Lao_Zi's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:1,882
- Reviews Submitted:86
- First Review:May 24, 2012
- Most Recent Review:October 28, 2012
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Unearth your forgotten childhood memories to reveal the secret of the ancient labyrinth.
Overall rating
4
/
5
90 of 108 found this review helpful
Wonderful game... but very, very linear
PostedOctober 28, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Everything about this game is very well conceived and constructed... the graphics and the sound are irreproachable... and the storyline keeps you going as if you were reading a thrilling fairytale...
Gameplay itself has all it needs to suit the famer: there is a map with teleportation - but I really didn't need it, because there is no real backtracking to do; the hint button refills quickly and keeps you on track by pointing in the right direction, whenever you need it; the notebook is useful to give you extra information about the documents that you find and events which happen along the way.
The HOS have interactive elements in them and they are easy to complete.
Puzzles are interesting, with some new ideas and variations on well-known ones... a few of them I found tricky, but most of them are quite easy to finish... one was even childhishly easy.
And this brings me to the one drawback of the entire game: it is too easy... gameplay is very, very linear and you always find just what you need to go on. Frankly speaking, I like my games to have more of a challenge... what's the point in racing through a wonderful game? It's not as if you were reading a gripping whodunnit which makes you want to reach the last page to find out who the murderer is, is it?
So, by making the puzzles and the things to do more of a challenge, the gamer would have a chance of spending more time exploring this beautifully constructed game.
Anyway, I enjoyed spending this cold sunday with this game, but it took me barely 5 hours to finish it off and I regret having finished it so quickly.
Gameplay itself has all it needs to suit the famer: there is a map with teleportation - but I really didn't need it, because there is no real backtracking to do; the hint button refills quickly and keeps you on track by pointing in the right direction, whenever you need it; the notebook is useful to give you extra information about the documents that you find and events which happen along the way.
The HOS have interactive elements in them and they are easy to complete.
Puzzles are interesting, with some new ideas and variations on well-known ones... a few of them I found tricky, but most of them are quite easy to finish... one was even childhishly easy.
And this brings me to the one drawback of the entire game: it is too easy... gameplay is very, very linear and you always find just what you need to go on. Frankly speaking, I like my games to have more of a challenge... what's the point in racing through a wonderful game? It's not as if you were reading a gripping whodunnit which makes you want to reach the last page to find out who the murderer is, is it?
So, by making the puzzles and the things to do more of a challenge, the gamer would have a chance of spending more time exploring this beautifully constructed game.
Anyway, I enjoyed spending this cold sunday with this game, but it took me barely 5 hours to finish it off and I regret having finished it so quickly.
I recommend this game!
Discover the Red Riding Hood Sisters and defeat the nefarious Wolf Queen!
Overall rating
3
/
5
60 of 82 found this review helpful
It takes more than gorgeous graphics to make a good game
PostedOctober 26, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I like Blue Tea games and I can't say that I don't like the Dark Parables series, or the Dark Fables...
... but it takes more than gorgeous graphics to make a good game.
Yes, the graphics and the sound are irreproachable and the storyline is very good, but where is the challenge?
This game is full of HOS, and for the rest, you are left to put the items you find or created in the HOS somewhere to unlock new locations... and that's it.
You have a map to situate yourself within the game, but it doesn't teleport you.
Youa have a tasklist, but it only indicates the final goal and none of the intermediate tasks.
The hint button - which refills quickly - guides you to the right location and indicates you where to act or interact.
The length of the game is somewhat decent... it took me about 5 hours to finish it off.
So, how could I finally sum it all up? Well, it's like reading a fairy-tale... not more nor less... which gives me mixed feelings: I don't start playing an adventure game just to walk through a fairy-tale.
I recommend the game for its gorgeous graphics, but I wished the dev's put some more creativeness and challenge in the gameplay...
... but it takes more than gorgeous graphics to make a good game.
Yes, the graphics and the sound are irreproachable and the storyline is very good, but where is the challenge?
