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:
Rescue teenagers from the tragic fate of Romeo and Juliet!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
BEST INVENTORY TRAY; BEST HINT SYSTEM; COMPLETELY SATISFYING
PostedJuly 24, 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: about 5 hours for main game of this polished, flawlessly executed and beautifully detailed productions on casual mode. I was sorry to see it end.
EXTREMELY HELPFUL HINT SYSTEM: the most helpful that I’ve ever encountered. Hint will tell you what inventory item is waiting to be used at what location and, better yet, it tells you where an inventory item can be found (which I seem to have just overlooked more than once).
BEST INVENTORY TRAY: How many times have you needed a crowbar or oil for a location and you saw one of them in the HOS you just played but didn’t get? How many times have you used a screwdriver and a couple screens later need to acquire another one? Well, here you keep inventory items that you will use again! Sometimes 3 or 4 different locations! Stress relief! You also acquire an owl near the beginning that will help you retrieve items that are too high for you to reach – no more searching for or fixing ladders! And you get to keep him in inventory throughout the game.
MAP: In 2D (or maybe it’s 3D) and instant travel. There are 2 types: in the upper left is a schematic of the library. In the center is a 2D of the rest of the game, which is in two parts. Click the arrow at the top and you will be given the blueprints for the additional locations. Locations with tasks pending are marked. Cursing over the exclamation point will tell you what location it is and what cumulative tasks are to be done (cumulative because you may have done some).
MUSIC: several tracks.
VOICE OVERS: reverberate while the characters are still caught in the books.
TASK LIST: checked off as done.
HOS: not too many; put objects where they belong; you’ll get one as a prize.
STORYLINE: change the books’ storyline to a happy ending so 3 missing teens can return to the real world.
FINAL ENDING: as expected. The culprit is alive, so I hope there’s a sequel.
CE: 4 volume controls, concept art, bonus play and wallpapers.
VOICE OVERS: reverberate while the characters are still caught in the books.
TASK LIST: checked off as done.
HOS: not too many; put objects where they belong; you’ll get one as a prize.
STORYLINE: change the books’ storyline to a happy ending so 3 missing teens can return to the real world.
FINAL ENDING: as expected. The culprit is alive, so I hope there’s a sequel.
CE: 4 volume controls, concept art, bonus play and wallpapers.
I recommend this game!
Giant mutated plants have sprung up across the city! It's time to save the day!
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 22 found this review helpful
VERY UNUSUAL
PostedJuly 24, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Don't know how to describe this game - it's very unusual. What I can say, there are lots of cutscenes. Sinister plants have taken over the city. Either music turned off the voices after the intro or the voice overs just stopped. HOS were the usual. Puzzles were rather interesting and not too difficult. Many times, you knew there was something that needed to be done, but difficult to figure out what it was. If you don't play a lot of HOS, you might just end up stumped. If you're experienced, you can probably muddle through. Best to just try and see what you think.
I recommend this game!
Work as a Park Ranger in a beautiful National Park!
Overall rating
3
/
5
14 of 19 found this review helpful
SIMPLE BUT OKAY
PostedJuly 23, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I guess I could have given the game 4 stars for level of challenge. But it is very hard to see items against wood, even after the hint shows you where the object is. But I prefer well hidden objects than impossible to see items.
You have to pick up recyclable trash. Unfortunately, it doesn't tell you how many trash items to find, so you may not find them all or you may spend time looking for trash that isn't there.
Lost and found was okay - most items were fairly identifiable. I think it took too long for the level summary of points to appear. Artistry was fairly good. No voice overs and none needed. Puzzles were a vast array - some were even educational. I think I've heard the music track from a similar game; it grew on me. Hint recharges fast in casual mode.
Overall, I think the game caters to the novices or to someone who just wants a relaxing game to play and doesn't mind finding brown items against a wood background or green lizards against foliage.
I recommend this game!
Discover the secrets of your family's past on a mystical island!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
4 1/2 STAR GAME
PostedJuly 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
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You find out that people born on the island get special abilities after 25 years. A mysterious girl tells you that your parents weren’t of the same order and, as a result, monks will kill you because you are the product of an unlawful union. Good ratio of HOS and puzzles. HOS are very nicely done. Within the HOS, your cursor may change to a clock (which is actually a time portal to the past and present, through which you find another HOS in a time capsule with new objects). So you get double the fun. You might also get a small device which has jumbled letters to unscramble, which will point to a HO. I did not find the puzzles very difficult.
Good music, voice overs, graphics and story. Your journal includes island history and a task list. Game automatically adjusts to wide screen; 2 modes of play. Very nice production values.CE has 5 music tracks, 50 word games, collection of artifacts (meteorites) and bonus game. I opted for the SE because I just don’t think the CE extras warrant a premium price. I'd give it a 4 1/2 stars if I could. Since I can't, I rounded down because it didn't quite have the oomph needed for a 5.
I recommend this game!
Discover the secrets of your family’s past on a mystical island!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
A 4 1/2 STAR ADVENTURE
PostedJuly 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
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You find out that people born on the island get special abilities after 25 years. A mysterious girl tells you that your parents weren’t of the same order and, as a result, monks will kill you because you are the product of an unlawful union. Good ratio of HOS and puzzles. HOS are very nicely done. Within the HOS, your cursor may change to a clock (which is actually a time portal to the past and present, through which you find another HOS in a time capsule with new objects). So you get double the fun. You might also get a small device which has jumbled letters to unscramble, which will point to a HO. I did not find the puzzles very difficult.
