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:
Discover the secrets of Riverside, the abandoned town without memory. Save your love and avert the catastrophe facing the doomed town!
Overall rating
2
/
5
25 of 34 found this review helpful
All downhill from here, Folks!
PostedJune 16, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
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
Emily Hansen receives a letter from a doctor. It leads her to look more closely at an old photo album, the only thing she has from a life she forgot ten years ago. Now she is finally drawn to investigate her own past and learn what she has forgotten.
I know that at some point, someone worked very hard on this game, putting in hours of toil trying to get it right.
I sincerely wish I could say they got it right.
I can't.
Taken as graphic novel type art, the visuals are OK. The music is unoffensive and the VOs fair. But the story goes to pot quickly after Emily returns to her hometown. The game-play has only two levels, the mini-games are OK, and everything else pretty much involves putting parts into little bubbles to make what you need. Some parts are there in that scene. Others take a good bit of effort and multiple mini-games and locations to find all the pieces.
Eventually it is just too much bother with too little story. If it took Emily ten years to look into her own past, why am I worried about it?
Oops, I'm not. No Sale.
I know that at some point, someone worked very hard on this game, putting in hours of toil trying to get it right.
I sincerely wish I could say they got it right.
I can't.
Taken as graphic novel type art, the visuals are OK. The music is unoffensive and the VOs fair. But the story goes to pot quickly after Emily returns to her hometown. The game-play has only two levels, the mini-games are OK, and everything else pretty much involves putting parts into little bubbles to make what you need. Some parts are there in that scene. Others take a good bit of effort and multiple mini-games and locations to find all the pieces.
Eventually it is just too much bother with too little story. If it took Emily ten years to look into her own past, why am I worried about it?
Oops, I'm not. No Sale.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you help the City of Artists find their lost inspiration?
Overall rating
3
/
5
24 of 29 found this review helpful
Look! Another Game!
PostedJune 13, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
That's it, Folks. This is another game. Period.
This is your chance to join the agency. All you need to do is solve this case. You need to reunite the three facets of Calliope's nature to restore balance to the world of art.
Along the way you will be joined by a helper more annoying than a cute animal and encounter bland game elements and decent artwork, along with a story that lacks facts, cohesion, and interest.
The demo is gone before you know it. And you don't know much about the story or, more importantly, why you might want to play this game.
Good stuff: The artwork, four game-play levels.
Bad stuff: Your helper, a Harlequin doll, that must be dressed in a newly found costume to provide game help, easy HOPs with a Match 3 alternative, simple mini-games, average everything else except the story, which isn't that good.
Try the demo. Maybe you'll see something I didn't.
This is your chance to join the agency. All you need to do is solve this case. You need to reunite the three facets of Calliope's nature to restore balance to the world of art.
Along the way you will be joined by a helper more annoying than a cute animal and encounter bland game elements and decent artwork, along with a story that lacks facts, cohesion, and interest.
The demo is gone before you know it. And you don't know much about the story or, more importantly, why you might want to play this game.
Good stuff: The artwork, four game-play levels.
Bad stuff: Your helper, a Harlequin doll, that must be dressed in a newly found costume to provide game help, easy HOPs with a Match 3 alternative, simple mini-games, average everything else except the story, which isn't that good.
Try the demo. Maybe you'll see something I didn't.
I don't recommend this game.
You stop a crazy fan, but when he dies, who’s responsible?
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 18 found this review helpful
Underwhelmed
PostedJune 12, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Eipix has presented us with another in their ongoing list of pedestrian games.
As in previous Danse Macabre games, an artist on the edge of stardom is in danger of loosing everything. This time the artist is an ice skater and the setting an ice skating rink (and nearby hotel) where the skater is about to open a new show. An avid fan is insisting on talking to the budding star and you arrive in time to see him die under suspicious circumstances. Now the question is: Was the fan the threat or is it someone else? What secrets are being hidden and can you stop the next crime before it is too late?
Good stuff: Multi-level HOPs, easy mini-games, collectibles, morphing objects in the HOPs, good VOs, nice artwork.
Bad Stuff: Same old story, rewrapped; average everything else.
I need a good story and something to make a game more attractive than the several hundred games I already own. I did not find that here.
Please try the demo for yourself.
As in previous Danse Macabre games, an artist on the edge of stardom is in danger of loosing everything. This time the artist is an ice skater and the setting an ice skating rink (and nearby hotel) where the skater is about to open a new show. An avid fan is insisting on talking to the budding star and you arrive in time to see him die under suspicious circumstances. Now the question is: Was the fan the threat or is it someone else? What secrets are being hidden and can you stop the next crime before it is too late?
Good stuff: Multi-level HOPs, easy mini-games, collectibles, morphing objects in the HOPs, good VOs, nice artwork.
