sfcali's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.9
- Helpful Votes:902
- Reviews Submitted:9
- First Review:January 22, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 3, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
sfcali's Review History
Explore the magical world of Enchantia as you race to save the land from the evil Phoenix Queen.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A Fantasy Epic in a Hidden Object Adventure
PostedApril 3, 2013
sfcali
fromSan Francisco, California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Here is a list of what I love about this game:
*Gorgeous, richly ornate, color saturated graphics (just as you always expect from Blue Tea Games' artists).
*Fragmented hidden object search scenes that are as pleasing to the eye as fun to play. I don't like "junkpile" object searches, so these scenes were especially luxurious to me.
*An interesting and rather original fantasy story that has a Tolkien feel to it. You meet and interact with many characters: humans, elves, mythological creatures, etc. and they tell their part of the story. You can skip through cut scenes if you'd like but they're presented in two ways: action and narrative, depending on whether it's currently happening or part of the back story.
*More emphasis on the adventuring and fragmented object searches than on minigames, but the minigames that are included are also smartly done: some are easy, some are more challenging, all are logical.
*All the extra features such as the smart map, morphing object collection, sound effects, and so on, are top notch for making this a well-rounded game.
*I also enjoyed the bonus chapter on the collector's edition: it was a very nice story of how the Skybird came down and met the Elven princess before she turned into the Phoenix Queen.
I recommend this game!
Explore the magical world of Enchantia as you race to save the land from the evil Phoenix Queen.
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
Adventure-based Fantasy FrOG
PostedFebruary 20, 2013
sfcali
fromSan Francisco, California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
In brief, here are the best things about Enchantia: Wrath of the Phoenix Queen:
*Fragmented Object Search Scenes as in the Dark Parables series (this is by the same game company as well).
*Focus on adventuring without stacking the minigames and frOS scenes too close together which equals great immersion.
*An original fantasy storyline with superb plot development and interesting characters.
*Gorgeous artwork and a high quality production all around.
*A vast array of areas to explore and discover with multiple chapters making gameplay feel epic in scope.
This is truly a stand-out game well worth the C.E. purchase for the extra gameplay, helpful strategy guide and being able to have it now instead of waiting.
I recommend this game!
Discover the Red Riding Hood Sisters and defeat the nefarious Wolf Queen!
Overall rating
5
/
5
107 of 120 found this review helpful
Gorgeous Adventure with Fragmented Hidden Object Scenes
PostedSeptember 20, 2012
sfcali
fromSan Francisco, California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a very lovely game that is sure to get hundreds of reviews extolling its high production values, engaging story and fun puzzles, so I'll keep this one short.
Key Features:
*Hidden Object Scenes - fragmented objects are scattered into neat, well-composed scenes. You need to find pieces of three different items which then combine to give you a useful object. Scenes do repeat
*Hidden Object Scenes - fragmented objects are scattered into neat, well-composed scenes. You need to find pieces of three different items which then combine to give you a useful object. Scenes do repeat
*Engaging Storyline - as with other Dark Parables, you are a detective. Here you investigate a town and its surrounding woods that are plagued by wolf attacks. It's rather violent really but keeps with the fantasy/fairytale theme. The Red Riding Hood Sisters are a group who are dedicated to protecting the woods but they've been kidnapped and you must help rescue them.
*Amazing graphics - For me, this is reason enough to play this game. Every page is filled with rich settings that are fun to explore.
*Fun Puzzles - the puzzles are not overly complex or frustratingly difficult. There is just the right amount of challenge to be fun without becoming too annoying to try to complete. They fit well with the story and include things such as a shadow puppet show, switching tiles, etc.
*Emphasis on Adventuring - The main gameplay is in the exploration of different areas, solving puzzles to open the next chapter and then exploring those areas for clues and items.
*High Quality Production - nothing second rate here. A lot of attention to detail. Voice acting is talented. There are several cut scenes/movies to keep the storyline moving along and they're entertaining, not something you'd want to skip.
