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:
Mystery of Neuschwanstein
Accompany Sarah and Professor Adler through the stunning rooms, halls and cellars of the historical castle of Neuschwanstein!
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 11 found this review helpful
Dark Goings-on at the Castle
PostedApril 20, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
As Sarah, the reporter, you arrive at a German castle in the midst of it's restoration project. You quickly find intrigue and mystery and start to investigate what is really going on here.
The game has HOPs, mini-games, a map, and non-animated VO's that are simply awful. The English is quite amusing.
Did you notice the very dark pictures accompanying the game information on BG's web site? Those were the average for this game. We are talking dark here folks - this is the first game I suspect of being drawn in a cave.
The HOPs had items so obscure that even after clicking in all the dark corners, you need a hint to pinpoint the exact patch of darkness to click on. Most of the mini-games were simplistic. All of the characters have a cutout that moves in and out of the scenes while supremely bored actors read the dialog which is often a very twisted bit of English/slang.
No thanks.
Try the demo for amusement!
The game has HOPs, mini-games, a map, and non-animated VO's that are simply awful. The English is quite amusing.
Did you notice the very dark pictures accompanying the game information on BG's web site? Those were the average for this game. We are talking dark here folks - this is the first game I suspect of being drawn in a cave.
The HOPs had items so obscure that even after clicking in all the dark corners, you need a hint to pinpoint the exact patch of darkness to click on. Most of the mini-games were simplistic. All of the characters have a cutout that moves in and out of the scenes while supremely bored actors read the dialog which is often a very twisted bit of English/slang.
No thanks.
Try the demo for amusement!
I don't recommend this game.
Trapped in the past, Sarah must find a way home.
Overall rating
3
/
5
34 of 51 found this review helpful
Help Sarah Get Home
PostedApril 19, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You are Sarah, a member of the Secret Order of the Griffins, who is trapped in the past at the end of your journey to help an ancient kingdom, which was detailed in the previous game. While trying to get home, your newly repaired time travel ship is highjacked and sent into a distant reality. Now you must try to get back not only to the present, but to your own world. Your journey takes you from ancient Egypt to places beyond imagination.
Three are three levels of game play, Casual, Advanced, and Expert. There are good mini-games, some very good HOPs, lovely artwork, and a cute helper. (I'm normally not a cute helper fan, but this one seems to really be helpful and talented as he has several "gifts" that you will uncover during the game.)
I wish there was more story here, so I’d want to play more of the game. Right now I’m on the fence. I think the Devs assumed that every gamer would have finished the first game and so know more of what is going on. I didn't, so of course, I think every game should be able to stand alone. I'm not sure this one can.
Please try for yourself.
Three are three levels of game play, Casual, Advanced, and Expert. There are good mini-games, some very good HOPs, lovely artwork, and a cute helper. (I'm normally not a cute helper fan, but this one seems to really be helpful and talented as he has several "gifts" that you will uncover during the game.)
I wish there was more story here, so I’d want to play more of the game. Right now I’m on the fence. I think the Devs assumed that every gamer would have finished the first game and so know more of what is going on. I didn't, so of course, I think every game should be able to stand alone. I'm not sure this one can.
Please try for yourself.
The Queen of Creatos is missing, and if you don't get her back soon... the entire world will crumble!
Overall rating
3
/
5
20 of 36 found this review helpful
Cute Helper and Blues, Pinks, and Purples!
PostedApril 19, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
You are a Guardian. With your (cute) owl helper, you are called in to help when the sleeping princess is trapped by evil vines. Please save my child, says the king. As you hurry to comply, it turns out you are locked out of the castle. Naturally the king does nothing to help you get inside, or , for that matter, into his daughter's locked bedroom. Lucky you! And once you help with that problem, the queen is kidnapped by what look to be alien monsters. Adventure awaits.
