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:
After falling asleep in the cinema, you wake up in the movie. Solve the mystery of the missing film crew and finish the movie.
Overall rating
2
/
5
4 of 8 found this review helpful
I'm not Surprised
PostedOctober 21, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromI would have just gotten popcorn to take home.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
You go to your favorite movie, fall asleep, and wake up "IN" the movie. Your "co-star" tells you to start fixing things and you do.
No questions, no confusion, you just get to work.
I should have quit then, but I wasn't that smart.
Good stuff: Artwork is ok. There are the usual game elements that you expect.
Bad stuff: Just about everything else. I wish they had spent more time developing the characters and the story as there seemed to be real potential here.
The game play was slow, underdeveloped, and disappointing.
Try for yourself BEFORE you buy.
No questions, no confusion, you just get to work.
I should have quit then, but I wasn't that smart.
Good stuff: Artwork is ok. There are the usual game elements that you expect.
Bad stuff: Just about everything else. I wish they had spent more time developing the characters and the story as there seemed to be real potential here.
The game play was slow, underdeveloped, and disappointing.
Try for yourself BEFORE you buy.
I don't recommend this game.
The case of an unusual death in a zoo leads detective Ashley Clark into the mysterious world.
Overall rating
3
/
5
51 of 56 found this review helpful
Quick, Jim's Kidnapped by a Giant Spider - Let's Play Cards!
PostedOctober 20, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromGoing back to play cards!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Ashley has been called in to investigate the death of a security guard in the local zoo. Don't worry about the police; they have apparently not been called. And don't worry about the body left lying where the guard fell; there's no blood and you hardly notice it as you pass it repeatedly.
You start by talking to the director, Jim. Moments later he is taken in to the gorilla cage by what you describe as a giant spider. You run back toward the main gate. You stop to speak to the only other guard. He needs to play cards. Tough luck, Jim.
After another dozen or so trips between gate and the food storage room, you make it into the gorilla cage, where there is no sign of Jim or the spider. Just keep looking.
Good stuff: The story is somewhat different, interactive map, artwork, HOPs that are interactive the first time and silhouette the second time you visit, mini-games with occasionally adequate instructions, and batteries you collect in each scene to get more hints.
Bad stuff:The VOs are without emotion, the characters flat, the game moves slowly and everything is a lot of work.
I just wasn't having fun. I wish the game was better as the story had potential. Sigh!
Please try for yourself as you may find more here than I did.
You start by talking to the director, Jim. Moments later he is taken in to the gorilla cage by what you describe as a giant spider. You run back toward the main gate. You stop to speak to the only other guard. He needs to play cards. Tough luck, Jim.
After another dozen or so trips between gate and the food storage room, you make it into the gorilla cage, where there is no sign of Jim or the spider. Just keep looking.
Good stuff: The story is somewhat different, interactive map, artwork, HOPs that are interactive the first time and silhouette the second time you visit, mini-games with occasionally adequate instructions, and batteries you collect in each scene to get more hints.
Bad stuff:The VOs are without emotion, the characters flat, the game moves slowly and everything is a lot of work.
I just wasn't having fun. I wish the game was better as the story had potential. Sigh!
Please try for yourself as you may find more here than I did.
I don't recommend this game.
A criminal organization searching for an ancient treasure shot your partner!
Overall rating
2
/
5
26 of 29 found this review helpful
Good Story Trashed By Logic Troubles
PostedOctober 19, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromWhere ever I am, you can't call me; I haven't hidden the phone yet!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Standing in the rain, in the street, hatless, you watch as brother? boyfriend? partner? Jason is gunned down in front of you. (Not my cup of tea as an intro, but at least the bad guy's car didn't crash first.) Jason asks you to complete his investigation as he's loaded into an ambulance. The infamous Shadows are apparently the attackers as you learn from the file Jason handed you. Luckily, as a super-secret organization, they all have rather large tattoos on their necks and cannot shoot well even when only feet from their targets. You set out to keep Jason’s appointment for that very evening at a local hotel. Before even entering your room, you witness a man's abduction. The hotel manager snarls at your report and orders you to go back to your room. And off we go on this little adventure.
Good Stuff: Mildly interactive HOPs with a Mahjong alternative, LOTS of mini-games and puzzles, and a fairly decent story idea. The VOs and artwork were nice.
