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:
Solve the puzzle of the red mist and save a missing camper before they meet a terrifying end.
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 20 found this review helpful
But is "OK" Good Enough?
PostedSeptember 22, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromEven after Tom notes that the Bad Guys have seen him, he runs back and forth a few more times behind them!
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
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Each year, Tom returns to the forest where his father disappeared. He desperately wants to understand what happened years ago.
He hasn't even reached to his campsite this year when a pink mist steals across the grounds. Margaret, another camper, is kidnapped by men in large animal heads and wearing long robes. Tom will try to come to Margaret's rescue.
He hasn't even reached to his campsite this year when a pink mist steals across the grounds. Margaret, another camper, is kidnapped by men in large animal heads and wearing long robes. Tom will try to come to Margaret's rescue.
Good stuff: The usual puzzles and HOPs are here along with a slight assortment of CE bling including collectible hearts and statues. The story remains to be determined.
Bad stuff: As Tom, you get to run back and forth, back and forth, back and forth..... You will find not one but two face masks to protect you from the pink fog, along with fixing a broken zipper pull and feeding animals. The biggest question in my mind is why the fog put the ranger and two other campers to sleep; but Tom needs a face mask to be able to breathe in the fog, while Margaret was unaffected. You will get glimmers of the story and it sounds promising - at least it did till the umteenth time I walked from the asylum gate through the forest. It reminded me of all those old horror movies and the fun people make of the characters who go toward the danger instead of trying something smarter! As Tom, I kept tramping around close to the Bad Guys, even opening the front door of the asylum after noting that I could hear voices on the other side of the door. How stupid is Tom?
Bottom line: You may want to find out what is going on in the Calispell forest. I'll admit I'd like to know, just not by buying the CE Lite version of the story. I'll wait for the SE and revisit the game then.)
Please try the demo. It's fairly clear from the reviews that some players had little tolerance for some facets of the game.
Can you rid the city of a malevolent monster in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
27 of 37 found this review helpful
Slow Story, Bland Unlikeable Characters, and Lots of Boring Puzzles
PostedSeptember 16, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromI thought the idea was that once you turned into a werewolf, you had no self-control.
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
Phineas and you were both exposed to lycanthropy, courtesy of Dr. Hyde, in their last adventure. Now Phineas is running around during the full moon as the alpha male of a pack of wolves he released from the London zoo. You, young Hawkes, are trying to catch him so Dr. Agnes Moreau can try to find an antidote and cure you both. In the meantime you are taking doses of a drug that will hold the worst symptoms at bay, while dodging Allen Quartermain, a pet store owner out to bag Phineas as a trophy. Good Luck, Hawkes!
Good stuff: There's a story, HOPs, LOTS of puzzles/mini-games, 34 collectible paw marks, morphing objects in HOPs, and an assortment of CE bling. VO's were well done and the artwork was clear. As in earlier Vermillon Watch games, you will have choices to make, on occasion, to determine where you investigate next.
Bad stuff: There are really a lot of puzzles. If they were interesting, or inventive, or challenging, I wouldn't have minded. Mostly they were repititious, pedestrian, and occasionally sadly failing in directions or mechanics.
As for the story, it seemed slow to begin and then even slower, before picking up a little just before the Demo ran out.
Somehow the back story was unconvincing and the present problem was not as pressing as the devs would have liked. There were so many plodding moments, it was hard to find any urgency in trapping Phineas or avoiding Allen Quartermain.
As for the story, it seemed slow to begin and then even slower, before picking up a little just before the Demo ran out.
Somehow the back story was unconvincing and the present problem was not as pressing as the devs would have liked. There were so many plodding moments, it was hard to find any urgency in trapping Phineas or avoiding Allen Quartermain.
Bottom line: There were a lot of interesting things going on in Victorian England. None of them are in this game. How you feel about this one is up to your tolerance level.
Please try the Demo and see what you think.
Please try the Demo and see what you think.
