ZekesPeach's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.9
- Helpful Votes:1,076
- Reviews Submitted:56
- First Review:December 18, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 6, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The enemy of your enemy is your friend, or are they?
Overall rating
1
/
5
8 of 11 found this review helpful
Listen to the Raven..."Nevermore!"
PostedJanuary 2, 2017
ZekesPeach
fromMidcoast Maine
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Other reviewers have explained the gameplay and extras, so I will concentrate on what it felt like to play it: boring, annoying, slow, tedious.
The detective, who used to be helpful, now seems to wander around waiting for you to do all the work. He looks like he hasn't bathed, shaved or slept in a week...no wonder he isn't any help!
Everything is so dark that it is hard to make out what things are; there's loads of dialog and hand-holding messages -- which I can't stand; lots of going back and forth; no resemblance to any part of Poe's work; the tasks and puzzles don't relate to each other, so I felt just as useless as the detective as I stumbled around trying to figure out what to do. If I left the game to do other things, I found it very hard to get back into it and remember what I was doing when I exited.
What pushed me over the edge was when I was directed to go to another location and I couldn't do so without engaging in a multiple choice conversation with the detective -- no way to skip doing it, and the choices just emphasized how trite and pointless all the dialog is in this game...just filler and time-wasting activity.
I totally agree that this series has consistently gone downhill and should be retired. I wouldn't even take the SE by using a coupon.
Try before you buy!
I don't recommend this game.
There's been a murder at Count Oldgrey's!
Overall rating
4
/
5
60 of 74 found this review helpful
Pleasant Enough
PostedDecember 3, 2016
ZekesPeach
fromMidcoast Maine
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I usually agree with Sunnyglow, but this time we aren't on the same page.
I played the demo most of the way through and found it to be a pleasant way to relax...not too challenging, but not so stupidly easy as to feel like I was playing a kids' game.
While there was some back and forth, the map and the hint button made it not an issue for me; I always mute voices, so can't comment on them; I skip most dialog; I don't care about where or when most games are supposed to take place when they aren't true to the location and era, so I didn't pay attention to apparel or anachronisms within the game. The graphics were nice enough; the HOP items were (so far) named correctly and not so tiny or dark that they couldn't be found with a thorough search; some puzzles were easier than others. I play mostly for the graphics, ambiance, music and the HOPS and puzzles...even better if there are morphs, which there aren't in this game.
It's a sale weekend, so I will buy this. Try the demo and see what you think.
I recommend this game!
Your new dream home has become a deadly nightmare!
Overall rating
2
/
5
9 of 17 found this review helpful
Couldn't Escape Fast Enough
PostedOctober 20, 2016
ZekesPeach
fromMidcoast Maine
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Played the demo for about 20 minutes and found it too annoying to continue. Sunnyglow did such an in-depth review that I will just give my likes and dislikes about it.
LIKES: Except for the people, the graphics were fine for me because I don't mind things not being totally realistic; the one HOP I encountered was fine; there was at least one morph per scene.
DISLIKES: To me, the pace of the game was very slow because of all the character interaction. Too much conversation!!! I enjoy characters who are giving me important details about what I am involved in...not ones who are wondering where their phone is, exclaiming about things that are obvious, wringing their hands about how we will all escape, etc. Even with the 'skip' ability, not all encounters skipped immediately or thoroughly and I felt like the characters were more of a hindrance to my progress than the ghostly smoke things. There are players who like this sort of interplay with characters, and they will no doubt love this, but it isn't my cup of tea.
I was also accumulating lots of stuff in inventory that required other things before I could use them, and didn't seem to be in any location available to me. Not just one or two things, but I think I had five different items, all in inventory at the same time, that were waiting for me to complete them before using them just in the short time I played, and I felt like I was scurrying around trying to find even one thing that I could use for the current objective.
I am not a fan of things like the cellphone or similar tools that expose hidden writing or people or spirits, and jiggle and flash to demand they be used. Again, I know there are players who like this stuff, just not me.
It was frustrating to see the morphing objects when I entered a scene, but wasn't allowed to collect them until I had interacted with the character or characters who were waiting to talk to me. In one instance, I had to go through so much conversation and other actions that I totally forgot about the waiting morph until I accidentally clicked on it later.
