cathybobcat's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.5
- Helpful Votes:2,025
- Reviews Submitted:147
- First Review:May 18, 2018
- Most Recent Review:April 16, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you reveal the murderer’s identity before it’s too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 15 found this review helpful
PUZZLE... AFTER PUZZLE... AFTER PUZZLE... AFTER PUZZLE
PostedJuly 6, 2019
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Most of the time was spent with puzzles.....one right after another. I no sooner get done with one or skipping one and then there is another. Then there was a spot the difference with no skip, although there was an alternative for Match 3 which I did...just another puzzle to me. Story was interesting and graphics were nice. I liked a couple of the HOS, but that was it. I DO NOT want to spend all of my game time with puzzles or skipping them. I want to enjoy more HOS and story. This is a puzzle game. BYE.
Put your game hat on and embark on an adventure trip to London!
Overall rating
5
/
5
112 of 130 found this review helpful
YOU ARE SURE TO GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH OUT OF THIS ONE
PostedJune 29, 2019
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This was originally released in the SE version in February 2019. I have the SE and have just played this demo of the CE. The only difference I see in this CE version and the SE is...and this info is from the BF sale page because in the demo the info is locked...is 5 extra HOS Areas and 3 mini games, as well as 14 wall papers. The feature of finding 100 crowns to open an Unlimited play mode and finding 60, 8 balls to open a final puzzle upon completion of the game is the same for both SE and CE versions.
There are 20 Areas to explore in the main game. You can go back and forth by accessing the Map any time you want, but I like to complete an area before moving on to another because I can complete it faster. I remember where items are and if I go back and forth between areas, it will be harder to complete that area by the lack of remembrance of items. It is more challenging to move back and forth to different places, though.
On the Menu page is HELP in the lower left, which will give you instructions as to how to play this game and I found it very helpful because there are different variations to play in each scene with your collectibles to find.
In each of the 20 Area scenes, you will collect 5 Crowns and 3, 8 Balls, not all at once. There are indicators for these at the top and these crowns and balls are only available to find in the ABC mode which is your straight word list find. If you miss these, you can play the scene again until you get them. There are also 5 Fact items, one at a time, to find in a scene that WILL be highlighted in one of the 5 cards before you enter the ABC straight list. This means that you have to play that ABC mode 5 times to acquire these, and maybe more if you missed it like I have before, because I forgot to look. The Fact items are interesting, but were not relevant to London.
In each of the 20 Area scenes are different modes of HOS.... finding silhouettes, straight list finds, matching pairs, and missing letters where you guess what the items are. Upon completion of a HOS there is one puzzles to do, such as Match 3, Spot the Differences, jigsaws, symbol linkers, and swapping puzzle picture pieces to complete a scene. The jigsaws are rather clunky, but if you just click on the puzzle piece and without effort, guide it to a place, just drop it and it will fall into place without you forcing it. The puzzles can be skipped.
Now for a real treat.....You have a GIFT SHOP where you can buy 15 gifts with the money you earn that is exactly equal to your score points. This feature is in the SE version as well. On the HO scene page, you will see a small gift box in the lower left and you just click on it....then, be sure to click on Buy which brings up your total amount of money and the different gifts you can buy for your display case....Nice.
There are three modes of play. I like the easiest with untimed and unlimited hints, then you can take your time and relax. Music is repetitive and drove me to the mute. Also, before you play a scene, it will indicate what type hos you will be playing. There is no option for you to choose the type, you play what is indicated.
There is so much to offer in this game and so many hours of gameplay to enjoy. Because of the extra scenes available in the Bonus Extras, I will be upgrading to the CE.
The hunt for Corwin’s treasure in on and your wife is caught in the middle! Can you save her?
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
ONE OF THE SHORTEST GAMES IN HISTORY
PostedJune 28, 2019
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Although the story is ridiculous to me, this is a quiet and simplistic game that is WAY too short with a short demo that doesn't really give some a chance to decide whether they like it or not. I think the reason for the short demo is because if more time was given, we would finish the game. When my demo time was up, I had 56 minutes left and I am not a fast player. I did enjoy what I played, however, and decided to use a pcc for it.....believe me, that is all it is worth, mainly because of the short length.
