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:
An ancient phoenix summons Anna to explore a drifting ocean city, confront the Evil Colossus and save her lost tribe.
Overall rating
5
/
5
79 of 109 found this review helpful
PROBABLY THE BEST OF THE THREE
PostedApril 11, 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
I liked the first 2 Empress games (both with good length) and this one is more interesting. Just as they were, this is an adventure game with a few well-detailed HOS thrown in. Beautiful graphics; good storyline. Next goals are known but you have to figure out how to attack them, which can be quite challenging in itself. Rapid Transit is good, since the map only shows locations already discovered and doesn't directly transport you there. Empress has a pleasant voice. The other characters seem to be the same voice disguised slightly. Sort of sad at the beginning when the phoenix is to die.
I recommend this game!
A recently unearthed artifact proves a dark legend to be true! Follow the trail of a group of missing graduate students.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
COMPLETED GAME - FUN AND CHALLENGING
PostedApril 11, 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
Casual mode a little over 4 ½ hours. Not like the first MCF games. A very well thought-out and skillfully-told story. Provocative puzzles; fairly uncluttered HOS and flawless gameplay. Terrific production values. Video tapes you find throughout the game will tell the backstory of 4 students investigating the lore of Dire Grove – I found them somewhat boring and not necessary to view to enjoy the game. No map, but it’s fairly easy to keep track of what is where. Your journal is integral to your gameplay and will contain some information (including possible solutions to puzzles or where to look for the solutions) not found during gameplay. Satisfying ending.
PUZZLES: If you’ve played a lot of HOGs, you will recognize many of the wide variety of puzzles. No instructions are provided. Experts and advanced intermediates should be able to figure out and solve most from having encountered them in other games. Other intermediates and novices will have to rely on trial and error or a walkthrough for many of them. Suggestion: When the puzzle involves squares or tiles, you might first try moving one or two of them around. You might find a symbol underneath a tile or find that something lights up, which will provide a clue on how to solve the puzzle. You could end up feeling really smart. Clues for some puzzles (ex: combo for safe) are generally found very nearby. Suggestion: Also look through your journal (not just the last couple pages of entry). Sometimes solutions are included in the narrative.
GAMEPLAY: Is smooth and logical, though sometimes rather challenging. As you know, you must usually do something in order to activate a HOS. So, if you get stuck on what to do next, try going to the different locations to see if you come across 2 or 3 HOS. The tools you get should give you some insight of what to do (since you were probably looking for them). Note that the hint works within the HOS, but will not give direction on where to go or what to do during gameplay. Some tools aren’t found until much later in the game (such as that sparkplug for the generator or a means to cross that break in the bridge). Note that, even after you find the 4 students, you still have a ways to go before the end.
I recommend this game!
Use your Hidden Object skills to follow the trail of a group of missing graduate students in Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
FUN AND CHALLENGING
PostedApril 11, 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
Casual mode over 5 hours. A very well thought-out and skillfully-told story. Provocative puzzles; fairly uncluttered HOS and flawless gameplay. Terrific production values. Video tapes you find throughout the game will tell the backstory of 4 students investigating the lore of Dire Grove – I found them somewhat boring and not necessary to view to enjoy the game. No map, but it’s fairly easy to keep track of what is where. Your journal is integral to your gameplay and will contain some information (including possible solutions to puzzles or where to look for the solutions) not found during gameplay. Satisfying ending.
PUZZLES: If you’ve played a lot of HOGs, you will recognize many of the wide variety of puzzles. No instructions are provided. Experts and advanced intermediates should be able to figure out and solve most from having encountered them in other games. Other intermediates and novices will have to rely on trial and error or a walkthrough or the strategy guide for many of them. Suggestion: When the puzzle involves squares or tiles, you might first try moving one or two of them around. You might find a symbol underneath a tile or find that something lights up, which will provide a clue on how to solve the puzzle. You could end up feeling really smart. Clues for some puzzles (ex: combo for safe) are generally found very nearby. Suggestion: Also look through your journal (not just the last couple pages of entry). Sometimes solutions are included in the narrative.
