NJMysteryMan's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.7
- Helpful Votes:326
- Reviews Submitted:16
- First Review:November 24, 2011
- Most Recent Review:January 25, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Investigate bizarre mysteries by finding clues and solving puzzles!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A Fun New HOP Game with a Retro Feel to It!
PostedJanuary 25, 2025
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Mahjong, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I really enjoyed playing this game. It was a bit more of a challenge than some of the recent HOP games I've played. I'll admit, if it wasn't for the map feature, I might have been stumped a few times on where I should go. The games graphics and storyline are great, and I like that the game is broken up into 3 mystery cases to play. The cut scenes are great. I found the puzzles to be a challenge, but I was able to solve them, (after saving and coming back to the game with fresh eyes). All in all it feels like the old adventure PC games yet has everything the modern HOP games have. I really enjoyed this one and hope more are to follow.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a soul-stealing monster from terrorizing the kingdom?
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Another Fun Twisted Fairy Tale Game
PostedDecember 31, 2022
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm really enjoying the Cursed Fables games series. The first one was a lot of fun, but I really liked this second game, "Twisted Tower." The plot was a bit more involved and kind of had a "Maleficient" vibe to it. Graphics and voice overs were great. I tend to play these games at my leisure, for about an hour or so at a time. So these games can last me about a week or so. So i'm not a good one to judge the length of the game, I felt it was a good length for me, but maybe I'm not seeing what others are about how "short" the game is. No glitches for me, everything was smooth. It was a bit simplistic in the fact that you're pretty much stuck in only one or two scenes at a time, so you realize quickly enough that you have everything you need and worst case, you can just try all the items in your inventory till you hit the right one. Other than that, it was fun and I tend to review games based on how I enjoyed the play. I had fun and the story was interesting and it kept me occupied a few hours a day during this cold weather we're having here. Give it a try, both games in the series are good but I liked this one better and looking forward to the next in the series.
I recommend this game!
A ski resort high in the mountains hides a dark past!
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 14 found this review helpful
It's Not the Old MCF, But it's a Good Game!
PostedDecember 26, 2022
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
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 had to take a few moments before actually deciding what to write. My initial reaction, like most people was, this really isn't the MCF we know and love. And it's true. But then I said to myself, "Did I enjoy the game? Did I have fun?" and a couple of other questions and the answer is "Yes!" So that's why I gave this game 5 stars. Is it the best in the series? Nope. In fact, I think the best game was Return to Ravenhurst and really that was because it was something bold and new at the time. We who played HOP games were suddenly given something completely new. Now we were'nt just searching for objects in each scene, there was a story and puzzles and live actors etc. It turned our HOP game into an adventure game. Now, years later, that's kinda hard to beat. I'm sure in the future, we will see some new innovations but for now, Grandma made us a good game and I found it fun and it kept my interest during this cold winter weather we're having here on the east coast. In the begining, the game tries to give us the "Dire Grove" vibes with a frozen mystery complete with missing persons and video tapes to find to piece together what happened. Then it becomes it's own game. There's also puzzle pieces to find and morphing objects as well. And can I stop and say thank you to developers who give you the chance to go back at the end of the game to find anything you missed? I love that. I get so frustrated in the old games when I learned I missed morphing objects because I got sidetracked by the story unfolding. After you complete the bonus game you can go back and find any missing puzzle pieces or morphing objects you missed. So that's a plus for me. The graphics were good and the story was pretty interesting. I like to take my time and explore and I don't really push through the games like I did years ago, so I didn't think the game was short. However, unlike the old MCF, it's pretty clear where you need to go and what objects you need. And it's pretty linear in how the game plays. But that's not a bad thing, I'm getting older and the running around through mutltiple locations to backtrack gets on my nerves. Graphics are good and the voice acting is also good, the puzzles were a mix of some real good challenges and some that were pieces of cake. I actually had to use the walkthough to complete two of the puzzles. All in all, this was a good game complete with bonus chapter, morphing objects and puzzle pieces to find, plus a supernatural mystery for the Master Detective to solve, so it has all the things that make this a MCF game. Would it be great to go back to revist the Dalimar's? Maybe or that might just be nostalgia calling. Give it a shot, it's a well made game and I'm glad the developers are still trying to keep this series alive.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your sister from a carnival of monsters?
