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:
A young demon hunter finds herself time traveling back to ancient Egypt to wield the Gauntlet of Horus to stop an ancient deity.
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 16 found this review helpful
Isn't there a song: "And Another One Bites the Dust?"
PostedMarch 28, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromIn the third game, Dawn was the last Demon Hunter - no longer true!
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
In the opening of the fourth game in the Demon Hunter series, Dawn, our former demon hunter, and her niece, Lila, are commenting on a newly found legendary artifact in Egypt. Within moments there is a ring at the door and the game is afoot. Someone wants Dawn and Lila in Egypt to save the world from evil ancient god, Seth. You, playing as Lila, will save the world from destruction as niece Lila is now the actual Demon Hunter.
Good Stuff: Some of the artwork is very well drawn. There are several types of HOPs with a matching pairs game alternative.
Bad stuff: Some of the artwork is blurry and characters are stationary. The HOPs are easily solved.
And then there were the mini-games.
Most of what might have be referred to as the mini-games were so simple there were no instructions. You just click around and you are done. And those that had some instructions or a code/solution were not quite as advertised. Case in point: There is a large poster on the wall of Aunt Dawn's tent depicting a Bedouin in full desert regalia. When it comes time to get dressed like that, you can't! Even though all the items on the poster are in the tent, you need to pick other assorted items to be able to get past that point and leave!
And then you walk out into a sand storm!
You quickly catch up to Seth, who has Aunt Dawn in his clutches - apparently he will wait for you to keep up as you will need to do so again.
And then there were the mini-games.
Most of what might have be referred to as the mini-games were so simple there were no instructions. You just click around and you are done. And those that had some instructions or a code/solution were not quite as advertised. Case in point: There is a large poster on the wall of Aunt Dawn's tent depicting a Bedouin in full desert regalia. When it comes time to get dressed like that, you can't! Even though all the items on the poster are in the tent, you need to pick other assorted items to be able to get past that point and leave!
And then you walk out into a sand storm!
You quickly catch up to Seth, who has Aunt Dawn in his clutches - apparently he will wait for you to keep up as you will need to do so again.
Bottom line: I don't care. If I wanted some twisted story of Egyptian mythology, there are plenty of bad ones out there that will at least stay closer to historical details. If I wanted to save the world again, there are better games available with at least a little challenge. (The only slight brain activity here came in a cartouche game in a storage room in the temple Seth stole in the past.)
Once again, I will repeat: Play the demo. Know what is being dumped on you.
Purchase wisely so that the next game may be better.
Do not reward ineptitude!
Purchase wisely so that the next game may be better.
Do not reward ineptitude!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you defend the townspeople from the dangerous black lotus?
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 16 found this review helpful
Sometimes A Series Works Up to Average!
PostedMarch 26, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromIt worries me when I find an average game and feel like I've found a raft in a raging sea - Glad to have found it, but still feel like I'm drowning!
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
3
/
5
In this Fourth installment in the Immortal Love series, you play as a young bridegroom almost killed by the woman who delivered a poisonous Black Lotus to his bride-to-be. You managed to see her and have to be silenced. You pick the lock on your chains and swim up out of the pond/river/stream you were dumped in by a young mother who has made a desperate bargain with the Count. You will need to find the count and save your bride from the effects of the lotus before all the petals of the white flower turn black. Along the way you will find that your beloved is not the only victim of the evil Count.
The story is all too familiar.
The game play is way too easy.
The rest of the game elements are all too average.
But ...I did find that all those features were a cut above the first three games in the series. This leaves me hoping that the SE may look more attractive at the lower price as the only portion of the CE bling I like is the hidden collectibles.
The story is all too familiar.
The game play is way too easy.
The rest of the game elements are all too average.
But ...I did find that all those features were a cut above the first three games in the series. This leaves me hoping that the SE may look more attractive at the lower price as the only portion of the CE bling I like is the hidden collectibles.
{In this game the collectibles are phoenixes, with between one and four hidden in the scenes. A tab on the upper left side lets you know how many are in a given scene. Unfortunately they were either out in your face, or so faint that I resorted to random clicking to find them.} (There has to be a happy medium between those extremes and I hope the Devs find it before the next game comes out.)
In the meantime, I’ll wait for the SE and see if the lower price tips the scale in its favor.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Embark on a secret mission to save Princess Isabella!
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 26 found this review helpful
Are We Sure This Game Is Part Of the Haunted Legends Series?
PostedMarch 25, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromAfter 45 minutes I knew as much as after the first ten and I was finished with the Demo!
