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 mysterious exhibit sends a young woman into a parallel world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
15 of 22 found this review helpful
Three Star Average Is Better Than a Lot Of Recent Games!
PostedMarch 14, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromHow sad is it to be glad to see an average game instead of the clunkers we've had lately?
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
You are working late in the museum, you hear a noise, you grab a flashlight, and you go to investigate.
Surprise!
You set off an ancient artifact that turns into a portal to another world/reality and sucks you in.
Good stuff: Usual game elements, a story that has seen better treatment, collectibles, artwork that sometimes blurs out, decent VOs, and some CE bling. You can turn off the curser change over morphing and collectible items, making them slightly harder to find.
Bad stuff: You've seen these puzzles before, as well as the other game elements. The heroine carries around lots of inventory, a good bit of it in large stone pieces. She also happens to be fluent in an ancient dialect.
This is all so very familiar. I thought the various scenes in the alternate reality to be well done. I just wish there had been a bit more originality.
Please try this demo for yourself. I'm probably going to wait for the SE.
Surprise!
You set off an ancient artifact that turns into a portal to another world/reality and sucks you in.
Good stuff: Usual game elements, a story that has seen better treatment, collectibles, artwork that sometimes blurs out, decent VOs, and some CE bling. You can turn off the curser change over morphing and collectible items, making them slightly harder to find.
Bad stuff: You've seen these puzzles before, as well as the other game elements. The heroine carries around lots of inventory, a good bit of it in large stone pieces. She also happens to be fluent in an ancient dialect.
This is all so very familiar. I thought the various scenes in the alternate reality to be well done. I just wish there had been a bit more originality.
Please try this demo for yourself. I'm probably going to wait for the SE.
The citizens of Bordeaux are outraged after eight monks are murdered.
Overall rating
1
/
5
99 of 129 found this review helpful
That Scream You Heard Was ME!
PostedMarch 9, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromSometimes games are so bad, you are just embarrassed for those responsible!
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 man sentenced to hang is saved from the gallows and sentenced to 20 years. Twenty years later he is released.
You have been sent to investigate the presumed murders of eight monks. There are graves but no one has seen bodies. You have to pay to get into town. The local citizens are rioting. You will need to call out the local guards. Just ring the bell chained to the post. You will have to find the clapper first. After the guards show up to fight with the citizens, you can turn your back on the riot to work the gate puzzle. The abbot, digging in the monastery graveyard on the other side of the gate, will ignore you.
Good stuff: There is artwork and sound. There are puzzles, HOPs, collectibles and achievements.
Bad stuff: The VO's are awful. Puzzles are simple and familiar. HOPs are pedestrian. Collectibles are in your face. Achievements will pop up if you just breath!
The most egregious fault is the horrible story. There is no rhyme or reason to anything from the few facts you are given to the details of the circumstances.
This series has been headed downward for a long time but this is unbelievably BAD. One of the graves in the monastery must be for logic, as nothing makes sense.
Please play the demo. Be a good consumer - do not believe anyone but yourself!
You have been sent to investigate the presumed murders of eight monks. There are graves but no one has seen bodies. You have to pay to get into town. The local citizens are rioting. You will need to call out the local guards. Just ring the bell chained to the post. You will have to find the clapper first. After the guards show up to fight with the citizens, you can turn your back on the riot to work the gate puzzle. The abbot, digging in the monastery graveyard on the other side of the gate, will ignore you.
Good stuff: There is artwork and sound. There are puzzles, HOPs, collectibles and achievements.
Bad stuff: The VO's are awful. Puzzles are simple and familiar. HOPs are pedestrian. Collectibles are in your face. Achievements will pop up if you just breath!
The most egregious fault is the horrible story. There is no rhyme or reason to anything from the few facts you are given to the details of the circumstances.
This series has been headed downward for a long time but this is unbelievably BAD. One of the graves in the monastery must be for logic, as nothing makes sense.
Please play the demo. Be a good consumer - do not believe anyone but yourself!
I don't recommend this game.
Discover a lost Slavic legend, where love is greater than death!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 40 found this review helpful
CE Bling for SE Price! Add a Star!
PostedMarch 7, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromPerks are always good - free perks are better!
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
3
/
5
The story opens with you climbing a rock wall with your niece. The weather takes a strange turn for the worst. The two of you struggle to the top of the rocks only to have two strange men grab your niece and cut your climbing line, leaving you to plummet downward. You will have to find and rescue your niece from a hidden village run by her kidnapper, Tvardosky, a scorcerer. He controls the villagers by entrapping the souls of their loved ones in a large mirror and letting them “speak” to the deceased for a price.