This game is full of HOS, and for the rest, you are left to put the items you find or created in the HOS somewhere to unlock new locations... and that's it.
You have a map to situate yourself within the game, but it doesn't teleport you.
Youa have a tasklist, but it only indicates the final goal and none of the intermediate tasks.
The hint button - which refills quickly - guides you to the right location and indicates you where to act or interact.
The length of the game is somewhat decent... it took me about 5 hours to finish it off.
So, how could I finally sum it all up? Well, it's like reading a fairy-tale... not more nor less... which gives me mixed feelings: I don't start playing an adventure game just to walk through a fairy-tale.
I recommend the game for its gorgeous graphics, but I wished the dev's put some more creativeness and challenge in the gameplay...
I recommend this game!
Enter the abandoned hotel and find your missing twin!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Very creepy... and very good
PostedOctober 24, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Great game... really. Don't listen to bad reviewers. I wonder what's going on in the heads of people who give this game a bad review?
Great storyline, gorgeous graphics, good music and sound... lots of interactive things to do, places to explore...
Challenge might have been a bit better... I liked the puzzles and minigames, but they did not offer much of a challenge, maybe because I am already quite familiar with most of them.
Not too many HOS - which is right up my alley - and easy to complete.
There is no map, but you do not need one. Even with a lot of locations, you never have to do a lot of backtracking. Moreover, the game closes off areas where you don't have to be anymore. Thank you dev's.
No notebook, but you can refer to a handy tasklist to help you on with the game.
The hint button is bit of a spoiler: it tells you straight off what to do next. I would have preferred to get a usefull hint which gives me a chance to figure it out for myself.
Anyway, all in all, this is a great game and I can only hope that the dev's have enough inspiration to keep on going.
Great storyline, gorgeous graphics, good music and sound... lots of interactive things to do, places to explore...
Challenge might have been a bit better... I liked the puzzles and minigames, but they did not offer much of a challenge, maybe because I am already quite familiar with most of them.
Not too many HOS - which is right up my alley - and easy to complete.
There is no map, but you do not need one. Even with a lot of locations, you never have to do a lot of backtracking. Moreover, the game closes off areas where you don't have to be anymore. Thank you dev's.
No notebook, but you can refer to a handy tasklist to help you on with the game.
The hint button is bit of a spoiler: it tells you straight off what to do next. I would have preferred to get a usefull hint which gives me a chance to figure it out for myself.
Anyway, all in all, this is a great game and I can only hope that the dev's have enough inspiration to keep on going.
I recommend this game!
Embark on a thrilling rescue mission in the Town of the Cyclops!
Overall rating
5
/
5
71 of 76 found this review helpful
This is completely different, and... I LOVE IT!
PostedOctober 21, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I really do not understand why this game gets bad reviews...
- because it is difficult or complex? Use your brains
- because of the girl's voice? Oh, come on... give us a break... she doesn't annoy me in the least
- because of the strawberries you have to pick? Well, just do it... they are in plain view, everywhere
- Because of some things such as "bugs in the hair and birds picking the head away"? ... don't you know that most fairytales are much more gruesome than that kind of line?
- Because of what? I really don't know.
I waited for the SE because of those bad reviews and now I regret not having bought the CE.
This game is absolutely loveable in all respects: graphics are gorgeous, the sound is good and never gets on your nerves, voiceovers are excellent with that typical British accent, the storyline is that of a beautiful, charming fairytale... no asylums, no gloomy mansions, no devils, no demons nor witches, no vampires, no gothic castles... nothing but gorgeous nature and yes, something bad and evil lurking within that earthly paradise.
As for the HOS, they are not abundant - thanks for that - and easy to do.
Minigames are diverse, abundant, sometimes quite challenging, but always within the grasp of someone with normal intelligence who is willing to use his brains. Some of them repeat themselves
My advice: do not listen to those bad talking reviewers... buy this game... relax and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy as long and as much as possible... I did, anyway.
Do I recommend this game? Oh yes, I most definitely do.
