rosekaufmann's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:18,036
- Reviews Submitted:831
- First Review:April 2, 2012
- Most Recent Review:July 27, 2014
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Charon's train has left the station, and you’ll never believe who’s on board!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
TERRIFIC LONG ADVENTURE
PostedMarch 14, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
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
This is one terrific adventure. 12 chapters as you try to bring Count Orlok and his cohorts to justice so that Charon will release your wife from her trip to Hades. Orlok killed your wife on your wedding day and is now on Charon's train (he prefers the more modern mode of transportation to crossing the River Styx).
Artwork is handdrawn and lovely to look at. Looks like old-time art. Good sound effects and the narration is superb. Fun to play. Lots to do and locations to visit. You get a map for each chapter. Somewhat linear in that you meet other souls trapped on the train until their killer is brought to justice and must lure their killer to the train in succession.
If I can find one con, it's that the area where you have binoculars (I play casual), showing where you can look closer or pick up or find objects, continues to show binoculars when you scroll over. They should just close automatically.
Did like the lens that showed you where you might see things that aren't as they seem. Well told story. Don't understand the low ratings from some, unless they don't appreciate hand-drawn art.
I recommend this game!
Return to Raincliff, where what you see isn’t always what you get!
Overall rating
5
/
5
52 of 63 found this review helpful
RED CARPET WINNER
PostedMarch 14, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
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
GENERALLY: If this were a movie, the developers would certainly win an academy award or two. There are four modes - casual (relaxed which is my preference), advanced, hardcore (with absolutely no help) and detective (which has less help than hardcore).
GAMEPLAY: (in casual mode) Elf is back, though I don't know why he sits in the inventory tray instead of off to the side where most helpers sit. He helps in tight places. More adventures than HOS driven, with lots to see and do.
Objectives are specifically given, which I like. HOS are typical. Puzzles are varied and not so difficult that you can't solve them (unless maybe you're a beginner).
Color palette and graphics are outstanding as all the Mystery Tracker games. Map and journal are normal. Flawless gameplay. Carefully crafted environments and nicely-told story.
SUMMARY: I don't think this is my favorite Mystery Trackers, although they all are terrific. Lots of fun and things to do and nonlinear. If you play a lot of HOGs, can't help but love this series
I recommend this game!
Your grandfather disappeared while searching for Inuits' legendary treasure. Travel to the Arctic to find your missing grandfather and solve the Inuit mystery.
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
JUST SHORT OF A CE
PostedMarch 13, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
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
This is a SE with 18 morphing objects, 10 relics to collect, and coins for the bank to buy igloo items at the store. Fun to play and the graphics and artwork are very good. Voice overs are nice, but then they disappear becoming written, only to reappear later. Assuming it's not my computer misbehaving, I don't get why they delineated the game that way. Somewhat linear but straightforward, but you do have a choice of which directions to take. Hint system is very helpful. Nice proportion of puzzles and HOS. Puzzles are easy to do and the HOS are list-based, very crowded and colorful. A nice afternoon of play.
I recommend this game!
Dark Dimensions: Somber Song Collector's Edition
Townspeople flee as the black smoke covers their town. Can you close the dark dimension, before it’s too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
41 of 67 found this review helpful
AWESOME
PostedMarch 13, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
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
Special effects, music (suspenseful where appropriate) and sound effects are very good and fit the storyline in the correct place. Color palettes and graphics are awesome. Well developed storyline. Map has active objectives noted.
Good balance of HOS to puzzles. Progressive interactive HOS are moderately crowded and objects are detailed sufficiently to find objects. You have to use each object found on another item to progress through the HOS. Puzzles are relatively easy to figure out for an experienced player, but may take a little thinking (okay, maybe a lot) for the novice.
Loved the developer diary - interesting to see how models were used and developed for the scenery and characters in the game. Next time, they could put a little narrative in it to make it even more interesting.
Very good production values. Nonlinear and a lot of fun to play.
I recommend this game!
You're a top reporter in search of a missing toymaker – but this isn't child's play. Is something otherworldly responsible?
Overall rating
4
/
5
45 of 59 found this review helpful
UNIQUE HOS
PostedMarch 12, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Mary Bingham has solved the mystery of why all the workers at the toy factory have disappeared. Follow her steps.
PROS:
3 modes of difficulty
Good voice overs
Fairly good hint system outside of HOS
HOS are lists and crowded but detailed
Click blue names in HOS list to change name of object you're looking for
Good sound effects
Relatively scary scenes suddenly appear without warning
3 modes of difficulty
Good voice overs
Fairly good hint system outside of HOS
HOS are lists and crowded but detailed
Click blue names in HOS list to change name of object you're looking for
Good sound effects
Relatively scary scenes suddenly appear without warning
CONS:
No journal
No map
Story is slowly developed
Blah music doesn't change to suspenseful when appropriate
No journal
No map
Story is slowly developed
Blah music doesn't change to suspenseful when appropriate
I recommend this game!