There are four levels of game play, various HOPs and mini-games, LOTS of blues, pinks, and purples, decent VOs, and fair music along with irritating sounds that include a whining pet "dog" and a weeping child. There are 144 collectible mirror pieces along with the CE bling, which also includes 2 bonus chapters. Aside from your cute helper, you also have a magic ring that leads to hidden runes, that lead to a puzzle, that will lead to another clue.
I did not learn enough of the story to make me go through all the various tasks to go save the queen. Frankly, for all the help the king was, I suspect there is a good reason he's having problems.
I can't recommend a game I won't buy, but be sure to check this one out for yourself.
There are four levels of game play, various HOPs and mini-games, LOTS of blues, pinks, and purples, decent VOs, and fair music along with irritating sounds that include a whining pet "dog" and a weeping child. There are 144 collectible mirror pieces along with the CE bling, which also includes 2 bonus chapters. Aside from your cute helper, you also have a magic ring that leads to hidden runes, that lead to a puzzle, that will lead to another clue.
I did not learn enough of the story to make me go through all the various tasks to go save the queen. Frankly, for all the help the king was, I suspect there is a good reason he's having problems.
I can't recommend a game I won't buy, but be sure to check this one out for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Ominous Objects: Phantom Reflection Collector's Edition
A mysterious mirror is causing havoc in your client’s house!
Overall rating
2
/
5
18 of 25 found this review helpful
Cover Your Mirrors!
PostedApril 16, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Another wicked mirror is on the loose. As the detective, you are called in to investigate, but by whom? The lady that bought the mirror was sucked into it as soon as she took the lock, chains, and covering off of it. (And was not bothered at all in buying a mirror that was heavily covered and under lock and chains!) Her butler, whom you meet after breaking into her home, does not know who called you, and her small child is too terrified to be responsible. Maybe it was the mirror!?
You have arrived in the nick of time to save the butler from being pulled into a mirror. In fact, in the process of trying to get to the missing woman's son, you witness shards and thick smoke coming from every mirror you see in the house and there are a lot of them. Yet you leave the child alone in a room with two mirrors while you look for a bandage for his knee!
That's where the story lost me. The last Ominous Objects game fell down in the logic department. This one is, if possible, worse.
There are four levels of play including custom; a pink, purple, and blue palette of colors; nonthreatening mini-games; HOPs with a match-3 alternative, non-animated characters, and a storyline that we've already explored extensively in other games. There is also a cute animal helper, in this case, a cat named Mr. Jenkins, whom you may remember as the family pet in Ominous Objects: Family Portrait. The detective seems to be the youngest daughter from that game, Leia, now grown up. As a CE the only collectible I found was coins to decorate the cat's room. Did I mention the detective talks to the cat?
Please try the demo on this one. You may like flying mirror shards. I did not.
You have arrived in the nick of time to save the butler from being pulled into a mirror. In fact, in the process of trying to get to the missing woman's son, you witness shards and thick smoke coming from every mirror you see in the house and there are a lot of them. Yet you leave the child alone in a room with two mirrors while you look for a bandage for his knee!
That's where the story lost me. The last Ominous Objects game fell down in the logic department. This one is, if possible, worse.
There are four levels of play including custom; a pink, purple, and blue palette of colors; nonthreatening mini-games; HOPs with a match-3 alternative, non-animated characters, and a storyline that we've already explored extensively in other games. There is also a cute animal helper, in this case, a cat named Mr. Jenkins, whom you may remember as the family pet in Ominous Objects: Family Portrait. The detective seems to be the youngest daughter from that game, Leia, now grown up. As a CE the only collectible I found was coins to decorate the cat's room. Did I mention the detective talks to the cat?
Please try the demo on this one. You may like flying mirror shards. I did not.
I don't recommend this game.
It was supposed to be a routine mission. But when a dragon attacks your plane, crash-landing in a lush valley, you're drawn into the adventure of a lifetime!
Overall rating
4
/
5
26 of 37 found this review helpful
Good night...
PostedApril 11, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I like the "Myths" games, some more than others. I always like a good story.
