roxiestar74's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:353
- Reviews Submitted:26
- First Review:February 22, 2012
- Most Recent Review:October 28, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Travel to a mysterious city and save your love from an ancient curse. Solve perplexing puzzles and explore colorful locations in "Dracula’s Legacy".
Overall rating
4
/
5
Great SE game to purchase with a Punch Card credit...
PostedOctober 28, 2019
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Jetdogs Studios made this game and they are becoming a favorite developer of mine. They make creepy games with interesting stories. I do like the artwork in these games and that there is good voiceover acting, but I found the controls in Dracula's Legacy to be a bit too clunky, and that is why I gave visual/sound quality only 3 out of 5. The game does look nice, and has a good creepy atmosphere, but not being able to pick up items from my inventory when I needed them got on my nerves. Eventually I was able to use these items, but I would have to click on them more than once to be able to. This could just be my computer though and might not be a problem for everyone else.
I think this game has a good level of challenge for beginning to intermediate players. People who like an advanced/hard challenge might find it too easy, but as an intermediate player, the level of challenge was perfect for me. I even got stuck a few times, but the hint system helped me figure out what to do next and I didn't need to refer to a walkthrough. I find being stuck in games more frustrating than fun, so I liked that the hints guided me in the right direction.
I tend to think vampires are a bit cliche, but trusted this developer to make an engaging game with that theme, and they did not let me down. The story leave things open for a sequel at the end, but can still be seen as satisfying. I would definitely play a sequel if they considered making one.
I do not think the gameplay is revolutionary, but it still managed to be fun and keep my attention. There is lots to do in the many locations visited, and I liked how interactive the hidden object scenes were. The puzzles weren't very innovative and I skipped some of them since I knew they'd annoy me. Pushing tiles around to make pictures, and connecting pipes, can get old, especially if you've been playing these kinds of games for many years. What I did find more innovative was the fact that many of the hidden object scenes had puzzles within them, and that made them more fun for me.
I wouldn't exactly consider this game mind-blowing, but it is a nice way to spend a few hours. I played it right before Halloween and found it especially fun for this time of year, but I am sure it can be enjoyed by people who love creepy games all year round.
I recommend it as a good game to purchase with a Punch Card credit. It is a bit on the short side, I think it took me to 3-4 hours to complete, and doesn't have any bells and whistles. Since it a standalone SE game, that shouldn't be surprising. The fact that it is a standalone and doesn't have a CE, also makes it a good game to spend a Punch Card credit on. Since there isn't a CE version, you aren't missing out on any bonuses by buying this SE. It can be hard to find SE games that don't have a CE so that's also why I wanted to point out that this game doesn't have one.
I recommend this game!
Four friends are pulled inside a movie where the special effects are all too real!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Fun and unique game, with an enjoyable story that got me in the Halloween mood...
PostedOctober 21, 2019
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I get bored easily playing hidden object games since they can be same old. same old. Been playing them for about 10 years, and I get sick of recycled stories and repetitive game play. I will delete a game unfinished if it doesn't engage me. Although some other reviewers here seem to feel differently, I felt as if this game was new and different. I especially liked how much variety there was in the hidden object scenes. They were all interactive and contributed to the story. Some of them even had puzzles to solve within the hidden object scenes which I think is fun. I've never liked looking through piles of clutter for tiny objects, and am glad that games like this have evolved away from that. But I know some people did like old fashioned hidden object games where all you did was look for a ton of stuff on lists, and there were no interactive elements, and if that is the kind of thing you are looking for, this game might not be for you.