Good stuff: We have an SE with lots of the features we usually pay CE prices to get. There will be two different collectibles, four levels of game-play, wallpapers, replayable HOPs and mini-games, and a decent story, all for that SE price. The story is not stellar but at least you have a fairly good idea of what's happening by the end of the demo, with the added attraction of having some of your choices affect the stories outcome. The HOPs and mini-games are average, but manageable as you look for those collectibles!
The only missing CE pieces are the SG and a bonus chapter, both of which I can live without.
All that CE goodness at an SE price earned this otherwise fairly average game its fourth star.
Bad stuff: There is an odd shifting of artistic styles as well as the usual logic lapses - I hacksaw through chains literally behind the backs of three imp guards outside the bad guy's gates after the guards have warned me off. Later I enter an abandoned house that was presumably destroyed by Tvardosky and manage to smelt some metal to make a hook in the still warm embers of the decaying fireplace.
All that said, I am in favor of an SE with CE perks, especially with a decent story.
Please try the Demo and see what you think.
Good stuff: We have an SE with lots of the features we usually pay CE prices to get. There will be two different collectibles, four levels of game-play, wallpapers, replayable HOPs and mini-games, and a decent story, all for that SE price. The story is not stellar but at least you have a fairly good idea of what's happening by the end of the demo, with the added attraction of having some of your choices affect the stories outcome. The HOPs and mini-games are average, but manageable as you look for those collectibles!
The only missing CE pieces are the SG and a bonus chapter, both of which I can live without.
All that CE goodness at an SE price earned this otherwise fairly average game its fourth star.
Bad stuff: There is an odd shifting of artistic styles as well as the usual logic lapses - I hacksaw through chains literally behind the backs of three imp guards outside the bad guy's gates after the guards have warned me off. Later I enter an abandoned house that was presumably destroyed by Tvardosky and manage to smelt some metal to make a hook in the still warm embers of the decaying fireplace.
All that said, I am in favor of an SE with CE perks, especially with a decent story.
Please try the Demo and see what you think.
I recommend this game!
Investigate the secrets hidden in the shadows of the throne!
Overall rating
3
/
5
20 of 25 found this review helpful
Variations on a Theme
PostedMarch 7, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromWhy leave the door open and the lights on in the hideout?
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
3
/
5
You are returning home from your studies and moving back into the home that belonged to your parents, both presumably deceased. The Alchemist, your guardian, has prepared for your return. Within minutes of your arrival, you see a stranger disappear into a secret door off the living room. You will start your adventure here.
Good stuff: Different types of HOPs, a selection of mini-games, lots of potions to whip up, and a story.
Bad stuff: Not everything worked as the Devs hoped, especially parts of the riddle based HOP. Several items were badly drawn and then "improved upon" later. Every potion you make involves not only collecting items to mix it, but then you must complete a puzzle that tries to get progressively harder and fails. There are the usual logic fails - I can reach the top of a lamp on a desk but not the door knob - and strange actions, like making a potion to bend the glass in a fake mirror instead of simply breaking it.
I suggest you try the Demo. I liked it better than the recent CEs we've seen, but that's not saying much!
Good stuff: Different types of HOPs, a selection of mini-games, lots of potions to whip up, and a story.
Bad stuff: Not everything worked as the Devs hoped, especially parts of the riddle based HOP. Several items were badly drawn and then "improved upon" later. Every potion you make involves not only collecting items to mix it, but then you must complete a puzzle that tries to get progressively harder and fails. There are the usual logic fails - I can reach the top of a lamp on a desk but not the door knob - and strange actions, like making a potion to bend the glass in a fake mirror instead of simply breaking it.
I suggest you try the Demo. I liked it better than the recent CEs we've seen, but that's not saying much!
A malevolent monster is causing accidents in Universe City!
Overall rating
2
/
5
21 of 27 found this review helpful
Please Describe Your Premise in One Sensible Sentence
PostedMarch 5, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromSometimes they just don't seem to be trying - at all.
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
Sarah is investigating the cause of an increasing number of accidents in her city. She has enlisted her father's help and he will pay the price first.
Dad receives information leading him to send his assistant to collect a magical bracelet that will allow the wearer to "see" an evil entity, Dolor, and other mystical items. The bracelet will hopefully protect the wearer from Dolor. Sarah picks up the broken bracelet, previously retrieved from a tree in the park. She finds the missing pieces in a plant room at the assistant's house and repairs the bracelet. She puts it on in time to see Dolor cause another accident.
Good stuff: There are all the usual game elements.