It is a quiet game that is not overwhelmed with activity. Collecting of inventory....back and forth is minimal. Graphics are clear and I could see the scenes with clarity of vision. The puzzles were a bit too frequent for me and there were a couple where you move something and everything else moves that drove me to the skip. They were the most stressful part of this game.
The HOS were very BLAND with few items in them. They are also replayed with silhouettes to find. And now for the big surprise......a SKIP for all the HOS. I think it is a good idea to incorporate a skip in HOS. And I have to mention that I found it humorous to find a harmonica in the hos being called a "mouth organ"...hilarious.
For an older style game, there are 4 modes of play and in the custom mode, instead of setting your time to a specific amount of time for skips, you gauge it up to "very fast" or however you like. I always set mine to the lowest time possible and in this game I had it set for the fastest. The hints are very helpful and there is a very efficient transportable map.
Due to the incredibly SHORT length, which I was very disappointed in, this game is nothing to write home about at all. It is one I played with no desire to do so again.
Can you help three souls escape a deadly amusement park?
Overall rating
1
/
5
6 of 14 found this review helpful
WHAT A BOMB OF A DEMO....GOES BEYOND BEING DEAD
PostedJune 27, 2019
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
If they don't capture me in the demo, it's over. This is by far one of the worst ones I have ever played. I almost feel it is a waste of time to even write about it....it's that bad.
Atmosphere started out fine, but due to the most mundane and boring gameplay, things went downhill FAST. The graphics are poor...hazy shady....like the annoying interactive HOS which are more like puzzles than HOS. They are shady hazy as well, making it a strain to see. Then there are those loathsome mini HOS where you find a few very visible items. A complete waste. The tasks are a sure cure for insomnia and not worth talking about.
It isn't enough encountering one stupid puzzle after another. There is even a puzzle to compete in the HOS, that can be skipped. There is no alternative to play in the HOS or else I would have done so. There were more puzzles to do than gameplay and I, personally am tired of it. Too many puzzles take up too much time, making a game seem longer than it really is.
There isn't much to offer for Extras....only one collectible morphing skull which there are no indicators for as to whether you have collected them or not. They are fairly visible, but are indicated in the SG if you are having difficulty finding them. The only thing these skulls are good for are using them to buy a puzzle patch to make things visible that are in the very first scene of the game...no big deal. There is a top tab that comes down in the Collectibles to show how many skulls you have, which at first, I did not know was even there. You have to hover the mouse in the upper left to find it.
You have a replay of 13 HOS and ONLY 11 puzzles. There are tons more puzzles than that if you are interested. Generally, that is always the way it is. I wouldn't want to replay any of it.
The demo ended very abruptly and was short. I really almost quit before that, however. I kept on because I was hoping it would pick up and get better, but it didn't. It was time wasted that I will never have back again. This one is DOA (dead on arrival)...big time.
Summer Adventure 3
Join Mary and her family on their next puzzle solving summer adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 17 found this review helpful
EXCELLENT FOR WHEN THE BRAIN NEEDS A BREAK
PostedJune 24, 2019
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is the third installment of Summer Adventure. I have them all and they are relaxing and enjoyable, especially on those days when I am feeling brain dead. At first, I thought I was playing the same edition as the previous one because some scenes looked familiar, but with a little variation. That is a good memory test right there.
You have the choice of timed or untimed. There is one Zoom scene within a scene as well as a zoom magnifying glass to help you find some very well hidden items. The zoom magnifying glass is in the lower right above the Menu. I needed to use it often.
There is the 3 star indicator after you have completed a scene. I generally only get one star and am assuming you can gain more if you replay a scene for better time, but I'm not into all that because there will be different objects to find and will end up taking me just as much time as the first round. I've attempted it in the past and it is difficult to get 3 stars and is very taxing.
