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:
Join The Clumsys family vacation using Grandpa`s time machine. Detect items that are out of place in this historical Hidden Object game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 18 found this review helpful
KIDS WOULD LOVE THIS ECCENTRIC GRANDFATHER
PostedOctober 22, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
A cute game. Kids would enjoy playing it. I myself don't love the grandfather's voice (although it is okay), but I think kids would like it - it has a sort of eccentric grandfatherly tone used when amusing the young'uns.
There is a lot of attention to detail in creating the objects and the color palette is very nice - bright and charming. Objects are not too difficult to find and you have 4 choices of help should you have problems finding that last object or two.
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars. For me, I would give it 3 stars but that might be unfair as kids would more likely rate it 4 stars. It is entertaining and you can learn a little history along with playing. So I'll give it 4 stars. I would buy it as a DD for myself (I have the butterfly effect, which is very similar).
I recommend this game!
Follow the rabbit into its rabbit-hole and help Alice find her way in a wonderful world, populated by whimsical characters!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IF NOT SO TINY, EVEN WITH MAGNIFIER
PostedOctober 22, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I really wanted to like this game a lot. And I did like it. But the objects were too small in a great space - even the zoom didn't help much. I did find them all, but it was difficult and time consuming. The puzzles became more difficult to complete to get the extra hints. The artistry was very good; the music was not but that's minor since it can always be muted. Kids would enjoy it (they have better eyesight anyways, without the zoom feature). So, although I liked the game, it's too difficult to see those tiny objects - looking for butterflys (for example) seemed like you were looking for them in some distant scene. Too bad - that made it not so much fun. I don't consider it a challenge. Otherwise, I would certainly consider its purchase.
I recommend this game!
Save your niece from the evil presence haunting her school!
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 36 found this review helpful
HAPPILY BUSY
PostedOctober 22, 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
4
/
5
Lovely game, like the other Grim Tales games. HOS are not too crowded and objects have good visibility. Inventory items may be used more than once and therefore go back into inventory (so no more having to find another hammer because you seem to have lost the one you had when you used a couple locations ago). And there are many, many more fun puzzles than HOS. They vary in difficulty and variety and are not too difficult There's oodles to do in each location. especially when you discover the mirror. The well-constructed story gets quite intricate. Very, very good production values. A lot of fun to play and it will keep you happily busy for some time. Elephant games are tops.
I recommend this game!
Uncover the true murderer as you investigate a haunted house!
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 26 found this review helpful
LOVE THAT GNOME and POLTERGEISTS
PostedOctober 20, 2013
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
4
/
5
Fun game with lots to do as you try to put things right on your friend's estate. She doesn't really like people coming from the otherworld to visit her. And she doesn't need the gnome to bother her or her estate. The poltergeists are great fun.
Graphics are a bit hazy, but since this is an ERS game, I assume that this was intentional. The voice overs are exceptional. And I love the evil gnome - can never wait to see what he plans on doing next. You have a journal with your collections and and interactive map. But it's not too difficult to determine what to do or where to go. HOS and puzzles are also moderately challenging - not too difficult.
Very good production values with a lot of attention to detail, not to mention an interesting story. And the gnome - still love the gnome. The only thing to do is determine if you want the CE or SE, although the CE has a lot to offer to sway you. Did I mention the gnome?
I recommend this game!
Uncover the true murderer as you investigate a haunted house!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
LOVE THAT GNOME and POLTERGEISTS
PostedOctober 20, 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
4
/
5
Fun game with lots to do as you try to put things right on your friend's estate. She doesn't really like people coming from the otherworld to visit her. And she doesn't need the gnome to bother her or her estate. The poltergeists are great fun.
Graphics are a bit hazy, but since this is an ERS game, I assume that this was intentional. The voice overs are exceptional. And I love the evil gnome - can never wait to see what he plans on doing next. You have a journal with your collections and and interactive map.
Very good production values with a lot of attention to detail, not to mention an interesting story. And the gnome - still love the gnome. The only thing to do is determine if you want the CE or SE, although the CE has a lot to offer to sway you. Did I mention the gnome?
I recommend this game!
The Missing: A Search and Rescue Mystery
A group of college students have gone missing from a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. You are called in to rescue them, but nothing is as it seems.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
SOMETIMES I FELT I NEEDED RESCUING
PostedOctober 20, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As a member of the Search & Rescue Team, you have to rescue 4 missing students. Great adventure game with plenty to do. A couple times, I felt like I needed rescuing, but the hint button shows you what location you need to seek to move forward. Of course, you just have to figure out how to get there before the map locations open up. Quite challenging if you don't want to use the hints. Puzzles and HOS were easy but fun. Loved the sound effects - I felt I was standing next the waterfall and in the airplane. Get a journal with tasks to complete, story and map.
I recommend this game!