Bad Stuff: Same old story, rewrapped; average everything else.
I need a good story and something to make a game more attractive than the several hundred games I already own. I did not find that here.
Please try the demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
A series of shocking – and otherworldly – murders has struck New York City, and you're the only one who can solve them!
Overall rating
5
/
5
81 of 97 found this review helpful
Jumping Up and Down with Joy Here!
PostedJune 6, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Ok, I'll admit it. I am a huge fan of the New York Mystery Series. The Stories are always intriguing and the outcome unforeseen. So I am in love with this game to begin with and you have been warned.
As Laura, the new detective for a secret society, you have been called in to investigate a possibly related series of murders committed through seemingly supernatural forces. Adding to the urgency is the involvement in what may be the unifying occasion by your boss. Could he be the next victim? You find a clue at your first crime scene and set out to find the person mentioned, only to be seconds late at the scene of the next crime.
Good Stuff: The stylized artwork is well done, none of the scenes overly dark unless needed. The HOPs are interactive and the mini-games are good. The background music and sounds are well done - an empty room has only the ticking of a clock; a park, the sounds of birds and insects, with traffic in the distance. There is a strategy guide, several different collectibles including "beyond objects" (morphing items), and the rest of the CE bling. There are only two play levels, but you can customize game elements for both levels to tailor the game as you wish.
Bad stuff: There are only five chapters listed in the strategy guide, and you play two of them in the demo. Also there is a lot of animation to watch, but it is crucial to the plot and fairly well done.
I'm getting this game, as I have not been disappointed by this series yet. Play the demo and see for yourself!
As Laura, the new detective for a secret society, you have been called in to investigate a possibly related series of murders committed through seemingly supernatural forces. Adding to the urgency is the involvement in what may be the unifying occasion by your boss. Could he be the next victim? You find a clue at your first crime scene and set out to find the person mentioned, only to be seconds late at the scene of the next crime.
Good Stuff: The stylized artwork is well done, none of the scenes overly dark unless needed. The HOPs are interactive and the mini-games are good. The background music and sounds are well done - an empty room has only the ticking of a clock; a park, the sounds of birds and insects, with traffic in the distance. There is a strategy guide, several different collectibles including "beyond objects" (morphing items), and the rest of the CE bling. There are only two play levels, but you can customize game elements for both levels to tailor the game as you wish.
Bad stuff: There are only five chapters listed in the strategy guide, and you play two of them in the demo. Also there is a lot of animation to watch, but it is crucial to the plot and fairly well done.
I'm getting this game, as I have not been disappointed by this series yet. Play the demo and see for yourself!
I recommend this game!
All the adults have vanished. Is this a child's dream, or nightmare?
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 18 found this review helpful
Where Have All the Adults Gone?
PostedJune 4, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As Carol, you awake from a nightmare on your sixteenth birthday to find your beloved parents and every other adult in town gone. Mounting evidence suggests a sudden, possibly violent, departure.
Carol sets out to investigate various clues, including an apparent link to a recent disappearance of a teacher at the local orphanage. Is there a connection between the newly vanished adults, the missing teacher, and a very disturbing orphan named Allie? Strangely, Allie was in your nightmare.
You will have four game-play levels, HOPs, mini-games, the collectible flowers found in the Surface games, a mystery to solve, a camera for pictures of clues, and, of course, the usual CE bling.
I have most of the Surface games so this one will be added to my games list. I'm on the fence about whether to get the CE or the SE later. Try this demo and make your own choice.
Carol sets out to investigate various clues, including an apparent link to a recent disappearance of a teacher at the local orphanage. Is there a connection between the newly vanished adults, the missing teacher, and a very disturbing orphan named Allie? Strangely, Allie was in your nightmare.
You will have four game-play levels, HOPs, mini-games, the collectible flowers found in the Surface games, a mystery to solve, a camera for pictures of clues, and, of course, the usual CE bling.
I have most of the Surface games so this one will be added to my games list. I'm on the fence about whether to get the CE or the SE later. Try this demo and make your own choice.
I recommend this game!
Why has the Everlast returned after twenty years at sea?
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 20 found this review helpful
Sail on this Voyage!
PostedJune 3, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Your parents were lost at sea in a ship, the Everlast, which disappeared before your eyes as you and your brother drifted away from the sinking ship in a life boat. Now, twenty years later, you see the boat reappear in port. A strangely violent storm keeps you from going out there at first, but you persevere with the help of your brother, the only other survivor of the earlier disappearance. Somehow the Everlast is all mixed up with mermaids, old legends, your Dad's old compass, and the strange storm.
