laurakay76's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:723
- Reviews Submitted:154
- First Review:November 16, 2011
- Most Recent Review:February 13, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Young archaeologist Anna Windsdoe learns that her missing father, a great explorer, was looking for a secret city. Can you help her find him?
Overall rating
2
/
5
I literally fell asleep
PostedJune 4, 2020
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This series seems to be very well liked by people who play TM games, so I burned a coupon to try this first game. I got to about level eight when I realized that I was dozing off at the computer. It's just... boring. The poor translations make it difficult to empathize with Ann at all, she shows very little emotion about anything, and the way she randomly accuses Jim of being jealous of another dude is weird because they barely know each other. It's like they're trying to set up a love triangle before we've really gotten acquainted with any of the characters. The gameplay is repetitive, which I somewhat expect in a TM game, but the challenge is so minimal as to be almost nil. I'll probably finish this eventually, but unless the sequels are significantly better, I won't be continuing with this series.
I don't recommend this game.
Defend your kingdom from raiders in Be a King 3: Golden Empire! Rebuild cities and protect the population in this fun Strategy game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Enjoyed what I got to see of it
PostedMay 30, 2020
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
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I was intrigued by the great reviews on this game, and it really is a lot of fun. I think I made it through about 20 levels in total. It's challenging, requires a lot of attention and careful management, and the graphics are fun.
Unfortunately, there is something about this game that causes technically difficulties. I played it twice, and both times, exiting the game caused my computer to completely lock up and require a restart. So this isn't a keeper for me for that reason. I recommend trying before buying to make sure you don't have a similar problem.
An author has vanished, and someone’s enacting the terrible events of his latest novel!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Not bad, but...
PostedMay 28, 2020
laurakay76
fromIn case you were wondering about my list, my favorite in the series is Morella. My absolute least favorite is Lenore.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I love the Dark Tales enough to buy them even without doing a demo, although in this case I was a beta tester so I had already done it. I actually maintain a list of all the DT games and how I rank them; I'd put this in the lower middle. It's not a bad game, not at all, but the story doesn't always make a lot of sense and the bonus chapter really doesn't add anything to it. It's just... meh. The puzzles are generally good, the visuals are pleasing, and the voice acting is decent. The length is suitable. I just wish there was more substance to the story.
Experience a steampunk hidden object adventure full of gothic horror and fascinating puzzles!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Scarlett, I gotta ask - who ARE you talking to?
PostedMay 15, 2020
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Big fan of Artifex Mundi's Enigmatis trilogy, so I wanted to try some of their other games. This one seemed interesting; a psychic child is dropped off with some nuns for reasons unknown while her father sets out to deal with some unexplained issue, and then ten years later she decides to try to find out what happened to him.
Well, the story *idea* is clever, but executed boringly. Enigmatis did a great job of 'show, don't tell.' This game, not so much. What it did show didn't make a whole lot of sense - why would Scarlett have received a letter intended for her father when they weren't even living in the same place and she hadn't seen him in a decade? Why does she have a random artifact to enhance her psychic abilities, while at the same time making it sound like she hasn't used those abilities in a very long time?
The puzzles were not challenging. I think the hardest thing I had to do was put the trolley back together, and the only reason I had trouble with that was because I couldn't find the brake pedal. The rest were so easy for me that I finished the demo in less than half an hour - and that was without skipping any of the cutscenes or dialogue.
The music was nice and the visuals are beautifully rendered. For me, the most annoying part was Scarlett's continual narration. It's both spoken and presented in subtitles. Subtitles are fine, but to hear her constantly speaking her thoughts out loud was just irritating. I came very close to muting the computer entirely. If there were no subtitles, I could sort of understand the need for her to say everything that crosses her mind, but since we could easily read the words the continuous talking made no sense.
This might be a good one for someone new to the hidden object genre, if they want to ease into this kind of game. But if you're a seasoned player, unless you've got a coupon to burn or a punch card to fill, you'll probably want to give this one a pass.
I don't recommend this game.
Enter an enchanting world of legends, mystery and magic, where your destiny was written in blood and the soft murmurs of true love...
Overall rating
3
/
5
I expected more
PostedApril 21, 2020
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
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I bought this without doing the demo, based on so many good reviews and also on the fact that it's by Artifex Mundi. I really love the Enigmatis trilogy, so I had high hopes for this since it's from the same people.
I'm only about ten minutes into the game, so I'm hoping that it will improve if I come back later, but so far I'm not enthused. It's a beautifully rendered but fairly bland game that runs extremely slowly on my computer. There's not much of an intro to the setting; I don't understand who these characters are or why I've been away from this tiny village or why my sister is marrying somebody she's known for a month. (Heck, in that short a period of courtship, how did they even get in touch with my character to invite her to the wedding?) No hidden object scenes yet, the puzzles I've encountered have been super simple, and I'm just kind of... bored.
I'll give it another go later, but I strongly urge players to try this one before they buy it.
Saddle up for fun and become a sheriff in Golden Trails: The New Western Rush. Find the culprits behind a bank robbery!
