GrrlScientist's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:2,517
- Reviews Submitted:124
- First Review:March 28, 2012
- Most Recent Review:February 15, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Reality Show: Fatal Shot Collector's Edition
After a man is murdered on a hit reality TV show, you are called in to uncover the truth behind the crime.
Overall rating
5
/
5
91 of 98 found this review helpful
fast-paced mystery with stunning graphics
PostedDecember 20, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
in this hidden object mystery-thriller, you are a NYC police detective. one morning, a tearful woman arrives at your office, begging you to investigate the death of her spouse. there are many weird details to this murder, but the most peculiar is it happened on live television during a reality TV programme. complicating matters, on her way to your office, all the evidence that this woman was carrying in her handbag was stolen so she has only a few scraps left to share with you. it is your job to collect evidence to solve this murder and bring this man's killers to justice.
graphics: the most realistic cut scenes i've ever seen in a video game. likewise, the artwork is beautiful and quite realistic.
sound: the voice-overs are well-acted and the voices are lovely to listen to. the sound effects are also well-done. the background music is a frantic, repetitive score that is appropriate, although i suppose it could become tedious after a few hours.
storyline: logical and generally well-plotted, but i was confused as to what happened to my dog and why the homeless guy was willing to help in exchange for a cup of instant coffee.
one aspect that i love about this game is that some of the tools you collect along the way are re-used in multiple scenes. this is the first video game where this is a fairly regular part of the story, and since the one-use-per-tool issue is a long-standing annoyance of mine, it's gratifying to see that the game designers noticed this, too.
even though i love this game, the opening cut scene was quite graphic and i found it disturbing. it's possible that other people will also find it so, which is the reason i mention this.
gameplay: there are three levels of challenge and you can switch from one to another during the course of the game without creating a new profile. at least a few puzzles are unusual or novel but all are reasonably intuitive to solve. depending upon level of challenge, puzzles can be skipped after a variable period of time, although i found them easy to solve.
my interaction: one hour demo, advanced mode. i purchased this game but have not yet finished playing it.
overall, this is an engaging fast-paced thriller that you will enjoy. however, this game may not be appropriate for younger or more sensitive gamers.
I recommend this game!
Help Annie restore a once glorious mansion and return an old farm to life, all the while earning enough money for her impending wedding ceremony.
Overall rating
3
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
gorgeous graphics and lack of a timer are appealing
PostedDecember 19, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
this is an entertaining people-management/strategy game featuring lovely graphics with a fairy-tale like presentation.
in this game, you and your fiance have purchased a falling down wreck of a farm and are rebuilding it to earn money to pay for your wedding. to do this, you must manage your workers, resources and space efficiently, grow crops and prepare food items to sell in your market. at the same time, you are restoring or constructing several buildings and other structures. this is not a "beat the clock" time management game; there is no timer. it's more relaxed than that.
graphics: absolutely superb. the reason i purchased this game was because i fell in love with the graphics (well, and also because this game was on special offer!)
gameplay: orders arrive automatically and customers wander around without you having to actively serve them, although they do shout at you if you accidentally try to grab one. they do drop rubbish on the grounds, lose business cards and ask your assistance in finding items they need, but meeting their requests is not a timed thing.
workers can be directed to do different tasks by either dragging and dropping them on the task or clicking on icons in each worker's individual task window at the bottom of the screen. the worker's task window also shows how "happy" or "hungry" s/he is, so you can take steps to meet their needs.
unfortunately, as i played this game, my frustration with its structure outpaced my appreciation for the graphics. in short, this is a management/strategy game but it provides a very limited framework for you to actually manage stuff. for example, i was annoyed to discover that, regardless of how much money i've saved and "tech points" i've accumulated, workers cannot be hired when ever i want/need them nor can structures built where ever i wish to place them.
the other annoying aspect of this game is its repetitiveness. on one hand, the repetitiveness makes this game easy to leave and return to even after a fair bit of time, but you might get an RSI if you try to play it all in one go.
storyline: this is a mystery (although it's not very mysterious). i have difficulty believing that any fire chief or insurance claims adjustor would not be suspicious of the frequent fires on this property.
my interaction: i own this game.
overall, this is a beautiful and relaxing game that new gamers in particular might enjoy. however, if you are seeking a time-management/strategy game, or wish to have the freedom to make your own choices, this game will disappoint you.