There are various HOPs, good mini-games, lovely music and artwork, a transporter map, and a reasonably gripping story. You have your Dad's compass to remove "bad" energy from objects you encounter during the adventure.
The mermaid controlling the boat and storm is suitably vindictive and nasty. The other characters are not given enough content to tell you much about them in the demo. There will be various mini-games that give you more story as you go along.
Your character seems remarkably calm for having seen a ship appear after being lost for twenty years, especially considering Mom and Dad might still be on board. (Hey, if the Everlast can reappear, so can they!)
Along with the gripping storyline, the execution has a certain charm to it, and the game-play is good enough to make me want to sail along on this voyage.
Try this game and you will really appreciate today's sale!
There are various HOPs, good mini-games, lovely music and artwork, a transporter map, and a reasonably gripping story. You have your Dad's compass to remove "bad" energy from objects you encounter during the adventure.
The mermaid controlling the boat and storm is suitably vindictive and nasty. The other characters are not given enough content to tell you much about them in the demo. There will be various mini-games that give you more story as you go along.
Your character seems remarkably calm for having seen a ship appear after being lost for twenty years, especially considering Mom and Dad might still be on board. (Hey, if the Everlast can reappear, so can they!)
Along with the gripping storyline, the execution has a certain charm to it, and the game-play is good enough to make me want to sail along on this voyage.
Try this game and you will really appreciate today's sale!
I recommend this game!
Solve logic puzzles and search for important artifacts to challenge the evil force that occupies the mansion grounds.
Overall rating
2
/
5
21 of 28 found this review helpful
Screaming......
PostedJune 3, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Yes, I admit it. That was me screaming in frustration that you heard. The horrible howls of anguish were for the unbelievable torture of the English language as I found it used in this game. I spent years editing for my daughters and others for their compositions and I am particularly pained by bad spelling, incorrect vocabulary, and awful syntax.
I can only explain this bad translation as the work of someone stuck with an English/supposedly Russian translation dictionary instead of a real translator. (If that was the case, Devs, I congratulate you on a valiant effort.)
Luckily the characters don't speak English. You read the bad translation on screen - most of the time, twice, as the words of a speech come up again as a character moves.
There are only two game-play levels. The puzzles and HOP that I saw were pedestrian at best. The story, save my daughter from evil, was one we've seen before.
You have items to put together - equipment - and to mix - like an insect poison. Instructions need their own new translation from "English" to English.
You move back and forth A LOT, getting one thing here, taking it there, to get something for somewhere else, to take to another place to get something to take back. Mostly it feels like slogging through quicksand.
I tanked this game as soon as I could. Do what you will - you've been forewarned.
I can only explain this bad translation as the work of someone stuck with an English/supposedly Russian translation dictionary instead of a real translator. (If that was the case, Devs, I congratulate you on a valiant effort.)
Luckily the characters don't speak English. You read the bad translation on screen - most of the time, twice, as the words of a speech come up again as a character moves.
There are only two game-play levels. The puzzles and HOP that I saw were pedestrian at best. The story, save my daughter from evil, was one we've seen before.
You have items to put together - equipment - and to mix - like an insect poison. Instructions need their own new translation from "English" to English.
You move back and forth A LOT, getting one thing here, taking it there, to get something for somewhere else, to take to another place to get something to take back. Mostly it feels like slogging through quicksand.
I tanked this game as soon as I could. Do what you will - you've been forewarned.
I don't recommend this game.
How much is the famous Liberty Stone worth? A life?
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 35 found this review helpful
You May Check-in to This Resort, But Can You Check Out?
PostedMay 30, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You arrive at Sterling's Paradise Resort to report on a beauty pageant. You are still at the front desk with the resort owner when he is notified that there has been a robbery. He rushes off leaving you to go to your room. You enter your room to find your luggage ransacked, the window still open to the balcony. You give a cursory look around and find an odd box in your suitcase. You carry it out to the hall where it is spotted by the resort's P.R., Amabel. She immediately identifies it as the case to the missing jewel stolen only a short time before.
You are now prime suspect. Undeterred and undaunted, you set out to investigate.
Good Stuff: Multi-layered HOPs with morphing objects in some, good mini-games, good VOs, four levels of game-play including custom, collectibles and CE bling, and what could be a good mystery story.
Bad Stuff: For some reason many scenes have a misty quality to them, the characters are unappealing, and you find recorder tapes to play. The tapes rehash information and add very little to the story.
I liked the potential, but I'm not sure I want to spend CE money for the story with so few facts to go on. There were a LOT of bits and pieces of the story in the demo, but nothing cohesive. Meanwhile the two lead characters are both ready to break the law, so I have little sympathy for them. The only other character you actually know anything about is whisked away before your eyes. Do you want to save her? Is there a story big enough to chase around through this ordinary game to find her and the missing gem?
