OldVermonter55's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.2
- Helpful Votes:381
- Reviews Submitted:35
- First Review:November 15, 2011
- Most Recent Review:July 3, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Escape from Thunder Island
Join the more-brave-than-brilliant aviatrix Rita James on a quest to rescue her kidnapped father in Escape from Thunder Island!
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
If you are color blind, skip this game
PostedJuly 13, 2013
OldVermonter55
fromMass
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Since most people skim these reviews, let me start right off and reapeat the title, skip this game if you are color blind. Like me, a certain percentage of the population can't discern colors well and that makes this game impossible. It is a pet peeve of mine that too many game developers make games whose puzzles are dependent on colors. So I really hate this part of the game.
It was created by the people who brought us the Tex Murphy adventure games of the 90's so I really wanted try this one and really wanted to like it. The story line is fun, the characters are a hoot and the voice acting is terrific. The music is another huge plus. But the errors in ths game are just lazy. There are places where you are required to see symbols on the walls, but the lighting is so bad, no one can see them. That kind of poor design is just a sign that the company didn't put in enough time to beta test and leaves me feeling like this was a throw away game in an attempt to raise funds for the next Tex Murhpy. It has it's good points, but way too much frustration to make it fun.
It was created by the people who brought us the Tex Murphy adventure games of the 90's so I really wanted try this one and really wanted to like it. The story line is fun, the characters are a hoot and the voice acting is terrific. The music is another huge plus. But the errors in ths game are just lazy. There are places where you are required to see symbols on the walls, but the lighting is so bad, no one can see them. That kind of poor design is just a sign that the company didn't put in enough time to beta test and leaves me feeling like this was a throw away game in an attempt to raise funds for the next Tex Murhpy. It has it's good points, but way too much frustration to make it fun.
I don't recommend this game.
The residents of Bitterford, Maine have fallen prey to a terrible curse. It’s up to you to unravel the series of mysterious events that led to the town’s downfall and uncover the evil that was responsible.
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
MCF is losing it's luster
PostedDecember 1, 2012
OldVermonter55
fromMass
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This is a so-so game that is made awful in spots whenever Lea Thompson is in it. She is just embarrassingly bad in this venture. It's not entirely her fault, she's stuck behind a table for most of it and given cheesy lines. Some of the gimmicks of this game are great, but it is spoiled by a plot line that insults the player's intelligence and acting that wasn't worth what ever was paid to get it. It's a step up from the last MCF, but that's not saying much. After all a game whose highlight was popping pimples and pulling nose hairs has to be reaching for the bottom of the barrel. But this is no Dire Grove and not even 13th skull. It has an innovative way to do HOS and the artwork is pretty good. But beyond that, the game is a loser. If you want to own the latest MCF, wait for a sale at Big Fish and pick it up then.
I don't recommend this game.
Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles
Charles Baskerville is the latest victim of a centuries-old curse! Help Holmes break the curse before the next murder occurs!
Overall rating
4
/
5
A fun romp except for the abrupt ending
PostedNovember 27, 2012
OldVermonter55
fromMass
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I actually liked this game, despite the fact that it has nothing to do with Conan Doyle's novel. It has some annoying bits that include a jarring sound scheme and really silly plot devices, but the puzzles are just right for the most part (one of them is ridiculous though) and the HOS are solid. The one big concern for me was the abrupt ending. It comes all of a sudden and poof, the game is over. Still it's worth a few bucks and about 5 hours of your time. I wish the people at Classic Adventures would take on the story though. The original novel has all the makings of a great background for a hidden object game.
I recommend this game!
Tri-Peaks 2: Quest for the Ruby Ring
Complete hands and collect artifacts for the Museum in this globe-trotting solitaire adventure.
Overall rating
2
/
5
29 of 35 found this review helpful
lacks the charm and humor of the first installment
PostedSeptember 20, 2012
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I found the first Tri Peaks to be a hoot. Just a simple, mindless way to spend some relaxing moments here and there. This one's music is lacking and it's more intense story line (if you can call it that) just doesn't carry the same charm as the first. Stick with Tri Peaks Solitaire To Go. When you've played through once, just do it again and you'll have a better time.
I don't recommend this game.
Escape the Emerald Star
You awake to find your cruise ship abandoned and in disarray. Can you track down all the fragments of a map and escape the ship?