The bonus chapter was long, and I didn't think it was a fun as the rest of the game. This often happens to me with bonus chapters though. I rarely think they add to the story and are just filler. Such was the case here. So if you are trying to decide whether to buy the game CE or SE (when the SE comes out), I would say you aren't missing much in terms of the bonus. It takes place in the same world as the game, but doesn't feature the same characters as the main story. If you like collectibles, morphing objects and achievements, there are plenty of those. I do enjoy those things, but they're not always worth paying double price for a game. I also found the puzzles a bit repetitive in the bonus chapter, and skipped a couple of them. I try to play all of the puzzles in a game (I like them better than hidden object scenes), but was sick of moving around tiles to make shapes. The puzzles in the main game were more enjoyable for me, and I didn't skip any of those.
This game kept my interest the whole time (which isn't easy to do), and although it wasn't the scariest thing ever (and I don't scare easily), I still found the spooky atmosphere and jump scares fun. It served the purpose of getting me in the spirit for Halloween, and I enjoyed the story. I grew up on horror movies from the '80s and I thought this was a nice homage to them. I realize that it isn't for everyone, but I am glad that I checked it out. I can see how it might be too easy for some people, but I like games that I can figure out without using a walkthrough too much. I get frustrated if I get stuck for too long in challenging games. So if you are an easy to intermediate player, and are looking for a fun game with a good story that will get you in the mood for this time of year, I recommend it to you.
I recommend this game!
Go behind the scenes of the fashion world in this enigmatic adventure game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Better than expected...
PostedJune 13, 2016
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game often appears on people's lists of the worst Nancy Drew games, so I had low expectations for it. It actually ended up being a lot more fun than I expected. With the exception of a puzzle near the beginning of the game that had to do with developing photos and was so frustrating I almost quit the game for good, most of the game was enjoyable. I love Nancy Drew games and have played more than half of the games in the series, and I have accepted the fact that you cannot skip the puzzles, even though I sometimes wish you could. I really wanted to skip over that photo developing puzzle, but I kept going and got through it eventually. ND games often require a lot of perseverance.
I found the story interesting, although it did kind of fall apart near the end. There were two different stories being told and they could have overlapped better. I think the weak ending has a lot to do with why people don't like this game. It also seemed easier than other ND games I have played. I liked the level of challenge because I play Junior Detective and often have to use walkthroughs for help when I get stuck (and in this game I didn't get stuck as much as I usually do), but people who play Senior Detective and like more of a challenge might find this game too easy.
Other than that really annoying puzzle near the beginning, I thought that this game was a lot of fun and worth playing, despite the fact that the ending is a let down. Because it is less challenging than some of the other games in the series, I especially recommend it to ND newbies.
I recommend this game!
Nancy Drew: Ransom of the Seven Ships
Solve a 300-year-old Bahamian mystery to save your friend, Bess Marvin, from dangerous kidnappers in this Adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Not your typical Nancy Drew game...
PostedJune 13, 2016
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Time Management, Large File, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have played over half of the Nancy Drew games and my goal is to have played every game at least once by the end of this summer. So when I play a Nancy Drew game, I know what to expect. I know that these games do not have hidden object scenes, which I like, since doing those annoy me. They are pure adventure games with lots of puzzles to solve. People who do not know what to expect from a ND game, will sometimes mistakenly buy them and be disappointed that there are no hidden objects. They also do not like the fact that puzzles cannot be skipped and that there is a lot of talking, which also cannot be skipped. So if you like to skip puzzles, these games are not for you. If you dislike lots of talking in games, these also are not for you. Although Ransom of the Seven Ships would be an exception to that.
I personally love the talking in ND games. I love interviewing characters in my attempt to figure out who the culprit is and I also love using Nancy's cell phone to call her friends and other phone contacts for help. Ransom of the Seven Ships does not have any phone contacts, and Nancy only interacts with two people for most of the game. She also interacts with animals and one of them, a parrot named Coucou, does talk back. But there is definitely a minimum of talking in this game, as compared to other ones in the series. I point this out so that people who do not like a lot of talking in games but want to try ND, will know that this is a good game to try.
