playinthewaves's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:702
- Reviews Submitted:35
- First Review:November 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:November 8, 2017
- Featured reviews1
Status:
Toxic flowers have been claiming victims and withering plant life in the Netherlands. Can you cultivate the answers to this mystery?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
I wish we could give half-stars--4.5, good to pick up on a deal
PostedJanuary 13, 2016
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I liked this game a lot! It was quite lengthy, and the plot was pretty good. (Though I can't help but feel that the whole town would have been better off had it been wiped off the map by these cursed flowers...)
Like some other people reported, I had a weird experience post-install: the music file must have crashed, because the only sound I got was a weird clicking noise while the voiceovers were supposed to be happening, and then when I attempted to quit the game and restart, it froze my computer to a dead stop and I had to hard-reset. However, everything was fine and the gameplay continued as normal after a reset.
There are also some clear grammar/spelling/punctuation errors in the main text--nothing horrible, just a bit sloppy. Some of the hidden object scenes were also a little blurry, but again, not terrible.
Overall I thought this was a good game--the story flow was good, I REALLY liked the puzzles (neither too challenging nor too easy, and nothing felt repetitive), and I left feeling satisfied after I'd finished the story. However, I'm also not disappointed I went for the SE instead of the CE--the plot felt complete without an extra chapter and I didn't miss any of the 'extras'.
I recommend this game!
Decades ago, a brutal crime occurred at the Lexington Hotel. Are you brave enough to uncover the truth about what happened there?
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
WOW. Scarier than what I usually go for but I'm in love!
PostedJanuary 13, 2016
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Holy buckets, this game was INCREDIBLY good. I'm a little bummed now that I didn't decide to go for the CE, but it was one of those "pick it up with your free coupon" games and since it's not my normal genre I didn't splurge.
First of all--I like to know the scare factor before I'm going into a game like this, and if you're leery of trying it I'll say that I don't think it was that bad, especially (ironically) towards the second half of the game. There are some KILLER (haha) visuals at the start--reflections in mirrors, creepy shadows, bouncing balls that aren't really there, the whole nine yards.
But as soon as you make and help your first ally (a little over midway through the game), I think the entire game becomes less scary/suspenseful--there are still some good visuals, but they're mostly static (still a couple moving spider scares, but tbh they looked so fake that I wasn't afraid at all). I think some more hardcore 'scare factor' gamers might find that disappointing, but I thought it was well-paced and fit in with the storyline as a whole.
Other than that, I'm quite honestly speechless. Puzzles didn't feel too hard or too easy and were worth playing for the most part. The story wasn't crazy-new or inventive, but it was executed tremendously.
If you like the Mystery Trackers series, I think you'll like this game a lot. The video-cassette addition was very reminiscent of MT style, and the plot and pacing felt very MT but without the magicky-sciencey plot devices that MT hinges upon. Apparently this is a game in a series, and I'm definitely going to keep an open mind about the next one if the developers put as much love and care into crafting it as they did this one.
I recommend this game!
Track down a vampire hiding on a Mississippi riverboat cruise.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Solid storyline, lots of content--it was worth the CE
PostedJanuary 13, 2016
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm coming to this game late, but based off another frequent reviewer's glowing praise, I went ahead and splurged for the CE.
The storyline is a little cliche, but there were a few nice twists in there, and the characters were all extremely well-handled. This is theoretically a love story, but aside for a scant few tender moments, it's a story about the darker side of love--jealousy, obsession, revenge. It was pretty interesting to play after so many creepy Twilight-inspired ridiculously fluffy vampire sagas, and I appreciated a return to, in that sense, vampire tradition.
My one knock against the game is the visuals and sound.
Sound-wise: The video and voiceovers were pretty well-executed, but the music was "trying too hard"--it was obviously supposed to set a spooky atmosphere, but it was more than I felt the game really warranted, with some annoying high wailing notes that made me seriously consider turning it off.
Visually: Again, the video cutscenes were well done, but there were some hits to gameplay that left me a little cold. Number one was the navigation--the art wasn't tremendously defined, which I think is a stylistic choice they went for, but the problem was that it was really difficult to tell in some scenes where all of your active locations were supposed to be, especially within the bonus content.
One reviewer said it was "hint-button dependent," which sounded weird and complain-y before I played it but after having done so I can see EXACTLY what they mean. I spent a lot of game-time backtracking because I had an item in my inventory I had no idea what to do with--come to find out I've missed some dank corner with a couple key items and, oh yes, the place to put that odd inventory piece. This wasn't once or twice, but several times over. (There were also just a couple notable leaps in logic--that signpost wasn't sturdy enough to crack open the flimsy boat shed door, but it could stop a RUNNING water mill?? Okay then....)
