else that gave me the pure enjoyment and moody atmosphere that older games with real challenges had. Somehow, in my search I stumbled across this one, tried the trial, and had to buy it.
Many of the puzzles involve opening a door by swapping and spinning tiles to match a glyph you've seen elsewhere in the mansion. However, upon opening each door, you are met with at least one unique challenge in order to obtain one of the 13 keys needed to unlock Doctor Arcana's secret, as well as clues needed to solve other puzzles. You will have to decipher all sorts of puzzles and mazes. I accidentally skipped one puzzle when I tried the hint button. Duh. One reviewer remarked out the hint button was not helpful at all, and, later, I was looking around to find what was the next thing I had to solve, and tried the hint button. Nothing happened. :-D
The music is ominous, and the walls are hung with Gothic portraits rendered in a style that hearkens back to the old days of adventure games. We seem to be at a nostalgic time in our culture, as evidenced by movies that reflect the eras of our childhood (perhaps because there is an ever growing population of adults actually old enough to be nostalgic), and this was a much-desired game for me. I suppose I missed it because I was only searching in the "hidden object" puzzle adventures. I'll have to broaden my scope. It was pleasantly surprising that BFG would have a new game of this type.
The one negative I would have about this game is the lack of a map in order to navigate easier. Even the older game I originally played had a map, and, in this game, I continually found myself lost in the maze, trying to get back to the location where I saw something else I needed. There is a map in the library, but it mostly serves to transport you to rooms you have already accessed, and you have to make possibly a dozen clicks just to get back to the library, assuming you are heading in the right direction. There was a hint at more adventures, so, hopefully, future adventures involve a built-in map that can be accessed from any screen.
Second thing. Did I say one thing? I meant two. And I guess this is not so much something that requires change as a warning to other players. You don't really choose to turn on or off highlighted areas or anything. There are no sparkles or glitter letting you know to look over here. As you mouse around the screen and pass over certain areas, you'll get an eyeball. That eyeball may point out something to look at closer, or it might just make a passive observation. I suppose this lack of highlighted areas and eyeball cursors that may or may not be helpful is just another one of Doctor Arcana's ways of telling you to stop whining if you expect to live long enough to discover his secrets.
You might enjoy this game if:
*You think games that are over ten years old are great (this one isn't that old, yet, but it looks like it could be, and I think that's the point)
*You crave an intriguing atmosphere with spooky music
*You think Gothic art is really awesome
*You like deciphering ancient texts and playing with skulls
*You are looking for challenging, unique puzzles
*You can't resist the snarky comments of an arrogant wizard
*You crave an intriguing atmosphere with spooky music
*You think Gothic art is really awesome
*You like deciphering ancient texts and playing with skulls
*You are looking for challenging, unique puzzles
*You can't resist the snarky comments of an arrogant wizard
I recommend this game!
Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches
Explore a haunted farmstead in Wales called Ty Pryderi! Chris has been asked to house-sit, and is in for a spooky surprise!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Remember to Save Your Progress
PostedMay 6, 2020
MatildaRabbit
fromMS
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I was originally put off by the older graphics on this game, but, having played a lot of Nancy Drew, I didn't find this to be all that different. This was a very challenging, immersive experience where you have to explore the entire location and put together the clues. There is a lot of reading, but I found it really interesting. There wasn't any dialogue, which was a good thing. While some of the music and other sound effects was definitely old school, it also added to the mood. It's the best game I've played in a long time, and I hope I can find more like it. One important thing is to remember to save your game before exiting. It does not save automatically. Despite the older graphics and sounds, it's definitely worth playing and ran just fine on Windows 10.
I recommend this game!
A surprise visitor brings news of a grievous future!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Great Story but Too Short
PostedApril 28, 2020
MatildaRabbit
fromMS
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
My very first game was a Grim Tales game. Since that time, I have bought hundreds of games, but this series is special for me. I haven't really played the games in order to get the entire story, and that's something I aim to do in the future. However, I was always attracted to the concept of the story of this cursed family, the moody, Gothic details of the extravagant homes, and the smooth graphics.
That being said, this game seemed short to me. I would really need to go back to see if it differed all that greatly from other games in the series, but it definitely felt short compared to other games in other series. I like an intricate map, and, in this case, the map was like a series of links in a chain. You were only allowed to explore about two or three rooms at a time before moving on to the next "link" in the chain, where you would explore another two or three rooms, never to return to a prior link. If this is the way it has always been, then I wish they would expand the explorations of each link.There were very few puzzles to solve, and they seemed very simple.
While the storyline is intriguing, and the graphics are fantastic, the gameplay itself seemed too brief and simple. Hopefully, the next game I play in the series will have more challenges.