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Great for those who enjoy simple HOG's
PostedAugust 29, 2012
OldVermonter55
fromMass
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
If you want to relax and enjoy a few minutes on board a ship, have at it....you will like this. If you enjoy a timed, puzzle filled, plot driven game, I'd pass on it. As others have said this is just a simple HOG, which I like. It's a nice relaxing way to spend a 10-15 minutes here and there. I played in the relaxed mode which I'd suggest to anyone. I've read some complaints about not being able to find anchors. If you run into this, don't worry. The scenes replay and the anchors you missed are still there for a second or even third go round. A tip: If you are in the relaxed mode, you can switch to different scenes when you get tired of looking in one.
I recommend this game!
Accused of Witchcraft, you must save your mom and escape the town of Salem during the conflict of 1692 in Lost Chronicles: Salem!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Some glaring errors make this so-so
PostedAugust 29, 2012
OldVermonter55
fromMass
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I really enjoyed this game as it got going. It was a nice blend of hidden object, puzzles and some interesting history. it could have been a great way to teach history to kids and give us adults some interesting facts to ponder. However, it has some glitches that cause the game to freeze and an abrupt ending that makes no sense. It's too bad to see a great concept marred by poor execution.
Join in the race as teams battle to be the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Explore the mysteries of the world and find clues to support your journey.
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Annoying HO Game
PostedAugust 6, 2012
OldVermonter55
fromMass
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I have to say this game was just annoying. I like to casually look around for HO's and relax a bit. But with this game the HO's are hidden in impossible ways, you have limited hints and you are racing against "other teams" generated by the game itself. It felt like a pressure cooker rather that a relaxing way to spend a few minutes. The biographical sketches are terrific and I wish I could just watch those and skip the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Gardenscapes: Mansion Makeover™
Welcome back to Gardenscapes! Turn the hall into a masterpiece!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Good, but not as good as the first installment.
PostedJune 24, 2012
OldVermonter55
fromMass
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I found the first Gardnescapes to be a delight...a nice escape from the usual dark and dreary hidden object venture into the strange and weird. When I noted the sequel to Gardenscapes was out, I figured it would be more of the same and it was, only not quite as nice as the first. There are some improvements. For example the game loads much faster and you can now give the dog a female name and have the game's dialogue work with that. But my chief complaint is the music. Games like this require some great background music and this one falls short on that score. The original theme song makes an occasional appearance and there is one room with a pleasing jazzy piece, but the rest are annoyingly bad. They've also added sounds here and there, including snorts and snores in the bedroom, that are bothersome. The graphics aren't as pleasant and the thermometer and camera hints are harder to find. Course, the objects are much easier to find in this version so you really don't need the hints. But the butler is back and the dog is back and the game still offers a few minutes of fun when you want to relax and forget about the day. So it gets a qualified 4 stars from me.
I recommend this game!
Help best-selling author Regina Blacklock solve a 35-year-old murder! Become a part of the investigation and uncover the truth!
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 10 found this review helpful
Terrible rendering of what could have been a good game
PostedMay 12, 2012
OldVermonter55
fromMass
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game had a lot of promise. An interesting premise with some interesting characters. But it is just so dumb. Terrible voice acting, silly premises for hidden object scenes and clunky graphics. I don't mind some silliness now and then and can even tolerate a poor story line with some interesting HOS and puzzles. But when you take an interesting idea for a story and ruin it with lousy execution, it just makes me mad.
I don't recommend this game.
Save the souls of prodigy children and their caretaker who disappeared during the fire in The Agency of Anomalies: Cinderstone Orphanage!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Good but not Great
PostedMay 11, 2012
OldVermonter55
fromMass
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I enjoyed the first installment of "The Agency of Anomalies" and was pleased to see another. While it was ok, this chapter was a bit of a let down. Don't get me wrong, I recommend it, just don't expect too much fromf it. It is a nice mix of HO scenes (HOS have enough challenge to be interesting) and puzzles. But the puzzles are pretty much the same old tired tile, connect the cogs and rotate the rings that you see in EVERY one of these games. I'm hoping the creative people at various game design companies can come with something different there. The music is at least not annoying but is kind of dull and the graphics are nice, but nothing to knock your socks off. I continue to miss the live actors that you see in an MCF episode, at least in the cut scenes. I know they must add to the expense of game development, but they add a lot to the game experience. The game seems to be short and ends abruptly. Oh, and as for the ending..the last plot twist is so old and over done, felt like a real yawner. One last concern that I'd level at most games like this. There are a few puzzles that require using color. Now look folks, I know I'm in the minority here, but there is a certain percentage of the population that, like me, are color blind. That means when a color based puzzle comes up, I head for the "skip" button. I wish game designers would come up with another way to do that kind of puzzle, like shape based or something. So go ahead and the try the game, just don't look for a great experience. You may like it, but I don't think you'll love it.
I recommend this game!