cbtx's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.3
- Helpful Votes:2,261
- Reviews Submitted:140
- First Review:December 30, 2011
- Most Recent Review:April 16, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Gentle melodies and dozens of adorable kitties are just waiting to be uncovered in this hidden object vacation!
Overall rating
1
/
5
Peaceful Gardens That Are Just Depressing
PostedApril 16, 2025
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Even the title is depressing! "Peaceful Gardens"? Good grief, that's a name for a section in a cemetery.
The visuals are blurry, the hidden objects seem simply scattershot, and the music belongs in a viewing room.
Terrible game, like the first.
I don't recommend this game.
Hidden object searches abound in a legendary adventure!
Overall rating
1
/
5
Had High Hopes, But ----
PostedApril 14, 2025
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The theme of legendary creatures seemed very interesting and different so I was eager to try this one.
Unfortunately, I found problems.
Unfortunately, I found problems.
First, the gameplay instructions are unclear ---- I never figured out how to get to a different destination once I had the correct amount of money.
Second, It costs a lot of coin to even try to select another location.
Third, too many keys are required to open the hidden object scenes.
Fourth, once the hidden object scenes are open they are overly simple, repetitious, and offer zero reward. So what's the point of having them at all?
Fifth, the M3 gameplay is overly difficult. Maybe I'm just not good enough, but I found the levels too tricky and time consuming.
So these things lead to the biggest fault of all ---- the game is just not fun to play.
So these things lead to the biggest fault of all ---- the game is just not fun to play.
Sorry, the premise is intriguing, the promise is there, but the presentation and execution of the game lead to zero fun and a low rating from me. I would love to see the instructions, gameplay, and difficulty get an update because the game really needs one. (But I guess they don't update here at BF like they used to)
I don't recommend this game.
Collect souvenirs and Match 3 in this world-traveling variety game!
Overall rating
1
/
5
Find All Things?
PostedApril 12, 2025
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
What I needed to find here was a quick way out of the game, then uninstall it!
Terrible game ---- just a total copy of all the other "find" games we have been covered up with over the last months and months ---- only worse!
Starts out with a sewing room (talk about trying to appeal to all the grandmas) that you must play 4 different ways in order to move on. No selecting where to play, you play in the order they demand.
I only saw the developer's name at the very start and went back in to see it again but no dev name upon re-entry.
I'd hide my name too if I were responsible for this embarrassment of a game.
I'd hide my name too if I were responsible for this embarrassment of a game.
This one is my nominee for the worst game of the year so far.
BTW, how do you like those reviewers who say they are "not sure" about the reviews of others? Well, just be "sure" of your own review ---- just as I'm "sure" this game is awful.
I don't recommend this game.
Find hidden objects and complete mini-games in this European travel experience!
Overall rating
2
/
5
Another? Really?
PostedApril 9, 2025
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Good grief ----stop paying CE money for these Trip to Europe moneygrabbers and you'll have a down payment to reserve an actual trip!
This one is no different from the others ---- simply the 10th in a line of cookie cutter games featuring the all white cast (I counted 85 characters in the first few scenes, all white people ---- just a page out of life), the pasted on objects that are either too obvious or too tiny, the same style extremely boring minigames (even saw an old time spot the difference, how exciting), and that stupid raccoon that the developer must believe really sets his games apart.
However, this time around the traveling family (can't remember their names ---- I know, we can call them the White family) is voice acted, and done so very poorly. The mom seems and looks like an elderly housewife that got dragged out of the house (check that hair), and the young boy is voiced by a woman!
So except for the laughable parts, the game is carelessly thrown together and poorly executed.
Avi, we've been to Europe more than enough ---- any other concepts or ideas? This one is old, repetitious, and a square-eyed bore.
I expect much better game offerings from Big Fish
Definitely NOT recommended.
I don't recommend this game.
Thaw out bitter-cold cases in the strange town of Frostwood!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Yes, it CAN be replayed
PostedMarch 28, 2025
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Another reviewer states that this game can NOT be replayed. It can be reset to start from the beginning, or can be continued.
The graphics are up to Elephant's usual standard of excellence, and it has an interesting and challenging story to work through.
We need far, far more of this type game as opposed to the onslaught of "Find this, find that, play ancient minigames" that charge double the price of this excellent choice.
So if you are looking for a game that goes beyond being "soothing" to relax with and, at the same time, require you to wear the old thinking cap ---- here you go.
(Hints are limitless and immediate, and skips are available for puzzles)
(Hints are limitless and immediate, and skips are available for puzzles)
I recommend this game!
Can you save familiar stories from an emerging darkness before it’s too late?
