charlene_lane's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:7,522
- Reviews Submitted:475
- First Review:March 13, 2013
- Most Recent Review:January 29, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The expedition continues... Track down the fragments of King Solomon's crown and foil a madman's plot in this exciting follow-up to the bestselling series!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
WHAT A GREAT ADVENTURE GAME
PostedAugust 19, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Really enjoyed this game.
Review of game, bonus and extras.
You have:
* Rookie, Field Agent, HELP Operative and Custom modes;
* Voiceovers;
* Interactive map (later on);
* Achievements board (approximately 30)
* Find 44 Crowns, 20 Fact Cards and 12 morphing objects.
* Voiceovers;
* Interactive map (later on);
* Achievements board (approximately 30)
* Find 44 Crowns, 20 Fact Cards and 12 morphing objects.
I played in Custom mode all the way through the game and bonus. I turned everything off, so the game took me a very long time. I was clicking blind a lot of the time and moved very slowly through the game. You can change or modify your mode at any time. This is excellent for beginners to experts.
The graphics are superb. There are no dark or blurry scenes at all. I found all clues and objects easy to find.
The sound and music are good - kind of adventure style music.
There are many different kinds of hidden object games - normal HOS, silhouettes and pieces to put together. They were a great fun to do and I really enjoyed them all. There is one morphing object per HOS, so keep an eye out for it - 12 altogether in the game.
There were also a lot of mini-games to play which ranged from being easy to hard. The hardest one I think was under the sea. This took me a really long time and eventually I had to resort to the Strategy Guide. I loved all the mini-games and I'm sure you will find your favourites in there as well.
All up the game took me about 6 hours and the bonus about 1 hour.
I recommend this game!
A series of unexplained deaths baffle authorities, and you’re called in to investigate.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
GREAT ADVENTURE GAME
PostedAugust 9, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review of completed game, bonus and extras.
There is:
* Voiceovers;
* Casual, Expert, Insane and Custom modes of play;
* Interactive map;
* 40 achievements;
* Fingerprint kit;
* Find 40 treasure chests in game and bonus;
* Play Match 3 instead of HOS;
* Unlock Souvenir Room once bonus completed.
* Casual, Expert, Insane and Custom modes of play;
* Interactive map;
* 40 achievements;
* Fingerprint kit;
* Find 40 treasure chests in game and bonus;
* Play Match 3 instead of HOS;
* Unlock Souvenir Room once bonus completed.
I played on Insane mode throughout the game and bonus.
The graphics were okay - they just took me a little while to get used to. They seemed to me to be a bit grainy at first, but then after a while they seemed to get better. I had no trouble finding the clues and doing the puzzles.
The music played quietly in the background - kind of adventure, pirate music.
There were many types of HOS. There were the usual straightforward HOS, silhouettes and pieces of items. I enjoyed them all and had no trouble finding them. However, if you don't feel like doing the HOS, you can play Match 3 instead. I played a bit of both.
There were many mini-games to play and most of them were easy. Only one sliding tile game had me going for a while. I enjoyed these all as well.
You need to find 40 treasure chests in the game and bonus. Most of them were easy to see as you entered each scene, but a few were hidden quite well. I found 38 of them! However, when you have finished the bonus game you can go back and find any you missed. Once you have accumulated some coins, then you go to the Souvenir Room to buy statutes and the like for the room.
There are lots of achievements to get - about 40 of them I think. I think I got about half of them.
I tried out the interactive map and hint button in the last part of the bonus game. Both worked well and the hint button charged almost straight away. I don't normally use either of these but thought you might want to know.
All up, the game took me about 5 hours and the bonus and extras took me about 90 minutes.
So overall, a good game. I definitely enjoyed it once I had got used to the graphics and the way the game played. Definitely recommended.
I recommend this game!
Guide Ethan Black as he attempts to rescue his bride-to-be from a terrifying menace known as the Faceless Ones!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
HELP ETHAN AND SAVE CLAIR
PostedAugust 1, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Not a bad game, but I found there was far too much hand holding. There is:
* Voiceovers (although only very sporadic);
* Casual and Expert modes of play;
* Journal;
* Map (not interactive).
* Casual and Expert modes of play;
* Journal;
* Map (not interactive).
The graphics were a little on the dark side and quite cluttered. I found that I had to stop and stare around for a while to get my bearings and decipher what objects were.
The music just played very quietly in the background.
As you are moving around, you are told what to find in most cases. Therefore, no chance of fizzing your brain out!
The hidden object games were the usual cluttered scenes. Some items were very hard to see, but I did eventually find them all which sometimes did take a while.
The mini-games were all very easy and didn't take long to do. They were the usual ones with placing the right weights on the scales, finding pairs, sliding tiles, etc. Nothing new.