- because it is difficult or complex? Use your brains
- because of the girl's voice? Oh, come on... give us a break... she doesn't annoy me in the least
- because of the strawberries you have to pick? Well, just do it... they are in plain view, everywhere
- Because of some things such as "bugs in the hair and birds picking the head away"? ... don't you know that most fairytales are much more gruesome than that kind of line?
- Because of what? I really don't know.
I waited for the SE because of those bad reviews and now I regret not having bought the CE.
This game is absolutely loveable in all respects: graphics are gorgeous, the sound is good and never gets on your nerves, voiceovers are excellent with that typical British accent, the storyline is that of a beautiful, charming fairytale... no asylums, no gloomy mansions, no devils, no demons nor witches, no vampires, no gothic castles... nothing but gorgeous nature and yes, something bad and evil lurking within that earthly paradise.
As for the HOS, they are not abundant - thanks for that - and easy to do.
Minigames are diverse, abundant, sometimes quite challenging, but always within the grasp of someone with normal intelligence who is willing to use his brains. Some of them repeat themselves
My advice: do not listen to those bad talking reviewers... buy this game... relax and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy as long and as much as possible... I did, anyway.
Do I recommend this game? Oh yes, I most definitely do.
I recommend this game!
Prepare for a mind-bending journey into the realm of the weird in Haunted Halls: Revenge of Dr. Blackmore! Brace yourself for the unexpected in this exciting Hidden Object adventure!
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 23 found this review helpful
Rather disappointing
PostedOctober 20, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
If you want to play all the episodes, just go ahead.
There's nothing really new.
Graphics are good, but the music got on my nerves, so I switched it off.
The game is totally linear, far too easy, minigames offer no challenge whatsoever... moreover, they get repeated again and again: mix some stuff, concoct a potion, make soap...
There is some interactivity in the HOS, but the dev's ran out of inspiration and the last chapter of the game is nothing but a succession of HOS, intermixed with some very easy and straightforward interactive things to do.
That's it... no need for a map, no need for a strategy guide, no need for a helpfull hint button.
It took me about 4 hours to finish the lot.
Dev's should learn to abstain from rechewing the same stuff over and over again, especially when they run out of inspiration.
I cannot really recommend the game, but again, if you want to play the whole series, then you must go ahead. And we are forewarned: a fourth installment is on its way.
There's nothing really new.
Graphics are good, but the music got on my nerves, so I switched it off.
The game is totally linear, far too easy, minigames offer no challenge whatsoever... moreover, they get repeated again and again: mix some stuff, concoct a potion, make soap...
There is some interactivity in the HOS, but the dev's ran out of inspiration and the last chapter of the game is nothing but a succession of HOS, intermixed with some very easy and straightforward interactive things to do.
That's it... no need for a map, no need for a strategy guide, no need for a helpfull hint button.
It took me about 4 hours to finish the lot.
Dev's should learn to abstain from rechewing the same stuff over and over again, especially when they run out of inspiration.
I cannot really recommend the game, but again, if you want to play the whole series, then you must go ahead. And we are forewarned: a fourth installment is on its way.
I don't recommend this game.
Your honeymoon turns sour when a madman kidnaps your husband, forcing you to expose Houdini's greatest trick.
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 20 found this review helpful
A very agreeable game
PostedOctober 19, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I had played other games by these dev's and liked them... so ti was with this one.
Liked the graphics and the sound... some reviewers say the graphics are fuzzy, but I don't agree. It's a different style of drawing, but certainly not less valuable than other tack sharp and neat styles. Sounds never bothered me throughout the game.
There's a lot of stuff to do and a lot of locations to explore. In this, the lack of an interactive map with teleportation possibility sometimes proves to be annoying. You certainly have to keep your head together and remember where everything goes or should go... sometimes you may find yourself wandering around and trying the hint button to see if something needs to be done in a certain location.
Your notebook is not much of an aid.
HOS are not difficult at all... but I rather fancied the association games which often proved to be much more of a challenge. The hint button doesn't charge quickly, so I avoided using it as much as possible.