Still, overall it was a pretty decent game. There's lots to do in terms of collectibles--one thing you'll want to watch out for is that the "Black Roses" you are hunting down aren't exclusively one per scene, which I didn't realize until I clicked on a piece with a 'hidden' rose by accident very late in the game. (You also need to carve the pumpkins, which I didn't figure out until the BONUS CONTENT. Bummer.)
Still, despite a few flaws I would recommend this game to others--might be one that's worth picking up on a bargain, should you have the opportunity.
I recommend this game!
You're the last hope to stop the ancient curse!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Finishing this game was like drinking from a fire hose...
PostedJanuary 11, 2016
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Holy buckets. This is definitely a Collectors Edition where you more than get your money's worth. I think I spent roughly 7 hours on gameplay, where I am normally a 3/4 hour game player...and I didn't even work my way through any of the bonus puzzles, I only did the main storyline and the bonus storyline because I was WIPED.
...But I was also hooked. The quality never suffered and the game didn't feel rushed at all, despite the jam-packed content. What an epic adventure for an afternoon!
My only knock was that the art/animation wasn't as "pretty" as some of the really rich, HD-looking games we've recently been spoiled with here at Big Fish, but I will happily take a bit of a knock in art quality for content that's as solid and fun-to-play all the way through. DEFINITELY get this game, and I will say that I think it's worth spending the extra point to get the CE.
I recommend this game!
Who is trying to destroy the Kingdom of Barsia?
Overall rating
2
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
Deeply, deeply disappointed. Previous Dark Parables fans: buyer beware!
PostedJanuary 10, 2016
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Truthfully, the reason I was so disappointed in this game was not the game as a standalone, but as a long-time fan of the series. I suppose putting this game up against its competitors still leaves it in the top-tier, but there was some clearly sloppy execution that isn't at ALL what I've come to expect from a Dark Parables game.
1) Where are my Morphing Objects?!
One of my favorite things about the Dark Parables series, and one of the reasons I always buy the Collectors' Edition, was because of the Morphing Objects that help to refill your hint meter faster. Here they have been replaced with lame, clumsily hidden static snowflakes, and a scant few "Parables" pieces--some morph, but some are just stuck randomly into the scenery where it's not clear what they are.
2) Spelling/grammar errors. Really?!
I can bypass a few mistakes in the script here or there--I know even the best editing team isn't going to catch everything--but it seemed like every other written piece, whether character dialogue, written on an in-game object itself, or even the end credits, had a mistake. There were apostrophes where there shouldn't be, misuse of homonyms, uncapitalized proper nouns--perhaps the most glaring, in the Bonus Chapter (non-spoilery, don't worry) you need to find an object that is important to two characters--and I quote, "a symbol that's important to them two". -_-
3) Clumsy and awkward plot/series tie-ins
This is tricky to talk about without giving too much away, but suffice it to say that I'm pretty sure that half of the story and content team have never actually read Goldilocks and the Three Bears. That's not to say I was looking for a verbatim rehashing of the story--I KNOW that the Dark Parables series is famous for its clever spins on well-known tales--but this one was not only wayyyy off the map, but also repetitive. A story very similar to this "golden curse" was already used, and handled much better, in the bonus content chapter of one of the previous Dark Parables series games. Seriously? You couldn't think of /anything/ different?
To make matters worse, the tie-ins to previous characters/games were handled horribly. Putting a laundry list of books on a shelf didn't make me fondly nostalgic for earlier games, and bringing a character back that hadn't been particularly well-received from an earlier game to selfishly deal with his own conflict--which isn't even (re)explained until the bonus chapter? Yeah, OKAY. (By which I mean, not okay at all, what the heck?! How does that look to new fans?)
The music was eh, the mini-games weren't fun or creative and there were very few of them, and I believe those that did exist weren't levelled at all to account for difficulty. The only piece of the entire game that I felt stood up to the standard I've come to expect from a Dark Parable was the "build a new inventory piece from stuff from a HO scene", where the artwork was still fairly intricate and pretty. At least something was handled well.
To anyone who reads my review who's considering whether or not to try the Dark Parables series--please do NOT buy this game. ANY of the previous games will be much more up to standard--I started with the second game in the series, based around the Frog Prince, and up until now I really haven't been disappointed. The Final Cinderella and Rise of the Snow Queen are still two of my favorite-ever hidden object games--I am really hoping that this one was a rushed fluke and Blue Tea will bring the quality back up to snuff after seeing these disappointed reviews from longer-term series fans.
