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:
Unfinished Tales: Illicit Love Collector's Edition
After the Raven Queen crashes her wedding, Thumbelina must save her prince to reclaim her happy ending!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
OUTRAGEOUSLY WONDERFUL
PostedNovember 4, 2013
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
SUMMARY: This is one of the most fascinating games I’ve tried. I almost want the CE and the SE because they are just superb in almost all ways.
STORY: You play Thumbelina? Can you solve the mystery of your groom’s past and save you Floral Kingdom from the evil witch on your wedding day? Is your groom as evil as portrayed in the cutscenes? Will you end up with him? Who is this Raven Queen? Others have gone into details, so I’ll leave it at this. Questions and questions to answer.
SIGNATURES: Outrageously gorgeous scenery – you want to linger in the scenes just to absorb it. Wonderful animations – you can get more animation by moving your cursor around the scene. You want to delay moving on to the next scene until you’ve exhausted your eyes. Just like a Disney movie. Realistic sounds – I could feel the heat from the crackling fire. Voice overs range from terrific to slightly exaggerated. Has one of the top 10 “attention to details” award in my opinion. Puzzles are a lot of fun and unique. If there’ one complaint, it’s that you have to find all pieces of objects before you can use them (like both eyes).
CE: Collect 50 butterflies. There are a lot of achievements and you need to review them before playing so you can figure out how to get all of them (which earns you another achievement). Like, one achievement is interacting incorrectly 50 times and taking a full 10 minutes for at least one HOG. These and the bonus game would determine whether you want the CE or SE.
BASICS WHAT ELSE YOU GET: 4 volume controls, gamma control, widescreen capability, special effects choice, 3 game modes and an interactive map. Oh, and a very helpful magic mirror.
I recommend this game!
Uncover the mystery behind an artist’s deadly talent!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
NOT WHAT I EXPECTED
PostedNovember 4, 2013
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'm not as impressed as I thought I would be. I thought this would be an easy 5-star rating. Although the scenery is pretty, the HOS are typical and the puzzles are quite easy. It's relatively easy to finding pieces to complete objects (such as gate, rope) in order to move forward. Map is helpful in showing you where there are tasks to perform. Liked the kitten - he sure likes to climb. I was positive he would get stuck in some high place. Music is appropriate to whatever scene you are investigating. Voice overs are good. A very nice game. 4 stars (I was expecting a 5-star performance from the description), but the game is still worth owning.
I recommend this game!
Guide little Emmy through her fears and back to the real world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
25 of 28 found this review helpful
DELIVERS THE SCARY AND SPOOKY ELEMENTS
PostedNovember 3, 2013
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
I love scary movies and this game has got to be among the top 5 scariest/spookiest games I've ever played. The animations that turn ordinary objects into imaginative, scary, grotesque characters is the best I've seen. Objects just seem to naturally morph into creatures from your worst nightmares.
The voice overs are pretty good; you get an interactive map; hint system recharges fairly fast. The HOS are very nicely done - you get a break from having objects morphing into horrific scenes. This is a game to play on a dark, stormy night. (Too bad we don't have them in L.A.) I would suggest with the lights off, but the graphics and animation might be a bit much. I think I would actually get a nightmare, even with the lights on at night.
SUMMARY: Love that this nightmare of a game actually lives up to its description. There are quite a few games which promise you a scary and nightmarish atmosphere. Some came close to delivering, but next to this one, I will have to redefine what a nightmarish game is. Some people will likely have a difficult time accepting it. Beautiful graphics and first rate story.
I recommend this game!
A shipwreck on a volcanic island unearths deadly secrets!
Overall rating
4
/
5
38 of 44 found this review helpful
GOOD SEQUEL THOUGH A WEE BIT DISAPPOINTING
PostedNovember 1, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
SUMMARY: This is the sequel to Mayan Prophecies: Ship of Spirits. I loved the original but this sequel left me a little disappointed. But it’s still a great looking game with good gameplay. The artistry was gorgeous and gameplay was similar to the original.
I liked that the “saved” person from Ship of Spirits was included in this sequel. I think it’s the story line or maybe the interaction between our heroes and the natives that disappoints me – it just isn’t compelling me to feel like I should hurry to save the island. At times, it seemed the story had to be fabricated to add more elements and length to the game.