Use new vampire abilities to save your beloved in time!
Overall rating
4
/
5
68 of 82 found this review helpful
Depending on How You Feel About Vampires...
PostedSeptember 13, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromI'll be taking some garlic to bed with me!
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
Travis's lovely bride, Valerie, has fallen ill with a mysterious disease spreading like wild fire through their town. Desperate to save her, Travis purchases a "cure" from a stranger. The seller tells Travis that the cure may be worse than the disease, but he hurries off to save Valerie.
Valerie, for her part, loves Travis enough to want to share the cure with him so they will both live. This noble impulse leaves them both buried in Travis's family crypt. Travis awakens from the medicine's affect in time to see, through a hole in his coffin, Valerie lead away by a vampire! He will set out to save her, not only from the vampire leader but also the Order of the Hunters, sworn to defend the people and kill vampires.
Good stuff: The game-play is well done with a nice variety of mini-games and more average HOPs. There are morphing objects and glass animal figurines to collect, usually two of each in each scene.
Early on, Travis will acquire a dragon bracelet from another vampire. Each time he finds a vampire tear to add to it, he will receive a special power to help him on his quest. There is no repetitive puzzle to complete to use the bracelet when you add a power to it. The dragon, Oberon, on the bracelet, does tell you a short story of the dead vampire whose special power you will be able to use only one time.
More stuff: Vampires are not my favorite subject, but the game demo plays well and there were no bees or broken zippers in the Demo.
Bottom line: This may be the first in a wave of vampire games, but as that first one, it is fresher than most of what we've seen this year.
Please play the Demo so you have the best idea of what you are purchasing. I hope you'll find it interesting.
Valerie, for her part, loves Travis enough to want to share the cure with him so they will both live. This noble impulse leaves them both buried in Travis's family crypt. Travis awakens from the medicine's affect in time to see, through a hole in his coffin, Valerie lead away by a vampire! He will set out to save her, not only from the vampire leader but also the Order of the Hunters, sworn to defend the people and kill vampires.
Good stuff: The game-play is well done with a nice variety of mini-games and more average HOPs. There are morphing objects and glass animal figurines to collect, usually two of each in each scene.
Early on, Travis will acquire a dragon bracelet from another vampire. Each time he finds a vampire tear to add to it, he will receive a special power to help him on his quest. There is no repetitive puzzle to complete to use the bracelet when you add a power to it. The dragon, Oberon, on the bracelet, does tell you a short story of the dead vampire whose special power you will be able to use only one time.
More stuff: Vampires are not my favorite subject, but the game demo plays well and there were no bees or broken zippers in the Demo.
Bottom line: This may be the first in a wave of vampire games, but as that first one, it is fresher than most of what we've seen this year.
Please play the Demo so you have the best idea of what you are purchasing. I hope you'll find it interesting.
I recommend this game!
Face the fears in Sebastian's Cinema of Horrors!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 23 found this review helpful
So Much Good Stuff Wrapped in Over the Top Color and Fuzz!
PostedSeptember 9, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromScary doll, haunting statues, and obsessive director = good game.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Officer Jefferson has called for your help. His sister, Maya, has disappeared with her coworkers in an old theater she was helping to convert into a Mall. The good officer was the single person to notice ghosts in the theater while searching for the missing group. He feels you are the only one who will believe him and find his sister.
Good stuff: A good story with good puzzles and a variety of HOPs. Several collectibles and assorted CE bling round out a fine new game in the Mystery Tales series.
Bad stuff: Why the over-the-top color? Add to that the other on-going complaint for this series, fuzz outs between scenes and at odd times. I can't give the five stars I would have liked to award when this is the same grievance in previous games in the series.
Bottom line: The crazy director, killing off his actors for authentic emotions on screen is a nice plot point for a game set in a decaying theater. It was refreshing to play a game that was not so much of a copycat. And the various items that unexpectedly moved and talked were added creepy when paired with the maniacal director.