Good music, voice overs, graphics and story. Your journal includes island history and a task list. Game automatically adjusts to wide screen; 2 modes of play. Very nice production values.CE has 5 music tracks, 50 word games, collection of artifacts (meteorites) and bonus game. I opted for the SE because I just don’t think the CE extras warrant a premium price. I'd give it a 4 1/2 stars if I could. Since I can't, I rounded down because it didn't quite have the oomph needed for a 5.
I recommend this game!
Hop aboard to cross the border between life and death!
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 54 found this review helpful
NEW FAVORITE??
PostedJuly 21, 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
A definite buy for me this weekend - I'm thinking the CE because of the sale. It's really cool - the brilliant graphics, the delightfully atmospheric music, the compelling and refreshingly unique story, the gorgeously-detailed locations, the nicely-appointed HOS, the mysterious undead book, the humor, the flawless gameplay, the crowning achievements, collecting the hidden skulls, simply just everything! Can't wait to see what happens.
Better than Deadtime Stories (one of my favorites). May become my favorite, surpassing Surface which has been my very favorite for a long time now.
I recommend this game!
The mysterious League of Light has chosen you as their newest member. Are you up to your first assignment?
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 30 found this review helpful
TERRIFIC; INTRIGUING
PostedJuly 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
3
/
5
Beautifully constructed game with terrific graphics and very pleasant music. 3 modes of play with achievements and collectibles (34 owls and 11 scrolls). Your diary includes the story and clues, as well as information on the various creatures you meet. Your map includes notations of where tasks remain to be performed and provides a means of fast travel.
Interesting and well-written story with lots to do - you join the League of Light and are charged with investigating the possible appearance of the Dark Lord. As you arrive, the daughter of your host is stolen by a winged creature and off you go to the castle. But why is she sitting outside of the castle shivering, until the winged creature reappears and takes her inside? You learn that previous League of Light investigators have met an untimely death.
Interactive HOS are uncrowded and very distinct. Puzzles are not too difficult. Inventory is used near where it was discovered. A very good production.
I recommend this game!
If you have enough courage to challenge the darkness, then you’ll manage to find out the mystery of the Rossolimo family.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
UNIQUE INTERACTIVE HOS
PostedJuly 19, 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
The Demo was really short – I don’t know if that means the game is quite short and they don’t want people to buy it and then complain to everyone that they finished it 20 minutes later. The CE demo doesn’t even give you a clue of what extras it has. The description doesn’t sound like it has much, so I opted for the SE and am completely satisfied with it.
3 modes of difficulty. You also get to change locations from dreary and dark to bright and modern. Changes in one environment will affect the other. The animation is really good – when you mouse over a statute, for instance, it changes drastically before your eyes. Really cool!
The HOS include putting objects back and finding objects on a list. And what’s really, really cool is when they combine the two types. It’s hard to describe – you’ve got to see it to believe it. After you put objects back and find additional pieces per a list, it’s like a little mechanical theatrical production. Hope this type of HOS becomes much more common in future games. YEAH! The crisp HOS themselves are relatively few. No map, but you shouldn’t need one to navigate. A thoughtfully-designed production.
I recommend this game!
After the dead start to rise, Funeraria Loca sees their funeral parlor business go down the tubes! Find a new way to put them to rest!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
CHARACTERS ARE A HOOT!
PostedJuly 19, 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
Hard to say how log this game is. It can end up lasting for a very long time if you try for expert on every level. I play a lot of TM games and I usually get gold on most levels the first time. But it took me forever to simply finish the last level (where you have to protect another character from the zombies). I played it over and over, but I wasn't going to let it beat me down.
Graphics and interactions between characters are really cute. The characters are very entertaining. One thing that could be improved: there are several mini-games in between some levels. But if you play the game over a lengthy period of days, it's easy to forget what exactly the goal is for each mini-game. It would be nice to have a reminder if needed (perhaps with an option to skip the reminder if you don't need it). Lots of fun.
I recommend this game!
Someone in the Order has turned traitor, murdering one of the Secret Five! Only Sarah can prevent the Order’s destruction!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
AN ERSTWHILE NEW GRIFFIN
PostedJuly 18, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
After the newest and youngest member joins the Secret Order of the Griffins, he steals a mask and commences to wreck havoc. You are out to stop him and find a time-travel ship hidden in the Griffins museum for eons. So, of course, you will be traveling a lot and fetching things for the people of the eras. Quite a few cutscenes. Many locations with beautiful graphics.
Nicely-put together adventure HOG with 3 different modes of difficulty. Great voice overs. There is a separate volume control for voice overs and you can select aspect correction if needed. Your journal has your notes, objectives and a fast-travel map. Good ratio of HOS to puzzles. Instead of HOS, you can play mah-jong. The HOS are fairly large and uncluttered, but objects are well hidden and many have shadowy areas. Plenty of different types of puzzles, none of which is mind-blowing impossible.
The CE has the bonus chapter, music soundtracks, game art, movies, minigames and 21 wallpapers
I recommend this game!