Bad Stuff: The music is repetitive, some puzzles/mini-games had inadequate instructions, and any game logic left the building before the game started. (Example: The man you saw abducted, Alfred, calls the communicator you took out of a locked box, in a hiding place in the floor of his hotel room, to report his kidnapping. It makes you wonder who he thought would answer? And how many hotel rooms have secret stashes in the floor under the bed?) I was hoping that the game would be less irritating in SE. I was wrong.
I can only recommend that you try this for yourself before purchasing. At least you’ll know what you’re getting into.
Good Stuff: Mildly interactive HOPs with a Mahjong alternative, LOTS of mini-games and puzzles, and a fairly decent story idea. The VOs and artwork were nice.
Bad Stuff: The music is repetitive, some puzzles/mini-games had inadequate instructions, and any game logic left the building before the game started. (Example: The man you saw abducted, Alfred, calls the communicator you took out of a locked box, in a hiding place in the floor of his hotel room, to report his kidnapping. It makes you wonder who he thought would answer? And how many hotel rooms have secret stashes in the floor under the bed?) I was hoping that the game would be less irritating in SE. I was wrong.
I can only recommend that you try this for yourself before purchasing. At least you’ll know what you’re getting into.
I don't recommend this game.
Your wedding day goes dark... and your fiancée has no idea who's behind it all.
Overall rating
2
/
5
43 of 60 found this review helpful
I'm Not Young Enough For This Game
PostedOctober 18, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromHiding From Wicked Magician's and Their Equally Wicked Daughters!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
A grown-up fairy tale is often delightful, a bright story in a world painted by a writer's skill.
In this case you play as both Odette and her betrothed, Prince Siegfried. Odette met the prince in the garden of his castle where she worked among the roses. The first time we see her, Odette is a curvaceous beauty in her twenties. Seconds later she is drawn as a prepubescent youngster of around fourteen. Right there I was thrown and never quite got back on my horse. And just as I was recovering my equilibrium, the prince ignores a special message he receives from Odette warning him about the palace magician, Rothbart, and soon is caught in a trap of Rothbart's making. I would have given up, but the Demo was over and my sanity was saved.
Good stuff: Varied, but uninteresting, HOPs with a Match-3 alternative; average mini-games, with sometimes adequate instructions; bright artwork with good VOs and well drawn characters; easily found collectibles, and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: Another mad magician bound to take over the kingdom, this time drawn as mean as you could wish; a pedestrian story that is almost bland and seems geared towards a younger female audience, as evinced by the sudden damping down of the heroine's figure and the easy puzzles and game play.
I will not recommend what I will not be purchasing, but I urge you to try this one for yourself.
In this case you play as both Odette and her betrothed, Prince Siegfried. Odette met the prince in the garden of his castle where she worked among the roses. The first time we see her, Odette is a curvaceous beauty in her twenties. Seconds later she is drawn as a prepubescent youngster of around fourteen. Right there I was thrown and never quite got back on my horse. And just as I was recovering my equilibrium, the prince ignores a special message he receives from Odette warning him about the palace magician, Rothbart, and soon is caught in a trap of Rothbart's making. I would have given up, but the Demo was over and my sanity was saved.
Good stuff: Varied, but uninteresting, HOPs with a Match-3 alternative; average mini-games, with sometimes adequate instructions; bright artwork with good VOs and well drawn characters; easily found collectibles, and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: Another mad magician bound to take over the kingdom, this time drawn as mean as you could wish; a pedestrian story that is almost bland and seems geared towards a younger female audience, as evinced by the sudden damping down of the heroine's figure and the easy puzzles and game play.
I will not recommend what I will not be purchasing, but I urge you to try this one for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
A dark prophecy threatens to destroy the city of Munich!
Overall rating
4
/
5
31 of 40 found this review helpful
I'm Morphing Even As We Speak
PostedOctober 16, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromMurder - Yes. Crashes - No. Hurrah!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
And I've changed before your eyes - but into what?
As the detective you are called in to help solve a crime in Munich, except it turns out to be several crimes and a lot of hocus-pocus.There will be living statues, dark waters, a perpetual eclipse of the moon, and bodies as you struggle to identify "the Wanderer" and figure out what is going on. Are you the good guy? Or one of the bad guys? And which are which?
If this all sounds confusing, it is - in some ways. You are actually given a fair amount of story content in the Demo. It just happens that the story is more involved than you know at the outset. So hang in there and follow the clues.
