Granny_Gruff's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.6
- Helpful Votes:22,850
- Reviews Submitted:883
- First Review:December 23, 2011
- Most Recent Review:November 23, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you save your hometown from dangerous monsters in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 44 found this review helpful
The Monsters Are Out and We Get to Hunt Them
PostedOctober 19, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromHow many types of monsters can you name? I bet there are more of them in this game!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
It's October and Halloween is definitely on the way as we have another new Halloween themed game to explore.
You are going home to visit your Dad. You've been away at medical school for most of the year. Dad is a photographer and well traveled. He is excited about your visit, even going so far as to decorate the house and yard for Halloween. Home had been a lonelier place since your Mother disappeared.
Before you even get into the house, strange things start happening. Unfortunately things will get stranger and quite dangerous before they get back to normal.
Before you even get into the house, strange things start happening. Unfortunately things will get stranger and quite dangerous before they get back to normal.
Good News: This Domini game includes a variety of collectibles and CE bling along with the interesting story, HOPs with a Match 3 alternative, mini-games, and puzzles.
Bad stuff: Once again the colors are over-saturated from the opening green mist outside your cab window to the glaring lakeside at what should have been at twilight but looks more like a carnival scene.
Bottom line: For a good solid Halloween themed game, you can't go wrong with this gem with a twist on the save my relative story line.
Please try the Demo and see what you think.
I recommend this game!
Her Majesty has turned to the stars in a bid to establish a new, Galactic British Empire!
Overall rating
3
/
5
43 of 54 found this review helpful
Best Advice>
PostedOctober 16, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromThis is what you get when you resurrect an old video game!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Read the other reviews before you attempt the Demo. They have some good info on navigating through this game. (They also spend time apologizing for game problems - take a hint!)
The game is old school and strives to be amusing. It starts with an on-screen warning not to force closure of the game while the hourglass is on screen. The joke is soon apparent when you find that, once you start playing, there is nothing on screen to let you exit the game!
The dialogue is mildly humorous and so is the story send-up.
Beyond that, there is a very old school game that does not have much story, action, or player engagement. You just try to move the characters around using the clunky controls and hope for the best.
There are none of the game-play items we are used to seeing: HOPs, mini-games, and puzzles. There are no levels of play, but you can adjust the sound and choose between an American and a British accent for the main characters. Adjusting the controls was also the first time I had to force the game to close – it froze on the options screen.
Along with the general advice to try the Demo, I would also suggest not examining any item in your inventory - The item will be closeup in the center of your screen and you will be able to turn it every which way, but you may not be able to reenter the game! Not only was this feature a hit or miss, so were some of the radio buttons in the game. Sometimes you needed to click on them; other times on the word next to them. Along with the frozen options screen, I was very discouraged by the game mechanics.
I can't say I dislike the game - I'd have to have seen more than the bit I managed to walk through between the game freezing and my eventual control-alt-delete solution. Since this game started life a couple of years ago as a video game, the translation to a computer screen is clunky at best.
Take advantage of the Demo, please.
The game is old school and strives to be amusing. It starts with an on-screen warning not to force closure of the game while the hourglass is on screen. The joke is soon apparent when you find that, once you start playing, there is nothing on screen to let you exit the game!
The dialogue is mildly humorous and so is the story send-up.
Beyond that, there is a very old school game that does not have much story, action, or player engagement. You just try to move the characters around using the clunky controls and hope for the best.
There are none of the game-play items we are used to seeing: HOPs, mini-games, and puzzles. There are no levels of play, but you can adjust the sound and choose between an American and a British accent for the main characters. Adjusting the controls was also the first time I had to force the game to close – it froze on the options screen.
Along with the general advice to try the Demo, I would also suggest not examining any item in your inventory - The item will be closeup in the center of your screen and you will be able to turn it every which way, but you may not be able to reenter the game! Not only was this feature a hit or miss, so were some of the radio buttons in the game. Sometimes you needed to click on them; other times on the word next to them. Along with the frozen options screen, I was very discouraged by the game mechanics.
I can't say I dislike the game - I'd have to have seen more than the bit I managed to walk through between the game freezing and my eventual control-alt-delete solution. Since this game started life a couple of years ago as a video game, the translation to a computer screen is clunky at best.
Take advantage of the Demo, please.
I don't recommend this game.
A powerful artifact is stolen, threatening to shatter time itself.
Overall rating
2
/
5
18 of 30 found this review helpful
Probably Not That Bad, But Definitely Not That Good
PostedOctober 14, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromI'm not telling and you can't make me!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Pulled out of retirement by Count Von Mart, The Detective will search for the thief of the Hourglass, an amulet that enables the bearer to steal the time accorded others in life, making the possessor virtually immortal. There are immortal guardians who will step in to retrieve the Hourglass if the Count does not recover it by dawn. Long guarded by the Order of the Lions, there are several parts to the artifact besides that guarded by the Count. Each one holds a different attribute.