I don't recommend this game.
When minotaurs attack, only you can save the day.
Overall rating
5
/
5
23 of 24 found this review helpful
SO GOOD. Wish I'd gone for the CE instead!
PostedSeptember 10, 2015
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I don't know why so many people rated this game so low. I have the rest of the Awakening series in CE versions, but after reading the bad reviews of this one I felt compelled to go for the SE. I wish now I hadn't!
I think where people probably had complaints was the challenge level--relatively, the game was a breeze. Mini-games were easily playable and HO scenes weren't bad either. However, I feel the need to note that a) I'm a super-casual player who plays to unwind, so for me it was awesome and b) the Awakening series, relatively, seems more geared towards being family-friendly and so I think is less difficult as a whole.
MY issue with the game, and possibly others' as well, is where they decided to "cut" the story to divide it between an SE and a CE--between this and the difficulty level, I think this is what people were talking about when they said the game felt too short. This is set in our usual Princess Sophia's human world past, but because it predates her we only get little nods to other games in the series (goblin automatons, for instance). However, after looking up the CE on Youtube, come to find out that oh yes, we DO get more involvement in games that make it an Awakening game, rather than a general fairytale quest--it just happens as a bonus chapter with "strange dreams" Sasha (main female character) has been having.
...........Er, what?! Why on earth is that BONUS content and not part of the main game itself?
I think this is a writing/script error rather than a game developer error. While the plot with the minotaurs was compelling and fun, THAT should have been the bonus game--introduce us to Sasha first through her quest to connect to the future queen, and then give us a little bit of background how Sasha became an important person to the Kingdom through her minotaur quest.
Still, I was ultimately very happy I chose to purchase it. I just wish I had known how much I would want the CE instead. Hope I can help other people who might be waffling not make the same mistake!
I recommend this game!
A strange and deadly pollen is spreading around the world, and you’ve been hired to track down its source. But the secrets you discover in the fabled kingdom of Floralia are much darker than you imagined...
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Great game, CE definitely worth it!
PostedAugust 31, 2014
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As a fan of the Dark Parables series, I ended up buying the Collectors' Edition even though the SE was available by the time I got around to it. I was definitely glad I did!
The main game itself was charming, as per Parables' usual, and unlike other reviewers, I thought the storyline was great. I do think it was an interesting choice for them to downplay her hair--is it possible to make a Rapunzel game without hair, you ask? Apparently so, and I thought it was an entertaining twist on the original story. There were also a TON of nods to previous series' games, and since I'm familiar with them, it gave the game a real sense of timeline and plot continuity. That said, I can see where this WOULDN'T be a great game to acquire new fans with--I think the storyline might've felt weaker to me had I not already played the other games.
However, the real show-stealer for me was the Bonus Content game, unlocked after playing the main story. They hint at the possibility of a new trio, between characters we've met in the main game and/or previous in the series (won't write their names as to avoid spoilers), and now I am DYING to see more of their adventures, hopefully in a full-length game. Please, /please/ make it happen, Blue Tea!
I recommend this game!
The town of Green Hill has really gone to the birds!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
An initially promising game that fell short
PostedApril 18, 2014
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
After reading the existing (glowing) ratings, I was fully prepared to find a new game to rave about, but I just couldn't sink my teeth into it. The non-character visuals and sound WERE very nice, but the characters' animation and the mediocre voice acting was disappointing. The plot started out as engaging and creative, but the foreshadowing was laid on so thickly that I actually lost interest. Overall, a decent play-through, but I felt that it was neither as unique nor as memorable a game as other reviewers seemed to think.
I recommend this game!
Return to Raincliff, where what you see isn’t always what you get!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Raincliff Redux!
PostedApril 18, 2014
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Mystery Trackers series is easily one of my favorite series that Big Fish offers. Suspenseful plot without being too scary (I'm not a fan of straight-up horror games), and the narrator's self-deprecating humor KILLS me! The original Raincliff was my favorite of the series, but this one is just as awesome. I was hooked within the first scene--I wish more games were as well-crafted as the MT games!
I recommend this game!
Dark Dimensions: Somber Song
Townspeople flee as the black smoke covers their town. Can you close the dark dimension, before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Great continuation of the Dark Dimensions series!
PostedApril 18, 2014
playinthewaves
fromBaltimore, MD
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm one of those players who loves a great plot, and Somber Song did not disappoint. The visuals and graphics were fantastic as well, and made you feel like you were truly immersed in the game. I was totally hooked early, and stayed up way too late to finish the story!
I recommend this game!