The bayou. The roaring 1920’s. A supernatural secret. Step into Dark Manor, where ghostly hosts will help you find your way! Beautify your manor today!
Overall rating
2/ 5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Interesting idea but poor execution
PostedSeptember 12, 2013
Pittsburgher1000
fromPittsburgh, PA
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Tesla's Tower: The Wardenclyffe Mystery
(103)
Fun Factor
1/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
1/ 5
Storyline
2/ 5
I played this game for less than 15 minutes and then gave up. The idea of a haunted mansion and haunted objects was interesting, which was why I gave it two stars instead of one; but the game itself was confusing and became tedious very quickly. Perhaps it is just me, but I like a more linear story line. Most of my time in this game was spent collecting ectoplasm and selecting decorative items. I do not recommend.
I don't recommend this game.
+1point
2of3voted this as helpful.
9: The Dark Side Of Notre Dame
Find the festivalgoer abducted by the gargoyles of Notre Dame and uncover the cathedral’s dark past in this reimagining of the Victor Hugo’s classic tale.
Overall rating
3/ 5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Became bored
PostedAugust 9, 2013
Pittsburgher1000
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Tesla's Tower: The Wardenclyffe Mystery
(103)
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
I played this SE version of the game in Advanced mode, which was reasonably challenging. You get a lot of game play for your money, and the visuals are very well done. The map was a must; otherwise, you spend your time running endlessly back and forth between locations. There were some different twists on some of the mini games, which I enjoyed.
What I didn't like was that this game seemed repetitious, and I became bored. Some of that was due to the constant movement from place to place, and some of it was due to the lengthy cut scenes. Additionally, here were instances where you would place an item in the scene, it would be rejected, and you would find out later it was just slightly off the mark in placement and should have been played in that scene. The producers of this game also need an editor, because there were many misspellings in the dialogue and some of the signs in the scenery. (Example: discretely used where discreetly should have been as in "solved the case discreetly".) For some reason, I find that very distracting when playing a game, so I knocked off a star for that alone.
There are plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews for this game, so maybe it's just me. That being said, I can't recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
+4points
5of6voted this as helpful.
The Secret Order: Masked Intent
Someone in the Order has turned traitor, murdering one of the Secret Five! Only Sarah can prevent the Order’s destruction!
Overall rating
4/ 5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent graphics that add to the atmosphere
PostedJuly 21, 2013
Pittsburgher1000
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Tesla's Tower: The Wardenclyffe Mystery
(103)
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
This game was a lot of fun. The graphics and music definitely add to the atmosphere of the game, so don't skip them even if they seem long. This is more adventure game with hidden objects thrown in than a HO game. That is my preference, but if you are interested in HO games, keep that in mine. Although I enjoyed the time travel aspect, it is not emphasized in the game, especially compared to a game like Tesla's Tower, which I loved. It is also far shorter than other games I have played lately. The games are enjoyable, but there is really nothing new.
I recommend this game!
-1point
0of1voted this as helpful.
Awakening: The Skyward Castle
Discover the fate of your exiled kingdom, save your people, and end the ancient evil that started it all!
I really enjoyed this game. Part of that is because it was a very long game, and you got plenty of game play for the purchase price. I purchased the standard version, so that is saying a lot.
This game leans much more heavily to the adventure and puzzle side than to the HO side. That is one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much, but those who particularly like HO games should be warned.
The game is fairly complicated and some puzzles are challenging. I played in the intermediate mode, and had to consult a walkthrough 2-3 times during the game. Most of the time, it turned out that I had missed picking up a game piece at some location, so keep your eyes peeled while playing. For the most part, the map that comes with the game (as well as the occasional use of the hint command) is enough to keep you moving forward.
The visuals are very nicely done, and I enjoyed the various characters during the game. Definitely recommended.
I recommend this game!
+3points
3of3voted this as helpful.
Tesla's Tower: The Wardenclyffe Mystery
In a fading world devoid of color, the ghost of Nikola Tesla reaches through the Ether and invites you on an incredible adventure through time and space.