The game itself is rather linear, especially towards the end. Storyline is OK. The length of the game is quite good. I cannot believe one of the reviewers who says that he finished the CE in four hours. Anyway, I played the SE and spent quite a good time with it.
Actually, I regretted the game coming to an end.
Liked the graphics and the sound... some reviewers say the graphics are fuzzy, but I don't agree. It's a different style of drawing, but certainly not less valuable than other tack sharp and neat styles. Sounds never bothered me throughout the game.
There's a lot of stuff to do and a lot of locations to explore. In this, the lack of an interactive map with teleportation possibility sometimes proves to be annoying. You certainly have to keep your head together and remember where everything goes or should go... sometimes you may find yourself wandering around and trying the hint button to see if something needs to be done in a certain location.
Your notebook is not much of an aid.
HOS are not difficult at all... but I rather fancied the association games which often proved to be much more of a challenge. The hint button doesn't charge quickly, so I avoided using it as much as possible.
The game itself is rather linear, especially towards the end. Storyline is OK. The length of the game is quite good. I cannot believe one of the reviewers who says that he finished the CE in four hours. Anyway, I played the SE and spent quite a good time with it.
Actually, I regretted the game coming to an end.
I recommend this game!
The entire town has been put into a deep, dark sleep by a mysterious evil force. Now young Lillian must find allies and uncover the dark secrets of voodoo in order to save her master and free her friends before it is too late.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
This game is truly awesome
PostedOctober 16, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
All through the game, I felt so relaxed and happy to spend my time doing this, and even if I am not a real lover of HOS, the ones in this game couldn't take my pleasure away... so, I give it a full 5 stars.
The graphics are neat, sharp, full of colour, light and shadows... the music and the sounds are really good.
The storyline, with its clearcut division in different chapters kept me wanting to go on to the next step.
No voice overs, which is kind of a pity.
There is a map, but it just serves to show you in which part of the game you are, because the game is very linear: once you have finished a chapter, you can't go back to it.
Hints are useful in that they point you in the right direction when you are at a loss where to go next.
You have to pick up quite a number of objects that you need to use... it's all about interactive gameplay.
Some reviewers say that they needed a walkthrough to get unstuck... this was not my case. I found the game to be very straightforward... sometimes, you just need to find the right object to get on with it, and the written comments provide you with the necessary information for that.
The length of the game is also very good. You get chapter after chapter served and every chapter takes you quite some time to complete.
This is definitely one of the better games I have played off late. Wish there more like this one.
The graphics are neat, sharp, full of colour, light and shadows... the music and the sounds are really good.
The storyline, with its clearcut division in different chapters kept me wanting to go on to the next step.
No voice overs, which is kind of a pity.
There is a map, but it just serves to show you in which part of the game you are, because the game is very linear: once you have finished a chapter, you can't go back to it.
Hints are useful in that they point you in the right direction when you are at a loss where to go next.
You have to pick up quite a number of objects that you need to use... it's all about interactive gameplay.
Some reviewers say that they needed a walkthrough to get unstuck... this was not my case. I found the game to be very straightforward... sometimes, you just need to find the right object to get on with it, and the written comments provide you with the necessary information for that.
The length of the game is also very good. You get chapter after chapter served and every chapter takes you quite some time to complete.
This is definitely one of the better games I have played off late. Wish there more like this one.
I recommend this game!
Escape a cursed island of lost souls by helping three of the trapped spirits in Redemption Cemetery: Grave Testimony!
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 14 found this review helpful
Very beautiful... but way too easy
PostedOctober 13, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is very beautiful graphicwise, but it offers no challenge whatsoever.
The sounds are creepy and some reviewers didn't like this, but they suit the game. To me, the music is on the heavy side and I finished by turning it off.
The story is OK: you have to free some tortured souls in order to get their soulstones and leave the island. So you have three chapters in the game.
HOS are good, some interactive, some looking for objects... their degree of difficulty is low.