I leave all that to your better judgement. Play the demo and decide for yourself. I will be playing the game, but I'm still deciding between CE and SE.
You are now prime suspect. Undeterred and undaunted, you set out to investigate.
Good Stuff: Multi-layered HOPs with morphing objects in some, good mini-games, good VOs, four levels of game-play including custom, collectibles and CE bling, and what could be a good mystery story.
Bad Stuff: For some reason many scenes have a misty quality to them, the characters are unappealing, and you find recorder tapes to play. The tapes rehash information and add very little to the story.
I liked the potential, but I'm not sure I want to spend CE money for the story with so few facts to go on. There were a LOT of bits and pieces of the story in the demo, but nothing cohesive. Meanwhile the two lead characters are both ready to break the law, so I have little sympathy for them. The only other character you actually know anything about is whisked away before your eyes. Do you want to save her? Is there a story big enough to chase around through this ordinary game to find her and the missing gem?
I leave all that to your better judgement. Play the demo and decide for yourself. I will be playing the game, but I'm still deciding between CE and SE.
I recommend this game!
A reclusive star's darkest secrets are coming to light.
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 30 found this review helpful
And the Winner is......
PostedMay 28, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
There is mystery surrounding an up and coming movie star, Audrey Quinn, and you have been hired by her arch-rival, Dorothy Malone, to investigate. You overhear something suspicious at an awards event and set off to the elusive actress' home.
Good Stuff: multi-stage HOPs with morphing items, good to average mini-games, excellent VOs, and that great art deco/vintage artwork we've seen before in the Final Cut game series along with the CE bling including collectibles.
Bad Stuff: This game is another in the strange trend toward fuzzy artwork that seems more and more prevalent lately. (Hey, Devs, there is no shame in sharp lines!) The storyline was lacking in charisma. I don't have enough facts to care about what is happening.
All that being said, the good stuff outweighs the bad and I will be buying this game. Understand though that the purchase will be more because I've enjoyed all the other games in this series even when their beginning was not terribly involving. Final Cut games have delivered great stories in the end.
Please try this for yourself, especially if you haven't played this series before.
Good Stuff: multi-stage HOPs with morphing items, good to average mini-games, excellent VOs, and that great art deco/vintage artwork we've seen before in the Final Cut game series along with the CE bling including collectibles.
Bad Stuff: This game is another in the strange trend toward fuzzy artwork that seems more and more prevalent lately. (Hey, Devs, there is no shame in sharp lines!) The storyline was lacking in charisma. I don't have enough facts to care about what is happening.
All that being said, the good stuff outweighs the bad and I will be buying this game. Understand though that the purchase will be more because I've enjoyed all the other games in this series even when their beginning was not terribly involving. Final Cut games have delivered great stories in the end.
Please try this for yourself, especially if you haven't played this series before.
I recommend this game!
Investigate the mysterious death of Count Anthony in 18th century France.
Overall rating
2
/
5
53 of 62 found this review helpful
Story Wanted, Logic Optional
PostedMay 25, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
As the detective, you have been called in by the victim's sister, Countess Melissa. According to her, Count Anthony went on a visit and is overdue by a week.
The newspaper reports he wanted to write a book, possibly about a secret society he joined. But then the news article is badly written, contradictory, and mixes tenses.
The detective first visits the victim's house, starts out for the port, and then, finding a key in the street, inexplicably unlocks and enters a resident's house.
A masked character is seen twice, the second time after kidnapping the sister, who, according to the detective, may need to be rescued before she gets in trouble. (IMHO, kidnapping is trouble enough.)
The artwork is dark. There are casual and hard for the play-modes. The mini-games are repetitive. The simple HOPs contain incredibly tiny items. The plot is MIA and left no forwarding address.
It all comes down to the story here. It becomes a more important element of the game when everything else about the game is average or less than average. Since the story is muddled and confused, the only recommendation I can make is that you try this before having any thought of buying it.
The newspaper reports he wanted to write a book, possibly about a secret society he joined. But then the news article is badly written, contradictory, and mixes tenses.
The detective first visits the victim's house, starts out for the port, and then, finding a key in the street, inexplicably unlocks and enters a resident's house.
A masked character is seen twice, the second time after kidnapping the sister, who, according to the detective, may need to be rescued before she gets in trouble. (IMHO, kidnapping is trouble enough.)
The artwork is dark. There are casual and hard for the play-modes. The mini-games are repetitive. The simple HOPs contain incredibly tiny items. The plot is MIA and left no forwarding address.
It all comes down to the story here. It becomes a more important element of the game when everything else about the game is average or less than average. Since the story is muddled and confused, the only recommendation I can make is that you try this before having any thought of buying it.
I don't recommend this game.