*User Options - There's three difficulty modes, from lots of help and sparkles, to no help and no sparkles, plus something in between. It is a true wide screen. You can adjust sound, music and voices. Bonus content is unlocked after completing main game.
I recommend this game!
Start building your very own amusement park in Dream Builder: Amusement Park! Grow the park by adding the coolest new rides, the yummiest concession stands and the most entertaining attractions.
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 44 found this review helpful
Scratches the Building/Creation Itch
PostedAugust 21, 2012
sfcali
fromSan Francisco, California
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Westward Kingdoms
(18)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is fun for anyone who enjoys free form building games such as sim theme park and the like. It does lack some bells and whistles, but the most important part - building up your park, making it a success, discovering new zones and creating the most appeal for your visitors - works perfectly.
There are four distinctly themed park areas, each with their own goals, trophies, zones and building types. While there are no hazards (you can never go bankrupt, for example) there is challenge in planning where to place items and which goals to work toward first.
At first you'll have to wait to build up coins and hearts but once you get on a roll, you have a lot of freedom to build things as you wish. Even after achieving all the trophies for a park, you can stay and play with it more.
Definitely worth getting, especially if you have a game credit burning a hole in your pocket!
I recommend this game!
Investigate the dastardly deeds of a wealthy socialite and prove your fiance is not a thief in Snark Busters: High Society!
Overall rating
5
/
5
114 of 118 found this review helpful
Best of the Three
PostedMay 23, 2012
sfcali
fromSan Francisco, California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
First, I'd like to state I'm rather amazed at the initial reviews. This was the first Snark Busters I've played and, because I loved it, I played the other two, also. This third installment of the series, Snark Busters: High Society, much higher quality graphics than the first two while mostly keeping with the same style of play and theme as the first two.
Here's some of what you can expect:
*Clear, bright graphics with even more attention to details in each scene.
*Clear, bright graphics with even more attention to details in each scene.
*Instead of fragments of objects strewn about, you are now looking for whole items that will fit together to make a new something or other.
*Voice-overs that are done very well -- although don't fit with the lip movements. A minor thing, though.
*A refreshing break from the dark, dreary, spooky games. This is light and humorous with gorgeous fantasy settings.
*Absolutely no junk pile hidden object scenes. All searching is in a more logical, realistic environment... and you're shown a picture of what you need. Circlet-style (like in Depths of Betrayal).
*The minigames range from very easy to particularly challenging...quite a few are the shifting tiles type.
*The expert mode has no sparkles and a longer-filling skip/hint timer.
*About 5 1/2 hours of gameplay...some chapters are longer than others. This is a great value for a non-CE game!
High Society is a fun, upbeat, very well crafted game. You do need to enjoy hidden object adventures in general, but this is such a refreshing departure from the usual form of listed objects. I wish more games were like this one!
I 100% recommend this game to all lovers of hidden object-adventure games.
(Review based on playing the full game).
I recommend this game!
Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart Collector's Edition
Dive into an epic journey as a museum owner in pursuit of an undead pirate who has kidnapped your daughter in Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart!
Overall rating
5
/
5
320 of 341 found this review helpful
One of the Best--High Quality, Excellent in All Ways
PostedMay 17, 2012
sfcali
fromSan Francisco, California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Nightmares of the Deep: The Cursed Heart stands out from the glut of hidden object adventure games because, everything it does, it does extremely well. At times it feels like you're watching a summer blockbuster movie because it is such a high quality production--the voice acting, visuals, scenery, story development and more.
This is not a scary horror so much as it is a supernaturally-bent thriller with a pirate theme. While the theme might not be completely new to you, the presentation will be. Don't pass it off as "another" anything. It's not.
Here are some other highlights:
* You can choose to play MAHJONG instead of doing a Hidden Object Search Scene. This means, you don't ever have to do any of the normal H.O.S. if you don't want to. This feature alone makes The Cursed Heart original.