I recommend this game!
Embark on a paranormal journey through a family’s past in this wonderfully crafted adventure game.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Everything Old Is New Again
PostedAugust 25, 2019
MatildaRabbit
fromMS
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
With all of the advances in technology, I was longing for a nice, moody game that reminded me of when I first fell in love with Big Fish HOPAs. Lucky for me, Stormhill Mystery stepped up to the plate.
The rain falls throughout the game, and the moody soundtrack and sound effects--and, heck, the house, too--remind me of Haunted Hotel 4: Charles Dexter Ward. They even threw in a few Lovecraftian creatures. Interesting to note that HH4 was also produced by Specialbit Studios. Guess I should have seen that one coming.
The map is complex enough to make things interesting and, unless you've been locked in a room that you're going to have to Macgyver your way out of, allows you to teleport from one location to the other. While there are no hidden object scenes, there are plenty of boxes to open and objects to find so you can open more stuff and doors and puzzles to solve in order to progress through the story. The game play seemed to last a good while for me.
But that's not all. There are also morphing objects to be collected, which is a rare find for a standard edition game these days.
But, wait! There's more! Along with your set of Hattori Hanzo steak knives that never need sharpening again, you also get an extra chapter to play at the end of the game. Did you ever wonder how the tool you needed ended up in the tree or whose idea it was to bury a critical piece of decoration? And whose skeleton is in the lighthouse? This is the chapter where you find out.
The film portions of the game are simply animated with no flashy effects, and, at the heart of it, Family Shadows is a love story that ended in tragedy. For being not only a great bargain, but daring to give this gamer what she really loved about gaming, I give Stormhill Mystery: Family Shadows all five stars.
I recommend this game!
A couple's fixer-upper is haunted by a fierce creature.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Haunted House Game
PostedAugust 19, 2019
MatildaRabbit
fromMS
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm sorry. It's late, and I can't think of any creative titles for reviews. :) I finished this game a couple of weeks ago, and I really enjoyed it. The theme reminded me of the first time I played Ravenhearst (I believe it was the second game), House of 1000 Doors, or Haunted Halls. It was a throwback in some ways but with new tech, as well. For example, in some hidden object scenes, various items had to be picked up and examined to find the hidden object within. While the color scheme was somewhat muted, I think it worked for the genre. I enjoyed most of the puzzles, too.
I recommend this game!
It's up to you to save the Swan Princess’s kingdom!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Mixed review
PostedAugust 19, 2019
MatildaRabbit
fromMS
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
There were things I liked about this episode in the Dark Parables series, and some not so much. The backgrounds on most of the scenes were beautiful and definitely wallpaper material. On the other hand, here are a few issues where I have a bone to pick:
Most of all, I don't like pop-up scenes. Just don't. Make it fill the screen. There's no reason I should have to pull out my microscope to play this game when I bought a 17" laptop.
Secondly... those "hidden items/fragments" that do NOT look anything like the one I'm supposed to be looking for. You know what I mean. You shrank it to fit on a pin head, changed the color and the shape entirely. It's in no way recognizable. It's a blurry blob with a splotch on it. You were cheating. Deception is not the same thing as challenge.
Then... when I go to a room that has a star on the map showing I have a task there, and I'm looking at a curio cabinet. You say that the frame fits an object. There is no way to zoom in on the frame to see what it is. So, I'm just throwing things at it from across the room and get lucky.
And, my last thing... that was the back and forth where I kept having to turn the gear to open one tunnel or the other. There was no way to hop using the map, because one side or the other was blocked off. Every. Single. Time.
The game play seemed fairly long, which was good. I didn't get to finish reading how the story ended because it automatically went to credits without letting me pause to read or click out of the story text. I was on the last paragraph, and... roll credits. Too bad, you spent hours playing this game and the only way you'll know how the story ends is if you play it all over again.
Aside from all the things that annoyed me, it wasn't bad. Except for the spider. I am so glad he didn't jump out to attack me.
I recommend this game!
Can you solve an old murder case and save your sister?
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Good and Creepy
PostedAugust 14, 2019
MatildaRabbit
fromMS
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The game play on this one seemed to last a while. The story was the best part, and it was interesting trying to find out what had happened, although I'm still a little fuzzy on the details. I normally get annoyed when an area remains active because it has some scrap of a note or a diary page or newspaper clipping that tells some detail about the story, but this was one time when I was wishing that I had time to study the details before they vanished forever. The puzzles were varied, but several were on the very easy side. The map was very complex. When you think you've left the house, you're just getting started! ;-) Good game!
I recommend this game!