Other ways that this game was untypical was that Nancy faced more dangerous threats than normal. There is always risk of dying in ND games, but this game had an extremely high risk. When you die, you get a second chance to fix your mistake, and this allows you to keep playing. I died in this game a lot more than I normally do in a ND game because of the increased threats and danger. People who like arcade games and/or time managment games, will enjoy how much action and danger there is in this. Nancy is especially in a lot of danger when she is scuba diving and rock climbing, and you have to do both of these activities multiple times. There is a lot of action in general. You have to drive a golf cart to get around, which isn't dangerous, but can get annoying when you keep crashing into things, and you also have to sail to get places, which is annoying in the same kind of way the golf cart is. If you prefer walking around and exploring things at a slower pace, this game will probably get on your nerves.
Lastly, the reveal of the culprit at the end of the game can be a let down because it is expecting you to know who the person is, since it is the same villain from an earlier game in the series, but if you haven't played that game, it is not a very good reveal.
This wasn't the worst game I've ever played, but I definitely had to force myself to finish it, since I did want to quit at some of the frustrating parts I got stuck on. Referring to walkthroughs can help you get through it faster. If you are determined to play all of the ND games, then you can trudge through it, but if you only play these games selectively, I would recommend only playing this one if you like games with lots of running around and action. If you are looking for a game with more character development and story, then there are other games from the ND series that are better to try.
Help the adorable grim reapers Grimm and Rose defeat monsters, ghosts, evil bunnies and more using the power of words!
Overall rating
2
/
5
15 of 18 found this review helpful
Bookworm Adventures is a much better game...
PostedOctober 22, 2014
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Large File, Card & Board, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Bookworm Adventures
(27) This game seemed to be ripping off the Bookworm Adventures series where you make words in order to defeat your enemies and the longer the words are, the more power they have in defeating your enemy. Unlike Bookworm Adventures, Letter Quest did not have a cute story and did not have clear objectives. Like Bookworm Adventures, power ups could be earned which help you defeat your enemies, but how they were earned was confusing and it was also unclear whether or not you were using them on each level. In Bookworm Adventures, you choose which power ups you want to use and in Letter Quest the power ups I bought did not seem to be doing anything for me. I deleted the demo of Letter Quest after about a half hour of playing and decided I should re-play Bookworm Adventures instead. Some of the Bookworm games can be bought on Big Fish and I recommend you try those instead of buying this game which is inferior.
I don't recommend this game.
Venture into the past and outwit a cunning criminal before time runs out in Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Liked the setting but game can be frustrating...
PostedJune 10, 2014
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Card & Board, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
and the story is kind of weak. You have to run a lot of errands in this game by driving around in Nancy's car, and it takes away from the story and mystery. Learning to drive Nancy's car does come in handy later in the game, but while you are doing these errands it can get monotonous. The parts of the game that more so had to do with the mystery were more interesting, except for one puzzle that annoyed me so much that not being able to complete it caused me to quit the game for a few days. This puzzle had to do with sewing a dress and I had a very hard time with it. You need to sew the dress correctly in order to move on with the game, which is why I quit playing for a few days. When I came back, I was able to finally complete the sewing puzzle, but the game, in general, wasn't as fun for me after that, and there ended up being another mini-game near the end that was very frustrating for me as well. I made myself do it over and over again, despite my frustration, because I knew I was near the end of the game and would finally be able to finish once I passed it, but I found little enjoyment in such an aggravating mini-game.
I did like the 1930's setting of the game, and I think they could have done a lot more with it. You get to drive Nancy around the town she is visiting a lot, but you do not get to see the inside of most of the places she visits or what the people she is interacting with look like, you just hear their voices when she speaks to them. There are only 4 people that you get to talk to face to face, and I did not think these characters were as fleshed out as the characters in other Nancy Drew games I have played. Having to run too many errands, and not having as much time to speak with them because of that, does seem to have to do with why I felt this way.
