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:
What will you do when a fairy tale curse shows up on your doorstep?
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 19 found this review helpful
Grandma's Tales Turn Out to Have A Grain Of Truth In Them
PostedJune 19, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromMaybe we are all caught in Grandma's nightmare and we'll wake up soon.
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
Alice is summoned home by a panicked call from her daughter. A strange package, addressed to Alice and opened by her husband, has disgorged a troupe of smoky fiery orbs that are turning both her husband and her daughter to stone.
(Lesson: Do not open other people's packages!)
When Alice arrives home, she is greeted by a magical fox who informs her that she needs to travel to a magical kingdom, Spectra. Alice remembers Spectra from her grandmother's stories. Hopefully she will find what she needs to save her family in Spectra and restore the balance of both worlds.
Good stuff: HOPs with a puzzle alternative, mini-games and puzzles, and a story.
Bad stuff: The HOPs are full of tiny items on my giant monitor. The puzzle alternative to the HOPs is more frustrating than anything else. The mini-games and puzzles in the game are lackluster and oh so average. The story is a mish-mash of bits and pieces left from other games that the Devs didn't want to “waste.”
I came away with a lost feeling, as though I had wandered off the path and couldn't find my way back. Little of this game made any kind of sense. I spent lots of time being frustrated by the map being placed almost on top of the hint. I often had no idea what I was trying to do, regardless of the goals in the "diary." As there was no other information in the diary, it was basically useless.
Please try the demo before you buy.
(Lesson: Do not open other people's packages!)
When Alice arrives home, she is greeted by a magical fox who informs her that she needs to travel to a magical kingdom, Spectra. Alice remembers Spectra from her grandmother's stories. Hopefully she will find what she needs to save her family in Spectra and restore the balance of both worlds.
Good stuff: HOPs with a puzzle alternative, mini-games and puzzles, and a story.
Bad stuff: The HOPs are full of tiny items on my giant monitor. The puzzle alternative to the HOPs is more frustrating than anything else. The mini-games and puzzles in the game are lackluster and oh so average. The story is a mish-mash of bits and pieces left from other games that the Devs didn't want to “waste.”
I came away with a lost feeling, as though I had wandered off the path and couldn't find my way back. Little of this game made any kind of sense. I spent lots of time being frustrated by the map being placed almost on top of the hint. I often had no idea what I was trying to do, regardless of the goals in the "diary." As there was no other information in the diary, it was basically useless.
Please try the demo before you buy.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you find the Flower of Life, before the Dragon Clan does?
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 30 found this review helpful
Sarah Is Back And So Is Her Basic Storyline
PostedJune 19, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromIf Sarah is so good at her job, why is she still battling the same villains?
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
Sarah, a member of the Order of The Griffins, is back and once again must save someone and the world from the Dragon Clan.
Naturally there will be problems and troubles as she "races" to save the current victim, her mother.
Good stuff: HOPs with a match game alternative, good mini-games/puzzles, bright artwork, good VOs and background sound, with several different collectibles, morphing objects, and CE bling.
Bad stuff: There will be a cute little monkey as a helper. There is no sense of urgency as you apparently watch as your mother is thrown into the back of a truck by members of the Dragon Clan and you go back inside to finish a few puzzles, cure a character you and Mom saved earlier, and then fix a plane. When you do head off to beat the bad guys to the goal, you are in a plane with clouded dirty windows. It should be no surprise when you crash. Later you build a convenient bridge and leave it in place for the bad guys to follow you. This is pretty much where I wanted to leave the story. Luckily the Demo end was shortly thereafter.
This is number six for this game series.
I just have a hard time getting excited about saving the world again.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
You may want to carry a monkey around and fight the Dragon Clan again.
Naturally there will be problems and troubles as she "races" to save the current victim, her mother.
Good stuff: HOPs with a match game alternative, good mini-games/puzzles, bright artwork, good VOs and background sound, with several different collectibles, morphing objects, and CE bling.