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Good Halloween Game but Glitches Ruined It!
PostedDecember 10, 2022
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I enjoy these games and this was another fun addition to the Halloween themed games. I was really enjoying it, some of the puzzles were even a bit challenging for me. I just can't give it 5 stars because the game glitched at the final scene in the bonus game so I couldn't technically finish the game. I didn't want to redownload the game and do it all over again after spending a few days on this game. A lot of the negative reviews complain about glitches, I didn't experience any till the final bonus scene. So I'm a little annoyed but I did have fun up till the end and liked the game.
I recommend this game!
Pendle Tower was once a lavish high-rise hotel, but a new renovation has awakened a long-dormant secret within its foreboding halls.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Good Game, But Not Quite MCF!
PostedJanuary 1, 2022
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Mahjong, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
First off, I enjoyed this game. Love GrandMa Studios and a fan of the old MCF. It doesn't have to be connected to the MCF storyline to be a MCF game IMO. However, MCF has become known as THE hidden object game and this one falls just a tad short. Love the graphics and the storyline was great. I play on casual mode and that may have been a factor but I feel that the game was quite short, not the standard MCF length. And if you don't get the collector's edition, I feel you'll be missing out on most of the storyline. The two games (main and bonus) actually create a complete plot. There are still a few unanswered questions, but I think this was intentional to continue a new MCF storyline. I love when developers add the morphing objects and extras to find, but I also like, (as in this game) that if I missed one or two (I missed 1 morphing object) I could at least go back at the end and find what I missed. I hate not being able to go back, just a pet peeve of mine. I could see where the developers were trying to harness the old MCF. The "door lock puzzles" are there, but done in a very subtle way that I didn't realize I was playing one at first (and they aren't always on said doors). Animation, colors, sound and voice overs were all great so no complaints there. I enjoyed my experience, all the elements are there but not quite the MCF I wanted. Still, a great game, and I think this developer can get this series back to where we liked it.
I recommend this game!
Can you bring back magic and rescue your mom in time for Christmas?
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
Another Charming Christmas Tale!
PostedDecember 7, 2020
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Family, Hidden Object, Large File, Mahjong, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I look forward to the various Christmas themed Hidden Object games this time of year. I even go back and replay some of my old ones. Nothing gets me in the mood like these Elephant games. The vibrant colors, the Christmas music softly playing in the background of each scene. The snow falling, various scenes of Christmas trees and other decorations. It's always fun. Yes, most of these games play the same way. I actually look forward to that. Yes, I knew right away who the villain of the piece was going to be. And yes, Santa Claus eventually turned up too. But if you're like me, that's what you're looking for. The visuals, sound, and colors are what you expect, great as always. The gameplay was pretty standard too. Nothing new that jumped out at me. However, full disclosure, I play these games on casual mode now just to enjoy them and the story and the atmosphere. I'm not looking for mind-bending puzzles or a complex plot. Next year, if I need to save Santa again from another wicked witch, I'm game. These are just fun and help me get into the spirit of the season, and working in retail, that's a bonus for me. If you've enjoyed the past Christmas games by Elephant, you'll like this one. The bonus chapter is a lot of fun too, and sort of continues the story, (in an sideways kind of way). Morphing objects to find as well as collectables add to the fun.
I recommend this game!
Act as Adam Wolfe, an investigator of the paranormal. Discover an occult world hidden in modern San Francisco!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Is it a movie? Is it a game? It's both!