When a new romance blossoms, the door to mystery opens in Love Alchemy!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
GOOD GAMEPLAY
PostedMarch 11, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Lots of places to go and things to do. Nonlinear gameplay. Several locations can be newly-opened within a short time and you need to decide which one to explore first. HOS are list-based, but it is a little difficult to read the list. They are not too crowded but are the same color palette, so it is a little hard to find some things (although once you find them, it is obvious what they are). Puzzles are many and relatively easy for experienced players.
To play widescreen, uncheck "Keep Proportions." No voice overs. Narration during cutscenes is a little fast. You also have to physically close out of close-ups. I don't think the game is worth the poor reviews it has received. You can anticipate the direction of the game (when Charles disappears for a meeting and tells you to feel free to explore the castle, but to be careful), so the many locations and what you find in them should not be surprising.
This game isn't up at the very top of my list, but it's certainly a lot better than the "run-of-the-mill" games out there. I think I've encountered the story a couple times at least. But the gameplay is very good.
I recommend this game!
After Alice's car careens into a river, she wakes to find herself in a strange world. To escape, Alice will have to overcome her fears.
Overall rating
5
/
5
37 of 42 found this review helpful
FUN to PLAY AND FOLLOW THE PATH TO NEW BEGINNINGS
PostedMarch 11, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
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
Follow Alice as she goes down a different path from a job and boss she hates to her own successful business. Bright and cheery graphics; a "mind" monster who will put her on the right path (he seems sinister but this is going back in her mind to the events that turned her life around); and nicely-developed story. HOS are well-done (but items may occasionally be difficult to find). Puzzles are fairly easy for advanced players. Many more puzzles than HOS. Artwork is stylistic, which I personally like, but it may put others off if you're looking for an entire game with "real" characters and objects. A good production value and fun to play.
I recommend this game!
An evil sorcerer has returned to take vengeance upon your kingdom. Will you be able to stop him?
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
PRINCESS MUST SAVE THE KINGDOM FROM BROTHER
PostedMarch 10, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
HOS are list-based and very crowded. Not too detailed. Hint system within the HOS gives you a picture of the object as it sits in the HOS. I couldn't find it a couple times after using the hint; the 2nd hint gives a closer view. I'd rather it show where the object is since some of the HOS is a little dark and, as I said, objects are not very crisply detailed all the time. Good thing there's no penalty for misclicks.
Hint outside the HOS is very good. It tells you where and what you can find something to help you on your quest. There is a long hint recharge time.
Graphics outside the HOS are very nice but not what I would call crisp. It may be because of the color palettes used in the scenes. Music must have been unintrusive since I don't remember it. Nice story as the princess must be considered inconsequential by her brother and therefore is in a position to save the kingdom from Mongo. Pleasant afternoon of play.
I recommend this game!
Who am I is an immersive hidden object adventure of an epic scale! Take the role of an undercover agent investigating strange sci-fi incidents in the city.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
UNDECIDED BECAUSE OF CONFLICTING INFO
PostedMarch 9, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love this game. It is cute and fun. But a lot of people say it ends shortly after the demo ends while there are others saying it lasts for several hours in the forum. There are about 70 locations. So I don't know who to believe - maybe there are different levels to complete and some finished and won only one level when there are others. Wish someone would write a complete walkthrough so I can determine whether to buy it. I don't want an hour-and-a-half or less game. CAN THOSE WHO COMPLETED THE GAME POST THEIR TIME IN THE FORUM, ESPECIALLY IF THEY RAN INTO A "YOU WON" IN THE EARLY PART OF THE GAME?
I recommend this game!
Young Andrea suddenly collapsed, falling into a coma. Now her fate rests on an experiment that dives deep into minds.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
NEED REVIEWS OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedMarch 9, 2014
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I hate when a demo ends before one hour is up. I have mixed feelings about the game. When the mother is in Andrea's mind, it is very interesting and intriguing and fun. But outside in the real world, it is rather mundane. So I had a hard time deciding whether to buy. Guess I'll have to wait until a sufficient number of people bought the game and reviewed it upon completion to determine whether to buy it.
Graphics in Andrea's mind are cool. Love the little imps that appear whether or not the mother is inside Andrea's mind - they're so cute. They seem mischievous rather than sinister. Puzzles are not difficult, although I had to think about a couple until I realized the journal had the answer. Depending on how long the game is, it could be a nice afternoon of game play. Would be great if BF had a way to show whether reviews were of completed game or based on demo at a glance (perhaps on the sidebar where they ask your favorite genre and game) or an additional comment to whether you would recommend the game.
I recommend this game!