CyndiLouWho2's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.1
- Helpful Votes:6,719
- Reviews Submitted:392
- First Review:December 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:August 7, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Status:
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
1
/
5
94 of 116 found this review helpful
How Embarassing for Lea Thompson - Terrible MCF Game!!
PostedDecember 25, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Big Fish needs to give up on the Mystery Case Files series and start something fresh and new. Just when I thought the 13th Skull was the worst MCF ever, Big Fish comes up with Shadow Lake and proves me wrong.
The graphics and audio are fine. No complaints there really. But the rest of the game is a mess. Even Lea Thompson couldn't save this train wreck of a game.
There are really no puzzles to solve. Gameplay is very predictable and you almost feel as though you're watching a movie instead of playing a game. The high number of cutscenes is ridiculous. Several times I had to remind myself of what my goal was.
Lovers of previous MCF games such as Madame Fate and Return to Ravenhearst will be extremely disappointed with this latest offering, just as I was. In fact I was so upset with spending my hard earned money on the Collector's Edition, that I asked Big Fish for a refund and they game it to me.
I don't 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
1
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
EVEN LEA THOMPSON CAN'T SAVE THIS MESS
PostedNovember 24, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Let's face it -- The 13th Skull should have been the last of the Mystery Case Files series. Why do developers have to run a good thing into the ground?
Shadow Lake is a dismal failure that even Lea Thompson can't fix. Money should have been spent on coming up with an exciting new series instead of wasting it on celebrity talent for a tired old idea.
While the storyline was intriguing, gameplay was tedious and frustrating. I agree with everyone else who was disappointed with the graphics and feel of the game. There were very few puzzles -- which you could solve in your sleep. And the constant cutscenes and videos were overkill.
It became difficult to determine if I was watching a movie or playing a game.
It became difficult to determine if I was watching a movie or playing a game.
Stop with the MCF saga, Big Fish, and channel your time and money into creating something fresh and new for all us loyal fans.
Sadly, I don't recommend this game
I don't recommend this game.
Travel around the world with Father Bagatti to get back the fragments of the Holy Lance of Longin in Secrets of the Vatican!
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
Developer Sticks To The Same Mediocre Format
PostedNovember 7, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Okay, SOMEONE must like these odd little games, because Mzone/Solilab keeps spending time and money developing tons of them.
The only positive thing that struck me about Secrets of the Vatican, was the great storyline. It was intriguing and grabbed my interest right away. Unfortunately, I quickly became frustrated with the mechanics of game play.
* I agree, the music was terrible in that it was more like noise than music. The graphics were super cheesy and hidden objects were blurry or poorly drawn.
* There was a lot of dialogue which I normally don't mind if there's a good story. But the main characters were cartoonish and popped back and forth across the screen whenever they spoke. Kind of gave me a headache. Additional characters were ridiculous black silhouettes so I had no idea what they looked like. Found that downright strange.
* Yes, there was a magnifying glass for finding the really small objects. Problem was, most of the items were small, blurry or poorly drawn. So I was constantly using the magnifying glass to find things, which quickly made the game less fun.
* I could find gold stars for additional hints. But I used those up pretty quick, because I just didn't want to keep hurting my eyes looking for tiny items.
* Puzzles had vague instructions, making some of them difficult to solve. Also had to wait quite a while for the Skip button to become active.
All these negatives of game play quickly cancelled my need to solve the Secrets of the Vatican. I recommend not wasting your time on this one.
I don't recommend this game.
You have been chosen to defend all of mankind in Red Crow Mysteries: Legion! Stand up to a terrible evil and save humanity!
Overall rating
5
/
5
28 of 30 found this review helpful
A TRUE ADVENTURE GAME THAT REQUIRES THINKING!
PostedNovember 2, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As I see it, you can't be an Adventurer and be lazy. This game actually requires some thinking and trial-and-error problem solving.
* No, there is no journal. You will need to take your own notes. This makes the game more your own -- like you're part of it.
* There is no map. True Adventurers don't need them. If you can't remember where locations are, jot down some hints to remind you.
* Yes, you have to read. Adventure games should be stimulating -- not simply point and click.
* Graphics were not over-the-top but they suited the overall feel of the game. Some areas were a bit dark, but there were not enough of them to ruin the game.
* Voiceovers were great, and kept up the mood of gameplay.
* The Hint button was not always helpful, but was there to guide you. It didn't automatically solve my dilemmas -- it just gave me a "hint" as to what to do next.
I loved this game, as if you couldn't tell. I liked that it didn't make me lazy and allow me to just click my way through it.
I highly recommend Red Crow Mysteries: Legion -- for those of us who like a challenge and a real adventure!
I recommend this game!
Track a mad man across time and investigate a gristly murder from the past!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
Standard Edition is Remarkable! So Glad I didn't Buy the CE!!
PostedOctober 20, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I agree with everyone who gave this game 5 Stars -- Graphics are awesome. Voiceovers are realistic. Not too many HO scenes. Puzzles are interesting and fun. The storyline is consistent and totally immerses you in gameplay.
Honestly, I don't understand why people play these types of games if they don't like to read or follow a storyline. They should play something like "Mystery PI" or the "Escape From . . . " game series if they just want to find hidden objects and play simple puzzles.
A few people hated the way Angelica sits at the bottom corner of the screen and reacts to everything around her. I thought this was a rather brilliant concept -- to try and put yourself, as Angelica, right into the game. I guess you have to like role playing to appreciate this feature.
I highly recommend Catch Me When You Can for a refreshing and different way to spend a few hours!
I recommend this game!
Hidden Mysteries®: Gates of Graceland®
Explore the home of the King of Rock and Roll while searching for clues about a lost song!
