booksngames's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:55
- Reviews Submitted:6
- First Review:November 11, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 14, 2013
- Featured reviews0
booksngames's Review History
Legacy: Witch Island
Reveal the secret of an ancient prophecy! Fascinating tasks and exciting puzzles await you behind the breathtaking scenery of a mysterious island!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
Relaxing fun!
PostedOctober 14, 2013
booksngames
fromWashington State
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Fierce Tales: Marcus' Memory Collector's Edition
(72)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I enjoyed this game for what it was: easy, relaxing fun. It was not a difficult game, but it had quite a bit going for it.
*The storyline was fairly basic and easy to follow, but enjoyable in that fairytale type of way.
*The graphics were clear and bright, no dark and/or invisible objects.
*I left the music volume at about 50% and never really noticed it, so I'll call it unobtrusive.
*Two levels of playing difficulty.
*There were a LOT of mini-games, most were very familiar ones, but one or two offered a bit of a twist, while still being very understandable without a lot of directions, which was good as the directions were sometimes a little spare on details.
*The hint recharges quickly.
*And ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS, once you find the object you actually need in the HOS, you have the option to skip finding the rest of the list if you so desire.
*There were achievements and collectibles, and replayable mini-games (from the main menu) that you often only get in a CE.
The ending definitely sets you up for a second game at least. I'd personally never played anything by this designer, but will definitely hope that they don't take too long getting the next game out.
*The storyline was fairly basic and easy to follow, but enjoyable in that fairytale type of way.
*The graphics were clear and bright, no dark and/or invisible objects.
*I left the music volume at about 50% and never really noticed it, so I'll call it unobtrusive.
*Two levels of playing difficulty.
*There were a LOT of mini-games, most were very familiar ones, but one or two offered a bit of a twist, while still being very understandable without a lot of directions, which was good as the directions were sometimes a little spare on details.
*The hint recharges quickly.
*And ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS, once you find the object you actually need in the HOS, you have the option to skip finding the rest of the list if you so desire.
*There were achievements and collectibles, and replayable mini-games (from the main menu) that you often only get in a CE.
The ending definitely sets you up for a second game at least. I'd personally never played anything by this designer, but will definitely hope that they don't take too long getting the next game out.
I recommend this game!
Insider Tales: Stolen Venus
Help solve the biggest art robbery in decades and recover a stolen masterpiece in this mysterious Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
Name of game is FRUSTRATION
PostedJuly 25, 2012
booksngames
fromWashington State
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Spirits of Mystery: Song of the Phoenix Collector's Edition
(219)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The story line had some interest, but I gave myself a headache gritting my teeth to get to the end. There are standard HOS, fragmented object, and minigames. Many of the objects were so faint as to fade into absolute obscurity, or on the edge of the screen with the smallest little bit exposed to view. Extremely annoying was when they would ask for a rope, shell, mask, etc. and there would be 3 or 4 in the scene, but they only want one specific one and none of the others will do. Sometimes they even ask for the same named object in one puzzle and then you can find out which of the others they want this time. There were no hint or skips on the minigames, but most of them were easy enough not to cause massive annoyance. Let the rest of the game do that. On the plus side, there were no timers, it was generally bright, and there was no occult in it. All in all, save yourself a headache and skip this one.
I don't recommend this game.
Tiger Eye: The Sacrifice
In this adventurous romance, outwit powerful villains and break an evil curse inflicted upon your love, Hari, while saving your best friend’s life!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 18 found this review helpful
Tiger Eye Part 2...sort of
PostedMay 6, 2012
booksngames
fromWashington State
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'll start by saying the game play was fun; challenging without making me feel like I wanted to beat my head against a wall. The graphics were very good, as were the soundtrack and voice overs. I was disappointed with the story line, however. In the first game Marjorie Liu also wrote the script for the game. Part 2 had a different script writer who barely had any aspects of the book added into the game. That being said, if I was not so familiar with the book I probably would have thought that the game was just fine. As it is I was a bit let down after waiting nearly two years for this game. I'd give it 3.5 stars just for the disappointment factor.
I recommend this game!
Mystery Trackers: Black Isle
Black Isle was supposedly abandoned after an earthquake but the truth is much more sinister! Join the Mystery Trackers and learn the truth!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
Frustration, thy name is Black Isle
PostedApril 13, 2012
booksngames
fromWashington State
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File
Current Favorite:
Mystery Legends: Beauty and the Beast Collector's Edition
(71)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game has an interesting story line, good graphics and sound and is very challenging. Therein lay the problem for me. I enjoy some challenge, but when I choose the easiest game mode so that I can relax, I expect that it will be easy. There was so much back and forth travel between the locations, puzzles within puzzles that were all missing pieces that had to be found elsewhere, and no clear idea on where to head next without hitting the hint button (which was very helpful). My frustration level rose to such a degree that I am not sure when I will finish the game, despite the desire to know how it will end. The Collector's Edition of this game would be a much better bet to buy with the Strategy Guide that would come with it. With a little more instruction relaxed players could enjoy the game a lot, even with the back and forth.
I don't recommend this game.
Love Story: The Beach Cottage
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
Sweet Love Story
PostedJanuary 5, 2012
booksngames
fromWashington State
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Mystery Legends: Beauty and the Beast Collector's Edition
(71)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I very much enjoyed this game. It did not take me very long to play it, just an afternoon, but it was well done. The objects in the HOS are not too difficult to find. I only had to rely on the hint button a couple of times for those, and it worked to help figure out where to go next too. The story is very nicely done, and the lightness of the game is an excellent contrast for all of the dark, occult games out there now. The ending was very satisfactory; I love HEA's. Overall, the game was enjoyable and appropriate for all ages.
I recommend this game!
Mystery Legends: Beauty and the Beast Collector's Edition
Relive the fantasy of Beauty & the Beast in this never before told story of magic and love!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Fun HOG with good story
PostedNovember 11, 2011
booksngames
fromWashington State
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Tiger Eye - Part I: Curse of the Riddle Box
(34)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Good graphics, fun story. Objects can be found without having to push the hint button all the time, though the hint system is good if it is needed. I like the HOGs with a good story and a happy ending, and this hits those marks well.
I recommend this game!