Mediocre stuff: The HOPs, mini-game/puzzles, artwork, and characterizations are all bland and pedestrian.
Bad stuff: Dolor is the first evil entity with rules: he has lots of power to cause accidents and kill people, but each time he must write out the plan in three steps. Sometimes those three steps are unrelated and bizarre. So much for all that power.
Sarah uses the bracelet constantly, but to little purpose - at one point finding an invisible evil red mouse to give to an invisible evil red cat!
Game play is slow and slowed even further by the animation and conversations that should be moving the story along. As if that isn't discouraging enough, there are cutesy animals showing up. These include a basset hound that is trained to sit on items you need and a raccoon in an invalid's hideout that will need to be bribed.
The over-colored artwork fuzzes and darkens out between scenes and during animations.
This is another illustration of a game being rushed to market without any thought and vetting by the Devs.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
Dad receives information leading him to send his assistant to collect a magical bracelet that will allow the wearer to "see" an evil entity, Dolor, and other mystical items. The bracelet will hopefully protect the wearer from Dolor. Sarah picks up the broken bracelet, previously retrieved from a tree in the park. She finds the missing pieces in a plant room at the assistant's house and repairs the bracelet. She puts it on in time to see Dolor cause another accident.
Good stuff: There are all the usual game elements.
Mediocre stuff: The HOPs, mini-game/puzzles, artwork, and characterizations are all bland and pedestrian.
Bad stuff: Dolor is the first evil entity with rules: he has lots of power to cause accidents and kill people, but each time he must write out the plan in three steps. Sometimes those three steps are unrelated and bizarre. So much for all that power.
Sarah uses the bracelet constantly, but to little purpose - at one point finding an invisible evil red mouse to give to an invisible evil red cat!
Game play is slow and slowed even further by the animation and conversations that should be moving the story along. As if that isn't discouraging enough, there are cutesy animals showing up. These include a basset hound that is trained to sit on items you need and a raccoon in an invalid's hideout that will need to be bribed.
The over-colored artwork fuzzes and darkens out between scenes and during animations.
This is another illustration of a game being rushed to market without any thought and vetting by the Devs.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you beat the clock and get your life back?
Overall rating
1
/
5
19 of 38 found this review helpful
Cadenza Follows Other Great Series and Hits the Skids!
PostedMarch 5, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromBad Story + No Fun = No Sale
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
Bad guy wants to trade his body, wanted for murder, with your body and life as an up and coming rock star. All he needs is your prized possession. Only he changes bodies before he gets your special guitar pick and nothing improves after that lapse in logic.
The daughter of the original owner of the body he trades you for will help you figure out whats going on, while a stranger will pop up issuing dire threats. The special message: you will die either way! Lucky you!
Good news: Sorry, fresh out! Everything is too average when not out-right depressing.
Bad news: The HOPs and mini-games were bland and sad.
The story falls apart from the get go. The characters are distressing. Game play is choppy and odd.
As much as I have loved this series in the past, that is how much I dislike this entry. It is even worse than Cadenza: Havana Nights. (No, really!)
PLEASE try the Demo FIRST.
The daughter of the original owner of the body he trades you for will help you figure out whats going on, while a stranger will pop up issuing dire threats. The special message: you will die either way! Lucky you!
Good news: Sorry, fresh out! Everything is too average when not out-right depressing.
Bad news: The HOPs and mini-games were bland and sad.
The story falls apart from the get go. The characters are distressing. Game play is choppy and odd.
As much as I have loved this series in the past, that is how much I dislike this entry. It is even worse than Cadenza: Havana Nights. (No, really!)
PLEASE try the Demo FIRST.
I don't recommend this game.
A locked room murder awaits you! Was the killer human or something else?
Overall rating
2
/
5
20 of 28 found this review helpful
A Series With Serious Ups and Downs Is More Down
PostedMarch 4, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromNo Story + No Fun = No Sale
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
There is so little story here that I won't bore you with the meager bits available from the game. Just take it as given that you are investigating and things will not go well.
Good stuff: The Devs tried to be innovative with their HOPs, not always successfully. There were lots of things in the usual unlikely places that you were to do the usual unlikely things with for no apparent reason and often to no good purpose.
There was a little helper that you could choose to use or not; not meaning you'll be asked again.
Bad stuff: Just read the good stuff with emphasis on the extra descriptions.
Bottom line: Mystery of the Ancients as a series has been hit or miss, with games that were occasionally good and others that missed the mark. There is so little story in this demo that I am unable to tell you which way this new entry may go. Unfortunately, with so little story to go on and no great attractions in the demo, I don't care enough to purchase and must leave it to your own judgement.