This story has something to do with dragons, a plane crash, and a little girl. What? I'm not sure as I fell asleep playing the game! So much for the storyline.
You are piloting a plane to drop goods in a remote site in the Himalayan Mountains. After a plane crash, you grab your elephant statue, climb out over the abyss the plane seems ready to drop into, and stand around looking at a hairy rhino.
Somewhere in there is where they lost my interest. Shortly after getting past the rhino, in whose basket I found a small child, I open a secret passage and follow her into it to escape a raging dragon, possibly the one who downed my plane. Many puzzles later, I dropped out of the demo, glad I was not involved in the story.
As in most Eipix "Myth" games, this one has beautiful artwork, decent VOs, more difficult than usual mini-games, HOPs with morphing objects, collectibles, and the usual CE bling.
I just can't get into the story and that's a game killer for me. Cute as the little narrator is, I'm willing to leave her in the secret passage and get out of Dodge alone.
For the second time this week, I have to say I can't buy a game for it's beauty. And I never recommend what I won't buy.
I'll be sure to check the SE when it pops up as the story may seem better the second time around.
This story has something to do with dragons, a plane crash, and a little girl. What? I'm not sure as I fell asleep playing the game! So much for the storyline.
You are piloting a plane to drop goods in a remote site in the Himalayan Mountains. After a plane crash, you grab your elephant statue, climb out over the abyss the plane seems ready to drop into, and stand around looking at a hairy rhino.
Somewhere in there is where they lost my interest. Shortly after getting past the rhino, in whose basket I found a small child, I open a secret passage and follow her into it to escape a raging dragon, possibly the one who downed my plane. Many puzzles later, I dropped out of the demo, glad I was not involved in the story.
As in most Eipix "Myth" games, this one has beautiful artwork, decent VOs, more difficult than usual mini-games, HOPs with morphing objects, collectibles, and the usual CE bling.
I just can't get into the story and that's a game killer for me. Cute as the little narrator is, I'm willing to leave her in the secret passage and get out of Dodge alone.
For the second time this week, I have to say I can't buy a game for it's beauty. And I never recommend what I won't buy.
I'll be sure to check the SE when it pops up as the story may seem better the second time around.
A murder mystery party turns deadly in real life!
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 22 found this review helpful
Welcome Another Solid Game From Eipix!
PostedApril 11, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a solid four star game.
Four game play levels, including custom, multilevel HOPs with a marble popper play alternative, reasonably good mini-games, appropriate music, great art deco visuals and excellent VOs along with a good mystery.
You are the detective called in to investigate the death of the owner of the estate. You arrive to look at the corpse and decide if it was murder. You will question all the suspects and gather evidence. You have an investigator's kit to help you check out the corpse. Everyone and everything seems just a tad "off" as you go about collecting pictures and evidence to put the story together. There is plenty of suspicion and incriminating evidence to go around.
As in the previous Dead Reckoning Game, it’s all about the story. If you are hooked by the demo and need to find out who, what, when, and where, then you will want this game.
To get to the bottom of this mystery, you should check it out.
Four game play levels, including custom, multilevel HOPs with a marble popper play alternative, reasonably good mini-games, appropriate music, great art deco visuals and excellent VOs along with a good mystery.
You are the detective called in to investigate the death of the owner of the estate. You arrive to look at the corpse and decide if it was murder. You will question all the suspects and gather evidence. You have an investigator's kit to help you check out the corpse. Everyone and everything seems just a tad "off" as you go about collecting pictures and evidence to put the story together. There is plenty of suspicion and incriminating evidence to go around.
As in the previous Dead Reckoning Game, it’s all about the story. If you are hooked by the demo and need to find out who, what, when, and where, then you will want this game.
To get to the bottom of this mystery, you should check it out.
I recommend this game!
Your enemy imprisoned your father, but now he’s forcing you to marry him! Can you escape and save your father?
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 11 found this review helpful
I'm So Conflicted...