Hints are unlimited. I always like to find all of the items without a hint, and it did take me some time to complete scenes because some objects are so well concealed. It is a challenge. Between each scene is an enjoyable puzzle such as connecting pipes, Match 3 and jigsaws which can be skipped. It gave my eyes a break.
The music loop is very repetitious and is just the thing to put me over the top. I was hearing that tune well after I exited the game. At least they are both different for the hidden object scenes and the puzzles. And of course, you can mute it if you like. I personally like the challenge of listening to it over and over just to see how much I can take. It is a true test of tolerance.
This is a fun game....not stressful....no running back and forth. It is a game you can just sit back, relax, take your time and enjoy the adventure.
Save the town of Blackhill from an army of shadows!
Overall rating
1
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
WORST MYSTERY TRACKERS....TOO MANY PUZZLES
PostedJune 24, 2019
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game is a real loser with the most boring gameplay....and TOO MANY PUZZLES that I refuse to be overwhelmed with. HOS were few and too dark with no effort put into them. I finished them in seconds. Most of the emphasis is on puzzles and the collecting of inventory, going back and forth to use it. The story is stupid. The game is short.....and most of all a BIG waste of time.
Can you help people escape their magical prisons in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
A BEAUTIFUL AND MAGICAL WONDERLAND
PostedJune 22, 2019
cathybobcat
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is a lovely game with beautiful graphics and so much to offer. The Extras in this are many and the Extras section is so very impressive with a replay of both HOS and Mini Games, as well as the multiple collectibles of 27 book parts that are different shapes of items and 27 morphs. There are one of each, a morph and book part item, making that two to find in each scene. There are also 42 dragonflies that are used to purchase items to go into what looks like a doll house to me....very nice, and I wish there had been more than 12 items to buy. A great deal of work and effort went into this entire game both graphically and gameplay wise.
The biggest turn off for me in this lovely game is the unattractive, mean looking "tough broad" Vera. I couldn't stand looking at her or listening to her. She didn't belong in a game so beautiful, and to me, was out of place. It would have been nicer to have someone more attractive to compliment the game. I don't even like looking at her picture in the game promo. Yuk. She's a nightmare.
Other than a pop out tab, there are no glowing indicators for collectibles. In a game such as this with concentrated scenes, this is needed because although you CAN go back and find what you didn't at the end of the game, you do need to have the 54 collectible book parts to open what is called "The Book Worm" at the end of the bonus. I like having the luxury of having the glowing indicators for collectibles and would have given this 5 stars had they been incorporated.
The collectibles are indicated in the SG, but here's the kicker with the SG in general....the shots are so tiny and the zoom feature almost useless. I just about needed a magnifying glass to see them clearly. It doesn't have to be this way....and with all the space on the SG pages, there surely could be a larger zoom feature.
There is so much to do and see in scenes, at times I felt like I was being detained in one scene for too long of a time, especially when I had to take time to find collectibles, but the scenery is so attractive, I didn't really mind too much. It was also refreshing to have the voice accents for this, seeing that it takes place in Prague....nice touch. This is a very well balanced game with both HOS and Mini Games that I did not feel overwhelmed with drowning in puzzles.
I think this is one of the best games to be developed in a long time and I just wanted to take the time to give the credit where the credit is due.....and it is certainly due for this edition. I know for sure that I will be playing this one again.
I think this is one of the best games to be developed in a long time and I just wanted to take the time to give the credit where the credit is due.....and it is certainly due for this edition. I know for sure that I will be playing this one again.
I recommend this game!
Can you save the world from an ancient magic?
Overall rating
1
/
5
9 of 20 found this review helpful
WHAT A DRAG
PostedJune 22, 2019
cathybobcat
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Upon encountering a story HOP....and loathsome mini with only 12 items to find....click, click and you're done...and a FROG with a total lack of artistry, I called it quits. I refused to even finish that word find story crap while someone is reading something I couldn't care less about. It isn't a HOS to me.
The gameplay is such a bore with annoying puzzles that include a gimmick flute. I just about croaked when I had to assemble a turtle picture that looked totally unrecognizable as to what the picture was supposed to be.