Good stuff: You know the drill. All the usual stuff, done as you'd expect, with varying levels of success and some CE bling, including morphing items.
Bad stuff: Dreary but clear artwork, lack of logic, typos, and general lack of urgency and momentum.
The Count leans out a window next to the front door and hands me one of the three pieces I need to open the door. He is sucked back into the house. I run around the front yard playing till I find everything I need to unlock his front door from the OUTSIDE.
The Count is wounded by his wife’s assailant. I retrieve bandages and antiseptic from his alchemy bag and proceed to bandage the OUTSIDE of his coat.
I must play through several puzzles and make a rope out of old clothes/rags to jump from a balcony to save the time it would have taken to go downstairs and out the front door.
I make it to the next stop for the bad guy in time to see him enter. Then I run around finding all the pieces needed so I can get inside by unlocking the doors from the OUTSIDE.
As is now SOP for this series, there are lots more of these cringe-worthy moments.
The Count leans out a window next to the front door and hands me one of the three pieces I need to open the door. He is sucked back into the house. I run around the front yard playing till I find everything I need to unlock his front door from the OUTSIDE.
The Count is wounded by his wife’s assailant. I retrieve bandages and antiseptic from his alchemy bag and proceed to bandage the OUTSIDE of his coat.
I must play through several puzzles and make a rope out of old clothes/rags to jump from a balcony to save the time it would have taken to go downstairs and out the front door.
I make it to the next stop for the bad guy in time to see him enter. Then I run around finding all the pieces needed so I can get inside by unlocking the doors from the OUTSIDE.
As is now SOP for this series, there are lots more of these cringe-worthy moments.
Bottom line: There is little to recommend this game.
So I won’t.
If you decide to play the Demo, keep in mind, you’ve been forewarned!
So I won’t.
If you decide to play the Demo, keep in mind, you’ve been forewarned!
I don't recommend this game.
When your world and the supernatural realm collide, can you survive?
Overall rating
2
/
5
36 of 56 found this review helpful
More Desparate Than Creepy
PostedOctober 11, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromI'm only confused, not scared. Sigh...
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Apparently you must flesh out the story from the opening animation, no matter how disjointed and confused.
Jump past that point and you get big sister, Jen, left at home with younger sister, Mary, on Halloween. A big black book is the root of all the evil about to happen. It is also Jen's helper to save Mary when she is taken by a dark spirit that comes out of said book.
Jump past that point and you get big sister, Jen, left at home with younger sister, Mary, on Halloween. A big black book is the root of all the evil about to happen. It is also Jen's helper to save Mary when she is taken by a dark spirit that comes out of said book.
At this point I figured that being confused is equal to being frightened, at least in the Devs' minds. If that works for you too, go for it.
The game has all the usual elements in the way of HOPs, mini-games, and puzzles. The artwork is suitably webbed, dusty, and murky for a Halloween game. There are collectibles and CE bling.
You will play as Jen and run around finding amulets/shaped pieces to fit in pictures, boxes, bags, and whatever else that could be locked up. When you find the first bunch of bits, you will find slots for more pieces, followed often by a mini-game. At that point any sense of urgency or fear is lost in the constant stream of tiny pieces and wavering scenery hidden in the layers of spider webs and "scary" animation, as you run from room to room to yard to room to room to yard....
Mary seems worried more than frightened when you repeatedly catch up to her and the specter. And eventually I didn't worry about catching up either.
Please check out the demo to see what you think. You may find this game a nice scary treat, so long as you are not an arachnophobe, phantasm phobic, and/or cucurbit phobic (fear of spiders, ghosts, and/or pumpkins.
Face the fears in Sebastian's Cinema of Horrors!
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
With a Good Story, Even Color Over-saturation Can Be Excused!
PostedOctober 8, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromThere are few cliches in this demo -Yay.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Called in by a local policeman, you will be investigating the disappearance of his sister, Maya, a local architect and the two colleagues that are working on a total renovation of Sebastian Fleming's movie theater that formerly played the films Sebastian directed. Unfortunately, Sebastian has no intention of staying dead, and he intends to take as many people with him as possible!
Good stuff: All the expected game elements, minus the annoying bees and any cutesy helpers. The story is better than expected - I've finished the game and don't want to give anything away.
Bad stuff: I did find the game long and involving although I agree with another reviewer who felt it could have benefited - from a bit of cutting. The problem is, what to cut! And, yes, there is a lot of excess color, but it fades in your mind as you get into the story!
Bottom line: This is a really good entry in the Mystery Tales series with a lot to offer.
Please try the demo.
Good stuff: All the expected game elements, minus the annoying bees and any cutesy helpers. The story is better than expected - I've finished the game and don't want to give anything away.
