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:
Challenge the darkness with your swift orb-matching skills, mighty magical enchantments and earthshaking power-ups!
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 18 found this review helpful
Yay Sparkle!
PostedJune 19, 2013
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm resisting the urge to say that Sparkle 2 sparkles almost as much as the original Sparkle. Colors and artwork are like the original and the new story line is good.
There are new hidden secrets inside the game, a feature that kept many gamers busy for hours with the original Sparkle. The many new charms help with game play and the are new power-ups as well.
Time will tell if I spend as many hours with this new Sparkle as I still do with the original Sparkle. But as an original Sparkle super fan, this is a definite buy for me. I love these games as a wind down from adventure/HOGs. Enjoy!
There are new hidden secrets inside the game, a feature that kept many gamers busy for hours with the original Sparkle. The many new charms help with game play and the are new power-ups as well.
Time will tell if I spend as many hours with this new Sparkle as I still do with the original Sparkle. But as an original Sparkle super fan, this is a definite buy for me. I love these games as a wind down from adventure/HOGs. Enjoy!
Help Sophia uncover the secret behind the Curse of Laroche Palace and rescue the Royal Family from their magical slumber.
Overall rating
4
/
5
110 of 114 found this review helpful
Another argument for try before you buy!
PostedMay 8, 2013
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Ok, Group, I loaded the trial before I read any reviews. Then I played the trial and bought the game, contrary to my usual procedure. And I'm glad I did!
Basically you awaken in a strange palace with no memory. You set out to figure out what is going on. Along the way you find out there is a mystery, sabotage, and possibly murder in the palace.
The art work is beautifully done. HOS are bright , clear, and still challenging. Puzzles are reasonable, not mind bending and, for a change from several recent games, the instructions were clear.
Yes, there are no gruesome characters and there is a lot of light and color, not necessarily bad in a game, contrary to another reviewer's opinion.
The length is good, the mystery has plenty of clues, some misleading. I liked the storyline and found it did grab me, unlike another reviewer.
Like many games the hint does not lead you by the hand. It will help a little if there is truly something to do in a scene, otherwise it suggests you go elsewhere. This is more challenging, or so I find, unlike another reviewer.
The map is interactive and will take you to another location, contrary to what another reviewer said.
So once again a great argument for try before you buy. If I'd read all those reviews, I might have missed this gem of a game.
Basically you awaken in a strange palace with no memory. You set out to figure out what is going on. Along the way you find out there is a mystery, sabotage, and possibly murder in the palace.
The art work is beautifully done. HOS are bright , clear, and still challenging. Puzzles are reasonable, not mind bending and, for a change from several recent games, the instructions were clear.
Yes, there are no gruesome characters and there is a lot of light and color, not necessarily bad in a game, contrary to another reviewer's opinion.
The length is good, the mystery has plenty of clues, some misleading. I liked the storyline and found it did grab me, unlike another reviewer.
Like many games the hint does not lead you by the hand. It will help a little if there is truly something to do in a scene, otherwise it suggests you go elsewhere. This is more challenging, or so I find, unlike another reviewer.
The map is interactive and will take you to another location, contrary to what another reviewer said.
So once again a great argument for try before you buy. If I'd read all those reviews, I might have missed this gem of a game.
I recommend this game!
Castle: Never Judge a Book by Its Cover
Solving murder has never been so much fun!
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
Finally No Zombies, Vampires, or Kids in Need of Rescue!
PostedMay 4, 2013
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The writers of the TV series,"Castle," helped on the plot for this game, enough that ABC Studios is listed along with GameMilll Entertainment and Gunnar Games. You have a choice of Rookie or Veteran cop modes to play in.
The game opens with a cartoonish series of cut scenes that rapidly pull you into the story. There are no bad VOs to ruin the drama either.
Good News: I really enjoyed the game as a good story done with excellent attention to detail. The plot was interesting enough to keep me guessing, minigames were varied and some were different, the HOS were interactive and fairly clear. There was a Murder board to keep your clues on and an interactive map. You could click through the dialogue but I would recommend against that as that is where you find story and plot points.
Bad News: The map was absolutely necessary to the game as you spend a lot of time jumping from place to place. There was a LOT of dialogue, which I mostly enjoyed, but then I really pay attention to the plots and love a good story like this one.
Overall this was not the hardest game I’ve come across by a long shot, but it was a intriguing story helped along by the HOS and mini games – the developers even came up with a mini game for the interrogations.
I think the length is much better than a lot of the recent games also. There was great attention to detail even in small things. I've played TV inspired games before and feel this one gets across the "flavor" of "Castle." I bought it as soon as the hour was up!