I don't recommend this game.
A super-charged sequel to the hit time management game Turbo Pizza.
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
CRAZY FUN!!
PostedDecember 18, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
this time management/strategy game is loads of fun. set in a subway car in my hometown, New York City, the point of this game is to serve deli sandwiches and other foods to your many customers, each which has his or her special personality (and patience).
graphics: colourful and charming, and the food looks tasty! i also really like the characters, but geez, most of them are an impatient lot -- more so than us NYCers are!
storyline: it's silly, but it doesn't really matter to the progress of the game anyway.
gameplay: there are two levels of challenge in this 60-level game, "easy" and "expert" -- although there is no difference between them as far as i can tell. the game is fairly intuitive but you cannot skip the tutorial (even when you start a game for each level of difficulty), which i found a bit annoying. the first few levels of the game are deceptively easy, but the game rapidly gets much more challenging. there is little advanced prep work that you can do, which is very annoying. if you are fast enough, you can earn an expert rating on each level, and trying to attain an "expert" rating on each level increases overall replay value, although you will discover that simply trying to pass from one level to the next may be enough challenge after you've gotten into the game a few dozen levels. upgrades include faster equipment, secret sauces and special food treats as well as the usual remodels to the kitchen and customer service areas. combos can be earned that make your kitchen run faster. extra funds are awarded every few levels that can be used for upgrades if you complete a hidden object scene in five minutes or less. there is a 30-second overclick penalty.
my interaction: i own this game, but i am stuck on level 56. which leads me to my biggest complaint about this game: i am stuck on level 56. after poking around on the internet, i learned that it is impossible to win this game, that you cannot progress beyond level 56. this is really disappointing and is the reason i gave this game three stars instead of five.
overall, this is a fast-paced, colourful and engaging game that is incredibly fun for the entire family. i recommend this game with reservations (the game's ah, built-in "level 56 frustration").
I recommend this game!
Run a chain of classy restaurants and cook like a real professional in Pizza Chef 2, a fun and exciting Match 3 game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
really fun, but not fully playable on macs w built-in mouse pads
PostedDecember 17, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This game is a fun combination of match-three and time management/strategy games with a spatial twist. Fast-paced, absorbing, all-around fun!
graphics: adorable, colourful, easy to see.
storyline: boooring!
gameplay: you use match-three to clear columns and rows on the stove, then you place customers' food choices in these cleared spaces.These food items are cooked and automatically delivered to customers, hopefully before they get angry! Upgrades are in the form of lots of different food items, each with its own shape, that can be added to your menu. There are 70 levels. You earn one of several ratings for each level (including the all-important expert rating, all based on your completion time) and the game tracks how long it took you to complete each level so you can try to beat your top time score. Mini-games are also featured after every five or six levels completed.
my interaction: one hour demo.
A very engaging game, but really REALLY frustrating if you (like me) only have a built-in mousepad because you must be able to right-click to rotate pieces -- this is the reason I gave it four stars rather than five. In addition to the game's mouse problem, I did not like the mini-games: they felt like an interruption to the overall momentum of the game. :(
With those exceptions, I think this is totally an absorbing game that is fun for the entire family. I like this game so much that I am tempted to go out to purchase a mouse that allows me to right-click. Highly recommended -- well, if you can right-click your mouse!
I recommend this game!