SUMMARY: I have liked games from this developer, and I think others were better done. This is a fine game for beginners and maybe intermediate players, as well as players who really get into story lines, deep interaction with characters, and magical or high tech gadgets that get used to expose hidden things, so I will recommend it for those players.
I recommend this game!
Can you bring peace to the kingdoms in time?
Overall rating
1
/
5
76 of 119 found this review helpful
I tried...
PostedSeptember 3, 2016
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I did want to like this, and I actually stuck with it for another 20 minutes after I had started wanting to tear my hair out...which began within the first 5 minutes of play.
Everything you do results in other characters or objects springing into action, and the actions drag on and on...characters constantly want to talk to you, and the black bar subtitles last way too long with few options to speed things along by clicking...many times there is no skip button. Tons of hand holding and cut scene type action that you just have to sit and wait out.
I had the sound off, but I can imagine there are lots of sound effects and music to match the very colorful and cartoonish artwork. Puzzles and HOPs that I did get to were super easy.
I think young and beginner players might enjoy this, but older players and more experienced players will likely find it frustrating.
I don't recommend this game.
Sometimes we think that if we could change something from our past, our whole life would turn out differently.
Overall rating
1
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
Best for very VERY beginners
PostedJune 1, 2016
ZekesPeach
fromMidcoast Maine
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I am not into most storylines, don't like to have to interface with characters, and don't have a problem if the music isn't A+...I can play without thinking about what the story is doing, skip past dialog, and use the mute function. I will buy them if I like the scenery, the puzzles/HOPs, and music while ignoring what I don't care for. I do have issues with games where everything moves at the pace of a sloth on tranquilizers. Sadly, that is this game.
In today's world of design, it is simply laziness to make every scene require the use of a magnifier - provided in the game - to find the items in each HOP. There is also way too much handholding and SLOW scripting.
It is reminiscent of the Big City Adventure games - which I own several of - but those at least moved along at a reasonable pace, had no character interaction that I can recall, and they provided interesting bits of history and local facts to keep the player engaged. Those games can be played by young and old alike, no matter of skill level, and keep everyone entertained.
I couldn't get through more than 10 minutes of play (forcing myself through the last 5 minutes), and can't even convince myself to use a freebie coupon to keep it on hand 'just in case'.
This game would be fantastic for very young, very new gamers who are learning their way around computer games. Sorry.
I don't recommend this game.
Depression... You are looking for light, but darkness already has you... Your soul is engulfed by THE EMPTINESS!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
WOW!
PostedFebruary 20, 2016
ZekesPeach
fromMidcoast Maine
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As a true HOP gamer I am always looking for the great ones...ones with challenge and not cookie-cutter formats. I had read comments that this game was really more of an adventure game, and a hide-and-seek variety, so shouldn't be listed as a HOP, but there were some HOP type scenes in it, so I guess it should be included in the genre.
This game took me back to games I used to play more than a decade ago...not so much of a storyline and interaction with characters type, but more of a figure-it-out-for-yourself adventure. I was immediately hooked on it!! As was my husband. We played in tandem from start to finish, and I am looking forward to playing it again. I hope we will see more games like this!!!
Overall, the graphics were nice and sharp; good sound; characters appeared infrequently and had minimal, but helpful, messages to pass along in pleasing voices. There were some surprising events (will not spoil them for you); some things change unexpectedly in response to actions taken elsewhere.
There is no map, but there is a limited area to cover so it isn't a big deal; no hints are available unless you play in the lesser of the two game play modes, and even those can keep you guessing in a teasing way. To quote another reviewer, there is no handholding in this game...it is all challenge!
Please, please, PLEASE give us some more games like this one!! I can't even imagine what a CE version would be like!
I recommend this game!
You're a surgeon. You can handle anything, right?
Overall rating
3
/
5
29 of 42 found this review helpful
Not a best effort...
PostedFebruary 7, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Oh, my dear friends at Eipix, what went wrong with this game? There are none of your usual morphs, the puzzles and HOPs are a bit simplistic, too much conversation, and voices that play during cut-scenes despite my having turned voices off -- which means I can't leave the sound on to enjoy the otherwise excellent music and environment sound effects.