Bad stuff: There will be a cute little monkey as a helper. There is no sense of urgency as you apparently watch as your mother is thrown into the back of a truck by members of the Dragon Clan and you go back inside to finish a few puzzles, cure a character you and Mom saved earlier, and then fix a plane. When you do head off to beat the bad guys to the goal, you are in a plane with clouded dirty windows. It should be no surprise when you crash. Later you build a convenient bridge and leave it in place for the bad guys to follow you. This is pretty much where I wanted to leave the story. Luckily the Demo end was shortly thereafter.
This is number six for this game series.
I just have a hard time getting excited about saving the world again.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
You may want to carry a monkey around and fight the Dragon Clan again.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop darkness from taking over the kingdoms?
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 20 found this review helpful
Spirits of Mystery is Back... Why?
PostedJune 17, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromNanny and Isla are dedfinitely old enough to RETIRE.
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
Once again we have a princess in peril, Nanny to advise, Isla to be evil with greater evil behind him, and a rehash of the same story. There will be endless broken items to be fixed, puzzles, HOPs, and bits and pieces to collect.
You will have collectible morphing objects that must turn into a flaming triangle to be "collected" - you can't miss them. There are also puzzle pieces to collect and a puzzle to complete each time you free someone from a spell.
And once again I am trying to make sense of the whole premise.
We have chatty Nanny and nasty Isla returning to the same roles they played in the previous S of M games, yet we seem to have a different princess in a different kingdom in a different magical world.
There does not seem to be any point in listening to Nanny's endless monologues or trying to make sense of what you must do to get through this game in the preordained order devised by the Devs.
I'm sorry, but I just don't want to slog through this again.
No Sale.
You will have collectible morphing objects that must turn into a flaming triangle to be "collected" - you can't miss them. There are also puzzle pieces to collect and a puzzle to complete each time you free someone from a spell.
And once again I am trying to make sense of the whole premise.
We have chatty Nanny and nasty Isla returning to the same roles they played in the previous S of M games, yet we seem to have a different princess in a different kingdom in a different magical world.
There does not seem to be any point in listening to Nanny's endless monologues or trying to make sense of what you must do to get through this game in the preordained order devised by the Devs.
I'm sorry, but I just don't want to slog through this again.
No Sale.
I don't recommend this game.
This may be the Amazing Garibaldi Brothers’ final performance!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 32 found this review helpful
Wanted: Gamers interested in Murder and/or Magic
PostedJune 12, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromIs the girl friend more upset about the murder or her failing business?
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
4
/
5
Story: Brothers, brought up and trained to be illusionists, are helping to launch the reopening of a hotel and provide publicity for the movie in which they are to do their illusions as the special effects. The remaining brother, director of the film, girl friend of one brother, and their staff, including the murderer are all in the hotel with you as you investigate during a police strike.
Good stuff: Lots of the usual CE bling, along with the usual game elements and some good artwork and VO's. You have a special pad that gives you bios, magic info, and various bits of help along the way.
Bad stuff: Lots of back and forth with the usual locks on everything that is not broken. The only Collectible in the CE is a rabbit with a top hat and they stand out like a beacon in most scenes, which takes the fun out of finding them.
A lot depends on whether you like murders, magic, both, or neither.
If you are a fan of magic, you'll want to see how the illusions are accomplished. If you enjoy murder mysteries, you'll want to investigate the various suspicious characters and incidents.
If you like both, you'll be in hog heaven. Don't like either - just pass on this game.
Try the demo and see what you think.
I'll wait for an SE since there is little of the CE bling that I want.
Good stuff: Lots of the usual CE bling, along with the usual game elements and some good artwork and VO's. You have a special pad that gives you bios, magic info, and various bits of help along the way.
Bad stuff: Lots of back and forth with the usual locks on everything that is not broken. The only Collectible in the CE is a rabbit with a top hat and they stand out like a beacon in most scenes, which takes the fun out of finding them.
A lot depends on whether you like murders, magic, both, or neither.
If you are a fan of magic, you'll want to see how the illusions are accomplished. If you enjoy murder mysteries, you'll want to investigate the various suspicious characters and incidents.