The game opens with a cartoonish series of cut scenes that rapidly pull you into the story. There are no bad VOs to ruin the drama either.
Good News: I really enjoyed the game as a good story done with excellent attention to detail. The plot was interesting enough to keep me guessing, minigames were varied and some were different, the HOS were interactive and fairly clear. There was a Murder board to keep your clues on and an interactive map. You could click through the dialogue but I would recommend against that as that is where you find story and plot points.
Bad News: The map was absolutely necessary to the game as you spend a lot of time jumping from place to place. There was a LOT of dialogue, which I mostly enjoyed, but then I really pay attention to the plots and love a good story like this one.
Overall this was not the hardest game I’ve come across by a long shot, but it was a intriguing story helped along by the HOS and mini games – the developers even came up with a mini game for the interrogations.
I think the length is much better than a lot of the recent games also. There was great attention to detail even in small things. I've played TV inspired games before and feel this one gets across the "flavor" of "Castle." I bought it as soon as the hour was up!
I recommend this game!
A simple murder investigation in Spain becomes a puzzling whodunit filled with intrigue.
Overall rating
4
/
5
69 of 94 found this review helpful
An Interesting Mystery
PostedFebruary 28, 2013
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The CE version of "Grim Facade: Cost of Jealousy" is definitely worth a look. I suspect the reviews will be split between those who love the story line, beautiful artwork, and decent voice overs (For a change these seem to have been done by actual actors!.) and those who see too much that is familiar in the way the game plays.
There are three levels of play, a strategy guide, a notebook with story and suspect cards, and a slightly different hint system.
You start with one hint. You collect fans in various ways and you get one hint for each fan you find.
No map so you travel back and forth a bit.
There are minigames; none in the demo were overly challenging or original.
The HOS are interactive and somewhat varied. You have a list and some items need extra steps; or you find items from their outlines and use each one in turn to get to the end of that search. You will find objects scattered throughout the scenes, collect them, and use them as in other games.
I did find the story interesting. For a change there are no children or family members to save. Instead you are investigating a murder with your assistant and there are plot twists and intrigue involved. You, as the detective, have visions over pieces of evidence that further the storyline.
I would definitely recommend you check out the demo for a better than average story.
There are three levels of play, a strategy guide, a notebook with story and suspect cards, and a slightly different hint system.
You start with one hint. You collect fans in various ways and you get one hint for each fan you find.
No map so you travel back and forth a bit.
There are minigames; none in the demo were overly challenging or original.
The HOS are interactive and somewhat varied. You have a list and some items need extra steps; or you find items from their outlines and use each one in turn to get to the end of that search. You will find objects scattered throughout the scenes, collect them, and use them as in other games.
I did find the story interesting. For a change there are no children or family members to save. Instead you are investigating a murder with your assistant and there are plot twists and intrigue involved. You, as the detective, have visions over pieces of evidence that further the storyline.
I would definitely recommend you check out the demo for a better than average story.
I recommend this game!
Guide Wanda on her journey through magic academia as she pursues her dream in this bewitching hidden object game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
8 of 12 found this review helpful
Not even for the kids
PostedFebruary 25, 2013
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
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I am always on the look out for games I can let my grandchildren play. They are computer savy, bright, and love to play on my computer. The oldest, only seven, can often best my time and abilities on an HOS game.
I REALLY wanted to like this game.
But the review told me more about the "story line" than the game did. I could have lived with the multiple HOS scenes in each level, the limited jiggling hints, and the distracting background music and sounds, but the graphics were awful. Murky drawings with objects in various scales and colors were just not fun. Then the first minigame appeared. The instructions were so minimal that, in spite of the hundred+ HO/adventure games I own, I had to experiment enough to complete the danged thing. It would have been so easy to write the instructions clearly.
This game is half off this weekend. I won't even waste a free game credit on it. And I wouldn't subject my grandkids to it even if it was free!
I REALLY wanted to like this game.
But the review told me more about the "story line" than the game did. I could have lived with the multiple HOS scenes in each level, the limited jiggling hints, and the distracting background music and sounds, but the graphics were awful. Murky drawings with objects in various scales and colors were just not fun. Then the first minigame appeared. The instructions were so minimal that, in spite of the hundred+ HO/adventure games I own, I had to experiment enough to complete the danged thing. It would have been so easy to write the instructions clearly.
This game is half off this weekend. I won't even waste a free game credit on it. And I wouldn't subject my grandkids to it even if it was free!
I don't recommend this game.
A mysterious man in red summons you, sending you to a flying ship where a little girl needs your help!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Really good use of a free credit!