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
So we've got Princess Isabella missing, the Three Musketeers missing, most of the population of the Fountainebleau ancestral Island missing, and a commission from the Cardinal to fix all of this mess. As the Cardinal's Detective, you need more help than you will get from Pascal, the little man you rescue/meet in the Fountainebleau castle courtyard.
Whatever you have known about the Haunted Legend series, toss it out.
The familiar little miscreant, St. Germaine, is MIA in this chapter of HL. Instead you will have Pascal who may or may not be helping you. You will have only a glimpse or two of the missing princess and a close-up of the monster.
The HOPs, puzzles, and artwork are OK. The collectible crystal apples that dispense coins are part of the expected CE bling. The banners for each achievement and HOP completion are unnecessary for adults.
As a pale echo of the older HL games, this is not as bad as the last couple and nowhere near as good as the first few.
Please try the Demo for yourself. It was very short for me and lackluster. You may find more to like here.
Follow the story of a young woman exploring a fantasy world full of unique treasures!
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Old School Meets Glacier
PostedMarch 20, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromA Story as Slow as Molasses Left Out in an Arctic Winter
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
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This is a throw-back to the earliest HOP games. Each HOP is preceded by one of two characters telling you to look for the list of objects. The list might be in the form of pictures, shadows, or names of objects.
The items are in an array of styles, some looking like photos, others like faded representations of themselves. There is a zoom function, helpful when some of the items are fuzzy and in the background of a scene.
There are no mini-games or puzzles. The music is easily turned off. There are only the static scenes, alternating between a picture of a character with a bit of dialogue and the next HOP. The objects used and the background scenes are repeated. The second time you return to an earlier HOP, you'll be looking for some of the same items as you found the first time, and some will be on the list the third and fourth times too. And some of those items will be used again in other scenes.
Think of this like a grade school cut and paste project stuck in the Xerox machine.
Even for those who like a basic simple HOP, this is still a bit too old school.
Please try the demo. I stuck it out for forty minutes and a lot of yawns. You may find more here than I saw.
The items are in an array of styles, some looking like photos, others like faded representations of themselves. There is a zoom function, helpful when some of the items are fuzzy and in the background of a scene.
There are no mini-games or puzzles. The music is easily turned off. There are only the static scenes, alternating between a picture of a character with a bit of dialogue and the next HOP. The objects used and the background scenes are repeated. The second time you return to an earlier HOP, you'll be looking for some of the same items as you found the first time, and some will be on the list the third and fourth times too. And some of those items will be used again in other scenes.
Think of this like a grade school cut and paste project stuck in the Xerox machine.
Even for those who like a basic simple HOP, this is still a bit too old school.
Please try the demo. I stuck it out for forty minutes and a lot of yawns. You may find more here than I saw.
I don't recommend this game.
In Mundus: Impossible Universe, dynamic gameplay meets a captivating plot with a plethora of levels and unique match 3 variations to explore.
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
Sometimes There Is No Storyline
PostedMarch 19, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromIf only the opening animation had popped up again!
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
This is a fairly basic, average Match 3 game. The opening animation is lovely, but in the game itself you will only have a slightly faded picture of the world you're decorating. as you finish each level, if you have enough coins and stars, you can buy items to go into the picture. Some items will be replacing a lesser item you bought earlier - a ship replaces a canoe, for example.
Each level will have a certain goal to achieve, There are only two play levels: easy and normal. Items will need one or more levels to attain each one.
There is no story, so any stars for the storyline are here only because I must fill that out for BFG.
I didn't find it different enough to add it to the many other Match 3 games I had. You may enjoy it more than I did.
Please try the demo.
Each level will have a certain goal to achieve, There are only two play levels: easy and normal. Items will need one or more levels to attain each one.
There is no story, so any stars for the storyline are here only because I must fill that out for BFG.
I didn't find it different enough to add it to the many other Match 3 games I had. You may enjoy it more than I did.
Please try the demo.
These free TVs may be too good to be true...
Overall rating
1
/
5
45 of 51 found this review helpful
That Scream You Heard Was Me!
PostedMarch 19, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromHave you left your first aid kit or sprinkler system unprotected?
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
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Free evil TVs, people dying, demons want to come back to life, and you get to investigate. That's pretty much the plot in a nutshell.
Good stuff: The artwork on the car interior in the driving scenes was good.
Bad stuff: Domini Games has killed logic, buried it, and put up an engraved monument. I figured this out in the police station, right after I got the hamster food out of the frosted minifrig and the hamster charged my batteries for me! Don't ask what it took to open the first aid kit.
