laurakay76's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:723
- Reviews Submitted:158
- First Review:November 16, 2011
- Most Recent Review:August 21, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you save literature’s most famous story worlds from ruin?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
I thought it was delightful
PostedNovember 13, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
These days I'm always interested in a new series from Elephant, as they've become one of my favorite devs. And as a writer and a lifelong book nerd, the idea of being able to literally enter the worlds of stories was fantastic to me.
The game did not disappoint. It was twisty enough to keep my attention and full of interesting details. The characters were engaging, and as usual for Elephant the illustrations were beautiful and the voice acting was excellent. The majority of the puzzles were intriguing and sufficiently challenging. The bonus chapter was also very well done and really rounded out the story.
I hope to see more from this series and look forward to another adventure with Megan and Renegade!
I recommend this game!
Seize your destiny as the city’s heroic princess!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Largely satisfying to a longtime fan
PostedJuly 23, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've played all of the HOTK games and was waiting patiently for this one to come to Big Fish. I was not disappointed!
I like that they took the usual formula and mixed it up by giving us a female protagonist. Her relationships with the people around her felt chiefly authentic and the story was well crafted. Some of the details were a real challenge to me, and it was really interesting to realize that the "Lost Tales" are actually prequels to the main trilogy and that it's not a coincidence that there's a guy named Brent in every installment!
My only complaint, if you can even call it that, is that unlike in the other games, there isn't anything to do after the end of the game. The other installments have what's called 'playable epilogues', in which you can keep adventuring after the end of the main campaign; there are even some quests that don't get offered until after the main game is finished. This one allows you to continue playing, but if you've already earned all the trophies (as I did) then there really isn't anything else to do.
That's honestly my only nitpick though. Otherwise this is a good addition to a wonderful series - if you enjoy these games, you'll enjoy this one too.
I recommend this game!
You won’t need to call her three times… She’s already here!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
It was all right, but I wasn't quite sold
PostedJune 28, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game's description caught my attention because I'm a writer who lives in Pennsylvania. I had hoped that maybe it was based around one of our many *actual* unsolved mysteries; but no, they made one up for the game. All right, that's not a deal breaker in itself, I still went ahead with the demo.
For the most part it was fine. I was a little confused by the collection identified as "utensils" - I was searching for things like knives and forks, when what I was actually expected to find were implements of the writing trade. That's really not what I think of when I hear the word utensils. The bookmarks and ghost portraits were a bit more straightforward. I appreciated that several of the puzzles had a Match 3 alternative.
It lost me right at the end of the demo, when I was supposed to rotate the angles to make sets of three red symbols in the escape mirror. That made no sense (one of the angles only connected two symbols) so ultimately I opted to skip it. The game then solved the puzzle itself, let me out of the puzzle, and then... reset it. I had to skip it a second time in order to finish the demo. Between this and the glitch described in someone else's review, I think this needs a little bit of bug fixing.
Not a bad game on the whole - I probably won't spring for the full thing, but definitely give it a try for yourself.
Set off on an adventure in the name of love!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
I love everything about it
PostedMay 3, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is probably my favorite time management series of them all, and a new installment is an automatic buy for me. I really thought the series was done after the tenth game, so it was a happy surprise to see a new one drop.
What a delight this game is! The storyline is engaging (and based on one of the more obscure Arthurian myths, so A+ for that alone) and full of twists and turns and surprises. I like that they've now started to animate the figures of the characters which adorn the dialogue boxes, that's a nice little extra. New to this installment is the side quest in which we collect pieces of treasure maps to unlock extra levels - completely optional, but a great addition in my opinion.
Honestly, I just think this is a wonderful game; it might be my favorite in the series to date.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your kingdom from a malevolent creature in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Enjoyable game with great twists
PostedApril 7, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a well-made game, of the quality I've come to expect from Elephant. I guessed the true cause of the troubles fairly early in the story (I've read other stories that used the same twist), but the resolution was very inventive and I felt that the tension of the story was well crafted. The puzzles were good for the most part, and I enjoyed the collectible side quests. I wasn't too crazy about the bonus chapter; it was also well done, but I couldn't understand how it related in any way to the main game other than taking place in the same castle. Other than that it was great. If you like dark takes on fairy tales, like the Dark Parables or Living Legends series, this is definitely one to try.