Open up Cake Shops around the world as you expand your global empire in this fast-paced Time Management game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
28 of 34 found this review helpful
fast-paced fun for the entire family
PostedNovember 19, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
* set up cake shops in exotic locales around the world
* assemble cakes and serve local foods
* renovate your shops to earn bigger tips
* upgrade your shop with new equipment
* amusing customers
* beautiful graphics
* assemble cakes and serve local foods
* renovate your shops to earn bigger tips
* upgrade your shop with new equipment
* amusing customers
* beautiful graphics
In this conveyor belt/assembly line time management/strategy game, you are a cake maker who is opening shops around the world. your task is to fill all your customers' orders quickly, before they lose patience and leave. (some customers wish to sit at a table to eat instead of purchasing take-away.)
as you progress through the levels, you upgrade your shops with special equipment and renovate your shop to earn bigger tips. for each level, you have a time limit in which to earn a specific amount of money. achievements are awarded, increasing replay value. this game is very similar to the burger shop games, so if you enjoyed that, you'll like this one, too. excellent and quick-paced fun for the entire family.
I recommend this game!
Use your botany skills to survive the strange new planet of Botanica. Can you find your way back to Earth in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure?
Overall rating
4
/
5
48 of 58 found this review helpful
gorgeous graphics and imaginative storyline
PostedOctober 21, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
when you were a child, your scientist father disappeared during an earthquake whilst on an expedition. but now, you are all grown up: you are Dr. Ellie Wright, a botanist who explores strange landscapes in search of new plant species. in this game, you are on an expedition of your own in Oceania when you find yourself stranded on a strange planet called Botanica. as you try to find your way back to Earth, you meet an interesting cast of characters, including people who knew your father, as you band together to outsmart Botanica's Queen Kassandra.
graphics: lovely; imaginative and detailed animals and plants lurk in lush forests and fascinating steampunk villages. (if you are a fan of steampunk, then these graphics will not disappoint!) the game’s graphics do contrast sharply with the cartoonish and static cutscenes.
sound: appropriate to the theme and non-intrusive. voices are clear and pleasant. few sound effects.
storyline: as a scientist, i was intrigued by the game concept, which is interesting. however, there are inaccuracies that really bothered me. for example, this story is set somewhere in Oceania, yet the crashed airplane was supposedly lost over the north Atlantic -- which is close to the opposite side of the Earth from Oceania (located in the south Pacific).
gameplay: there are three, increasingly challenging, modes of play. most new scenes have a small collectible insect hidden somewhere. hidden object scenes mostly consist of dragging matching items to each other before they can be collected (pencil sharpener to pencil, for example). no overclick penalty. puzzles are easy but can be skipped. hints are useful and (on normal mode) refresh after one minute. achievements are awarded, adding to replay value. there is a map and your journal is an iPad. (which left me wondering how the iPad battery was recharged?)
my interaction: one hour demo, normal mode.
no ghosts nor blood and gore, this game is beautifully conceived and rendered. it is great fun for the entire family and has good replay value.
I recommend this game!
Zuma Deluxe
Play the best-selling action puzzler that is simple to learn, but deceptively difficult to master. Are you up to the challenge?
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 32 found this review helpful
adsorbing, mindless fun
PostedSeptember 8, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
in this fast-moving marble popper, you are exploring 20 different stone temples in what appears to be either meso-america or south america. in this game, you shoot coloured marbles from a stone frog so their colour matches that of their neighboring marbles, thereby exploding. the goal is to remove the marbles from the track before they reach the golden skull.
graphics: beautiful realistic art and colourful scenes that may distract you since you will want to look around! adventure mode includes a few hidden object scenes (easy) and puzzles (not so easy, but skippable) at the beginning and end of each temple, with a dozen or so match three marble popper games in between.
music: appropriate but not distracting.
gameplay: there are two game modes, adventure and gauntlet. adventure mode is the temple exploration "storyline" whilst gauntlet mode is a marble popper overdose designed to appeal to die-hard experts to see how long you can stay in the game ...
until
you
lose.
my interaction: i own this game. a great hand-eye coordination and mental concentration sharpener, this marble popper is addictive and a lot of fun, especially if you are procrastinating at work or if you are stuck waiting for someone. excellent replay value and good fun for the entire family. highly recommended.
I recommend this game!