Try the demo before you buy. I hope you enjoy this new MT game as much as I did!
I recommend this game!
Can you recover an ancient underwater artifact in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 20 found this review helpful
Good News, Bad News, Whatever...
PostedSeptember 8, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromAt least I got to carry around the screwdriver!
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
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Agent, you are assigned to find a missing scientist who apparently disappeared off a research vessel in mid-ocean. (I'm guessing nobody cares about the crew, as you aren't looking for them. The ship is large and there are several small boats as well as a submersible on board, hence the assumption of a crew.) The boat is deserted as we land on deck and exit our helicopter. (Wow, this boat has a helipad!) Your job is to search for clues to the missing scientist, starting with his locked cabin. You will have faithful sidekick, Elf, to help in spaces more suited to his little doggy self. Good luck, agent!
Good stuff: Yay, a new Mystery Trackers game! There are a variety of HOPs, minigames, collectibles, and an assortment of CE bling.
Bad stuff: Boo, not a really good MT game! Much as I look forward to a new entry in the MT series, I am disturbed by the careless way the game was put together and the assortment of bloopers – I run back and forth in the research vessel, looking for clues and finding lots of cobwebs. Behind the cobwebs are various amulets, keys and even clock hands. I take the submersible down to check what the good Doctor found on the ocean floor. I find air-tight buildings, neon signs, and escape pods! And the Doctor has an office down there!
Later Dr. Jackman and I are repairing a hydroplane to escape an island. When he warns me the bad guys are coming, I still need to find the replacement propeller and put it on - except that the shot of the plane as I run to look at the incoming agents shows a propeller already in place!
The other odd moments in the Demo I'll leave for you to find yourself, as well as the game mechanics that leave much to be desired.
Later Dr. Jackman and I are repairing a hydroplane to escape an island. When he warns me the bad guys are coming, I still need to find the replacement propeller and put it on - except that the shot of the plane as I run to look at the incoming agents shows a propeller already in place!
The other odd moments in the Demo I'll leave for you to find yourself, as well as the game mechanics that leave much to be desired.
Bottom line: This is a perfectly adequate average game. It has a perfectly adequate story. It just isn’t the really good MT game we’d expect.
Please play the demo for yourself.
In this hidden object murder mystery, a single page from a journal leads a woman down a dangerous path of deception to track down a murderer.
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 27 found this review helpful
One Dead Body, Drugged Tea, and Every Lock You Can Imagine
PostedSeptember 4, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromIn a state of rest before commencing the next task.
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
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have arrived at my sister's home in the pouring rain. There are wires down and no one in the guard box. Inside the grounds there is a body to be discovered. I make it to the house to report my discovery and faint.
Good stuff: There is a nice little mystery wrapped up in some crinkled paper here. the HOPs are nicely integrated into the game and the puzzles are OK. Artwork is a little cartoonish and the VO's strive mightily to sound British - for no particular reason.
Bad stuff: Everything in the house is locked up, from the water filter for the fountain out front to the weight for the grandfather clock. And most of the locks have layers to work through.
Some of the story would not pass muster from true mystery buffs - You put a pan of water on the stove to boil and get drugged tea. When you awaken hours later, the pan is still boiling merrily away. Maybe the person who drugged you refilled it? Your sister lived in this house and it is posh enough to have a guard hut out by the gate. So how come there are cobwebs and dust every where? Is that because no one could unlock the broom closet by finding four lock numbers and the missing tumbler in five different places in and out of the house?
Some of the story would not pass muster from true mystery buffs - You put a pan of water on the stove to boil and get drugged tea. When you awaken hours later, the pan is still boiling merrily away. Maybe the person who drugged you refilled it? Your sister lived in this house and it is posh enough to have a guard hut out by the gate. So how come there are cobwebs and dust every where? Is that because no one could unlock the broom closet by finding four lock numbers and the missing tumbler in five different places in and out of the house?