I recommend this game!
There's a gold rush coming, and it's your job to lead the way!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
I'll be honest: I liked the first two better.
PostedMarch 3, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm fond of this series, so I bought this third installment without doing the demo. It's of comparable quality to the first and second - the graphics are extremely well done, the music is pleasant, and the time management challenge is satisfying.
I didn't enjoy the story nearly as much this time, though. There wasn't much focus placed on Jack and Jill as people, nor on their relationship with each other. I thought the second game in particular did a much better job of showing just how attached they are to each other. Instead we had them working to thwart the conniving merchant Scrooge - but the game description made it sound like he was going to be much more of an antagonist than he actually was. He didn't ever pose a real threat to them or endanger their operations in any way, so as a villain he was extremely ineffectual.
Overall it was still a good game and I enjoyed it, but I hope they give the character interactions more focus if there's a fourth game coming.
I recommend this game!
In this turn-based role-playing adventure, plunge into tactical battles where your decisions mean either resounding victory or a crushing defeat!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 15 found this review helpful
Really enjoying this!
PostedFebruary 12, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've been playing this game for about an hour or so each day since I got it and I'm really enjoying it. It's very old-school in its approach but the graphics are clean and modern. The music is pleasing and appropriately atmospheric, the story is engaging, and it holds my attention. The battles play out almost like logic puzzles - you really have to study the enemies to understand how they move and what the best strategy is to use against each. There are surprises everywhere, too. I'm happy to be spacing this one out and expect to be playing it for quite some time to come. Great work from this developer!
I recommend this game!
The tenacious trio takes on a master of the occult!
Overall rating
4
/
5
25 of 29 found this review helpful
Detectives United is always a must-buy for me.
PostedJanuary 20, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've been waiting rather impatiently for this to be released, so you can believe I bought it without hesitation. This is one of my favorite series, and Agent Brown is one of my favorite BFG characters ever. I love the whole team, as far as that goes, and I was eager to see them together again.
In largest part, I was not disappointed. The thing I love most about these games is the increasing bond between the DU members, and that was very clear here. I love that James and Anna call their partner by his first name now. The puzzles were sometimes tricky but interesting. I also appreciated that at one point where I screwed up and missed a step, the game didn't force me to restart and fix my mistake; it just plowed ahead as if I hadn't done anything wrong.
I did find the ending a little confusing. I'm not sure why the people responsible for Henry's predicament decided to do what they did; it wasn't explained very well, or at least not as clearly as I would have wanted. I may need to play it a second time in order to be sure that I understand what happened. But on the whole it was a good installment and I'm hopeful for a #6 on the horizon.
I recommend this game!
Travel around the world alongside Jill and Mike and help them become international TV superstars!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Huge improvement!
PostedJanuary 14, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Gardens Inc. 4 has everything I liked about the previous installment - an interesting storyline, likable characters, pleasing visuals, and lots of achievements to unlock. It also has a relaxed mode, which is much kinder to my anxiety, and adds some new small challenges that are engaging without being frustrating.
I'm about halfway through the main game as I write this review, and the mystery is continuing to build. I really like the storytelling here and I'm looking forward to finding out just what happened!
I recommend this game!
Help Jill & Mike to save their wedding and uncover Jill's heritage!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Most frustrating TM game I've ever played
PostedJanuary 12, 2022
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is extremely pretty and has an interesting story. I liked visiting different countries in Europe and was particularly excited that the final levels were set in my own ancestral homeland of Wales. Designing the house and wedding was fun. There was a lot about it that I truly enjoyed.
But it's HARD. The time limits seem almost impossible, especially on the later levels where you're dodging wasps, hornets, and burglars, while also trying to dive for resources and set off explosives and plant and water seedlings. There is just way, way too much going on in some of these levels, even without factoring in the bonus goals which are described in riddle form. And the stealth mission near the very end was so difficult that it made me unreasonably angry!
I never played either of the previous two installments in this series; this one was offered as a daily deal and I had a punch card to fill so I bought it. I'm not sorry, since like I said it has a lot of good things about it. But don't expect to beat the goals easily.