Bad stuff: I did find the game long and involving although I agree with another reviewer who felt it could have benefited - from a bit of cutting. The problem is, what to cut! And, yes, there is a lot of excess color, but it fades in your mind as you get into the story!
Bottom line: This is a really good entry in the Mystery Tales series with a lot to offer.
Please try the demo.
I recommend this game!
Some evils are too sinister to keep contained for long...
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 28 found this review helpful
Amulet Or Curse?
PostedOctober 7, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromThere are no bees, animal helpers, or vehicle crashes in this demo -Yay.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
David Campari collects protective amulets for his small museum. His wife, oddly named Allegra after a popular medication, is a historian who helps him in his work. At this time David has called for your help as he has finally gotten possession of the Black Cube. He fears they are in danger. Before you can hear the story from the couple, they are pulled inside the museum with the Black Cube and you are left locked outside.
You are in for a wild ride, detective.
Good stuff: Lots of the usual game elements and CE bling fill out a muddled story. The artwork is well done, but the VOs are uneven - some on point and well-done, others bland and spoken in a monotone.
Bad stuff: If the story was clearer it would help the game along. Perhaps the Dev obsessed with his seasonal allergy medication should have been clearer in his story presentation.
Bottom line: Play the demo. See if you like the game elements enough to see past the problems. I wasn't impressed with the level of average.
You are in for a wild ride, detective.
Good stuff: Lots of the usual game elements and CE bling fill out a muddled story. The artwork is well done, but the VOs are uneven - some on point and well-done, others bland and spoken in a monotone.
Bad stuff: If the story was clearer it would help the game along. Perhaps the Dev obsessed with his seasonal allergy medication should have been clearer in his story presentation.
Bottom line: Play the demo. See if you like the game elements enough to see past the problems. I wasn't impressed with the level of average.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a crazed kidnapper in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
47 of 58 found this review helpful
There Is No Middle Ground Here...
PostedOctober 5, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromIn the spirit of full disclosure: I really don't like subduing angry bees...again.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
How you feel about the newest entry in the Phantasmat series may well depend on your liking for clichés and old "B" movies.
You remember the time when every game started with a vehicle crash? And those old movies where the leading characters ran into the scary haunted house miles away rather than walking down the block to the police station?
We once again have to deal with angry bees and we get to ignore any survival instinct in favor of running where a madman calls us. Add in the sharp shell we carry around instead of the box cutter with the new blade we had at first, and you find yourself starring in your own "B" grade horror film.
(This means you will be the author who's teenage daughter falls into the hands of an obsessed, frustrated, and deranged fan/writer out to get revenge for being ignored by his published heroes.)
So, good stuff: You get collectibles, CE bling, usual game elements including clichés, decent art work, and an off-kilter story.
Bad stuff: There will be angry bees, and a mother who puts herself in the hands of a madman rather than call the police, all the while clutching her sharp shell.
Bottom line: There are a bunch of reviewers, possibly in the grip of nostalgia, giving this new Phantasmat lots of stars. Then there are those who remember the wonder of the first game, the growing dismay as new games lost IQ points, and our realization that Eipix had taken over the bad screen writers' retirement home.
The story may not seem as woeful to you. You may want to carry your sharp shell as a badge of honor. Someday, all the ways you have learned to subdued angry bees may be just the skill-set you need.
Please play the demo and decide for yourself.
You remember the time when every game started with a vehicle crash? And those old movies where the leading characters ran into the scary haunted house miles away rather than walking down the block to the police station?
We once again have to deal with angry bees and we get to ignore any survival instinct in favor of running where a madman calls us. Add in the sharp shell we carry around instead of the box cutter with the new blade we had at first, and you find yourself starring in your own "B" grade horror film.
(This means you will be the author who's teenage daughter falls into the hands of an obsessed, frustrated, and deranged fan/writer out to get revenge for being ignored by his published heroes.)
So, good stuff: You get collectibles, CE bling, usual game elements including clichés, decent art work, and an off-kilter story.
Bad stuff: There will be angry bees, and a mother who puts herself in the hands of a madman rather than call the police, all the while clutching her sharp shell.
Bottom line: There are a bunch of reviewers, possibly in the grip of nostalgia, giving this new Phantasmat lots of stars. Then there are those who remember the wonder of the first game, the growing dismay as new games lost IQ points, and our realization that Eipix had taken over the bad screen writers' retirement home.
The story may not seem as woeful to you. You may want to carry your sharp shell as a badge of honor. Someday, all the ways you have learned to subdued angry bees may be just the skill-set you need.
Please play the demo and decide for yourself.
The Kingdom is in chaos! Lady Sarah, the savior of the kingdom has been poisoned! It's up to you to find the culprit in this exciting hidden object adventure.