PostedApril 9, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Daddy, the King, has been captured by his Elven foes in the current war. The elven king wants the princess (you) to marry him or else your father is dead. (Sounds like a marriage made in h***.) By strange happenstance, the elven king has a closer connection to the princess than she realizes at first. She is tricked into becoming his prisoner and from there on, it is all about escaping and saving Daddy.
There is everything here that you expect in an up-to-snuff game. There are multiple play challenge options, including custom, along with interactive HOPs, fair mini-games, great artwork, decent VO's, and CE bling.
But the story leaves a lot to be desired. No matter how lovely the artwork, I have never purchased a game solely for it's beauty. I do play for the story and this one is not interesting enough to make me want to buy the CE game immediately.
As I'll wait for the SE, I can not recommend what I am not buying.
Please try the game for yourself.
There is everything here that you expect in an up-to-snuff game. There are multiple play challenge options, including custom, along with interactive HOPs, fair mini-games, great artwork, decent VO's, and CE bling.
But the story leaves a lot to be desired. No matter how lovely the artwork, I have never purchased a game solely for it's beauty. I do play for the story and this one is not interesting enough to make me want to buy the CE game immediately.
As I'll wait for the SE, I can not recommend what I am not buying.
Please try the game for yourself.
You're cordially invited to attend the world's greatest magic show! Thurman the Magnificent will give a performance no one will forget!
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 26 found this review helpful
Good Solid Four Star Game
PostedApril 5, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a good solid four star game. The story is different enough to make it a stand out, with no cutesy helpers and good solid game-play..
You are a detective called in when one of two rivals is about to perform his newest magic trick and is worried about possible sabotage. You arrive at the theater in time to see that his worries were justified. You start your investigation into the tragic ending to his magic trick.
There is an unfortunate lack of logic in the story - The police take your carriage to get some of the other theater patrons home leaving you are "stuck” at the theater. Only then you hike across town to see the rival magician. So - not stuck?
(Which is pretty much why this is not a five star game!)
But the mechanics are good and so is the story. The HOPs are varied, mini-games good, music and animation is reasonable, and the story is not the usual fairy story.
Enjoy this SE as a special Easter surprise!
You are a detective called in when one of two rivals is about to perform his newest magic trick and is worried about possible sabotage. You arrive at the theater in time to see that his worries were justified. You start your investigation into the tragic ending to his magic trick.
There is an unfortunate lack of logic in the story - The police take your carriage to get some of the other theater patrons home leaving you are "stuck” at the theater. Only then you hike across town to see the rival magician. So - not stuck?
(Which is pretty much why this is not a five star game!)
But the mechanics are good and so is the story. The HOPs are varied, mini-games good, music and animation is reasonable, and the story is not the usual fairy story.
Enjoy this SE as a special Easter surprise!
I recommend this game!
Is your husband-to-be guilty of betrayal – or even worse?
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 20 found this review helpful
Murder in New Orleans - Again!
PostedApril 4, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm all about the story, as you may have heard from me before this.
The murder mystery is in full swing here, just not as compelling as the first Cadenza game out last Easter.
You and your fiance, Anthony, are getting ready for the wedding, when he gets a gig to play at a local jazz club. There have already been reports of a murderer on the loose, but as you leave to join Anthony at his gig, a man falls dead next to your car! You finally finish with the police, only to find your meeting up with Anthony to be blocked at every turn. I won't say more as I don't want to ruin your demo.
The artwork is oddly uneven - sometimes strikingly beautiful, as in a sunset over the wedding venue, and other times strangely crude, as in a bad guy's animation.
The characters' development is also uneven, leaving us knowing too little to understand or care to help them out of this mess.
Game-play is fairly linear, with lots of dialogue, which I don't mind to get the story going, but found too much talking slowing the game down in some instances. There are FIVE levels of difficulty, including a customize-able setting. HOPs varied, mostly easy, mini-games were good, locations lushly drawn for the most part. VOs sounded like they popped for some professional actors and made up for the cost with a cousin or two!