* You can choose to play MAHJONG instead of doing a Hidden Object Search Scene. This means, you don't ever have to do any of the normal H.O.S. if you don't want to. This feature alone makes The Cursed Heart original.
*H.O.S. scenes are clear and well-composed. They include "extra step" puzzles--items you need to reconstruct or somehow change before you can pick them up.
*Minigames vary in type and include performing certain tasks, reassembling items, navigating a puzzle maze, swapping tiles, and so on. Some are familiar puzzles, some are more original, and some are really challenging. All are fun!
*The focus is on adventuring and it's easy to feel immersed in the environment. The minigames don't take away from that.
*You earn coins by completing certain puzzles--you need 20 of them--each coin allows you to see another part of the backstory, Captain Remmington's earlier life and love affair.
*There's plenty of very entertaining story scenes to fully round out the story and the experience.
*The ending is played out to completion and is a satisfying resolution. No cliff hangers or abrupt cut offs.
*The bonus chapter is a different--yet related--story, which is also very interesting.
*Another collector's edition bonus is the ability to replay hidden object scenes and mahjong games.
*If you don't skip, it's about 6 hours long for the regular story plus another 90 minutes or so for the bonus chapter.
It's clear that Artifex Mundi, the makers of Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart, really cared about making an excellent game here. They didn't cut corners in any areas and the pride in their work shows in every scene.
This is one game that you should at least demo. It might be a good reason to finally upgrade your old computer, too, so you can fully experience the gorgeous graphics and seamless transitions.
(Review is based on playing the full game and bonus chapter.)
I recommend this game!
Travel to Urami Island to find Victoria's missing sister.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Malice: Two Sisters
PostedMay 7, 2012
sfcali
fromSan Francisco, California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
(This review is based on the whole game)
Malice: Two Sisters is a thriller/mystery that has a lot going for it, especially if you like HOPAs. It's not scary or gory, just creepy at times. This is definitely a good game for those who like to problem solve, do some detective work, and adventure through a game.
There's a lot to say about this game, but I'm going to pick out just a few points to highlight:
+ The hidden object searches are the standard kind that include some extra steps (such as need to break a bottle to get glass shards). They're neatly composed scenes, not just a pile, yet they're also challenging. I had to think about what I was looking for and really search to find some objects (that's unusual for me).
+ Sometimes you have to combine objects to make a new object, the game doesn't automatically combine for you. I liked this extra problem-solving activity. They're like extra little puzzles.
+The mini games included the usual such as tile puzzles, gear setting and wire re-routing, but they are more intricate and challenging than the usual. They were spread apart so you're not just doing one puzzle after the other. You get to explore and discover more areas of the island after each puzzle.
+ Most the emphasis is on adventuring, really being in the moment, and finding ways to move ahead so you can reach your sister. That sense of urgency added to the fun and excitement.
+ The graphics are very clear and the scenery is gorgeous even when it's creepy. The music as also very enjoyable. Usually I turn that stuff off after a while, but this has a varied soundtrack so I never got tired of listening to it.
- The story is actually very good... there's just not a lot of it in terms of movies or cut scenes, so you have to piece together the information yourself to get much of the story. On the other hand, you only know at any given time what the main character knows.. it is a mystery, after all.
-It is slightly on the shorter side (around 3 hours for me) but I enjoyed the twisted story, the quality of the images and the puzzles.
For a standard edition game, this was well worth the purchase!
I recommend this game!
Escape an underground vault of clockwork wonders with the help of its mysterious and eccentric inventor in Fantastic Creations: House of Brass!
Overall rating
5
/
5
66 of 77 found this review helpful
Discover Fantastic Creations
PostedMarch 24, 2012
sfcali
fromSan Francisco, California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
(My review is based on playing the entire game, which was by no means too short).
House of Brass excels in several important areas, including:
* Interesting and wonderfully detailed scenes to explore.
* Excellent graphic qualities.