Please try the demo and see what you think. I pass.
Good stuff: The Devs tried to be innovative with their HOPs, not always successfully. There were lots of things in the usual unlikely places that you were to do the usual unlikely things with for no apparent reason and often to no good purpose.
There was a little helper that you could choose to use or not; not meaning you'll be asked again.
Bad stuff: Just read the good stuff with emphasis on the extra descriptions.
Bottom line: Mystery of the Ancients as a series has been hit or miss, with games that were occasionally good and others that missed the mark. There is so little story in this demo that I am unable to tell you which way this new entry may go. Unfortunately, with so little story to go on and no great attractions in the demo, I don't care enough to purchase and must leave it to your own judgement.
Please try the demo and see what you think. I pass.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you give Romeo and Juliet the happy ending they desire?
Overall rating
2
/
5
30 of 45 found this review helpful
Why Pick on Shakespeare?
PostedFebruary 26, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromTrying to find a place to hide from the drivel.
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
So this story starts as sort of a lead in to Romeo and Juliet in so far as Juliet's mother, Alberta, dies at her birth and the game opens at the engagement party for Romeo and Juliet. The disgruntled suitor who did NOT marry Alberta arrives in time to attack the young couple as they enter the party area.
Romeo comes to Juliet's aid to save her from a fire with a modern fire hose. Juliet's father is still upset that she was endangered and locks her in the house. Luckily he throws a messenger pigeon into her room before locking the door and telling her not to use the pigeon. Like any teenager, Juliet whips up some clay, fills a convenient mold, drills out some holes with her handy drill, and fashions a flute to help send the pigeon on its way to Romeo with a letter.
There is way more silliness, but I still don't understand what Shakespeare could have done to make the Devs this irritated with him. They did not have to use Romeo and Juliet's story - or any weird derivative of it for their game. Several of the other games in the series were made up, why go for great literature this time? Surely they could have done better than this poor little effort?
The artwork varies wildly from smudged, wavy, and murky to crisp and clean. The HOPs are crystal clear, with a Match 3 alternative, but the mini-games/puzzles leave much to be desired in clearness of instructions if not artwork. As for the game play, stupid things are locked up - a rusted set of garden clippers - while the characters carry around things like a pitch fork while riding a horse.
Once again we are presented with a game that needed more work, more thought, and way more time put into it before it was released.
Please try the demo. Take no one's word for anything. If you like it, more power to you - but that funny sound is Shakespeare spinning in his grave.
Romeo comes to Juliet's aid to save her from a fire with a modern fire hose. Juliet's father is still upset that she was endangered and locks her in the house. Luckily he throws a messenger pigeon into her room before locking the door and telling her not to use the pigeon. Like any teenager, Juliet whips up some clay, fills a convenient mold, drills out some holes with her handy drill, and fashions a flute to help send the pigeon on its way to Romeo with a letter.
There is way more silliness, but I still don't understand what Shakespeare could have done to make the Devs this irritated with him. They did not have to use Romeo and Juliet's story - or any weird derivative of it for their game. Several of the other games in the series were made up, why go for great literature this time? Surely they could have done better than this poor little effort?
The artwork varies wildly from smudged, wavy, and murky to crisp and clean. The HOPs are crystal clear, with a Match 3 alternative, but the mini-games/puzzles leave much to be desired in clearness of instructions if not artwork. As for the game play, stupid things are locked up - a rusted set of garden clippers - while the characters carry around things like a pitch fork while riding a horse.
Once again we are presented with a game that needed more work, more thought, and way more time put into it before it was released.
Please try the demo. Take no one's word for anything. If you like it, more power to you - but that funny sound is Shakespeare spinning in his grave.
I don't recommend this game.
Dark Parables: Requiem for the Forgotten Shadow Collector's Edition
A dark illness has befallen the townspeople of Anaben!
Overall rating
1
/
5
108 of 132 found this review helpful
This Requiem is For the Series and This Game!
PostedFebruary 23, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromClose your eyes and remember the good games! Goodbye Blue Tea!
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 are horseback riding down the road, one hand on your notebook, the other on your trusty tape recorder. You look up to see a large carriage running full tilt down the middle of the road at you. After the crash, you pick yourself up in time to be chastised by the arrogant idiot driving the opposing vehicle. Your thought is: He's worried about his wife.
Rubbish.
Aside from the now overly trite opening crash, the duke of Anaben is overbearing and your interactions with him are beyond weird. He demands you interview his delirious wife. You put together an oil diffuser and heat up some essential oil to help her. An incredibly quick interview, and then the duke heads out of town and you set off to investigate the mysterious illness spreading through the locals. In town you will come across more strange characters, a populace standing around in the dark and rain under a full moon, and the town's candle maker, one pound of wax shy of a full taper.
