Shecat01's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:114
- Reviews Submitted:20
- First Review:January 21, 2012
- Most Recent Review:March 2, 2022
- Featured reviews0
The Smithsonian Castle’s secrets lie in a Civil War past.
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Best HOGA In Recent Months
PostedJanuary 11, 2015
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a review of the CE which I played all the way through.
You are a HELP Investigator called to the Smithsonian after strange power failures. As you begin to investigate it becomes clear that time travel is involved. You find yourself looking for someone in the Smithsonian of the past.
The graphics are good, the sound is non-intrusive but what I really like was that the story actually made sense and the HOGs and puzzles led the story forward.
There were the usual puzzles, but every variety with little repeats and well done. The HOGs varied also from find pieces for an item, find a list of items and multiple lists in one HOG. The morphing objects were in the HOGs, but not all of them so it made that more interesting as well.
Finally, when the bonus chapter is complete you can go back and replay the HOGs, find the souvenirs and collectibles you might have missed.
I played the game in just over 4 hours and spent another happy hour on the extra's.
Altogether, one of the best games produced recently.
I recommend this game!
Your librarian friend wants your help as a journalist – he’s found an ancient book that is still unfinished. Can you save the world in the book before their story ends?
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 14 found this review helpful
Same Old, Same Old
PostedMay 13, 2014
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played the whole hour of the demo and this review is based on that. And I did not buy it.
This games looks beautiful, has a reasonably OK story if you're new to this type of game, the music is unobtrusive and overall it's not bad.
Unfortunately, ERS and other developers of these games seem to be stuck in a rut regarding storyline and gameplay.
Developers: Just because it's successful for several games doesn't mean that I want to play the same type of game over and over. I would love something different - different story, different mini-games, different HOG type games - I don't even mind if it's a HOG within a HOG and the type changes - just something different.
I note I'm not the only long-time player of games that is getting very bored with what is being offered.
PLEASE Developers, read this and try for something new, different and with a bit more challenge for the long-time adherents to this type of gaming. I'll be one to try it if you do.
Can you defeat the mist and find your lost brother?
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
'Fun' is the Right Word - but no Challenge
PostedMay 4, 2014
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I agree with some reviewers here, and on other games recently, that this is simply the same story all over again. Evil someone kidnaps friends/sister/brother and its up to the game-player/detective to save the day. Yep, can get boring but it depends on what you want from a game.
I agree it would be nice for the developers to try some new story lines. I know a few authors who could help with that so I'm sure they are out in developer land too.
That said, sometimes you just want to follow the game flow, find your way through, play a few enjoyable HOGs and mini-games and get to the end to save the day; and this game fills the bill.
I agree the cute helper was nice. A game where the graphics are nice vs dark and scary would be good but they are not too dark in this one anyway.
So for a game that was bought at 60% off and gave me an enjoyable 4.5 hours of fun at expert level, plus I didn't have to use the hint button more than five or six times, I thought it was value for money. Wouldn't pay the full price though.
If you want challenge, you might want to try something else.
I recommend this game!
The mystical Silver Arrow has been stolen from you on the eve of your wedding. Without it, you can’t marry your beloved Prince Philip! Can you track down the arrow in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A Nice Surprise, and Fun (non CE version).
PostedFebruary 25, 2014
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I play these regularly (mostly CE) and it's been a while since I truly enjoyed an ERS game. This is mainly due to the fact they all seem to come from the same cookie cutter and thus became boring.
This one was a surprise, and a nice one at that. It has the lovely, classic, deep graphics that I've come to expect from ERS but they have upped the ante a little on the games and puzzles. The music is not intrusive, the storyline is of the usual sort and makes logical sense.
I love an interactive map and this one was useful when I got stuck. There was a bit of to and fro'ing, but the map made it easy to remember where you were and to hop to where you needed to be.
With intermediate play, I could still decide if I played some of the puzzles in casual or hard mode. Nice!
The non-CE game took me about 5 hours to play at a casual trot. I believe that's value for money.
If ERS keeps up the good work and increase their store of games and HOS styles and challenges, I'm certainly going to give them a go more often.
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Norwich Caves
Your students have gone missing during an expedition under the university. Can you track them down before the water rises?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Something a Bit Different
PostedOctober 12, 2013
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Yes, there is a baddie, and yes, you have to save people but there the comparison to other games ends. Instead of a detective, you are a professor looking for students. The setting is a labyrinth under a university and the storyline holds together. Even the bonus game in the CE version works well and isn't just an 'add on'.
This game kept me intrigued. I really loved the HOG's because they required thought - you need to pick up items in the right order, do something with them before you get the item you need. Again, something different.