The voices are a real trip grinding on my nerves. If you don't remember what one said, that's ok, just give it a click and you will hear the same sentence over and over and over. Cool.
The graphics are decent, but some scenes are so dark I couldn't see to find the stupid collectible signs or much of anything else. I needed to look to the SG to see where the collectible signs were. It sure would be nice to have some more light and clarity in these dark scenes.
This does NOT have much to offer as a CE and is going to be a short one, folks. There is a replay of 28 puzzles and ONLY 12 hos. That, right there is a turn off. No more story type or mini hos for me. They are big time cheap. The best part of this was uninstalling it. What a waste of time.
Can you stop a deadly magic from destroying the land?
Overall rating
2
/
5
15 of 17 found this review helpful
ANOTHER PUZZLE HEAVY GAME
PostedJune 7, 2019
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
With a replay of 27 mini games and only 18 HOS, this is yet another PUZZLE HEAVY GAME...not a hidden object game. AND there are many, many more than just 27 mini games. They are pretty much one right after another. The majority of time is spent doing puzzles, not on the story, which is always a secondary aspect for me, as there are only so many plots to a story that can be used. There is no effort or creativity in what little HOS there are with items so visible or large, I can complete them in seconds. Emphasis is on mini games and the collecting of endless inventory holding you hostage to scenes, as well as the usual back and forth. It's SOS and with such an imbalance of gameplay, this is not enjoyable whatsoever. It's another one for the uninstall icon in Game Manager.
After being contacted by a secret organization of elite mystery solvers, you're sent out in the field to prove your skills. This job interview may be your last!
Overall rating
5
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
SE IS THE WAY TO GO
PostedMarch 29, 2019
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I bought this in the CE and liked it enough to play it twice, but was very disappointed in the lack of Extras. You collect dossier pages of the characters....forgot how many because I was unable to access all the pages in the book in the Extras, as well as the notes you collect. It would only show the last note and dossier collected, so when I played it a second time, I was sure to read the dossier pages. The notes come up in the scenes as you collect them and you are able to read those and it wasn't necessary to access them in the Extras, but I still think I should have been able to do so. You collect coins to buy 12 items for a Relic room which was entertaining, but nothing to warrant a CE price. The biggest disappointment of all, is NO REPLAY of hos or puzzles. I thought the hos were very artistically done and wanted to have the luxury of being able to do them again as well as some of the puzzles. I felt very cheated that this was not included in the CE package and do not think it is CE worthy whatsoever.
The bonus chapter is short and a prequel. I didn't enjoy it except for a couple of the hos. It takes place in the Egyptian desert...not very impressive. There were some very annoying puzzles, one in which if you made a mistake you had to start all over. It was ridiculous and although I trudged through it the first time I played the game, I skipped it the second time around.
Aside from being a bit short, I think it is an excellent SE and was very enjoyable. The graphics are exquisite, clear and defined, and very colorful. For the most part, it is a player friendly game that was relaxing and is one reason I really do like it. I paid attention to some detail in this and noticed that the pitcher you collect in order to obtain water from the fountain to make a circular pillar mold was a Fenton melon pitcher vase. It was absolutely beautiful. I loved it.
There are numerous puzzles, but the majority of them were enjoyable. There was one that was a real pain and eye straining and that was the one where you construct a picture and every single panel you touch moves everything else. It was terrible and so difficult to even make out. It was one of the few I skipped.
There is some going back and forth, but not in excess. Jump map is very artistically done. A great deal of work went into it.
You can play Match 3 if you do not care to do a hos and you can also skip puzzles, of course. Hint is very helpful and directional.
There is not an excess of the collecting of inventory, but there are times when it will take a long time to collect a needed item in a particular scene, so I did utilize the map when I would forget and think, "Now where does this go?"
The scenes were so well done in this and some of them were stunning. There is a scene near the end of the game, "The Floating Island" that is awesome. What creativity and artistry. I am positive I will play this game again in the future.