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:
Your favorite professor summons you to the island of Castle Rock. He wants you to find the philosopher's stone and save the world!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
COMPELLING AND CHALLENGING
PostedJune 29, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Compelling story about the Philosopher's Stone. Gameplay is rather challenging as you don't just walk into scenes where you will find what you need at the moment. Lots of things to do. Interesting how it seems that you end up going in circles whenever you go through the mountains, no matter which direction you take. The graphics are great, the locations artistically done, the voice overs and cutscenes very nice. Your journal has extra information no evident from just the gameplay. Don't know how I missed this gem. I like that you aren't led by the nose to know what you have to do next. Hint recharges rapidly. I'd rate it a 4 1/2 stars if I could.
I recommend this game!
In order to save your life, your twin sister traded her soul to a witch. Now you must race through the looking glass to rescue her!
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 26 found this review helpful
GAME WITH IT ALL (ALMOST)
PostedJune 28, 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
4
/
5
Wonderful storyline of saving your sister. Meet fabulously unique characters in a fantasy dreamland. Graphics and music are very good (but I would have expected for graphics to be even better, as least my dreams have outstanding graphics) and voice overs are exceptional. Interactive map, showing which locations have been completed and which have outstanding activities. Some people don't like that but I do - don't want to waste time looking and looking at a scene that has nothing to do - just let me get on with it. Logical fairly straightforward gameplay - experienced players could probably play without the strategy guide. Game seems to have it all. As I said, the graphics should have been exceptional, not just great, since it is about a dream.
I recommend this game!
A letter offers new information about Elizabeth just as Lynn's powers have awakened. Help her overcome the darkness before it's too late!
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 26 found this review helpful
WHAT A COOL GAME! A MUST BUY!
PostedJune 27, 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
Refreshingly different. This game seems to have everything: a very compelling story, 42 morphing objects, an enchanting pet imp (who was a pet dog in a previous life), custom settings where you choose the speed of hint recharge and skip ability as well as whether to have sparkles or a HOS click penalty. Simply gorgeous graphics, a fair number of achievements (including imp-sitting and imp-using to help with your quests), nicely detailed HOS and fabulous gameplay. Great pace. A good variety of puzzles. Can't think of any negatives, except that it can't possibly be long enough. The CE has enough to offer beyond a SE that the CE is a definite buy.
I recommend this game!
Play as recently deceased Claire unraveling the secrets of her undead powers in this shadow-soaked Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
NICELY DONE BUT SHORT
PostedJune 26, 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
Good but short game – about 3 ½ hours. You can select timed or untimed. Timed gave me plenty of time to finish each HO. I tried not finishing a timed screen in time to see what would happen – you are apparently doomed, because you’re taken back to the main menu. Replayable - items are always different. The cutscenes and story are in the form of comic strips and the story is rather interesting and you can click it as fast as you read. A nocturnal (night creature who lives forever but in the dark) and a brethren (a vampire who feeds on humans) are fighting over you, as a recently turned victim. You collect HOs so that the ruling body of nocturnals/brethren can make an essence for you (which apparently turns you into your final form) according to their rules. The ending was surprising.
Many HOS, which were detailed and, because you are active only at night, some of the scenes have slightly darker spots – but nothing too dark. There were 3 main puzzles, which repeat (I like them, so it's okay with me). These earn you more hints. You have the option to replay if you need more hints. Liked most of the music. Graphics were okay – but the expressions on the 3 main characters is morose at best (makes you feel a little down when emphathizing with them). In several HOS, I clicked on an object several times (slightly altering where I clicked) because I was sure it was what I was looking for. Ended up using the hint, only to find I had been clicking on the correct object. I hate when that happens.
Overall, this was a nicely put together game. Nothing bloody or spooky, although there is a main character who is the enemy. A pleasant afternoon or evening of relaxing gameplay.
I recommend this game!
Lana was the best student in art school and now she is swamped with customers!
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 16 found this review helpful
LOVELY, RELAXING
PostedJune 26, 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
Lovely game – about 5-6 hours long, depending on how often you try to increase your score. Help Lana restore valuable paintings and use the money earned to furnish her sanctuary. Each painting has you finding (1) a list of objects (2) a certain number of specified objects, such as butterflies (3) pairs of objects (4) differences or (5) objects by silhouette. If you prefer a list to silhouettes, or vice versa, just restart until you get the type of HOS you want. When playing lists or silhouettes, popups will appear to the left with a list of 3 objects, which you must find in order. Earn up to $2,200 for successfully completing each popup. If you didn’t earn that (like if you didn’t get the $1,000 for not using a hint), you can increase your score by replaying the painting.
There are many background noises, such as walking, laughter, wagon wheels turning, squeaky doors, knocking and heavy breathing. Some are fine while others are annoying (really who needs a heavy breather!). There’s also a silly little sound whenever you find anything – I like that one as it makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something. If you need a hint, the first is free but you have to pay for additional hints. You have to acknowledge the cost; if too high, you can choose to continue looking. You can replay each level for a higher score as many times as you want. Tip: sometimes, objects are found under the brushes at the left top of the screen.