Overall rating
1
/
5
Huge Disappointment
PostedMarch 21, 2025
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Friendly Fox has declared that they are offering a "new kind of investigation" with this pitiful offering. No, they are not. What they ARE doing is jumping on the gravy train of games that are glorified, souped-up HOGs that hide behind a CE label.
This is just a copy of the relax/travel/find games that so many gamers are supporting for some reason that I will never understand.
It is just one HO scene after another that the developers can churn out quickly and definitely on the cheap in the hope that we gamers will believe this is something new. Well, it's not new, and it really is just copying what others are already doing.
It is just one HO scene after another that the developers can churn out quickly and definitely on the cheap in the hope that we gamers will believe this is something new. Well, it's not new, and it really is just copying what others are already doing.
The graphics are very poor with some objects quite indistinguishable.
The "story" is silly and childish.
The HO scenes repeat themselves and the movement of the objects is minimal.
The "story" is silly and childish.
The HO scenes repeat themselves and the movement of the objects is minimal.
I sincerely hope this game is a monumental failure and Friendly Fox learns that gamers are not so stupid as to believe they have come up with something "new".
Friendly Fox should be embarrassed to even release this game, especially when it is compared to their high quality games they are so very capable of.
I would say to whoever is in charge of these decisions at FF ---- KNOCK IT OFF!
Friendly Fox should be embarrassed to even release this game, especially when it is compared to their high quality games they are so very capable of.
I would say to whoever is in charge of these decisions at FF ---- KNOCK IT OFF!
Terrible game, already uninstalled soon to be totally forgotten.
I don't recommend this game.
Search for hidden objects in comfy locales, with surprises around every corner!
Overall rating
1
/
5
Nothing To See Here Folks ---- Keep Moving!
PostedMarch 1, 2025
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Just another quickly and carelessly slapped together HOG that features absolutely nothing original. But it does feature the exact same things the first three games in the series did:
-zero story
-boring scenes
-repetitious objects to find that do NOT change if you replay
-a hint button that takes 40 seconds to refill! 40 seconds with no option to speed it up (inattentive programming)
-the same number of "bonus" items which they mistakenly believe qualifies the game for CE status
-the same old minigames the other games in the series have
-zero story
-boring scenes
-repetitious objects to find that do NOT change if you replay
-a hint button that takes 40 seconds to refill! 40 seconds with no option to speed it up (inattentive programming)
-the same number of "bonus" items which they mistakenly believe qualifies the game for CE status
-the same old minigames the other games in the series have
And they declare the beautiful wallpapers that no one uses and the music player featuring horrible tunes somehow add to the desirability of paying CE money ---- wrong!. Track #12 on the music player is "O Come All Ye Faithful", and, yes, I'm serious, a totally out of place Christmas carol started up while I was looking for objects in a cluttered yard! Talk about inattention to details in the game. (Oh, and the bark of the dogs and the meow of the cats are the most unrealistic and nerve grating I've ever heard in a game with pups and/or kitties).
While I recognize that there are very nice HOGs of this type available right here at Big Fish, this is not one of them. The games created by more astute developers are vastly superior to this very lame effort. It seems like this one was slapped together on an assembly line with no thought to offering a superior game ---- just a simplistic, boring, and repetitious dud. I shudder to think how many more Avi games has on this abysmal lineup waiting for the go ahead.
Sorry, this one is an epic failure.
I don't recommend this game.
Something strange lies beyond the mist.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Not Willing To Pay Again
PostedFebruary 13, 2025
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I am very sorry ---- I am a huge fan of HOPAs, but I just can't justify paying for a ten year old game that has been "remastered".
I can pay for a NEW game that I have NEVER played for the same money.
And this new game is graphically improved ---- but not by the price of a new CE.
New character voices are nice I guess ---- but not by the price of a new CE.
New HO scenes and new puzzles? My memory is not that clear on a 10 year old game. So, not by the price of a new CE.
I can pay for a NEW game that I have NEVER played for the same money.
And this new game is graphically improved ---- but not by the price of a new CE.
New character voices are nice I guess ---- but not by the price of a new CE.
New HO scenes and new puzzles? My memory is not that clear on a 10 year old game. So, not by the price of a new CE.
I commend Friendly Fox for the remaster effort for those that do not own the original, but I'm not even going to consider paying for the same game at full price again. They don't even offer a discount to owners of the original game as is done at other sites and by other devs. That's a bad gaming investment for gamers, and a cheap, tawdry marketing ploy that I hope does so poorly that devs and BF stop or amend this tactic at once.
The game itself is fine (but let's be honest, it's hardly a "classic") ---- the tactic is one I do not believe is at all fair and certainly not worth the money.
2 stars for sameness and repetition ---- come up with a new and original game Friendly Fox, this "remastering" stuff is not so friendly.