If you like both, you'll be in hog heaven. Don't like either - just pass on this game.
Try the demo and see what you think.
I'll wait for an SE since there is little of the CE bling that I want.
I recommend this game!
The flutist returns to Hamelin, but he’s back for revenge!
Overall rating
2
/
5
16 of 27 found this review helpful
For Story, Read BFG Blurb - Info Not in Demo
PostedJune 8, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromPoor little enchanted scarecrow boy has been dragged into this mess!
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
1
/
5
The Demo gives you only a small portion of the story found in the BFG synopsis and that comes three fourth's of the way into the trial.
By that time you have run around town trying to follow the wraiths that are terrorizing the citizens, seen the bad guy, and played at putting out a fire.
Why played? You have to use your sense of humor as you restore a broken vase with tree resin after getting the owl to move with a mechanical mouse, repair a fountain after finding three statues in various locations, and climb up a rope with the vase of water - obviously in your third hand - to put out the fire burning all this time in the front of the house using the single vase of water.
What do all these tasks have to do with the story, you ask.
Good question.
Everything about this League of Light game seems disjointed and confused. You will collect a lot of emblems as they open everything imaginable from the detective's suitcase - owl emblem found in a gutter outside the inn - to the two horse heads to open a stable to get the rope to climb into the house to see the stranger start the fire.
Are you confused yet?
The only good news here is that you can choose whether to use the small scarecrow boy - from earlier LofL games - as your helper or not. Otherwise this is all so very much like so many other games that I pass on buying it.
By that time you have run around town trying to follow the wraiths that are terrorizing the citizens, seen the bad guy, and played at putting out a fire.
Why played? You have to use your sense of humor as you restore a broken vase with tree resin after getting the owl to move with a mechanical mouse, repair a fountain after finding three statues in various locations, and climb up a rope with the vase of water - obviously in your third hand - to put out the fire burning all this time in the front of the house using the single vase of water.
What do all these tasks have to do with the story, you ask.
Good question.
Everything about this League of Light game seems disjointed and confused. You will collect a lot of emblems as they open everything imaginable from the detective's suitcase - owl emblem found in a gutter outside the inn - to the two horse heads to open a stable to get the rope to climb into the house to see the stranger start the fire.
Are you confused yet?
The only good news here is that you can choose whether to use the small scarecrow boy - from earlier LofL games - as your helper or not. Otherwise this is all so very much like so many other games that I pass on buying it.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Explore the four corners of Oz in this thrilling fantasy game!
Overall rating
1
/
5
11 of 21 found this review helpful
Dorothy and Toto Deserve Better!
PostedJune 5, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromMy deepest apologies to Dorothy and Toto!
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
A grown-up Dorothy is whisked off to Oz by tornado once again.
Toto and her house go too. This time only a bureau falls on someone - in this case a sorceress. The "great and Powerful Wizard of Oz" tells Dorothy she must find three statues scattered around Oz to return home.
Folks, I have to confess that I am an avid Oz fan. I have all of Frank L. Baum's books, as well as those by Ruth Plumly Thompson and John R Neil.
I couldn't find any portion or particle of the story to tolerate, much less like. Tweaking a story is vastly different than wringing the beejeebers out of it.
As all of the game elements were woefully average or below, I will pass on this Bridge game.
Consider t his as you will.
Toto and her house go too. This time only a bureau falls on someone - in this case a sorceress. The "great and Powerful Wizard of Oz" tells Dorothy she must find three statues scattered around Oz to return home.
Folks, I have to confess that I am an avid Oz fan. I have all of Frank L. Baum's books, as well as those by Ruth Plumly Thompson and John R Neil.
I couldn't find any portion or particle of the story to tolerate, much less like. Tweaking a story is vastly different than wringing the beejeebers out of it.
As all of the game elements were woefully average or below, I will pass on this Bridge game.
Consider t his as you will.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save your sister from a sinister game?
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 19 found this review helpful
Rachel and Fiona are Sisters
PostedJune 5, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromAnother relative to save from powerful beings who are bored with their existence!