I really enjoyed this game. It had a nice combination of HO, games and adventure. I especially enjoyed the switches between different time periods. The visuals were excellent, and the game moved along at a nice pace. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was that I found Tesla's narration became annoying after a while. I would definitely recommend this game.
+2points
2of2voted this as helpful.
Fairly Twisted Tales: The Price Of A Rose
To save her father, Bella vowed to stay with the beast, but is he truly evil? Help Bella follow her heart!
Overall rating
4/ 5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Nice take on fairy tale
PostedFebruary 17, 2013
Pittsburgher1000
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Fierce Tales: The Dog's Heart
(77)
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I liked this game, but would give it 3.5 stars. The graphics were nice, and the HO and mini-games were pretty typical. I took away 1/2 star because several times I found that you had to be very precise in placement of an object for it to work in a scene. You get a lot of game play for your money, which is why I would recommend it.
I recommend this game!
0points
1of2voted this as helpful.
Spirits of Mystery: The Dark Minotaur
Find out who stole your magic animals, and reveal the secret of the Dark Minotaur.
Overall rating
4/ 5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
Lots of fun; nice graphics
PostedJanuary 28, 2013
Pittsburgher1000
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden
(175)
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
This game was a lot of fun to play, and I was not bored through any of it. The magic animals added a nice touch to the game; I just wish the game had included more interaction with them. The graphics are lovely and the mini-games are interesting with some different ones than typically encountered. I gave this game 4 stars instead of 5 because it was a little shorter than other games I have played. I do recommend it, though.
-1point
1of3voted this as helpful.
Blood Oath
With no memories of your past life and a never-ending hunger, it’s time to embrace a new life as a vampire in Blood Oath!
Overall rating
3/ 5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Starts out interesting, but quickly becomes repetitive
PostedNovember 15, 2012
Pittsburgher1000
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Current Favorite:
Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome
(214)
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
The game storyline started out fun, and I was hoping that the game would be equally entertaining. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes repetitive as you jump from room to room trying to find pieces of a HO. This repetition takes away from the storyline. Luckily there is a decent Hint command, because some of the HO's are very difficult to see, especially ones that are not to the proper scale with the surrounding items. The Hint command does not always work correctly, but it is good enough to keep you moving forward in the story. This is not one of the games that I would play more than once.
I don't recommend this game.
+5points
5of5voted this as helpful.
Echoes of the Past: The Revenge of the Witch
Once again black powers have seized the kingdom of Orion. The entire city is gripped by fear and it's up to you to save them, and yourself!
Overall rating
3/ 5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Plenty of game play, but somewhat boring
PostedOctober 8, 2012
Pittsburgher1000
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome
(214)
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
2/ 5
The game initially started out to be fun, but quickly became boring due to its repetitious nature. There is also lots of trudging back and forth between different areas of the game which becomes boring as well. Some of the puzzles were a little different and interesting, but they became repetitive as the game went on. The ending was anticlimatic, although that may have been because I played the SE rather than the CE. You will get your money's worth in game play, but you won't care by the end.
I don't recommend this game.
+2points
3of4voted this as helpful.
Royal Detective: The Lord of Statues
Save the besieged alpine village of Martlet and rescue its residents from the mysterious living statues in this exciting Hidden Object Adventure game!
Overall rating
4/ 5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A lot of play for your money, but sometimes frustrating
PostedSeptember 20, 2012
Pittsburgher1000
fromPittsburgh, PA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Mahjong, Strategy
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
The cut scenes in this game are excellent. I enjoyed watching them more than once, which is unusual for me. I played this game twice to see the two endings. The use of some of the statues for help during the game was a nice touch. However, there was a lot of moving back and forth between older scenes and multiple visits to the same locations. Although this did not take too much time, it became annoying as the game progressed and made the game feel a little claustrophic. This is a challenging game, but the hint command is readily available. However, I do wish game makers would provie an actual hint rather than just telling you the next step in the game; it would be more fun that way.