There is nothing lucid in the story or even the puzzles. There is nothing to remind you of the glory days of this once proud series of Games other than the Blue Tea logo at the start.
Even the artwork is a frail and sad remnant of the once proud and clear backgrounds that graced the Dark Parables games.
The few scraps of story you find are a tumbled mess of Fairy tale, sci-fi novelette, and Druid lore, with medieval locales and long dresses thrown in. The short bits of animation seem to have come from different artists using various styles.
Please, try the demo if you must.
I would suggest instead a moment of silence and that you quietly turn your face away, so you do not see the full extent of the fall of this once noble series.
Rubbish.
Aside from the now overly trite opening crash, the duke of Anaben is overbearing and your interactions with him are beyond weird. He demands you interview his delirious wife. You put together an oil diffuser and heat up some essential oil to help her. An incredibly quick interview, and then the duke heads out of town and you set off to investigate the mysterious illness spreading through the locals. In town you will come across more strange characters, a populace standing around in the dark and rain under a full moon, and the town's candle maker, one pound of wax shy of a full taper.
There is nothing lucid in the story or even the puzzles. There is nothing to remind you of the glory days of this once proud series of Games other than the Blue Tea logo at the start.
Even the artwork is a frail and sad remnant of the once proud and clear backgrounds that graced the Dark Parables games.
The few scraps of story you find are a tumbled mess of Fairy tale, sci-fi novelette, and Druid lore, with medieval locales and long dresses thrown in. The short bits of animation seem to have come from different artists using various styles.
Please, try the demo if you must.
I would suggest instead a moment of silence and that you quietly turn your face away, so you do not see the full extent of the fall of this once noble series.
I don't recommend this game.
Open a puzzle box to unlock four extraordinary worlds!
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 39 found this review helpful
Oh, Look, Another Game!
PostedFebruary 18, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromAnother day, another evil fog/mist - Looks like a trend to me.
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
The next entry in the Subliminal Realm series has arrived.
It tells a tale of a diver, Matthew, and his beloved, Samantha, and how they were sucked into Atis. Matthew found an artifact at the bottom of a lake. It is quickly apparent that this is not a good thing, but Matthew doesn't know that yet. When he opens the artifact for the second time, Samantha is nearby and sees him sucked into the artifact. She quickly follows and finds herself in an alternate reality of floating sea creatures and wild landscapes. She meets Harold, the magician, who tries to help her. He explains that Ralden is the evil entity that has spirited Matthew away. Samantha will need to save him.
Good stuff: Lots of collectibles and assorted CE bling, along with mildly interactive HOPs, lots of puzzles, and pretty artwork.
Bad stuff: For reasons known only to the Devs, our character has to choose from three alternate questions in her interactions with the other characters. She does not voice these and you will have to select each question in whatever order to move on. You receive a "magic box" from Harold to help you rescue Matthew that requires you to complete a variety of simple puzzles each time you use it. I don't mind the box so much as the simplicity of those puzzles.
Everything is very pretty, but once again we have an evil entity doing evil things without provocation and explanation. As Matthew does not seem particularly special, I'm inclined to leave him to Ralden!
Please try the demo for yourself BEFORE committing to this one.
It tells a tale of a diver, Matthew, and his beloved, Samantha, and how they were sucked into Atis. Matthew found an artifact at the bottom of a lake. It is quickly apparent that this is not a good thing, but Matthew doesn't know that yet. When he opens the artifact for the second time, Samantha is nearby and sees him sucked into the artifact. She quickly follows and finds herself in an alternate reality of floating sea creatures and wild landscapes. She meets Harold, the magician, who tries to help her. He explains that Ralden is the evil entity that has spirited Matthew away. Samantha will need to save him.
Good stuff: Lots of collectibles and assorted CE bling, along with mildly interactive HOPs, lots of puzzles, and pretty artwork.
Bad stuff: For reasons known only to the Devs, our character has to choose from three alternate questions in her interactions with the other characters. She does not voice these and you will have to select each question in whatever order to move on. You receive a "magic box" from Harold to help you rescue Matthew that requires you to complete a variety of simple puzzles each time you use it. I don't mind the box so much as the simplicity of those puzzles.
Everything is very pretty, but once again we have an evil entity doing evil things without provocation and explanation. As Matthew does not seem particularly special, I'm inclined to leave him to Ralden!
Please try the demo for yourself BEFORE committing to this one.