Despite my frustrations, there were still some puzzles that I did like, and I also enjoyed a mini-game which allowed me to play miniature golf. Reading other reviews of this game it does seem as if some people found the mini golf part frustrating since it is not easy to pass it, and it did take me a little while to do it, but I still thought it was fun.
You have to have a lot of patience when playing the puzzles and mini-games that can be challenging in order to enjoy this game and I get easily frustrated and do not have that kind of patience, so it took away from my enjoyment of the game. The mystery could have been better fleshed out and I was able to figure out who the culprit was quite a while before it was revealed. I am glad I played the game, and I found the 1930's setting to be a nice change from other Nancy Drew games, but I do not think I will play this game again in the future since it was more frustrating than fun.
In a house full of trap doors and secret tunnels and suspicious fires, one misstep means Nancy won't stand a ghost of a chance!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Good game for Nancy Drew newbies but a little boring...
PostedMay 31, 2014
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I found this game a bit boring at first, but I am glad I gave it a chance and took the time to complete it, since it did become more interesting as it moved along. Some of the more experienced Nancy Drew players may find it too easy, but as someone who is new to the series I found this game to be the right level of challenge. I did have to refer to a walkthrough a little bit, but for the most part, I was able to figure it out myself.
I've only played 5 Nancy Drew games, so I am not an expert on the series, but compared to the other games I have played so far, I did not find the characters I interacted with very interesting. That probably has to do with why the story did not grip me right away, and why I had to play the game for a while before my interest was piqued. What is going on in Nancy's present day is juxtaposed with a historical story that is related to the mansion you are exploring, and I found the history more interesting than the present day. I think that wanting to know more about these past events, which is revealed as you play, maintained my interest in the game, and I always have a desire to know who the culprit is, so that kept me going as well. The culprit ended up being rather predictable, but since this game isn't very hard, I guess that isn't surprising.
I think this is a good game to play if you are new to Nancy Drew and want to gain some experience playing these kinds of games, but I think more experienced adventure gamers will find it too easy and might get bored.
When a friend gets kidnapped in a historic theater, you, as Nancy Drew, are plunged into a desperate race against the clock!
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
Great game for Nancy Drew newbies...
PostedMay 31, 2014
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am new to this game series and have only played about 5 games so far, but this was the one I enjoyed the most and found the least frustrating. People who are more experienced with these games may find the Final Scene to be too easy, but I found it to be the perfect level of challenge. This is the 2nd Nancy Drew game I ever played, the first one I played was The Secret of Shadow Ranch and that game was too hard for me and I ended up using a walkthrough to get through most of it. I did have to use a walkthrough a little bit with the Final Scene (I am new to both Nancy Drew and adventure games so I was still getting acclimated), but I was able to figure out most of the game without a walkthrough's help, and that felt good.
Not only is this a good game for Nancy Drew beginners, but it also has a great story and fun characters to talk to. There does seem to be less puzzles than in other Nancy Drew games, but that did not get in the way of my enjoyment. I liked the story and the location I was exploring so much, that I hardly noticed the lack of puzzles. I do have a bias to old movie houses, since I used to work in one, and I've had a long time interest in Harry Houdini, who is referenced in this story, so my personal interests definitely seemed to have to do with why I liked the story so much. But, if you are unsure if you will like the story, there is a free trial of the game, so you can try it out before you buy.
Overall, it's a great game for Nancy Drew newbies, which I highly recommend. It might not be so great for more experienced players, but they can take advantage of the free trial and find out if it is. Happy Sleuthing!
I recommend this game!
Take a wild ride into terror and trickery to rein in a ghostly secret! Discover the truth from the ghost stories before it's too late!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Hard game for a Nancy Drew newbie....