Overall rating
2
/
5
Clearly not meant for a laptop
PostedApril 21, 2020
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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I wanted to like it, I really did. It's a different kind of premise, the art style is pleasant, and I wanted to help solve the mystery. Jack seems like a great character. It looked like it would be a lot of fun.
Unfortunately, in order to search the hidden object scenes, I had to take off my glasses and hold the laptop ridiculously close to my face in order to see what was going on in the scene. I ran out of hints in the second scene because everything is so *small*. And one spot in the second scene kept telling me to use an inventory item, but I only had two items in my inventory and apparently they were the wrong ones, so I have no idea what I was supposed to do. By that point I had a headache threatening from the eye strain and gave up.
If they release a version I can play on my iPad, I'll give it another shot, but on my laptop it was definitely a no-go. Make sure you try before you buy in case you have a similar problem.
Can you save a town from turning to ash in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Very middle of the road
PostedApril 18, 2020
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
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This was my first Dark Romance game, so I can't comment on how it compares to others, but honestly, I don't understand how it can be described as a romance. Except for Gladys the fortune teller making two vague hints about it, the game doesn't really have any romance in it at all. The strongest relationship shown is the one between Robert and his sister Sheryl.
The story interested me. Thanks to some crazy time-traveling details, a reporter in 2000 is unwittingly teamed up with a historian in 1985 to resolve a tragedy. Very clever ideas were involved, and the execution was mostly good, but some of the details left me perplexed. One particular piece of evidence, which the officer claimed was rock-solid, seemed very flimsy to me.
I found the puzzles variable. I did like having the match-3 option for the HOP scenes, because some of the HOP scenes had item "lists" which were defined by shapes or by clues that made no sense to me. Some of the puzzles were reasonably challenging but not difficult, while others bordered on nonsensical and I couldn't understand the instructions. The many different collectibles were okay; I did like that the map made it clear (on casual) where you hadn't found them all.
On the whole, it was an okay game, but not one that I'd play twice. Definitely give the demo a try before you buy.
Solve a series of devious puzzles to escape Arcana manor and uncover the dark secrets of the mysterious magician once lived there.
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
One of the best games I've ever played - which is saying something!
PostedApril 14, 2020
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
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... wow, I'm almost not sure what to say here. The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana is pure puzzling bliss. It's easily one of my favorite games I've ever gotten from Big Fish. It reminds me (in a good way) of some of the old puzzle games of yesteryear, like The Seventh Guest.
You're trapped in the creepy mansion of Doctor Arcana, a magician who mysteriously disappeared many years ago. The doctor's mask appears to explain the situation. If you can successfully complete his challenge, and explore his clue-laden house and find the thirteen skeleton keys hidden in the eponymous cabinets, you will have bought your freedom. If you can't... well, the world will never know what happened to you.
The puzzles themselves are a delight. Most I was able to figure out on my own, which was inherently satisfying. I did have to skip a couple of the absolute most difficult ones, which made me laugh when the doctor would comment on it. (Oh yeah, he 'follows' you around and observes your every move. Get used to hearing his voice. He's a big ball of snark.) I didn't actually read it until after I was finished, but the in-game walkthrough is both helpful and hilarious.
The whole game has a wonderful mysterious feel. You have to pay attention to even the smallest details, because you never know what's going to be important. I could hardly wait to find out what those thirteen keys unlocked; I had my suspicions by the time I got to the mansion's attic, but it was still an interesting ending. Spoiler alert - the empty nature of the house can make you feel like something's waiting to attack you, but nothing ever does. You're completely alone in there, apart from Arcana's voice. For someone like me, who gets a little too immersed in their games, this was a relief because I hate jumpscares.
All in all, this was a solid purchase and not too long; I think the whole game took me maybe four hours. I might even play it again to see if I can get a better final score. Full marks to the devs, who have announced that the sequel is in progress - looking forward to it!
I recommend this game!
Solve the mysteries of Stoneville and escape with your life!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Kept me guessing all the way!
PostedApril 13, 2020
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This was my first time playing a LoL game, since they were offering it free for the Play Apart Together campaign. Of all the games I've decided to try during that, this was by far my favorite. The storytelling was really well done and well paced, the visuals and sound effects were great, and the puzzles were nicely challenging. I was honestly proud of myself for getting all of the achievements!
I also really liked the fact that at the beginning of the game, you get to choose your character's gender - male, female, or neither. All it really does is decide on how you'll be voiced, but it's still a nice little feature that gives the player some agency in the game.
The bonus chapter ends on a great sequel hook and I think I'll be looking for the next game in the series. All in all, great work, devs!
I recommend this game!
Turn back time to save your true love!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
An intriguing mystery
PostedApril 13, 2020
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This was one of the games being offered for free by BFG as part of the "Play Apart Together" campaign, so I decided to try it. What a beautiful game! The visuals are superb, the music is lovely, and the voice acting is very good. The story is intriguing - rather grotesque in places, especially if you think about it too much, but well conceived and executed. Puzzles are engaging and I rarely needed the hint button. The bonus chapter was a nice addition too. All in all, a well-done game!
I recommend this game!