Good stuff: No vehicle crash on your way to town, some variation in the HOPs, average minigames, several well drawn characters, some great ambient sounds, good artwork, collectible cards, and both chimeras and morphing objects to find in the scenes. There is, of course, an assortment of CE bling, including a bonus chapter.
(Could someone explain the difference between chimeras and morphs, please?)
Bad stuff: Some over wrought music in several "dramatic" places, mostly easy game-play, also mostly linear.
Is this the Game of the Year?
Heck, no.
Will you enjoy the short time till you finish playing?
Probably.
Please try the Demo and decide for yourself. I rather enjoyed the potential in the story line, even if I didn't have to work really hard. Although it was not a new idea, I'm going to relax and save the world one more time - I hope.
As the detective you are called in to help solve a crime in Munich, except it turns out to be several crimes and a lot of hocus-pocus.There will be living statues, dark waters, a perpetual eclipse of the moon, and bodies as you struggle to identify "the Wanderer" and figure out what is going on. Are you the good guy? Or one of the bad guys? And which are which?
If this all sounds confusing, it is - in some ways. You are actually given a fair amount of story content in the Demo. It just happens that the story is more involved than you know at the outset. So hang in there and follow the clues.
Good stuff: No vehicle crash on your way to town, some variation in the HOPs, average minigames, several well drawn characters, some great ambient sounds, good artwork, collectible cards, and both chimeras and morphing objects to find in the scenes. There is, of course, an assortment of CE bling, including a bonus chapter.
(Could someone explain the difference between chimeras and morphs, please?)
Bad stuff: Some over wrought music in several "dramatic" places, mostly easy game-play, also mostly linear.
Is this the Game of the Year?
Heck, no.
Will you enjoy the short time till you finish playing?
Probably.
Please try the Demo and decide for yourself. I rather enjoyed the potential in the story line, even if I didn't have to work really hard. Although it was not a new idea, I'm going to relax and save the world one more time - I hope.
I recommend this game!
Off the Record: The Final Interview Collector's Edition
A man is dying, and you’re the prime suspect!
Overall rating
3
/
5
24 of 35 found this review helpful
Crashing into Trite Game Elements
PostedOctober 11, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLooking to start a petition - Guess why!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
You apparently interviewed a famous racing horse breeder, Calvin Reedley, right before the "required" vehicle crash that leaves you with amnesia.
(I guess someone should get a brownie point for the unusual amnesia angle, but they loose a thousand points for the "usual" car crash.)
The local police feel that you must have something to do with your interview subject being rushed to the hospital. In fact they accuse you of attempted murder - apparently the idea seems to be that your interview will receive more acclaim if the subject is dead.
Ignore the fact that Mr Reedley was in poor health, frail, and elderly, You are solely responsible for his trip to the hospital. Better yet, he was soon taken home by his recently returned daughter and you are hauled out of their house on a return visit by a local bobbie with ties to the family.
Good stuff: Lots of collectibles and morphing objects in the HOPs, multi-level HOPs, mini-games, lovely artwork.
Bad stuff: The story starts with another car crash (Seriously, please stop, Devs!) The story is overly contrived and not overly involving. The flashbacks with the wavering lines and blue aura were stilted. All the characters are one dimensional.
I'm not sure why this should be the last installment in the "Off The Record" series, but this is not the way to go out.
Please try the demo for yourself.
(I guess someone should get a brownie point for the unusual amnesia angle, but they loose a thousand points for the "usual" car crash.)
The local police feel that you must have something to do with your interview subject being rushed to the hospital. In fact they accuse you of attempted murder - apparently the idea seems to be that your interview will receive more acclaim if the subject is dead.
Ignore the fact that Mr Reedley was in poor health, frail, and elderly, You are solely responsible for his trip to the hospital. Better yet, he was soon taken home by his recently returned daughter and you are hauled out of their house on a return visit by a local bobbie with ties to the family.
Good stuff: Lots of collectibles and morphing objects in the HOPs, multi-level HOPs, mini-games, lovely artwork.
Bad stuff: The story starts with another car crash (Seriously, please stop, Devs!) The story is overly contrived and not overly involving. The flashbacks with the wavering lines and blue aura were stilted. All the characters are one dimensional.
I'm not sure why this should be the last installment in the "Off The Record" series, but this is not the way to go out.
Please try the demo for yourself.
Solve the mysteries of Stoneville and escape with your life!