PostedFebruary 9, 2013
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
I agree with the other reviewers that found this an excellent use of a free credit. And luckily I have one too!
The art work is beautiful, the ship intriguing, the HOS, varied and not too dark, and the puzzles hard enough to make you think. There are the usual bunches of things to find in various places as you explore.
I think the story line promises much, but as I've only done the trial so far, I am going to find that out next.
Much like the other "Timeless" game, you are on a trip that turns into a surreal otherwhere adventure. This time you are trying to help a little girl imprisoned on a flying ship of large enough proportions to have an airplane as the "lifeboat."
I found this more challenging than several of the recent new games, but not yet frustrating. I'm going to get to that too, I suspect.
Give the trial a look and see if this one is your freebie too!
The art work is beautiful, the ship intriguing, the HOS, varied and not too dark, and the puzzles hard enough to make you think. There are the usual bunches of things to find in various places as you explore.
I think the story line promises much, but as I've only done the trial so far, I am going to find that out next.
Much like the other "Timeless" game, you are on a trip that turns into a surreal otherwhere adventure. This time you are trying to help a little girl imprisoned on a flying ship of large enough proportions to have an airplane as the "lifeboat."
I found this more challenging than several of the recent new games, but not yet frustrating. I'm going to get to that too, I suspect.
Give the trial a look and see if this one is your freebie too!
I recommend this game!
What dark and powerful secrets are hidden within the A.R.C.A.N.E. agency's old research base? Kiera Vale returns to find out.
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 28 found this review helpful
Potential lost
PostedJanuary 26, 2013
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I have no excuse. I played for an hour. Things were going fair to middling. I liked the first Nightmare Adventure, so I let that, rather than the actual playing of the second game, affect my purchase. Now I resent the free credit I used.
This is a hidden object game only in so far as there are objects you look for, one in this room, one in that. You have a PDA(think diary) and a camera that photographs clues
You have a set of locations that you work in that are self contained till the next level of the story. You travel through that set repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly.
The puzzles were either way out of my league (Hey, folks, Einstein I'm not!) or just not working correctly. I ended up skipping most of them out of shear frustration. Maybe they needed more and better instructions. Maybe being able to post the photos you take along the way next to the pertinent puzzle would help. There has to be a better way to set this up.
The art work is good, the story is lame. There's plenty of back and forth over those limited locations. Eventually you have worked all of the puzzles, but many show up only after repeated visits to the room/location they are in. There are a lot of possible plot points in the trial period, but little actual information. And it doesn't get better as you go along. (Please note: I did not use the word "progress.")
I am past the end point of the trial period, but not to the end of the game. I don't know if I'll ever finish. I play to relax, to be challenged, for distraction. Raising my blood pressure this far is not what I look for in a game.
Now I'm going back to play the first game and see if I was dillusional the first time around.
This is a hidden object game only in so far as there are objects you look for, one in this room, one in that. You have a PDA(think diary) and a camera that photographs clues
You have a set of locations that you work in that are self contained till the next level of the story. You travel through that set repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly.
The puzzles were either way out of my league (Hey, folks, Einstein I'm not!) or just not working correctly. I ended up skipping most of them out of shear frustration. Maybe they needed more and better instructions. Maybe being able to post the photos you take along the way next to the pertinent puzzle would help. There has to be a better way to set this up.
The art work is good, the story is lame. There's plenty of back and forth over those limited locations. Eventually you have worked all of the puzzles, but many show up only after repeated visits to the room/location they are in. There are a lot of possible plot points in the trial period, but little actual information. And it doesn't get better as you go along. (Please note: I did not use the word "progress.")
I am past the end point of the trial period, but not to the end of the game. I don't know if I'll ever finish. I play to relax, to be challenged, for distraction. Raising my blood pressure this far is not what I look for in a game.
Now I'm going back to play the first game and see if I was dillusional the first time around.
I don't recommend this game.
Track down the terrifying and menacing Phantom of the Renaissance Faire in this exciting Hidden Object Adventure
Overall rating
2
/
5
8 of 12 found this review helpful
Little Help Is No Help At All
PostedDecember 27, 2012
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
3
/
5
I usually choose the offer of tutorial help on a new game. I have never come across help that was so frustrating. The extremely minimal instructions were so unclear that I didn't know why I was supposed to collect fairies until I read someone else's review!
The usual inventory window at the bottom of the screen was also confusing as it randomly shifted from "open inventory" to "inventory", often as I was trying to use something in the inventory window. The "Open inventory" window was larger than the "inventory" window, leading me to wonder if there was a reason for the discrepancy.