* An abundance of puzzles means lots to do here!
* A different style of hidden object searches (with a bit of a riddle, find types rather than just a random list of unrelated things).
* Satisfaction and enjoyment from discovering what's in each new room.
* Interesting and wonderfully detailed scenes to explore.
* Excellent graphic qualities.
* An abundance of puzzles means lots to do here!
* A different style of hidden object searches (with a bit of a riddle, find types rather than just a random list of unrelated things).
* Satisfaction and enjoyment from discovering what's in each new room.
Where it is weakest (but by no means bad) is in:
* There are almost no story cut scenes to watch (but this doesn't matter as the story is really about discovering every part of this amazing house and reaching its secret in the final room)
* The Cogglethorpe's voice is irritating (fortunately, there is an option to turn off voices without turning off the rest of the sounds or music).
* Some puzzle types are repeated (but they get harder/more complicated each time...which is good if you like particular kind of puzzle).
* There are almost no story cut scenes to watch (but this doesn't matter as the story is really about discovering every part of this amazing house and reaching its secret in the final room)
* The Cogglethorpe's voice is irritating (fortunately, there is an option to turn off voices without turning off the rest of the sounds or music).
* Some puzzle types are repeated (but they get harder/more complicated each time...which is good if you like particular kind of puzzle).
In summary:
If you enjoy fantasy-style stories such as those by Jules Verne (Journey to the Center of the Earth) or by H.G. Wells (The Time Machine), or if your idea of fun is figuring out puzzles and exploring beautiful scenery, you will love this game.
If you enjoy fantasy-style stories such as those by Jules Verne (Journey to the Center of the Earth) or by H.G. Wells (The Time Machine), or if your idea of fun is figuring out puzzles and exploring beautiful scenery, you will love this game.
As for length being a factor, here's how it worked out for me: I was having so much fun playing, I didn't want to stop. I completely lost track of time. I don't know how long I played, I only know I enjoyed every moment of it.
The whole adventure was very well rounded; the house was slowly revealed through accomplishing certain tasks and solving puzzles, helping the player be immersed in its story. When the end came, it was a shocking scene, but it didn't come too soon. Instead, it was what everything else was building up to and it seemed so appropriate--the perfect ending!
I recommend this game!
Use a mystical locket to explore a magical world and save a young girl in Otherworld: Spring of Shadows!
Overall rating
5
/
5
246 of 257 found this review helpful
Fantasy Atmosphere with Emphasis on Story and Adventuring
PostedJanuary 22, 2012
sfcali
fromSan Francisco, California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
If you're the type of player who loves to indulge in the surroundings and "staging" of each scene, you'll love what Otherworld has to offer. From the music to the details of the artwork, the fantasy world draws you in.
Otherworld is a story-centered Adventure, not an ordinary, run of the mill Hidden Object Game. There are very few hidden object scenes and they are not the typical type of search. Usually you're asked to find many of one type of object...which is good because I never liked those messy, cluttered hidden object scenes in other games. It doesn't make sense that a hacksaw, cigar, baby bottle and pocket watch would end up in the same pile except a yard sale or junk yard.
There are plenty of light puzzles, though, nothing too difficult, so you're not pulled out of the story to work a minigame--everything fits together and adds to the feel of adventuring. The story about a young girl trapped in the fairy dimension is interesting and enjoyable, too.
This game is perfect for the fantasy genre fan.
The Collector's Edition of Otherworld has an excellent strategy guide built right into the game... it's neatly laid out with both pictures and textual instructions, opening to the part where you currently need to get through. There's also a bonus chapter (which I haven't tried yet) and achievements to earn.
A side quest to find all the hidden fairies throughout the game is also fun... I'm not sure if that's bonus content or part of the general game, though.
Finally, if you're tired of blue and hazy spooky games, while Otherworld does have a scary villain in it, the colors are bright and usually sunny. Very nice change from all the horror titles seen on BFG.
I recommend this game!