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 21 found this review helpful
New Hiddenverse With Upgrades
PostedOctober 3, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromWaiting out the lingering summer heat in hopes of Fall colors soon
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
For the fourth time this year we have a new Hiddenverse series game. Along with the minimal story, there are new varieties of HOPs and puzzles joining three levels of game play and the new ability to use those stars you collect at completion of each HOP to repair/upgrade your airship for your adventure.
Good stuff: If you have played one of the earlier Hiddenverse games, you will be familiar with the game play here. The extra level of challenge will be great for players who want to fight their way to completion of each HOP/puzzle.
Bad stuff: No one edited the on-screen dialogue. Some of the English is jarring in both spelling and usage.
While you have some use for the stars you collect from each scene, you have no choice in "fixing up" your airship - you must spend the stars to get all the puzzle pieces to construct a puzzle and move to the next section of HOPs/puzzles.
While you have some use for the stars you collect from each scene, you have no choice in "fixing up" your airship - you must spend the stars to get all the puzzle pieces to construct a puzzle and move to the next section of HOPs/puzzles.
Bottom line: I like the Hiddenverse games from Shaman as a nice vacation from the more strenuous games. I just wish someone had read through/edited the story. "Buying" the airship repairs/upgrades is just a time waster.
Try the demo. You'll be able to complete several sections in the time allowed and have a really good idea of the total game.
I recommend this game!
Stop an evil dragon from plunging the Empire into darkness!
Overall rating
1
/
5
7 of 12 found this review helpful
You Know How The Game Will Go When the First Item You Get is a Muff
PostedSeptember 24, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromThe Only Enchanting Thing About This Demo is Being Able to Turn it OFF!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
You know the routine: Ancient evil unleashed on the Tar Empire to take it over, familiar HOPs, puzzles and mini-games, with stilted dialogue and bland characters.
Good Stuff:
Bad stuff: Compared to the game's story and game play, the over saturated artwork and wonky logic starts to look reasonable - Note: I did not say "good."
You meet the Empress Patricia outside the palace gates. She hands you a Muff(??) You accompany her inside eventually. At the far end of the Hall is a dome. Underneath the dome is a dragon statue(?). It is breathing smoke. In front of it, to one side, is a glowing amber crystalline egg shape. Presumably this is the petrified Dragon discovered by scientists and brought back to the castle - except there is NOTHING about it to suggest a dragon. You cannot see through the amber and it is not very large. You lightly touch it and Bad Guy, Gromoss, pops out, threatens everyone and everything and flies through a stained glass window, after cursing the Empress into becoming an evil dragon. (Makes you wonder how they moved it into the palace without letting him loose earlier!) From here on out at least half of your time will be spent diagnosing characters, finding five ingredients for their individual potions, and curing them.
The rest of the demo is along those lines, with a multitude of book type HOPs, easy puzzles, and mixing potions.
You meet the Empress Patricia outside the palace gates. She hands you a Muff(??) You accompany her inside eventually. At the far end of the Hall is a dome. Underneath the dome is a dragon statue(?). It is breathing smoke. In front of it, to one side, is a glowing amber crystalline egg shape. Presumably this is the petrified Dragon discovered by scientists and brought back to the castle - except there is NOTHING about it to suggest a dragon. You cannot see through the amber and it is not very large. You lightly touch it and Bad Guy, Gromoss, pops out, threatens everyone and everything and flies through a stained glass window, after cursing the Empress into becoming an evil dragon. (Makes you wonder how they moved it into the palace without letting him loose earlier!) From here on out at least half of your time will be spent diagnosing characters, finding five ingredients for their individual potions, and curing them.
The rest of the demo is along those lines, with a multitude of book type HOPs, easy puzzles, and mixing potions.
I will not ask you to play the demo - I do not inflict pain as a rule. Please take due consideration of the reviews before submitting yourself to the sadness that is this Demo!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you unite the witches and hunters to defeat an unimaginable foe?
Overall rating
1
/
5
9 of 18 found this review helpful
Have Mercy!
PostedSeptember 23, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromAnabel is lucky - she is in stasis for most of the Demo!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Witches, lead by the Ancient One and The Prophetess, are battling evil creatures invading earth. Their way is made more difficult by having to simultaneously battle members of the Order of the Hunters, a group out to remove the witches from our world.
You know where the series is buried after the Ancient One returns from Mysterium with only half of the SPELL Elliot Wright, the head of the Order Of Hunters used to make a poison to turn witches to salt. Say WHAT?
Try to get past the bland HOPs, simple puzzles, and the same old same old. You are still left with the bad guys doing what they are after the witches to stop.
I will let the sad facts of this Demo speak for themselves. Play the Demo and you, too, will walk away weeping. Another series has crashed and burned.
I don't recommend this game.