I don't recommend this game.
Defeat vampires and uncover collectibles in this playful platformer!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Remastered Excellence
PostedFebruary 12, 2025
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a game that has been around for 15+ years and actually began as a kid's game. But adults took to it, as well.
So now it has been remastered/updated for today's gamers and it is an absolutely gorgeous platformer that is easy to learn and fun to play for all ages.
So now it has been remastered/updated for today's gamers and it is an absolutely gorgeous platformer that is easy to learn and fun to play for all ages.
According to the developers, "in the current, remastered version, we did a lot of improvements to graphics, upscaling and re-rendering these sprites etc, adding new features."
And, "There's a lot of levels, they're big and there's a LOT of stuff to collect.
In this new version we've modified the game to make it easier to track level progress so it's easier to know when you've collected 100% of the level, eliminated all enemies and found all secret areas."
In this new version we've modified the game to make it easier to track level progress so it's easier to know when you've collected 100% of the level, eliminated all enemies and found all secret areas."
I can verify that all of that is true, and I've had more fun with this game than any game released here in a long time. I love platformers (not very good at them, but love playing them), especially when they are not overly complicated and difficult. It takes me all the way back to the days of Mario (yes, I was young once! lol).
I'm intrigued and delighted to see an old classic get remastered by such excellent developers as Cateia whose game library includes many excellent HOPA offerings and TM games. I hope more like this are coming.
So for something a bit different for BF and way different from looking at boring travel, nature, animal, etc. scenes here is a very nice game to try. It won't necessarily be "soothing" or "relaxing", but it will certainly be fun and involving. And, for me at least, that's what gaming is all about.
Very highest recommendation.
I recommend this game!
Find hidden objects and play mini-games all across gorgeous American vistas!
Overall rating
1
/
5
Escape to Yet Another Exercise in Total Boredom
PostedFebruary 2, 2025
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
---- and that sums it up.
It's just another exercise in cookie cutter, lather, rinse, repeat style game.
The template is the same as all Avi games.
The usual group of all white (29/29 in the first 4 scenes) insipidly smiling "travelers" are back ---- no diversity at all. I'm not a member of a minority group, but be realistic!
The usual erroneous "facts" about the locations are back. For example, in the very first scene the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas is described as a headquarters for the Mexican army. Really? Sorry, but that is where the Mexican army besieged the Texas defenders (including Davy Crockett) until all were lost which ultimately led to Texas independence. So ---- try harder to get your facts straight, Avi.
Then, some park in Dallas is mentioned as a huge vacation spot to visit. Sorry, but there are literally hundreds of more interesting spots to visit in Texas.
Avi seems to think that Canada is part of America ---- wrong, it is a country on the North American continent, and no one here thinks of Canada or Mexico as being part of America.
Avi also seems to be a bit confused about what areas make up Florida.
When you enter a scene there is not even a designation or name of what the scene is.
Overall, Avi has put together the "facts" and scenes in this game in a very sloppy manner.
Then, some park in Dallas is mentioned as a huge vacation spot to visit. Sorry, but there are literally hundreds of more interesting spots to visit in Texas.
Avi seems to think that Canada is part of America ---- wrong, it is a country on the North American continent, and no one here thinks of Canada or Mexico as being part of America.
Avi also seems to be a bit confused about what areas make up Florida.
When you enter a scene there is not even a designation or name of what the scene is.
Overall, Avi has put together the "facts" and scenes in this game in a very sloppy manner.
The minigames are unoriginal and very old (there's even an ancient "Tower of Hanoi" offering! LOL).
And the pointless raccoon is back, of course.
If more effort were put into this type of copycat game, perhaps I could be more more understanding (and I like some of the well done travel games of the style Avi is trying to mimic) ---- but it is just a slapped together, get on that assembly line rush job, and these type games have been done so much better by more astute developers.
I also need to say that I am completely happy with "top reviewer" and "key contributor" designations. I'm glad we have those ---- they are my "go to" reviews and those designations are deserved and helpful. And our "Top Reviewer" is just that, the very top and very best ---- always informative, always fair, and loaded with gaming knowledge and experience. Thanks to Big Fish for those ---- they are quite helpful. As far as what reviews are for ---- sorry, but I think that presuming to understand and know the intent of reviews is a bit of a reach. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and reviews are just that ---- opinions.
So if you want to just repeat the same old gameplay and plow through the same old puzzles ---- this game might be be your cuppa.
But if you want something original with a small challenge that won't put you to sleep, go back a couple of days' offerings or wait till next week.
But if you want something original with a small challenge that won't put you to sleep, go back a couple of days' offerings or wait till next week.
I don't recommend this game.