PostedAugust 13, 2020
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Wow. I really enjoyed Adam Wolfe: Flames of time. Other reviews have already done it justice, so I just wanted to add how much I enjoyed this game. When I sat back and thought about it, there isn't as much game play as there is in other hidden object games. This is an adventure game. However, the story is what makes this game awesome. It's like watching a movie or a TV show like Supernatural or Buffy. Adam Wolfe is a great character, a paranormal detective. The graphics are top notch and there's a few surprised (even a few boo scares that I wasn't expecting). There really isn't another adventure game out there like this one. Yes, it's a bit on the more mature side, but the story line is great, the voice acting awesome and you actually are getting two games in one. I though the second act was like your typical "bonus game" but it's actually its own game. And to boot, Adam himself has a secret he's trying to unravel, part of the meta plot that doesn't get resolved in this game. Good thing there's a sequel and you can bet as I'm typing this review I'm downloading the next game as we speak (or write). If you like a good supernatural story, along the lines of Supernatural or even Kolchek the Nightstalker, this is a great game I'm sure you'll enjoy. Great graphics, though it is kinda fast paced. In keeping with the story/cinema experience it moves fast and there's very little choices to make. You kinda know where your next move is. Still for a few faults I love this game.
I recommend this game!
Will you escape the mansion, or become its permanent resident?
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
A Fun New Twist On the Classic Game Series
PostedJune 27, 2018
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You are invited to an island mansion for a reunion of your former classmates. To top it off, your host has also arranged a scavenger hunt as part of the fun. However, things are not what they seem and during the hunt, one of your old friends is hurt. You realize it's time to get medical help, and while getting to the boat which brought you to the island, all heck breaks loose. Eventually, you realize something isn't right as one by one, your friends mysteriously disappear. And once you realize what's truly happening, you wonder if you will be able to make it off the island alive. This game combines the atmosphere of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None," with a classic haunted house story like Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher." The game looks great and I enjoyed the voice acting and graphics that went with the game. I was able to figure out early what was happening, based on the clues provided in the opening credits, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the game. The original Haunted Manor series was fun for it's time, but this is a more complex and updated game and I hope these designers continue with this franchise. I can see future editions to the series, exploring various haunted houses. The fact that you are trying to escape the manor also blends blends in nicely with the entire puzzle element of the game. Created by Eipix Entertainment, it contains all the Eipix familiar touches, including morphing objects and other extra objects to search for in each scene. I know many people have been down on Eipix for a while, but I've always enjoyed their games. (Each company puts out a few not so great ones now and then). And yes, many of the standard puzzles you've seen before pop up in the game. Full disclosure, I play on casual mode because I just enjoy a relaxed game, and yet this was still challenging enough for me. I'm a mystery and classic haunted house fan so this game hit all the right buttons for me. The graphics were great and the plot was familiar yet fresh at the same time. I had a lot of fun and was sad to come to the end. I hope Eipix is able to continue this series. The bonus chapter for the Collector's Edition was a nice one, with one of the characters whom you meet in the game, explaining how they laid the clues that your character followed in the main game. All in all, it just dovetailed nicely, and wasn't some off the wall add on chapter. I had fun and I'm sure you will too.
I recommend this game!
The Emperor’s son has a mysterious illness. As legendary healer Daiyu, you’re called to the palace to save him, but you end up having to save yourself!
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 22 found this review helpful
A Fun HOG with a Unique Flavor!
PostedJune 30, 2013
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I base my reviews on the simple fact of how much fun I had playing a game. Myths of the World: Chinese Healer was just so much fun to play. I had a great time. I downloaded the trial version and before I knew it, I ran out of time. (I was actually quite annoyed as the game ended right before an important cut scene). But after I downloaded the full game, I was pleased to see that it took me back right before the cut scene, so I didn't miss a thing. The story-line is something familiar yet new. I love love love the haunted house/spooky games, but it was such a nice change of pace to deal with a new setting (ancient China) and a more fantasy/adventure type story-line. Though not many, the few characters you meet are well done and the villain is one of my favorites to come along in a while. Plus, the artwork and cut-scenes were very well done. I loved the animation that was done when the various characters were talking to you. I hope this style continues. The puzzles were challenging enough for me, but do keep in mind I usually always play in casual mode. I just like to enjoy myself. I downloaded this game the day before it came out and played the entire game all Saturday afternoon. It was that much fun. I saved the bonus game for this morning. The length of the game was great and I also enjoyed the extra challenge of finding the cranes in each scene. (Sadly, I thought I was doing well but didn't get them all). All in all, you may have seen things like this come down the pike before but it's nicely crafted and a lot of fun to play. I can't wait for the proposed future games in this series. Give it a shot! Have fun!