GOOD:
Beautiful locations with outstanding artistry
Don’t need to play original to understand this one
Gain a little Mayan history (learning about cultures is always a plus to me)
Nicely done HOS
Beautiful locations with outstanding artistry
Don’t need to play original to understand this one
Gain a little Mayan history (learning about cultures is always a plus to me)
Nicely done HOS
NOT SO GOOD:
Voice overs don’t sound professional
Story not as compelling as the original
Sometimes storyline felt fabricated
Voice overs don’t sound professional
Story not as compelling as the original
Sometimes storyline felt fabricated
I recommend this game!
Rescue a young girl from the Penumbra Motel. Solve puzzles, unravel a long standing mystery of death and disappearances in this heart-pounding adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE AT THE LOCAL MOTEL
PostedOctober 31, 2013
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
3
/
5
Adventure game with no HOS, but many interesting puzzles. Without the HOS to plow through, it becomes more of a straight adventure game. LENGTH: Bit above average length: about 4 ½ hours. STORY: Rescue a young girl from the Penumbra Motel, which has a sordid history of murder and disappearances. You find out the why at the very end. Although this is an ERS game, and even though it has great environments, voice overs, puzzles and plot, it seems to fall a little short of the spectacular games they put out for some reason. Maybe they’ve spoiled us. If it was put out by another studio, I’d have less expectations perhaps. That’s not to say this is a perfectly good game.
It has wonderful voice overs and uses live actors. Yeah, the mouths aren’t in sync with the words, but since most games are translated into other languages, does it really matter? There are always going to be unsynced mouths in that case. The many puzzles have a wide variety of complexity. Some are unique; others are old standbys with a twist. There is one identical puzzle which seems to be the “standard” for this game. You will see it several times, but each time the difficulty increases. Some of the puzzles may be a bit difficult for novices and the skip button does take a long time to load.
SUMMARY: I did like the game. I kept putting off even trying it for quite some time, and finally took the plunge. I don’t regret it. It is a fun game, though it’s not as story-driven as I would like. Definitely worth a DD. Probably more.
I recommend this game!
Rescue a young girl from the Penumbra Motel. Solve puzzles, unravel a long standing mystery of death and disappearances in this heart-pounding adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE AT THE LOCAL MOTEL
PostedOctober 31, 2013
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
3
/
5
Adventure game with no HOS, but many interesting puzzles. Without the HOS to plow through, it becomes more of a straight adventure game. LENGTH: Bit above average length: about 4 ½ hours. STORY: Rescue a young girl from the Penumbra Motel, which has a sordid history of murder and disappearances. You find out the why at the very end. Although this is an ERS game, and even though it has great environments, voice overs, puzzles and plot, it seems to fall a little short of the spectacular games they put out for some reason. Maybe they’ve spoiled us. If it was put out by another studio, I’d have less expectations perhaps. That’s not to say this is a perfectly good game.
It has wonderful voice overs and uses live actors. Yeah, the mouths aren’t in sync with the words, but since most games are translated into other languages, does it really matter? There are always going to be unsynced mouths in that case. The many puzzles have a wide variety of complexity. Some are unique; others are old standbys with a twist. There is one identical puzzle which seems to be the “standard” for this game. You will see it several times, but each time the difficulty increases. Some of the puzzles may be a bit difficult for novices and the skip button does take a long time to load.
SUMMARY: I did like the game. I kept putting off even trying it for quite some time, and finally took the plunge. I don’t regret it. It is a fun game, though it’s not as story-driven as I would like. Definitely worth a DD. Probably more.
I recommend this game!
To save your father from a hideous monster, you've decided to sacrifice your own freedom. Now you must journey through a strange and magical land before time runs out!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 16 found this review helpful
MYSTERIOUS - BEAUTIFULLY OUTSTANDING
PostedOctober 31, 2013
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
Beautifully done production. The artistry is gorgeous; the voice overs are fantastic (I don't care about lip-sync as the game would be translated into various languages); music is pleasant, and the environments are very detailed. HOS are not too crowded and, in fact, you need to find fewer objects than many HOS. Puzzles are different and rewarding when you figure them out (finally). Story is intriguing, mysterious and different. Lots to do. A must-buy for me.