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
And Rachel will have to save Fiona from a twisted game played by some of demigods. Blue and Gray were winning and their brother Gold has stepped into reality to help Rachel get back her sister and perhaps tip the game in his favor.
Good stuff: The collectible flowers are back along with collectible morphing figures. You will find all the familiar game elements with a few tweaks here and there that help make some of the HOPs and mini-games feel fresher. The artwork is clear.
Bad stuff: The basic story is way too familiar. Saving a relative/friend has been done all too often. Even the fact that this adventure starts as part of a game is familiar - Surface: Game of the Gods comes to mind!
I waited for the SE on several of the Surface games when the CE seemed to be lacking. In spite of the sale, I think I'll wait this time also and revisit the SE before I decide to buy.
Please try the demo for yourself.
Good stuff: The collectible flowers are back along with collectible morphing figures. You will find all the familiar game elements with a few tweaks here and there that help make some of the HOPs and mini-games feel fresher. The artwork is clear.
Bad stuff: The basic story is way too familiar. Saving a relative/friend has been done all too often. Even the fact that this adventure starts as part of a game is familiar - Surface: Game of the Gods comes to mind!
I waited for the SE on several of the Surface games when the CE seemed to be lacking. In spite of the sale, I think I'll wait this time also and revisit the SE before I decide to buy.
Please try the demo for yourself.
Can you save the realms from a vengeful god?
Overall rating
2
/
5
29 of 31 found this review helpful
Major Deja Vu Coming At You
PostedMay 28, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromI don't want to save Margaret again. Gee, Mom, do I gotta?
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
2
/
5
Once again, just like the last Labyrinths game, an evil "god," Sanderion, comes with his warriors to destroy our world. This time the bad guy has "Sand" warriors. This time the bad guy builds a crystal charger to drain all the energy out of Earth and her citizens. Somewhere in this adventure we are to initiate sister Margaret into the Order of Seekers that we joined in the last game.
Once again we are saving sister Margaret, who should be kept under lock and key, apparently.
Once again we are traveling thru portals to another planet to get help/ weapons to fight the bad guys.
Once again we are running back and forth to little purpose, doing pretty much the same things we've done in all those other games. We find a shovel - TWICE - along with the usual oil can that will instantly dispel massive rust, a dog tag to use as a screw driver, and a horse that sounds like a shrill pre-adolescent girl.
Once again the artwork blurs out at odd moments and is highly over colored.
Once again many of our actions are questionable at best and sometimes destructive. We see our friend, Davona, again - from the last Labyrinths game - and proceed to trash her personal quarters. Good thing we like her!
Once again we have a series that has taken a 180 degree turn from its initial premise and wandered off into strange territory.
If the Devs wanted to start a new series about the Seekers, it would have made greater sense to come up with a new name and proceeded from there rather than to sabotage an established series. As this game stands, I'm just tired of doing it all again.
Please try the Demo and make your own decision.
Once again we are saving sister Margaret, who should be kept under lock and key, apparently.
Once again we are traveling thru portals to another planet to get help/ weapons to fight the bad guys.
Once again we are running back and forth to little purpose, doing pretty much the same things we've done in all those other games. We find a shovel - TWICE - along with the usual oil can that will instantly dispel massive rust, a dog tag to use as a screw driver, and a horse that sounds like a shrill pre-adolescent girl.
Once again the artwork blurs out at odd moments and is highly over colored.
Once again many of our actions are questionable at best and sometimes destructive. We see our friend, Davona, again - from the last Labyrinths game - and proceed to trash her personal quarters. Good thing we like her!
Once again we have a series that has taken a 180 degree turn from its initial premise and wandered off into strange territory.
If the Devs wanted to start a new series about the Seekers, it would have made greater sense to come up with a new name and proceeded from there rather than to sabotage an established series. As this game stands, I'm just tired of doing it all again.
Please try the Demo and make your own decision.
I don't recommend this game.
Journey to the mythical Nine Worlds to save the Earth!