I recommend this game!
The residents of Bitterford, Maine have fallen prey to a terrible curse. It’s up to you to unravel the series of mysterious events that led to the town’s downfall and uncover the evil that was responsible.
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 22 found this review helpful
Another Fun MCF Game! Something different!
PostedNovember 26, 2012
NJMysteryMan
fromSouth Plainfield, NJ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I do not understand the low rating and the negative reviews for this latest edition of MCF. I'm sorry, but I've been a fan since Huntsville and each installment has greatly improved the game. I don't understand if people out there are resistant to change or what. Yes, be warned, this is not the usual MCF. But why should it be? The developers are trying new things to keep these games fresh. I, for one, don't want to see them give up or go back to the old ways. Each game is fun for different reasons and this one is just as good as the rest. First, the live actors. I heard complaints before when The 13th Skull came out. I love the addition of live actors and video feed. As I stated in my review of The 13th Skull, you solve puzzles and are rewarded with video to uncover the story. It goes back to the early CD-ROM craze of The 7th Guest. I love them. I feel it adds to the story and makes it "come alive." The next complaint, "this game is too dark and morbid." I think after nine games we've established that in MCF you play a detective that solves supernatural crimes. There are other light and fun games out there. I believe you should know what you're getting into by now. And I enjoyed the spooky atmosphere, the visuals look great and I jumped at visual scares quite a few times during this game. It was great fun. But there is also plenty of humor too. The in-jokes are great. I think there's a nice balance. Some feel the video and actors are too corny, but that just adds to the charm. One review states that Lea Thompson seemed to not get into her role. I disagree. She looks like she's having fun. It's a game, you get to ham it up. Cassandra's character is used as a vehicle for game play. People say she gets annoying, but once you start playing the game, you realize the pattern it takes. Cassandra's character just gives you an excuse to find hidden objects and pictures. It's a story telling device to give you a reason to find hidden objects. And this time around, the developers made the bonus chapter a bonus game. But you don't have to wait to the end to play it. Some complained there are no morphing objects. That's not true. During the game, you have to play the bonus feature to unlock the morphing objects. Then you get to find 50 objects during the rest of your game. There is no bonus chapter, but a nice "behind the scenes" video when you complete the game. The puzzles were enjoyable and just hard enough without being overly complicated like some past MCF. And instead of only one scene to find hidden objects, some are spread out in two scenes or more. For people who think this is too complicated, keep some things in mind: if you open a closer view screen during a hidden object quest, you will automatically be sent out of it when you find all the objects inside it. And as long as there is a hidden object list visible, you know you have to continue to search in those rooms with the list. Once you hit or back out to an area and your list disappears, you know you strayed too far. And as for the morphing object scenes, there is one in each new scene you enter. If you keep all these tips in mind, game play is pretty smooth. I enjoyed the story line. True, you can pretty much guess where it's going early on, but I don't think it takes away from the game. All in all, I thought this was another great MCF game. I loved the live action, the puzzles and the new format. It gave the game a few different twists but when you look at the whole picture, it's still the same game we've been playing just with a few more bells and whistles. When I first started the demo, I had to stop. I too thought this game was awful and the whole way it works seemed odd. But once I devoted some time and got a feel for how it works, it become very intuitive and I had a ball. I play these games very slowly and Shadow Lake kept me entertained for about a week. I applaud the new developments and look forward to seeing what the designers come up with next! Please don't be too quick to judge this game. It's just as fun as the rest. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!