Lift an evil curse that has been cast on the kingdom by a witch looking for revenge in Love Chronicles: The Sword and the Rose!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
the superb graphics are worth the purchase price
PostedSeptember 5, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
this hidden object puzzle adventure tells the story of an island kingdom terrorised by an evil witch. the witch has scattered petals from a magical rose throughout the kingdom, causing chaos, but you, a handsome prince, can restore order by collecting the petals together, rescuing the princess and beating the witch at her own game.
graphics: absolutely gorgeous, detailed, crisp and super-realistic, the graphics alone are worth the price of this game. hidden objects were appropriate to the story. hidden object scenes mostly relied on shape recognition since the scenes were primarily shades of sepia. in some hidden object scenes, you collect scattered pieces of various whimsical devices that you then assemble before using to make progress in the adventure.
sound: the music is quiet and matches the ambiance of the story. sound effects were minimal.
storyline: straightforward and unadorned plot; nothing spectacular.
gameplay: hints recharge quickly and there is an overclick penalty. puzzles, which can be skipped, are easy but still fun. not much back-and-forth. the notebook is lovely and provides useful clues. no map (but it's not really necessary).
my interaction: one hour demo. i plan to purchase this game.
enjoyable and absorbing, this lovely game is fun for the entire family.
I recommend this game!
Conquer the Magic Academy’s inhabitants using yummy meals spiced with superb spells in Magic Sweets, a fun Time Management game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
gorgeous graphics and magical theme are sure winners
PostedSeptember 4, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
who wouldn't want to work as a pastry chef? and as an added bonus, who wouldn't want to work at the Magic Academy? combine these two ideas together into a time management game and you've got a superb fantasy adventure! you and a baby dragon, dino, are creating luscious confections to tantalize even the most finicky magical palate. Along the way, you learn some fun spells and win trophies.
graphics: stylised but absolutely gorgeous, so lovely that you can easily get distracted by looking around instead of playing the game! the graphics invite you in to this absorbing fantasy game.
music: not too bad, although nothing too extraordinary.
storyline: there's not really much of a storyline here, it's just focused on creating and serving food and drink to your customers. the customers are amusing and quirky, but lovable.
gameplay: this game has three modes of play, relaxed, normal and challenge. you are awarded points by how quickly you create and serve pastries and drinks to your customers. at some levels, you need to meet or exceed a certain number of points in order to progress in the game. you can replay a level to gain those necessary points. trophies are awarded for achievements. your assistant, the baby dragon, is not as helpful as one may wish, sometimes eating items that you are trying to add a lemon slice to, for example. the gameplay is smooth with no pauses.
my interaction: one hour demo, normal mode. i purchased this game.
this is a fun family game with good replay value. it has all the charm of a harry potter film without any evil characters. if you enjoy time management games or magical themes, you’ll love this game!
I recommend this game!
Solve your way from the wonders of the Jurassic period, through the Dawn of Civilization, to the glorious Renaissance!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
sudoku fans especially will get hooked on this game
PostedSeptember 4, 2012
GrrlScientist
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
What is the ancient history of the Sea People of the lost city of Atlantis? In this logic/pattern recognition game, you are transported back through time by a magical hourglass. In this game, you pick up where you left off in the first game by puzzling your way from the Jurassic period all the way to the Renaissance. Along the way, you restore the magical hourglass so you can return to your own time.
graphics: lovely. crisp, clear, and colourful.
music: it makes good background music, non-intrusive and not annoying. i like the sound effects, it is especially satisfying to listen to the sound of an entire row of squares being cleared or revealed.
storyline: more interesting than i originally thought it would be. it kinda grows on you as you play your way through the game.
gameplay: this is a picross game, a logic game based on a grid comprised of squares in rows and columns that have numbers above and to the left of each. these numbers correspond to the pattern of filled-in or blank squares in the grid. by correctly completing the grid, you reveal a picture that illustrates part of the story. the grids range in sizes from 5x5 (easy) to 25x25 (challenging).
my interaction: one hour demo. i plan to purchase this game.
there is high replay value here and the storyline is interesting enough to make you want to purchase this, the second part in this series of games. this captivating game is addictive and fun enough to keep the entire family interested, and people routinely hang over my shoulder when i play any of these picross games. who knows? you may meet a new friend whilst playing this game? i highly recommend this game! thanks big fish for sharing this fun game with us!
I recommend this game!