Just in case I wasn't sure that logic was dead, I entered Professor Landon's lab, where I had to freeze the refrigerator lock with Nitrogen, hunt up a hammer to break the frozen lock, mix ingredients into rust remover, use the rust remover on a locked box in a locked cabinet in another room, take the hint for the sprinkler system out, use the hint on the sprinkler puzzle, to finally put out a fire started by a demon! I'd already fed the professor's hungry puppy with a single bare bone, taken him outside to bury it, and had the puppy dig the bone's hole right where I thought something was buried. (I was right, but illogically unhappy.)
Add the fact that the artwork is still over-colored and tends to fuzz out in psychic scenes and between locations; that you will have to perform a whole list of trite actions seen in most other games; that the majority of puzzles were more exercises in placement than intellectual challenges; and Domini will have one unhappy player - me.
Just in case I wasn't sure that logic was dead, I entered Professor Landon's lab, where I had to freeze the refrigerator lock with Nitrogen, hunt up a hammer to break the frozen lock, mix ingredients into rust remover, use the rust remover on a locked box in a locked cabinet in another room, take the hint for the sprinkler system out, use the hint on the sprinkler puzzle, to finally put out a fire started by a demon! I'd already fed the professor's hungry puppy with a single bare bone, taken him outside to bury it, and had the puppy dig the bone's hole right where I thought something was buried. (I was right, but illogically unhappy.)
Add the fact that the artwork is still over-colored and tends to fuzz out in psychic scenes and between locations; that you will have to perform a whole list of trite actions seen in most other games; that the majority of puzzles were more exercises in placement than intellectual challenges; and Domini will have one unhappy player - me.
Bottom line: Even the usual cheerleaders aren't happy with this game.
Please check out the demo.
What you buy determines what you see in the future.
Do not encourage bad gaming!
What you buy determines what you see in the future.
Do not encourage bad gaming!
I don't recommend this game.
Travel through alternate realities to restore the fabric of the universe!
Overall rating
1
/
5
21 of 26 found this review helpful
Sorry - Even the Kiddies Rejected This One!
PostedMarch 19, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromSometimes there is no sale great enough!
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
Alice Carpenter is once again the Guardian of the Border between fairy tale Spectra and Earth. She is once again setting out to save both realms from evil, this time in the forms of King Solas and the Shadows of Oblivion. She will have a magic lamp to cure minor wounds and a special bracelet to send power balls of wind, fire, and ice against her enemies. Once again she will travel through portals between worlds trying to set things right.
Good stuff: You will not die of boredom while playing the Demo unless you are older than ten to twelve years old.
Bad stuff: I'm not sure where to start. Do I mention the incredibly simple puzzles, mini-games, and HOPs geared to small children? The mishmash of story that has two villains that may, or may not, be working together? The bland characters? The VO's?
I can’t even touch on the fractured logic or the various silly things you do to progress in the game - especially as those actions have been ridiculed extensively lately.
I can’t even touch on the fractured logic or the various silly things you do to progress in the game - especially as those actions have been ridiculed extensively lately.
Bottom line: All of those elements combine to make a game that did not impress my eight to twelve years old grandchildren. They've played many of my games and were be appalled at the low level of skill needed for this one.
(In fairness I should point out that their favorite game allows you to build your own world and then make up the game to play there. I'm jealous!)
(In fairness I should point out that their favorite game allows you to build your own world and then make up the game to play there. I'm jealous!)
Check out the Demo for this one.
Please.
Please.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop the townspeople from paying for a dark past?
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 23 found this review helpful
The Valor of Their Ancestors is Killing the Descendants
PostedMarch 17, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromHiding under a pile of blankets, waiting for Spring to arrive!
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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
An evil king is trapped in his castle and defeat seems inevitable.
But the old reprobate has one more trick up his sleeve. He puts his soul into a dagger just as the leaders of the rebellion break through the castle gates. They have won, but only temporarily!
Many years later you are called in to help investigate an attack on a police station by Detective Duncan. He knows your reputation with supernatural cases. An attacker with superhuman strength has ravaged the local police station and your help is needed.
But the old reprobate has one more trick up his sleeve. He puts his soul into a dagger just as the leaders of the rebellion break through the castle gates. They have won, but only temporarily!
Many years later you are called in to help investigate an attack on a police station by Detective Duncan. He knows your reputation with supernatural cases. An attacker with superhuman strength has ravaged the local police station and your help is needed.