You do have to wait for each painting to load, but it’s not that long. The graphics are wonderful. You get to see many really good paintings and learn a little about some of them. Music is relaxing and you can look at the gallery of paintings anytime you are at the main menu.
I recommend this game!
Free the trapped souls and reunite a love long lost in Haunting Mysteries: The Island of Lost Souls!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
NICELY DONE
PostedJune 23, 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
Very interesting and intriguing puzzles - even with instructions, have to figure out exactly what needs to be done. Like that there are various awards given. Saving the souls always is interesting to me. Enough other reviews to give you the details. I didn't intend to buy it, but changed my mind 30 minutes into the game.
I recommend this game!
The evil Alura is back, and this time she’s attacking your homeland!
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 32 found this review helpful
UNUSUAL ADVENTURE
PostedJune 23, 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
Undecided whether this is a 5 or 3 star game, so I settled on 4 stars. Very interesting game. Guess you'd call it an adventure game, but it's different than most. Graphics are very nice, but voice overs are sort of forced. The puzzles encountered were very different from the usual fare and took a bit to solve. The way they are presented to you is also unusual. Also a couple silhouette HOs thrown in here and there. The characters are unique - especially the talking guard cat.
A bit of back and forth. Getting the magic book and stove with all the trimmings leads to an exciting adventure. I have Love Chronicles: the Spell but haven't played it yet. Seems like it would be better to have played it to better understand the backstory, but if you're not really into stories, it's probably okay to skip it.
I recommend this game!
A strange talisman draws you to Mystery Island. Solve its puzzles and uncover its mysteries in this incredible Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 11 found this review helpful
OK BUT I'M NOT EXCITED ABOUT IT
PostedJune 22, 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
2
/
5
Game took me over 5 hours to play – I got an award for that. Story was a little silly, although you don’t find that out until the end. There are 14 trophies (awards), but you’d have to play it at least twice under the same name to get all of them. You can turn tips off and choose your screen resolution. You have to earn 24 cards to finish the game.
You play usually 3 locations, a couple of times 4. At each location, you have fragments to find and use. The overview for each location tells you how many pieces of fragments you have to find and how many finished objects you have to use. For me, the 1st two segments of 3 locations each were fairly easy; the 3rd segment of 4 locations was the hardest. The hint works well to find frags by you running your rune over the screen until the frag quivers. Occasionally, objects couldn’t be placed “because it was too early for that.” In other words, you usually had to place almost all objects at all locations before you could place the last objects.
You can’t skip puzzles and you can’t do some of them until after most of the objects have been placed where they belong. You may have to resort to the forum for solutions if you have trouble with the puzzles or to find out where things go. After you find the fragments and put the finished objects in place, a magnifying glass will appear over the location button and you will have to find 10 items that belong to a particular occupation. New items will appear in the location which pertain to the occupation. You do this for 24 different jobs to earn the card.
The artistry of the people is very poor, although the graphics of items is okay. You can skip through cutscene conversations entirely or hit the “skip frame” button to hurry it along. I lost interest in the story about 1/3 of the way through.
I recommend this game!
Strange Cases: The Tarot Card Mystery
FBI Agent Claire Ellery must follow the tarot cards left by an anonymous source to solve this sinister and bizarre case.
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 12 found this review helpful
SHORT BUT NO REGRETS BUYING EVEN AT FULL PRICE
PostedJune 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
5
/
5
Fun and entertaining except the length comes in at just under 3 hours playing very relaxed. Interesting story where 3 girls are missing, then rescued within 20 minutes of beginning the game. Too easy to be true – right? Right, because the same 3 girls go missing again. It’s a mystery that the town to which you are sent searching for the girls isn’t on any map and can’t be located with GPS – yet it has at least 3 police officers as well as a police boat. A further mystery when you discover a similar crime over 100 years ago, only 3 girls were dead and not rescued. Another mystery of who is leaving you tarot cards to help solve all the mysteries.
Instead of a transportation map, you get pictures of locations on tabs for fast transport. You have to find tarot cards at each location; sometimes two or three. The tarot cards will have lists of HOs or fragments to find. Objects are large, but some are very well hidden. Good ratio of HOs to fragments. Puzzles are well varied and some were much more challenging than expected. Music tracks change periodically. You do get hints during the gameplay: for example, you find a key and your thought “Didn’t I see some lockers in the warehouse?” pops up. So you know where to go next. That type of hand-holding didn’t really bother me, because there were a limited number of locations within a time frame to begin with. So you aren’t given a clue that would have left you stumped in a more complicated game. All issues resolved in ending, but didn't want to see game end when it did.
Don’t recall whether I paid full-price/credit or got it on sale or with a free game punch. I don’t regret any of them because the game was engrossing, but if game length is important to you when paying full-price, wait until it goes on sale or you have a game punch to use.
I recommend this game!
Hop aboard to cross the border between life and death!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 15 found this review helpful
COOL! REALLY REALLY COOL!
PostedJune 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
5
/
5
A definite buy for me. 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 well surpass Surface as my very favorite if the challenge increases with progression.
I recommend this game!