Bottom line: Hey, there's a sale, and I'll have a free game coming. Winner!
I can't give five stars for the problems, but I'm a sucker for a good story at an SE price!
I can't give five stars for the problems, but I'm a sucker for a good story at an SE price!
Please read through the reviews and try the Demo - you'll have a better idea of what you are getting into.
I recommend this game!
A chilling tale of death, deception, and the supernatural!
Overall rating
2
/
5
17 of 23 found this review helpful
Another Dark Tales Has Arrived Looking & Playing Like the Ones Before it!
PostedAugust 31, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromE.A.P. has stopped spinning in his grave - now he just lies there sobbing like a small child.
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
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The only similarity between this game and the Edgar Allen Poe story is that both had a portrait.
So short version of the mangled story: Girls are getting their portraits painted and then they disappear. The local police immediately focused on the painter and Dupin buys into their theory without any evidence. As usual you are helping Dupin with his case as you were both summoned by Mary, who recently had her portrait painted by the same artist. She disappears under your very noses.
Good stuff: There's a game, with the usual attributes and decent artwork. As this is the CE version, there are collectibles and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: There are so many logic fails in this game that I want to crawl into that grave with E.A.P. and share his hanky!
The joke here is that I enumerated every sad moment when I beta tested this sucker three months ago and all the points I made are still up front and just as cringe-worthy.
Please play the demo for yourself. You can start your own list of problems, excessive hand-holding, and logic fails. Compete with your friends to see who has the longest list - that's the most fun you'll get out of this game.
So short version of the mangled story: Girls are getting their portraits painted and then they disappear. The local police immediately focused on the painter and Dupin buys into their theory without any evidence. As usual you are helping Dupin with his case as you were both summoned by Mary, who recently had her portrait painted by the same artist. She disappears under your very noses.
Good stuff: There's a game, with the usual attributes and decent artwork. As this is the CE version, there are collectibles and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: There are so many logic fails in this game that I want to crawl into that grave with E.A.P. and share his hanky!
The joke here is that I enumerated every sad moment when I beta tested this sucker three months ago and all the points I made are still up front and just as cringe-worthy.
Please play the demo for yourself. You can start your own list of problems, excessive hand-holding, and logic fails. Compete with your friends to see who has the longest list - that's the most fun you'll get out of this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Relive the classic story of faith, family, and forgiveness in this challenging Match 3 adventure.
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 10 found this review helpful
Try To Imagine the Devs' Meeting To Work Up Enthusiasm For This Game!
PostedAugust 28, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromDo you really want to build your own prison?
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
2
/
5
The biblical story of Joseph's journey from slave to second-in-command over all of ancient Egypt is the basis for this new Match 3 game.
I know it is hard to come up with something new for a Match 3 game, so going for religious fervor may seem like an innovation. Instead it just fosters some of the most stilted dialogue ever heard/read along with narrow game perimeters and rewards.
I know it is hard to come up with something new for a Match 3 game, so going for religious fervor may seem like an innovation. Instead it just fosters some of the most stilted dialogue ever heard/read along with narrow game perimeters and rewards.
Good stuff: There is a Match 3 game that lets you earn various types of items to help you build Egypt.
Bad stuff: The story is eons old. The game play is easy. The rewards are preset and in a particular order. There is no where to go except in the preset direction and you will get there fairly quickly.
As for the problem with Windows 10, it was easy to start in windowed mode and switch over to full screen. However the tutorial seemed to be missing some information and I wondered if the glitch with Windows 10 was to blame for that problem and some oddities in the game play.
As for the problem with Windows 10, it was easy to start in windowed mode and switch over to full screen. However the tutorial seemed to be missing some information and I wondered if the glitch with Windows 10 was to blame for that problem and some oddities in the game play.
Bottom line: I have several Match 3 games that are more interesting and some that mix in other types of game elements to keep the game progressing forward and keep players engaged. Since I know this story, why do I need to buy this game?
Please try the demo for yourself.