The Missing: A Search and Rescue Mystery Collector's Edition
A group of college students have gone missing from a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. You are called in to rescue them, but nothing is as it seems.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
SOMETIMES I FELT I NEEDED RESCUING
PostedOctober 20, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As a member of the Search & Rescue Team, you have to rescue 4 missing students. Great adventure game with plenty to do. A couple times, I felt like I needed rescuing, but the hint button shows you what location you need to seek to move forward. You just have to figure out how to get there before the map locations open up. Puzzles and HOS were easy but fun. Loved the sound effects - I felt I was standing next the waterfall and in the airplane. Get a journal with tasks to complete, story and map.
I recommend this game!
Travel back in time and experience the mysterious life of your grandfather! Explore eerie Victorian locations and find the truth!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
WHY EVER DID I BUY THIS GAME? GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME
PostedOctober 20, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Your grandfather may have killed someone, but wants your help. The guys will be glad to know they are the hero in the game, playing Tyler.
I don't know why I bought this game - must have been the demo was the best part and there were plenty of positive reviews (from people who only demo'd the game, evidently). I'd like to have BF have something on the left side of the review indicating whether the review was based on the entire game or just the demo.
THE PROBLEMS: There were too many problems:
- color palette is very drab (I get tired of boring dull colors unless it is evident from the story that it's old and dilapidated)
- too many scenes were dark - including some cutscenes and even the inside of the building after the lights were supposedly turned on
- relaxing music turned to dark mood music and made me feel more and more anxious
- annoying unintelligible whispering sounds - why do the developers put these in; they don't add anything but irritation of the nerves
- some misnamed objects - a plate is a bowl and a jar is actually a vase - someone fluent in English should have been consulted
- popup comments don't readily disappear (and it's usually right over the area you want to explore) - they should disappear when you move your cursor off of them
- hint is used up for just pointing you in the right direction and saying "nothing to do here" - most games don't use a hint for this type of non-help
- you have a magnifying glass, but it doesn't disappear even though there is nothing left to do
- color palette is very drab (I get tired of boring dull colors unless it is evident from the story that it's old and dilapidated)
- too many scenes were dark - including some cutscenes and even the inside of the building after the lights were supposedly turned on
- relaxing music turned to dark mood music and made me feel more and more anxious
- annoying unintelligible whispering sounds - why do the developers put these in; they don't add anything but irritation of the nerves
- some misnamed objects - a plate is a bowl and a jar is actually a vase - someone fluent in English should have been consulted
- popup comments don't readily disappear (and it's usually right over the area you want to explore) - they should disappear when you move your cursor off of them
- hint is used up for just pointing you in the right direction and saying "nothing to do here" - most games don't use a hint for this type of non-help
- you have a magnifying glass, but it doesn't disappear even though there is nothing left to do
There were a couple good points: In theory, you can make the cutscenes play as fast as you can read. But it didn't always work. You also get a notebook of clues found.
Biggest problem was the cursor went berserk after 3 1/2 hours. I looked at the W/T and, although I don't think a W/T is a true indication of the length of a game, it appeared I was only half done. I could use Dr. Felix and send to BF for fixing, but the game was so drab and not fun that I didn't bother. Maybe when I finally catch up to playing all the games I have not yet completed, I'll send it in. But right now, the game is semi-permanently on hold.
You'll have to make your own determination of whether you want to play a drab game for 5-7 hours.
I don't recommend this game.
Reveal the secret of an ancient prophecy! Fascinating tasks and exciting puzzles await you behind the breathtaking scenery of a mysterious island!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
VERY MUCH ENTERTAINMENT VALUE; CE FOR SE PRICE
PostedOctober 20, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a SE that plays like a CE. It has achievements, collectibles, and replay of mini-games (some of which have additional levels available). I've added a star to the overall rating because they are fun and people seem to like them.
The story has been done before. Graphics are a little above average. You start with a knife and a lighter as your permanent tools. Your journal has the story along with suggestions of where you might want to go or what you should consider doing next.
Music is okay. No voice overs. The HOS are crowded but you should have no trouble finding objects. There are lots of puzzles - they were easy but were quite a bit of fun, so I didn't mind that they weren't especially challenging.
This is a game that novices to HOS might consider. It has a lot of activity and extras to offer. As an expert, I still enjoy this type of game. I don't always want difficult challenges to play, but I do want the game to then compensate by holding my interest throughout. A definite buy for me.
I recommend this game!
A peaceful island town erupts into a violent witch hunt and your friend’s daughter is the target! Can you protect her from the townspeople?
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
SLOWEST GAME IN ETERNITY; SURE MISSED POTENTIAL
PostedOctober 20, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I don't think I've ever rated a game so low - maybe one or two at the most. Game is awful, but it had so much potential. You have to constantly wonder what to do and where to go. Sure, the hint system will tell you, but I like to be able to figure out from the game what's next.
Voice overs were not good. When heroine is reading the letter, she tries to sound like what the writer would sound like - why. Just read it. Any everyone sounds angry and resentful of an outsider. Graphics are poor and this is about the slowest game (complete with dark screens between location changes) I've ever encountered.
The HOS (list based and frags): those with frags were very difficult, nay impossible, to determine what parts you have found until everything was found. So you just click blindly away to see if anything pops up. I won't be buying, even as a freebie or DD.
I don't recommend this game.