Overall rating
2
/
5
34 of 49 found this review helpful
Not THAT Bad, Just Not THAT Good Either
PostedMay 27, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromA slow game will make you very drowsy. Play one to catch a nap!
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
Short version of story: Dragon attacks, you ALMOST fight back successfully, you awaken in a boat, go on a quest to find three companions, and then you will try to save the world.
Good news: All the usual game elements are here.
Bad news: That slow start to the story almost put me to sleep. The over stylized print style is aggravating and unnecessary to the story. And a lot of that story gets caught up in the effort to add that "style" to everything in the game. There will be lots of dialog, puzzles that are over-easy or badly designed, and you will be unwillingly immersed in cartoon Norse culture.
Please try the Demo for yourself. You may see something I missed.
Good news: All the usual game elements are here.
Bad news: That slow start to the story almost put me to sleep. The over stylized print style is aggravating and unnecessary to the story. And a lot of that story gets caught up in the effort to add that "style" to everything in the game. There will be lots of dialog, puzzles that are over-easy or badly designed, and you will be unwillingly immersed in cartoon Norse culture.
Please try the Demo for yourself. You may see something I missed.
Can you win the battle between Darkness and Flame?
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
Not Close to the First One, But ....
PostedMay 26, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromMaps, many maps, and lots of places to go back and forth, back and forth, back and forth....
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
3
/
5
After the first chapter of Darkness and Flames, it was only a matter of time before the next installment showed up.
Don't worry if you don't remember or didn't play the first game as the diary and game itself will give you enough info to proceed on your adventure.
After several close calls and battles with the forces of Darkness, Alice and her Uncle Colin have found a place to rest.
They have found a hideout from the Darkness in the remains of an ancient city, but Colin is plagued by nightmares he can not explain involving a woman he almost remembers. He is convinced that it would be better to leave their refuge and seek the hermit, who Colin hopes can restore his lost memories. The way to restoring his memory after it was lost to the Darkness will be long and hard, but they set out anyway.
Good stuff: More of the game play that made the first game so well received, along with the familiar game elements and good artwork and the many, many maps, plus CE bling.
Bad stuff: This is like playing the first game with new artwork.
As you proceed there is a certain amount of "Been there, done that" in what you need to accomplish to further your journey.
I think I would be more open to working at this - because the second time around it feels like work - if I didn't suspect that we will keep on to a third installment and possibly more chapters in the future.
And in their eagerness to tell this new section of the adventure, the Devs felt they could slack off trying to be original. If you have played The Lost Land games and the first Darkness and Flames Game, you've experienced most of the game elements here.
I really don't know what to recommend here as I am stuck on the proverbial fence.
Please play the demo and decide for yourself.
I think I'll replay the first chapter and see if that helps my decision.
Don't worry if you don't remember or didn't play the first game as the diary and game itself will give you enough info to proceed on your adventure.
After several close calls and battles with the forces of Darkness, Alice and her Uncle Colin have found a place to rest.
They have found a hideout from the Darkness in the remains of an ancient city, but Colin is plagued by nightmares he can not explain involving a woman he almost remembers. He is convinced that it would be better to leave their refuge and seek the hermit, who Colin hopes can restore his lost memories. The way to restoring his memory after it was lost to the Darkness will be long and hard, but they set out anyway.
Good stuff: More of the game play that made the first game so well received, along with the familiar game elements and good artwork and the many, many maps, plus CE bling.
Bad stuff: This is like playing the first game with new artwork.
As you proceed there is a certain amount of "Been there, done that" in what you need to accomplish to further your journey.
I think I would be more open to working at this - because the second time around it feels like work - if I didn't suspect that we will keep on to a third installment and possibly more chapters in the future.
And in their eagerness to tell this new section of the adventure, the Devs felt they could slack off trying to be original. If you have played The Lost Land games and the first Darkness and Flames Game, you've experienced most of the game elements here.
I really don't know what to recommend here as I am stuck on the proverbial fence.
Please play the demo and decide for yourself.
I think I'll replay the first chapter and see if that helps my decision.