I recommend this game!
An organ grinder seeks revenge, marking his victims with cards. Can you stop him before he destroys the entire city?
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
ALL THOSE MONSTERS
PostedOctober 30, 2013
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
LENGTH: Main game about 4 hours 45 minutes.
GOOD:
• Wonderful story of an organ grinder telling a tale of past death and who is now leaving threatening cards to people who soon die. Keeps your interest to the very end. Grinder loves his hurdy-gurdy and very clever rhymes.
• Wide variety of clever puzzles and mini-games with varying degrees of difficulty. Mini-games are fairly easy.
• HOS are somewhat crowded but very detailed, so finding objects is not a problem.
• Terrific combination of graphics and animation, that lend to the overall atmosphere of fear from an organ grinder seeking revenge.
• Your fire phoenix, Terrance, lights up your life and helps you out in hot situations.
• A lot of attention to creating environment details with very good voice overs.
• Hint outside the HOS can be quite specific. Alternatively, the interactive map will tell you what needs to be done in each location if you cursor over it. Or, since the locations are so enticing, you may want to forgo the map altogether.
• Imaginative monsters who are part of each of the 13 cursed cards the grinder creates.
• Wonderful story of an organ grinder telling a tale of past death and who is now leaving threatening cards to people who soon die. Keeps your interest to the very end. Grinder loves his hurdy-gurdy and very clever rhymes.
• Wide variety of clever puzzles and mini-games with varying degrees of difficulty. Mini-games are fairly easy.
• HOS are somewhat crowded but very detailed, so finding objects is not a problem.
• Terrific combination of graphics and animation, that lend to the overall atmosphere of fear from an organ grinder seeking revenge.
• Your fire phoenix, Terrance, lights up your life and helps you out in hot situations.
• A lot of attention to creating environment details with very good voice overs.
• Hint outside the HOS can be quite specific. Alternatively, the interactive map will tell you what needs to be done in each location if you cursor over it. Or, since the locations are so enticing, you may want to forgo the map altogether.
• Imaginative monsters who are part of each of the 13 cursed cards the grinder creates.
NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD:
• The curse cards are used in the end game, so you have to pay attention to who, what and why the cards cursed so that you can answer the riddles presented.
• The curse cards are used in the end game, so you have to pay attention to who, what and why the cards cursed so that you can answer the riddles presented.
I recommend this game!
Take part in a Spooky Mahjong. Complete over 100 unique levels to gain experience and points. Improve your rank and progress.
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
RELAXING BUT CAN'T SEE MYSELF EVER FINISHING
PostedOctober 30, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
There's nothing really scary except that the tiles have a nice Halloween theme. Story is so-so, but I don't expect a mahjong game to have much of a story. There is a good variety of tile layouts and several levels. The contest mode seems to be what you automatically start playing without selecting anything except the layout. Nice game, but I found myself getting bored after about the 10th layout, so I can't see that it would retain my interest throughout. With the timed feature, it seems attention is drawn to removing all the tiles instead of going for the highest score. There are other mahjong games out there that I like better. Still, this is an easy simple game for those who want to relax.
I recommend this game!
One night the ghost of President Lincoln appears, asking for your help. Can you find the hidden Confederate treasure?
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 15 found this review helpful
NOT AS GOOD AS OTHER GAMES IN SERIES, BUT QUITE ADEQUATE
PostedOctober 27, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Although it is a good game, it's just not on par with the prior games in the series, which I think are outstanding. But, the sound effects are fabulous - they make you feel like you are really in the scene, listening to fire crackling or running water, which I appreciate. It creates a wonderful atmosphere, enhanced by the graphics.
Nice ratio of HOS to puzzles. The story, graphics, voice overs, interactive HOS, and puzzles are good - maybe average or a little above in specific instances. Ghosts were nicely done, but are somewhat standard these days. Something seemed historically off in the storyline.
Black crows were difficult to find against dark backgrounds. Clovers were not as difficult - since you know whether there are other clovers in the scene, you don't spend time looking for what's not there. Yeah! Music was apropos to scenes. Definitely worth a try.
I recommend this game!