PostedMay 31, 2014
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This was the first Nancy Drew game I ever played and I needed to refer to a walkthrough a lot to be able to finish it. The reason why I played it first is because Big Fish offers a free trial of it. This game and the Final Scene are the only Nancy games that Big Fish lets you trial. I wish there were free trials for more of them because I like to try a game out first to make sure it works on my computer and I also like to make sure I like a game enough to complete it before I buy it. I blindly bought the first game in the Nancy Drew series, Secrets Can Kill Remastered, on Big Fish. I found the game to be really boring and haven't finished it yet. Maybe someday I will, but if I had been able to try it out for free before buying it, I might not have purchased it and wish I had had the chance to do so. So please, Big Fish, if it is possible for there to be more free trials of Nancy Drew games they would be much appreciated!
After completing the free trial, The Secret of Shadow Ranch lured me in enough to want to buy it, so I did. I especially found the story intriguing, but this is not an easy game, especially if you are new to Nancy Drew and after barely finishing it, I went back and played some of the earlier Nancy games and found them easier to complete. Shadow Ranch is the 10th game in the series, and it seems as if they can get harder as the series moves on.
Shadow Ranch has a great story that kept me intrigued until the end. I also found it to be a long game. I played it over a few days. I am new to the series though so people who are experienced with these games might not find it to be so lengthy, but I felt like I got my money's worth. I also enjoyed the puzzles a lot in this game, even if some of them did get a bit frustrating (it seems as if frustration comes hand in hand with playing these kinds of games, but there is also a feeling of joy that you get once you complete a frustrating puzzle and I think that makes it worth it).
If you are experienced playing Nancy Drew games and/or are an experienced adventure game player (which I am not), then I would recommend this game to you, but if you are new to adventure games and/or Nancy Drew games, then you should probably play some of the earlier games in the series before you play this one. I would recommend playing the Final Scene before you play Shadow Ranch if you are a newbie to this series. I have also recently played Message in a Haunted Mansion (game #3) and Treasure in a Royal Tower (game #5) and found them easier for a beginner of the series to play.
I recommend this game!
The quaint mountain town of Hochwald hides a deadly secret. Defeat a mechanical mastermind and save your friend before another earthquake strikes!
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Set up as a great spy adventure and then fell flat...
PostedOctober 25, 2013
roxiestar74
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Card & Board, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The beginning of this game was awesome! I felt like I was in an action adventure movie and that I was a spy fighting against an evil dictator and his soldiers. After I was lured in by the exciting beginning and decided to buy the game, it became different after that. There are 3 locations to explore in the game, and after completing the first location in the trial, the other two locations visited were nowhere near as exciting. I was still a spy that was trying to defeat evil, but the pace of the game slowed down and it felt more like a typical HOG. I did complete the game, since I was invested enough to want to know what happened, but it never picked up the steam that the beginning had, and the ending was kind of disappointing since it felt rushed.
The puzzles were pretty easy, I was able to finish them all without skipping, and did not find them to be too different than the ones in other games.They did try to mix up the hidden object scenes a little bit though, by including a few frog (fractured object) scenes, and by having a few of the H0 scenes be even more interactive than normal, but other than those special scenes, which I would guess there were 5 or 6 of, the rest of the H0 scenes were pretty typical.
If you are a fan of Steampunk games and/or are looking for something different than the typical themes of haunted mansions/towns and murder mysteries, then you may find this game a breath of fresh air. I did appreciate that it is different than other games in theme. I was just hoping it would have more oomph than it ended up having. I am a fan of the developer and I know they are capable of making fun and exciting games, so the fact that this one fell flat is especially disappointing to me.
I bought this game as a CE, I was able to save some money on it by buying it as part of a sale, which was good, since I did not feel as if it was necessary to buy as a CE. There were achievements and special items to find, which I know some people like in their CEs, but those things don't matter as much to me. I also found the bonus chapter to be filler. It did not add much to the story of the main game, and mostly revolved around doing H0 scenes. So if people are trying to decide whether or not to buy the SE or CE, I would say that unless you really love collecting achievements and special objects, that the SE is the better choice, since you won't be missing much by skipping the bonus chapter.