Overall rating
1
/
5
12 of 21 found this review helpful
Rating the Game, NOT Whether or Not I Like Elvis!!
PostedOctober 20, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The only positive thing I can say about this game is that the very short snippets of Elvis video were interesting, but not enough to make up for all the negatives of gameplay.
* There was a voiced intro to the story. But then there's just poorly written dialogue throughout the game. Almost as if written by a middle school student.
* Background music was digital, horrible and made me irritable. I think it was supposed to imitate 50's music, but failed miserably. They weren't Elvis tunes. They were worse than elevator music because they weren't any 50's songs I've ever heard.
* Minigames/Puzzles were elementary and simple to solve.
* Graphics were basic, hand illustrated and nothing special. Objects in HO scenes were drawn and some were hard to distinguish. Rooms of Graceland weren't even actual photos.
* Gameplay was extremely linear. I didn't have the freedom to investigate where I wanted. I was forced to wait to pick up objects even though they were in plain sight and I knew I would need them eventually.
I can't recommend a cheesy game I couldn't stand to play for more than 28 minutes.
I don't recommend this game.
Mysteriez
Try your hand at fine art in Mysteriez, an incredible Hidden Object game! Master the gameplay and progress through the levels.
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 6 found this review helpful
Where Did Big Fish Dig This One Up??
PostedOctober 16, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
OH MY STARS!!!! This is a dreadful game -- I can't believe someone actually gave it a rating of 4!!
There's no storyline, no instructions -- not that you need any -- and the graphics are so old school. There's just a timer and a bunch of locations where you have to find all the numbers that are blended into the scenes. It's easy, mindless, and the slow tempo jazz music only adds to the mind-numbing tedium.
Seriously, I wouldn't give you 99 cents for this game, let alone $6.99
I could tell you not to waste your time downloading this one, but maybe you should -- just for the OMG factor, lol.
I don't recommend this game.
Amazing Adventures Riddle of the Two Knights
Follow a curious trail through crowded bazaars and snow-swept summits to find what is missing!
Overall rating
1
/
5
38 of 53 found this review helpful
TOTALLY MISLEADING GAME TITLE
PostedOctober 12, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Developers who intentionally put exciting titles on dreadfully dull games deserve a one star rating. I am so thankful I did not purchase this based on the title!
* The only "Amazing" aspect of this game is that the developers found someone to publish it.
* There is no "Adventure" -- just finding tons of objects in the same locations, over and over, that have no tie-in with the game.
* The game is not about medieval knights as one would assume from the title & artwork -- it's about knights on a chessboard.
* The "bonus" feature of the game is that you get to collect crowns. And collecting all of them unlocks an Endless Mode where you can collect the SAME hidden objects at all the SAME locations yet AGAIN.
* Puzzle types repeat and are super simple.
As one reviewer mentioned previously, this type of game is where the awesome HOPA games of today got their start. That may be true, but it doesn't make Amazing Adventures good enough to play to the end.
I don't recommend this game.
Find the woman who disappears in the Hall of Mirrors. Investigate two worlds: the Carnivals of Good and Evil!
Overall rating
5
/
5
33 of 41 found this review helpful
SPOOKY, OCCULT CARNIVAL THEME w CONSISTENT STORYLINE
PostedOctober 10, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
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
FINALLY!! . . . A consistent storyline with a decent ending! Everything about this game was great:
* Graphics were colorful & carnival-like
* Voiceovers fit the characters and were well acted
* Spooky music and sound effects were not so overwhelming that you had to turn them down
* There were a lot of hidden object scenes but items in the scenes were few and clearly depicted so you did not spend a lot of time searching
* You got to move between two carnival worlds which was great fun and kept you on your toes
* The hint button helped with HO scenes as well as directing you where to go, just in case you got confused
* Included a map, but I never even looked at it. I just took my time and played the game
* Puzzles were on the easy side but were fun to play and solve
* There's a Bonus Chapter that really ties up the whole game very nicely, so don't forget to play it
* I played in Casual mode and did not skip any puzzles without trying to solve them. It took me about six hours to complete the game, so I don't understand why other reviewers are saying it's too short.
Summing up: Play the game for the hour trial period and I guarantee you'll end up buying it!
I recommend this game!
Explore the abandoned Ghost Town of Bodie and solve the mystery of Evelyn Byers, a little girl who died over a hundred years ago!
Overall rating
1
/
5
27 of 27 found this review helpful
I Should Have Believed the Other Reviewers!!
PostedOctober 2, 2012
CyndiLouWho2
fromVirginia Beach, VA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm one of those people who will play a 1-Star or 2-Star game just to disprove that the game can't be THAT bad. However, I think Brodie Town is the game that will stop me from ever doing that again.
I actually played this one to the bitter end. It's not a long game (thank goodness# so I toughed it out in one sitting.
The storyline is actually not bad, but it goes downhill from there.
I had my monitor screen on the best resolution and still the entire game was dark, not only the HO scenes.
Objects in the HO scenes were small, fuzzy and sometimes not recognizable.
Objects in the HO scenes were small, fuzzy and sometimes not recognizable.
I had to gather flies #yuck) in order to get hints. Unfortunately, the flies blended right into the dark scenery which eventually made them impossible to find. Which means I never had an over abundance of hints.
There was the same dark tombstone puzzle to complete throughout the entire game and you could not skip it; otherwise you would not progress to the next level. Very frustrating to say the least.
This game had a lot of potential and I can think of several developers who would have done an awesome job with it. Unfortunately, Brodie Town developers totally missed the mark -- probably because it was so dark that they couldn't see it.