Overall rating
2
/
5
25 of 34 found this review helpful
Let's Leave Louise in the Hole She Dug Herself!
PostedOctober 9, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLeft Light-headed by Another Crash
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
You set out on your new assignment and there is a vehicle crash - this time a hot air balloon. (There has GOT to be another way to start an adventure. Five stars to the Dev that figures it out.)
You have been sent to recover an artifact that Louise, the daughter of the leader of the League of Light, stole from the vault at headquarters. She ran to Stoneville, a small secretive village in the mountains. You quickly run into strange rock formations, threatening strangers, and stranger circumstances.
Good stuff: The artwork is very stony. There are the usual average game elements. The story is a bit different. It has us chasing another agent, who is presumably trying to find her husband, and, in the process, putting us in mortal peril.
Bad stuff: Game-play is average and predictable. HOPs and mini-games are ditto. There is endless rain, the sound of which is more varied than the music.
I urge you to try this before you purchase it. I will be leaving Louise to her destiny, alone.
You have been sent to recover an artifact that Louise, the daughter of the leader of the League of Light, stole from the vault at headquarters. She ran to Stoneville, a small secretive village in the mountains. You quickly run into strange rock formations, threatening strangers, and stranger circumstances.
Good stuff: The artwork is very stony. There are the usual average game elements. The story is a bit different. It has us chasing another agent, who is presumably trying to find her husband, and, in the process, putting us in mortal peril.
Bad stuff: Game-play is average and predictable. HOPs and mini-games are ditto. There is endless rain, the sound of which is more varied than the music.
I urge you to try this before you purchase it. I will be leaving Louise to her destiny, alone.
I don't recommend this game.
Grim Tales: Threads of Destiny Collector's Edition
Can you free Jackie’s parents from their deadly fates?
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
Fate May Win This TIme
PostedOctober 8, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromFeeling of Fear For Fate-full Flaws
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Once again Auntie tries to help save her relatives, this time from a serial killer. Traveling back in time, she does everything to accomplish that goal, all the while being hampered by frequent threats from Fate to stop what she is doing.
(At one point she wonders why Fate has not stepped in before as she traveled into the past to change the family's stories.
Perhaps Fate objects that this time Auntie is changing 20 years of history.)
Good stuff: Artwork and voice work is well done. There are morphing collectibles and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: The story is all over the place - literally. Auntie runs from Point A to B, back to A, to C, then D, then back to B, A, D, C, etc. The puzzle pieces are in totally off-the-wall places and belong in even stranger places. I found little to challenge me other than the lack of logic and cohesion. The HOPs were childish, puzzles simple.
At the end of the trial I wanted to yield the field to Fate.
Please, even if you love this series as I do, try the Demo before you decide to buy. I'll wait for the SE and try again.
(At one point she wonders why Fate has not stepped in before as she traveled into the past to change the family's stories.
Perhaps Fate objects that this time Auntie is changing 20 years of history.)
Good stuff: Artwork and voice work is well done. There are morphing collectibles and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: The story is all over the place - literally. Auntie runs from Point A to B, back to A, to C, then D, then back to B, A, D, C, etc. The puzzle pieces are in totally off-the-wall places and belong in even stranger places. I found little to challenge me other than the lack of logic and cohesion. The HOPs were childish, puzzles simple.
At the end of the trial I wanted to yield the field to Fate.
Please, even if you love this series as I do, try the Demo before you decide to buy. I'll wait for the SE and try again.
I don't recommend this game.
Do you have the courage to stop the inquisitor?
Overall rating
1
/
5
19 of 28 found this review helpful
Gamers Cry Too!
PostedOctober 4, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromSharing my tissues with the Angels
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
You have been sent by a Vatican bishop to investigate stories of a rogue inquisitor . It seems that, unlike all the other Inquisitors that tortured and killed hundreds of people for religious reasons, this one only terrorizes one village.
You ride your horse to the village. You are disguised as a Knight Templar at the suggestion of the bishop. This made your travel easier but makes no impression on the village guard, who will not let you enter, even after seeing your letter from the Vatican.
Good stuff: Four levels of game play, including a minimal custom level; mini-games; and fair artwork.
The HOPs are multi-layered, with lists, interactions, and riddles. Many objects you need to use as you progress are FRAGs (fragmented into pieces you collect from around the village before you can use the object).