Minigames are so easy that I sometimes felt being treated as an idiot by the dev's... really.
No map, but you don't need one.
A notebook to keep track of things.
Hints offer no help; just tells you to go look elsewhere.
So, I enjoyed the graphics, but I don't like live actors in a game. They spoil the fun... give me beautifully created graphic characters.
All in all, I had a good time playing this game, but the total lack of challenge really put me off.
The sounds are creepy and some reviewers didn't like this, but they suit the game. To me, the music is on the heavy side and I finished by turning it off.
The story is OK: you have to free some tortured souls in order to get their soulstones and leave the island. So you have three chapters in the game.
HOS are good, some interactive, some looking for objects... their degree of difficulty is low.
Minigames are so easy that I sometimes felt being treated as an idiot by the dev's... really.
No map, but you don't need one.
A notebook to keep track of things.
Hints offer no help; just tells you to go look elsewhere.
So, I enjoyed the graphics, but I don't like live actors in a game. They spoil the fun... give me beautifully created graphic characters.
All in all, I had a good time playing this game, but the total lack of challenge really put me off.
I recommend this game!
Travel back in time with Special Agents Alex and Kat to solve one of the most famous, and heinous, crimes in literary history!
Overall rating
1
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
What a perfect waste of time and money
PostedOctober 8, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Current Favorite:
E.P.I.C: Wishmaster Adventures
(43)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This is not a question whether or not I like the book, because I read it and enjoyed it.
This is a matter of not liking this so-called "game". It's nothing but a succesion of HOS with tiny, badly drawn objects.
The storyline has nothing whatsoever to do with the book and there is absolutely no fun factor in it.
If you want to be bored to the utmost, then give it a shot. If not, abstain.
This is a matter of not liking this so-called "game". It's nothing but a succesion of HOS with tiny, badly drawn objects.
The storyline has nothing whatsoever to do with the book and there is absolutely no fun factor in it.
If you want to be bored to the utmost, then give it a shot. If not, abstain.
I don't recommend this game.
Cargo flight 821 has crashed on an uncharted, beautiful and deadly planet. Your only companion is the trustworthy robot, Oscar and together you must escape.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
I like this HOAG
PostedOctober 7, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Current Favorite:
E.P.I.C: Wishmaster Adventures
(43)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I do NOT agree with all the bad reviews this game has gotten and I absolutely agree with all those reviewers who were willing to look further than their initial impressions.
I like this adventure game, although the dev's could have made some improvements such as:
- making the map teleportable
- turning the hint button into a real functional aid.
Notwithstanding this, the game isn't all that difficult to play. Just look around, try things out, think about possible actions and you will get along just fine.
If you are stuck, just take a look at the map: maybe a HOS is active somewhere else in the game, which may give you just that item you need to go on.
I regret that the HOS repeat themselves. I always find this to be a lack of creativeness or a proof of laziness from the dev's.
Again, if you are stuck, take a look at the task list and you may get an idea of what to do next.
All in all, I would say, don't just give it a try, but enjoy the game. The graphics may surprise, but why not?
And concerning the music, just turn it down, because you will not stand it longtime. You can still listen to the sounds and the voiceovers of your robot.
I like this adventure game, although the dev's could have made some improvements such as:
- making the map teleportable
- turning the hint button into a real functional aid.
Notwithstanding this, the game isn't all that difficult to play. Just look around, try things out, think about possible actions and you will get along just fine.
If you are stuck, just take a look at the map: maybe a HOS is active somewhere else in the game, which may give you just that item you need to go on.
I regret that the HOS repeat themselves. I always find this to be a lack of creativeness or a proof of laziness from the dev's.
Again, if you are stuck, take a look at the task list and you may get an idea of what to do next.
All in all, I would say, don't just give it a try, but enjoy the game. The graphics may surprise, but why not?
And concerning the music, just turn it down, because you will not stand it longtime. You can still listen to the sounds and the voiceovers of your robot.
I recommend this game!