GAMEPLAY: Is smooth and logical, though sometimes rather challenging. As you know, you must usually do something in order to activate a HOS. So, if you get stuck on what to do next, try going to the different locations to see if you come across 2 or 3 HOS. The tools you get should give you some insight of what to do (since you were probably looking for them). Note that the hint works within the HOS, but will not give direction on where to go or what to do during gameplay. Some tools aren’t found until much later in the game (such as that sparkplug for the generator or a means to cross that break in the bridge). Note that, even after you find the 4 students, you still have a ways to go before the end.
Help your good old friend bring the family garden to bloom again in this brand new hit from Playrix!
Overall rating
5
/
5
161 of 188 found this review helpful
HAD TO HAVE - LOTS OF FUN
PostedApril 10, 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 bought this game as soon as it came out, without even trying the demo. No regrets. Love the Gardenscapes series. What fun they are! Quirky fun characters and easy-to-find objects. Prices paid decrease if it takes too long to find what the customer wants Good length. Fun to decorate and redecorate. Great visuals.
I recommend this game!
After discovering that the queen has been having a secret relationship you are sent away to Roanoke Island!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Different story
PostedApril 6, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Pleasant music; nice graphics; well put together. Played casual. Fairly easy to figure out what needs to be done next but, if help is needed, the hint system is fairly user friendly. Story was interesting enough to make me buy the game just to see how it develops and what the resolution is. Gameplay was enough to make me like it.
I recommend this game!
After awaking from a century long slumber, Princess Sophia finds a world that is devoid of people! Help her find her friends!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
VERY DELIGHTFUL LENGTHY GAME
PostedApril 6, 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
Game took over 7 hours. Delightful story, characters and gameplay. Generally easy to figure out what next actions are. You have a fairy as your helper, as well as a pocket dragon to help with those fiery tasks. Largely adventure with a few HOS. Puzzles vary widely and difficulty ranges from easy to intermediately difficult. Lovely, colorful and detailed graphics. First in a terrific series. Other reviews have details.
I recommend this game!
Rita James and the Race to Shangri La
Join the “More Brave than Brilliant” Rita James on another whirlwind adventure in search of the mythical paradise of Shangri-La!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
CUTE GAME
PostedApril 2, 2013
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
A simple but cute and amusing game. HOS are detailed but not overcrowded. Some locations are a little gray, but that's to be expected when looking at machines and snowy locales. Not difficult to figure out what to do. One thing that is a little interesting and unique is that you can click things in the HOS and they will fly off the screen, only to reappear when they weren't on the list. If not paying attention, easy to miss. Also like that sometimes you need more than one interaction in the HOS to collect your item.
I recommend this game!
A witch's quest for revenge spells trouble for a young mother and her son in this haunting Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
GOOD COMBINATION HOG
PostedApril 1, 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
Graphics are good. Sometimes you have to find an object that goes into a circle in another area or in a HOS. The combination of HOS-Circles is good. About halfway through the game, haven't found it impossible to find out where to go next (though might have to think a bit, which is good). Don't know what arrows and too many highlighted areas people giving the game low marks are talking about. I find only active areas are highlighted and I just don't see any unnecessary arrows. Puzzles are fairly easy and can be skipped.
I recommend this game!
Find Aaron’s missing father and discover the meaning behind his eerie paintings in Aaron Crane: Paintings Come Alive!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
SHORT GAME COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE
PostedMarch 30, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I hope I didn’t pay full price. I generally like games with paintings which come alive (like the Drawn or Lost Souls games). But, other than the concept itself, I don’t have anything good to say about this game except that the Hint system was helpful the few times I tried it. The artistry (especially of animals) and sound effects were awful. I could make the animals sound more realistic myself. And amateur painters could do better artwork. A mirror breaks and you have to find the 6 missing pieces to complete the game – took only 2 hours. Had no problem trying to figure out what to do - limited locations for each shard. So the story had potential – too bad the story wasn’t better developed and professionals engaged to put together the game.
I recommend this game!
Save your sister from Bluebeard’s Castle in this incredible Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
GOOD ADVENTURE HOG
PostedMarch 24, 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
Game took 3 ½ hours. Enjoyability was a little above average. Find evidence of the first 7 wives who have disappeared in order to free their spirits. You can then free your sister. Gameflow was smooth. HOGs are beautifully drawn – most items are large enough but not always so easy to find; nice variety of puzzles – none too challenging. Ending was rather abrupt and it’s not too clear exactly what happened once you found your sister. But since Bluebeard has escaped to marry again, there is likely to be a sequel.
I recommend this game!