Bad stuff: This is someone's very slipshod and lazy idea of the thirteenth century. The HOPs include everything from modern tools to bow ties, from fire-starters to Christmas tree cookie cutters. There are shiny metal locks and lights all over the village. Costumes are simply fanciful. The characters are all over the place from farcical to sincere. The story-line is muddled and confused. The music, ranging from strings to a weird wailing vocal background, blessedly fades out in some scenes.
I am immensely irritated by this game. In any era there are thousands of items to populate any number of HOPs. A simple search for thirteenth century illustrations would have provided plenty of information for the Devs to fulfill the potential of this story. But here the gritty reality of the Inquisition and the thirteenth century is lost in somebody’s hazy ideas of the time and circumstances.
I gave up after numerous ridiculous points and deleted what could have been a great game.
Please try it for yourself. Maybe you can see passed the flaws better than me.
You ride your horse to the village. You are disguised as a Knight Templar at the suggestion of the bishop. This made your travel easier but makes no impression on the village guard, who will not let you enter, even after seeing your letter from the Vatican.
Good stuff: Four levels of game play, including a minimal custom level; mini-games; and fair artwork.
The HOPs are multi-layered, with lists, interactions, and riddles. Many objects you need to use as you progress are FRAGs (fragmented into pieces you collect from around the village before you can use the object).
Bad stuff: This is someone's very slipshod and lazy idea of the thirteenth century. The HOPs include everything from modern tools to bow ties, from fire-starters to Christmas tree cookie cutters. There are shiny metal locks and lights all over the village. Costumes are simply fanciful. The characters are all over the place from farcical to sincere. The story-line is muddled and confused. The music, ranging from strings to a weird wailing vocal background, blessedly fades out in some scenes.
I am immensely irritated by this game. In any era there are thousands of items to populate any number of HOPs. A simple search for thirteenth century illustrations would have provided plenty of information for the Devs to fulfill the potential of this story. But here the gritty reality of the Inquisition and the thirteenth century is lost in somebody’s hazy ideas of the time and circumstances.
I gave up after numerous ridiculous points and deleted what could have been a great game.
Please try it for yourself. Maybe you can see passed the flaws better than me.
I don't recommend this game.
The arts-loving town of Everton has been overrun by sentient shadows. Race to escape before you're trapped in the darkness forever!
Overall rating
2
/
5
24 of 35 found this review helpful
Evacuate Immediately
PostedOctober 4, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromSeeking Shelter So Shadows Should Scatter!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Ashley, presumably an old friend, has asked you to come help her. While working at the local radio station, she began to feel she was being stalked. Dark menacing shadows are appearing all over town. The local ballet has cancelled all shows due to an accident to their prima ballerina.
This time we start the adventure with a bus crash, soon to be followed with an ambulance crash. How innovative - two crashes instead of one.
Good Stuff: The VO's are well done. The music is not relative to the story, but is inoffensive. There are HOPs, mini-games, and puzzles, plus some CE bling.
Bad Stuff: The HOPs are mostly the interactive kind with less than usual rhyme or reason to the actions, the minigames do not necessarily do what the Devs expected, and the story is so lacking in any kind of substance that you wonder why the investigator didn't just keep on going back the way she came.
Why are there shadows? Why after Ashley? What's the ballerina got to do with the shadows or with Ashley? Why should we care?
After completing the Demo in record time, I wondered why I would even consider a purchase of this game. I can't even tell you if the game blurbs are correct from the tiny bit of info in the demo.
As before, I cannot recommend what I will not purchase. Try this for yourself before doing anything rash.
This time we start the adventure with a bus crash, soon to be followed with an ambulance crash. How innovative - two crashes instead of one.
Good Stuff: The VO's are well done. The music is not relative to the story, but is inoffensive. There are HOPs, mini-games, and puzzles, plus some CE bling.
Bad Stuff: The HOPs are mostly the interactive kind with less than usual rhyme or reason to the actions, the minigames do not necessarily do what the Devs expected, and the story is so lacking in any kind of substance that you wonder why the investigator didn't just keep on going back the way she came.
Why are there shadows? Why after Ashley? What's the ballerina got to do with the shadows or with Ashley? Why should we care?
After completing the Demo in record time, I wondered why I would even consider a purchase of this game. I can't even tell you if the game blurbs are correct from the tiny bit of info in the demo.
As before, I cannot recommend what I will not purchase. Try this for yourself before doing anything rash.
I don't recommend this game.