Objects in HOS were sometimes so tiny as to be invisible. I did eventually find a magnifying glass - would have loved to have been told about it. And there was a strange message about psychic auras around certain objects - what's that all about?
Just in case I was being unusually dense, I went back and started a new game with my remaining trial time. The instructions were still more frustrating than illuminating. I did unsuccessfully check for any written instructions - an old fashioned idea, but worth a shot.
So good stuff - potentially interesting story if you can get into playing. Pretty pictures, unobtrusive sound, some challenging puzzles.
Bad stuff: lack of instructions, bad tutorial, dearth of information. And yes, clear information is that important. If I want to be totally frustrated and confused, I'll try to understand the national debt.
The usual inventory window at the bottom of the screen was also confusing as it randomly shifted from "open inventory" to "inventory", often as I was trying to use something in the inventory window. The "Open inventory" window was larger than the "inventory" window, leading me to wonder if there was a reason for the discrepancy.
Objects in HOS were sometimes so tiny as to be invisible. I did eventually find a magnifying glass - would have loved to have been told about it. And there was a strange message about psychic auras around certain objects - what's that all about?
Just in case I was being unusually dense, I went back and started a new game with my remaining trial time. The instructions were still more frustrating than illuminating. I did unsuccessfully check for any written instructions - an old fashioned idea, but worth a shot.
So good stuff - potentially interesting story if you can get into playing. Pretty pictures, unobtrusive sound, some challenging puzzles.
Bad stuff: lack of instructions, bad tutorial, dearth of information. And yes, clear information is that important. If I want to be totally frustrated and confused, I'll try to understand the national debt.
I don't recommend this game.
Long-forgotten memories bubble to the surface when the past invades the present in the Collector's Edition of Lake House: Children of Silence!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
A Different Story
PostedDecember 24, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It's all about the story, folks, and this promises to be a really good one. The opening left something to be desired, but things progressed from there.
The HOS were interactive, art work impressive, and the actors reasonably good. Minigames were interesting and varied, if not totally original. I left the sound on - always a good sign. There promises much to be explored. The level of challenge was good - this is the first game in sometime that I didn't finish the trial before the hour was up.
On the other hand, while I was grateful for a different story, I did not get far enough along in the story to be unable to endure not finishing it. If the trial was a wee bit longer, I might have splurged on the CE immediately. As it is, I will wait for another credit, or the SE, whichever comes first! But I will want to see the ending - another good sign.
The HOS were interactive, art work impressive, and the actors reasonably good. Minigames were interesting and varied, if not totally original. I left the sound on - always a good sign. There promises much to be explored. The level of challenge was good - this is the first game in sometime that I didn't finish the trial before the hour was up.
On the other hand, while I was grateful for a different story, I did not get far enough along in the story to be unable to endure not finishing it. If the trial was a wee bit longer, I might have splurged on the CE immediately. As it is, I will wait for another credit, or the SE, whichever comes first! But I will want to see the ending - another good sign.
I recommend this game!
Stop an infamous cat burglar as you solve pictographic puzzles and travel through time.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Liked it like the first five!
PostedDecember 4, 2012
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
3
/
5
The big question here is: Did you like the first five World Mosaics? If you did, here is the next one to make you happy!
I really enjoy these puzzles, so I'm a very happy camper to finally see the next one in the series.
I find these puzzles a nice change from HOGs, marble poppers, and match 3's. They are my goto after finishing a new HOG or to wind down at the end of the day. They nicely fill a few minutes of game time when you can't get over involved and have limited time to play.
In the past the story lines have ranged from the strangely factoid to the oddly funny. This one is strangely different and still along the same lines - in other words "quirky."
The puzzles get progressively more difficult as in the earlier games and there are plenty of them along with lots of bonus puzzles.
Game instructions are relatively simple; it's the logic that will either grab you or leave you cold.
So, did you like the previous game in the series? Enjoy!
And if you haven't tried this type of puzzle before, try the tril and expand your mind!
I really enjoy these puzzles, so I'm a very happy camper to finally see the next one in the series.
I find these puzzles a nice change from HOGs, marble poppers, and match 3's. They are my goto after finishing a new HOG or to wind down at the end of the day. They nicely fill a few minutes of game time when you can't get over involved and have limited time to play.
In the past the story lines have ranged from the strangely factoid to the oddly funny. This one is strangely different and still along the same lines - in other words "quirky."
The puzzles get progressively more difficult as in the earlier games and there are plenty of them along with lots of bonus puzzles.
Game instructions are relatively simple; it's the logic that will either grab you or leave you cold.
So, did you like the previous game in the series? Enjoy!
And if you haven't tried this type of puzzle before, try the tril and expand your mind!
I recommend this game!