This is a CE so there is bling and collectibles as well as morphing objects. Neither the collectibles nor the morphing objects are easy to find.
I really liked the first Cadenza, but I'm on the fence about this one, mostly because the story is not as compelling.
Please try it for yourself. It may be your present from the Easter Bunny!
The murder mystery is in full swing here, just not as compelling as the first Cadenza game out last Easter.
You and your fiance, Anthony, are getting ready for the wedding, when he gets a gig to play at a local jazz club. There have already been reports of a murderer on the loose, but as you leave to join Anthony at his gig, a man falls dead next to your car! You finally finish with the police, only to find your meeting up with Anthony to be blocked at every turn. I won't say more as I don't want to ruin your demo.
The artwork is oddly uneven - sometimes strikingly beautiful, as in a sunset over the wedding venue, and other times strangely crude, as in a bad guy's animation.
The characters' development is also uneven, leaving us knowing too little to understand or care to help them out of this mess.
Game-play is fairly linear, with lots of dialogue, which I don't mind to get the story going, but found too much talking slowing the game down in some instances. There are FIVE levels of difficulty, including a customize-able setting. HOPs varied, mostly easy, mini-games were good, locations lushly drawn for the most part. VOs sounded like they popped for some professional actors and made up for the cost with a cousin or two!
This is a CE so there is bling and collectibles as well as morphing objects. Neither the collectibles nor the morphing objects are easy to find.
I really liked the first Cadenza, but I'm on the fence about this one, mostly because the story is not as compelling.
Please try it for yourself. It may be your present from the Easter Bunny!
In this ghostly continuation of the Fear for Sale series, you've discovered a luxury ocean liner bears an eerie resemblance to a ship that vanished years ago.
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 16 found this review helpful
Qualiy Will Tell Every Time!
PostedApril 2, 2015
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Fear For Sale Series returns with a game as good as, or better than, the original entry. Can we get an Halleluiah?
After so many average or below entries for returning series this year, this one is a refreshing change.
Warning - I loved this game so beware of enthusiasm ahead.
As reporter Emma, you are investigating a disappearing ocean liner. It picks up a passenger or two and vanishes from each port. You think you know where it will appear again and go to meet it. You manage to get on board and the adventure begins. You overhear a conversation and moments later a shot rings out. You rush to investigate and soon the evidence of a murder is mounting and the ship is in danger.
There are HOPs with a puzzle alternative, mini-games, lots of collectibles, morphing objects, and the usual CE bling. The artwork is well done, especially when the ship "decays." The VOs are also good, music changes from scene to scene, and the background sounds are appropriate. Best of all, there is just enough story to hook you and keep you interested, but not so much that you think you know where we are going.
Can we get another Halleluiah?
I would have given five stars if the mini-games were a bit more challenging. It is still head and shoulders above some recent disappointments.
If you've enjoyed the Fear For Sale games in the past, please enjoy this new one. If you've missed out before, please try the Demo. Halleluiah!
After so many average or below entries for returning series this year, this one is a refreshing change.
Warning - I loved this game so beware of enthusiasm ahead.
As reporter Emma, you are investigating a disappearing ocean liner. It picks up a passenger or two and vanishes from each port. You think you know where it will appear again and go to meet it. You manage to get on board and the adventure begins. You overhear a conversation and moments later a shot rings out. You rush to investigate and soon the evidence of a murder is mounting and the ship is in danger.
There are HOPs with a puzzle alternative, mini-games, lots of collectibles, morphing objects, and the usual CE bling. The artwork is well done, especially when the ship "decays." The VOs are also good, music changes from scene to scene, and the background sounds are appropriate. Best of all, there is just enough story to hook you and keep you interested, but not so much that you think you know where we are going.
Can we get another Halleluiah?
I would have given five stars if the mini-games were a bit more challenging. It is still head and shoulders above some recent disappointments.
If you've enjoyed the Fear For Sale games in the past, please enjoy this new one. If you've missed out before, please try the Demo. Halleluiah!
I recommend this game!