Others have outlined the story and components of the gameplay so I will stick to general impression comments. This game comes across like it was in the hands of newbies instead of the 'old pros'...as far as I've gotten in the demo so far, I don't feel any excitement or interest in the storyline or the characters; there is only one item to look for in each scene, and they aren't hard to spot; there are NO MORPHS to provide a challenge; there are far fewer achievements to earn than Eipix usually provides; the characters annoy me by continuing to want to talk to me, interrupting my efforts to advance while I keep punching 'skip all' to get them to shut up; there was one HOP where I couldn't find an object that was indicated to be in plain sight, but what it was labeled as was not how it appeared when I finally used a hint to see where it was; and, as mentioned above, I can't leave the sound on to enjoy the music and special effects because, despite having turned voices off, they are very much present during all the cut-scenes!
On the plus side, I haven't discovered any glitches or bugs; the graphics are nice; the music, environment and special effects sounds are nicely done from the little I've heard; the map is interactive; there are no annoying little creatures to 'assist' players; there is variety among the HOPs and puzzles.
I hope Eipix will return to putting more zip and challenge in their games, cut back on character interaction, make the voice control work for ALL voices, and show they are still the masters of the HOP genre.
I recommend this game!
The mountain town of Glockenverk is in the grip of a dramatic and deadly cold spell. Set out with your trusty feline friend, Mr. Jenkins, to crack the case!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Some good, some bad
PostedJanuary 1, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I mostly liked this game, but it did have glitches and a certain unevenness to the play.
Things I liked: graphics were good, good music, the puzzles were mostly interesting and not so hard that one would get fed up before solving them, HOPs were mostly good, interactive map and decent strategy guide.
Things I didn't like: lots and lots of conversations and cut scenes that just dragged on -- even if they had a skip button, until you finish the main game there is no access to the Extras menu so you can see what the extras and achievements are, no place in the main game or bonus and extras area to see what items you missed or what you achieved, and, because BFG doesn't like reviewers to discuss any technical issues encountered during play, I would recommend checking the technical issues in the forum and playing the demo before purchasing.
Compared to other games by this developer, this seemed to have never been properly vetted in the beta stage...the play seemed choppy, there were HOPs where I couldn't find an item because it was unclear that it required moving or opening something first, and the space around things you need to click on was so tiny that it was impossible to see the cursor change. Eager, younger players might enjoy this more, but it just wasn't up to snuff as a CE and needs some fine tuning to make it a great game.
I recommend this game!
Why would anyone want to stop Christmas from coming?
Overall rating
1
/
5
15 of 19 found this review helpful
Coal in My Stocking
PostedDecember 6, 2015
ZekesPeach
fromMidcoast Maine
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I wanted to like this game...I have played the earlier Christmas games and found them entertaining enough to play to the end, but I couldn't force myself to get through the first 15 minutes of the demo.
The colors are nice, settings are pleasant, but the discovery process for the first puzzle pieces was absurd, and too much of the scenery is miniscule. There are too many verbal interactions for my taste -- even though you can opt to skip them, you still have to initiate contact with at least 3 characters in the first 'big' scene -- and I agree with one other reviewer who commented that the degree of difficulty varies wildly from puzzle to puzzle.
It would seem better suited to young or very new game players, but I have played other games that I think were of higher quality overall that would also be better suited to young and very new players that I would recommend before this.
Sorry, Elephant Games, but this is a swing and a miss for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Who is trying to destroy the Kingdom of Barsia?
Overall rating
1
/
5
25 of 31 found this review helpful
Not My Cup of Blue Tea
PostedNovember 21, 2015
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I have usually loved Blue Tea and Eipix games, but this one doesn't make the grade.
As others have noted, the storyline is odd, the characters are not even remotely up to today's standards of animation, the scenes are drawn so small and vague that it is difficult to make out the collectibles (I never found any while playing the demo), and this also reduces any enjoyment of viewing any of the locations. The HOPS are tedious with having to find pieces of things that blend in with the background, and there is way too much 'back and forth' activity.
I am so disappointed that this series has deteriorated into such a mundane and outdated format.
I don't recommend this game.