Good stuff: A variety of HOPs, lots of mini-games and puzzles, great artwork, and a well written mystery story unite to form the newest entry in the Mystery of the Ancients series.
Bad stuff: I really like the story and the game play, but I had to deduct one star for bad logic, which reared it's ugly head and kept me from completely enjoying the story and game play. I won't depress us both by listing the sad details, but hopefully you can see past them.
Bottom line: I played through the CE version and enjoyed it, but ran into trouble with some of the longer puzzles when they did not work as intended.
If you did not try the Demo when the CE came out, please try it now. The bonus chapter was fine, but I would not have missed it if I'd waited for the SE. This leaves you with an open field to choose either version. Good gaming.
I recommend this game!
Explore kingdom ruins and meet the exiled Salt Princess.
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 37 found this review helpful
Princess Bridgett Has Returned With Her White Dragonflies
PostedMarch 16, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromWelcome back Blue Tea!
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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You once again play the detective called in to a fractured fairy tale world to investigate in this newest entry in the Dark Parables series.
You will look into reports of people and objects being turned into salt in Olde Town in the kingdom of Grak. Princess Bridgett of the Grak Kingdom has been missing for a hundred years, but has recently been cited in the town as the salinization started.
You will soon be caught between a fierce, violent man looking for the princess and his guardian dragon, and the Princess’s two bodyguards, one sister with fire in her finger tips, the other with ice. Good luck, detective.
You will look into reports of people and objects being turned into salt in Olde Town in the kingdom of Grak. Princess Bridgett of the Grak Kingdom has been missing for a hundred years, but has recently been cited in the town as the salinization started.
You will soon be caught between a fierce, violent man looking for the princess and his guardian dragon, and the Princess’s two bodyguards, one sister with fire in her finger tips, the other with ice. Good luck, detective.
Good stuff: The incredibly beautiful detailed artwork once again graces a convoluted story that will leave you wanting to finish the game when the Demo is done. The smallest fragments in the FROGs are sometimes a challenge to find and the mini-games and collectibles will keep you searching each scene. The characters are very well done with excellent VOs. There is a nice assortment of CE bling including "cursed objects" (morphing objects).
Bad stuff: I could quibble about logic flaws, but I’m too excited to see a Dark Parables game that is at least a part way return to the games we all loved. I can only hope Blue Tea will keep greater control of these games.
Bottom line: I was repeatedly reminded of the first DP games as I made my way through the Demo. I have nine previous DP games and always enjoyed the challenge and the length of the fairy tales they twisted. They weren’t perfect games, but they were good stories, challenging, and long.
Please try the Demo. Note the incredibly detailed artwork and carefully crafted story.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Can you and your father escape a mystical and dangerous realm?
Overall rating
4
/
5
47 of 62 found this review helpful
Do You See What I See?
PostedMarch 11, 2018
Granny_Gruff
fromThere are no stinging insects to subdue, just beetles! No zippers to fix! And the water bottle came filled!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Godfrey Long, doting father, disappeared years ago, leaving his small daughter alone and grieving. She is now grown and surprised to find a note directing her to the playground where she and Dad used to play in the sand. There she finds a package and a portal that takes her to Taleworld, her father's fictional creation.
He meets her at the other side of the portal and tells her to free "the Spark," imprisoned by Sorceress Helen after she defeated the evil Wizard Cyrus. Once she has freed it, they can return home. You will play as Godfrey's daughter.
He meets her at the other side of the portal and tells her to free "the Spark," imprisoned by Sorceress Helen after she defeated the evil Wizard Cyrus. Once she has freed it, they can return home. You will play as Godfrey's daughter.
Good stuff: This newest addition to the Nevertales series includes a variety of HOPs, lots of puzzles/mini-games, beautiful artwork, good characterizations, and collectible swirls and discs (memory mementos) along with a nice assortment of CE bling.
Bad stuff: You will see where the plot is going before you are too many minutes into the Demo. You do not need to be a psychic to see what will happen. Most of the collectibles, especially those discs, are easily spotted. The mini-games are average.
Bottom line: Despite the open book that is our plot, the game flowed along fairly well and nothing was horribly wrong. It is not the game of the year, but it will pass some time in between bouts of tax preparation.
I will wait for the SE, but you may want to plunge right into the CE.
Try the Demo and visit Taleworld for a time to see if this is an adventure you want to go on.
I will wait for the SE, but you may want to plunge right into the CE.
Try the Demo and visit Taleworld for a time to see if this is an adventure you want to go on.