Your brother’s invention has made contact with aliens. Help him defeat an intergalactic invasion before the Earth is destroyed.
Overall rating
3
/
5
12 of 17 found this review helpful
This Game Is One Long But..
PostedAugust 28, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromBUT I hoped for so much better of a game.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
My brother disappeared when we were about eight years old. Now grown up, I return to our old home after receiving a note from him. I find the house boarded up, BUT not in the run-down condition you would expect after ten or more years. Our old tree house has lots of cobwebs BUT no dust, dirt or rain damage from lack of windows.
An alien shows up to stop me, BUT lets me escape.
I see shapes thru various windows, BUT don't comment on them or become alarmed.
I take my sudden trip into space very calmly, BUT then I have to fix a variety of items around the space station.
I proceed to repair gravitational controls among other things, BUT don't worry when I see figure outside. BUT I'm in space, on a space station, repairing complex machinery, running from the Contagion - the hostile aliens out to kill my brother and me - and THERE'S SOMEBODY OUTSIDE.
Oh, well, no prob, Bob.
Probably just a local out for a walk.
This is no time to get excited.
And that's when the game failed for me.
When a couple of puzzles had no instructions, I tried them any way. When things did not go as the Devs hoped, I just kept on playing the Demo till the end. When the game started with a file on my TWIN brother's disappearance BUT had a picture of a boy toddler next to a girl baby, I should have been forewarned.
BUT I can't give a game more stars than it deserves.
BUT I'll revisit the SE version when it comes out.
In the meantime, play the demo before you buy.
An alien shows up to stop me, BUT lets me escape.
I see shapes thru various windows, BUT don't comment on them or become alarmed.
I take my sudden trip into space very calmly, BUT then I have to fix a variety of items around the space station.
I proceed to repair gravitational controls among other things, BUT don't worry when I see figure outside. BUT I'm in space, on a space station, repairing complex machinery, running from the Contagion - the hostile aliens out to kill my brother and me - and THERE'S SOMEBODY OUTSIDE.
Oh, well, no prob, Bob.
Probably just a local out for a walk.
This is no time to get excited.
And that's when the game failed for me.
When a couple of puzzles had no instructions, I tried them any way. When things did not go as the Devs hoped, I just kept on playing the Demo till the end. When the game started with a file on my TWIN brother's disappearance BUT had a picture of a boy toddler next to a girl baby, I should have been forewarned.
BUT I can't give a game more stars than it deserves.
BUT I'll revisit the SE version when it comes out.
In the meantime, play the demo before you buy.
Stop an evil dragon from plunging the Empire into darkness!
Overall rating
2
/
5
22 of 37 found this review helpful
Been There, Done This
PostedAugust 24, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromDomini Doesn't Deliver.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
You know the routine: Ancient evil unleashed on the world to take it over, familiar HOPs, puzzles and mini-games, with familiar CE bling, collectibles, and over-saturated artwork.
Good Stuff:
Bad stuff: This one put me to sleep at warp speed but was so irritating; I woke up and turned it off!
The best I can say for this poor little thing is that the fuzzy overly bright colors were better than the Devs' attempts at scary that involved shooting flames at the screen. After the first three or four times during the story set up, the fire effect just contributed to the somnambulant atmosphere.
This new chapter in the Enchanted Kingdom series is so sad, I can't bring myself to insist that you play the demo. I like to think I'm more humane than that.
Just think before you buy.
Good Stuff:
Bad stuff: This one put me to sleep at warp speed but was so irritating; I woke up and turned it off!
The best I can say for this poor little thing is that the fuzzy overly bright colors were better than the Devs' attempts at scary that involved shooting flames at the screen. After the first three or four times during the story set up, the fire effect just contributed to the somnambulant atmosphere.
This new chapter in the Enchanted Kingdom series is so sad, I can't bring myself to insist that you play the demo. I like to think I'm more humane than that.
Just think before you buy.
I don't recommend this game.