The collectables are reasonably easy to find but they lead to a collage of student activities which again is rather unusual and nice.
From a point of view of trophies, it's the usual but presented in a different way e.g. a medal for the number of HOGs finished before the skip button fills, the number done without a mis-click (I failed this one *sigh*) and so on. I think I want to play it a second time to get all the trophies.
As for graphics, sound and video, they did not impinge on my consciousness or enjoyment during the game so they suit the game well.
Overall, a solid game with something different/unusual to challenge the regular player.
I recommend this game!
When the entire audience disappears from a film screening at an old theater, you must go behind the scenes to find out who is running the mysterious Nightmare Cinema.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
It's Been Awhile Since I've Enjoyed a Game This Much
PostedApril 18, 2013
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played this game at normal settings and I played the CE version. I have played many HO and HOPA games and it has been a while since I enjoyed a game this much.
I bought all three Fear for Sale games on special recently and have played them all one after the other. Each has it's own pleasure and level of difficulty. From first to this one you can see the increased 'fun' factor and the higher level of story telling, graphics and other developments.
In this one I liked being able to choose from 4 difficulty levels. But what was especially fun was working to gain the achievements. These included six different sets of collectables and many morphing objects. It gave so much more depth to the game.
I got all the collectables but not all the morphing objects - and I will have to play it again to get the ones I missed.
The graphics are good and there were many varied scenes. I wasn't aware of the music so it didn't bother me as some can; neither did the music intrude on the game. The puzzles were interesting and some were new to me and the HOS were fun. The option to change HOS to puzzles will also get me to play the game a second time.
Overall the storyline had a bit more 'umph' than usual and it was definitely worth the CE to play the bonus game.
Overall it took me about 4.5 hours which is a little short but the fun value made up for it. Actually, I didn't want it to end.
So if you are into something a little different from the norm, fun but not overly difficult if you don't want it to be, I recommend this one.
I recommend this game!
End the Charleston Curse before it wipes out an entire family and save a young girl in Witches’ Legacy: The Charleston Curse!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Collectors Edition Moneys worth - Good Bonus Game
PostedMarch 25, 2012
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a good game overall. The bonus game was one of the better ones I've played.
Characters are overall well done as is the graphics. The movement to the different chapters makes sense, the HOGs are interesting as most items can be easily found and then there are one or two that need a good search. I liked that.
I only have one slight gripe, there was a lot of backtracking that sometimes became quite frustrating. I knew that when I had no idea where to go next I had to backtrack quite a few scenes. Also there were one or two times when the action required did not make sense.
That said, I did enjoy the game and it kept me interested enough to overcome any frustration.
I liked that the main story actually had a reasonable end that was followed up with additional information that made sense in the bonus game.
I recommend this game!
Use a mystical locket to explore a magical world and save a young girl in Otherworld: Spring of Shadows!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Expert Challenge a Real Challenge
PostedJanuary 26, 2012
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I love games where I can choose the level to play. This time I chose Expert - no hints, no skips of mini games, no sparkles and so on. The game lived up to the claims that it was a good challenge. I bought the Collectors edition and had to resort to the walkthrough three times - so the game was overall intuitive.
It was a good length. The mini games were relatively easy as were the HOGs but the storyline and the collection of objects to get from one scene to the next was complex and interesting.
I also like games where there are achievements or secondary challenges to keep an eye out for. I thought I was doing well collecting the fairies and found I had missed nine.
The game has many different chapters to keep up the interest, the music is non-intrusive and I loved the complexity of the graphics.
Overall, I think this game would be fun for people at all levels.
I recommend this game!
Time Dreamer
Travel back in time with Time Dreamer! Help our hero travel to the past and save his father! Can you help him fix the past?
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 21 found this review helpful
Better Fun Than Expected
PostedJanuary 22, 2012
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I bought this game on special and because it had an OK review. I enjoyed it more than expected.
Following the twists and turns of the story kept me interested and the graphics that changed from past to present to future were well depicted.
It's of average length, a reasonable challenge and worth a few hours of your time.
After a terrible traffic accident, Amy Walters finds herself trapped in dark, mysterious world that seems to have a mind of its own!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Interesting Story
PostedJanuary 21, 2012
Shecat01
fromNew South Wales, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I liked this game. It kept me interested throughout. HOG's had at least one or two items that were a challenge but not impossible.
Mainly this had an interesting storyline and a good cross between nasty and nice characters. It made me want to finish the game to help the main character achieve her goal.
I had to use hints once or twice as it wasn't clear what to do next. The hint button was useful but didn't give away too much.
A good solid Adventure/HOG that's not too easy and not too hard.
I recommend this game!