Moving around was very easy and you don't stay in one location for long. Finding items and clues was easy.
The game took me about 4 hours to play. This is without skipping or hinting any HOS or mini-games. I'm now about to start on the bonus.
So overall, an average game. Experts may become bored with the challenge, but the story line is good and there is plenty to do.
I recommend this game!
Resolve a family squabble before the gates to the realm of the dead swing open and horrors beyond imagination pour into this world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 17 found this review helpful
FABULOUS GAME - YOU GOTTA PLAY THIS
PostedAugust 1, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Wow, I just loved this game.
You have:
* Voiceovers;
* Easy and Challenge modes of play;
* Journal;
* Achievements Board (32 of them)
* Upgrade Shop for Borus the cat; and
* Find 100 cat paws.
* Easy and Challenge modes of play;
* Journal;
* Achievements Board (32 of them)
* Upgrade Shop for Borus the cat; and
* Find 100 cat paws.
The graphics are very colourful and bright - sort of cartoony, but I loved them. I had no trouble at all finding clues and items.
Sound is very good and the music played quietly in the background - wasn't loud or overpowering.
There were many interactive hidden object games to play. These were easy to medium and I really enjoyed playing them.
The mini-games were also a lot of fun. They were harder than I originally thought and some took me a while to do. I know you will really enjoy these.
Make sure you collect all the 'paws' for Borus and then go to the shop and buy him items.
The game has a quirky funny side. I burst out laughing when I saw this dark, threatening, spooky tower at the beginning, with a 'welcome mat' at the front door! I knew then that I was going to have a good time.
The game took me a long time to play. I played all the HOS and mini-games without skipping, so all up about 6 hours.
I managed to get most of the achievements, which made me feel good and not completely useless.
So overall, a great game and definitely worth playing. You will enjoy it. There is no hand holding in the Challenge mode, so all you experts out there will be able to use your brain and not get bored.
Have fun playing.
I recommend this game!
Save your daughter from a mysterious mirror-hopping monster!
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 15 found this review helpful
GORGEOUS, AS ALWAYS, BUT COULD BE MORE CHALLENGING
PostedJuly 26, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Review of completed game, bonus and extras.
Hi fishies. Here is a bit about the game. You have:
* Casual, Bookworm, Scholar and Choose Your Own Mode;
* Voiceovers;
* Journal;
* Interactive map;
* Achievements Boards - 3 of them;
* Find 48 collectibles - then complete the puzzle;
* Complete missing rooms from Alice's Dollhouse; and
* Three stories - main, bonus and hidden chapters.
* Voiceovers;
* Journal;
* Interactive map;
* Achievements Boards - 3 of them;
* Find 48 collectibles - then complete the puzzle;
* Complete missing rooms from Alice's Dollhouse; and
* Three stories - main, bonus and hidden chapters.
The graphics are superb and quite beautiful. Sound is very good. I've always loved Mad Head Game's graphics.
The music is gorgeous - just plays quietly in the background but I always turn the music up loud with this developer.
The interactive hidden object games were very easy. Keep an eye out for the one morphing object in each HOS because they are easy to forget about and you can't go back. The morphing objects were quite elusive in some cases and I had to stare at the screen for a while before I grabbed them.
The mini-games were once again very easy but a lot of fun. I enjoyed these, especially the one where you to place the guns in the right position to get rid of the octopus. Took me a while that one.
The main game was mainly about Belle and her daughter Alice and the bonus game was about Pierre (Alice's father).
The hidden chapters were helping characters from the main game. There are 3 books and you go through each one to help Captain Nemo, etc.
You can play again all the HOS and mini-games if you want. I played the octopus game again a couple of times.
The game, bonus and extra hidden chapters took me about 9 hours all up to play - good value for money.
So overall, a great game. However, not very challenging, but fun. I didn't need to refer to the Strategy Guide or interactive map. Hopefully the developer will take into consideration that expert players need more of a challenge or we become bored.
I recommend this game!
Is it just a high fever or something much worse? One doctor's house call is about to become an investigation!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
I LOVED IT - GREAT VAMPIRE GAME
PostedJuly 12, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game was great. Good adventure with plenty of HOS and mini-games to play.
You have:
* Casual, Advanced and Hard modes of play;
* Voiceovers; and
* Journal.
* Voiceovers; and
* Journal.
I played on Hard mode throughout the game. Now, once you have started you cannot change your mode of play during the game, unless you start again. So, just make you are happy at the start with whatever mode you play.
Okay, the graphics were a bit old hat but you could see everything very clearly and I had no trouble finding any of the clues of all the locations.
Sound was actually very good, with background noises of rats screaming, the wind howling and eerie sounds everywhere. It really added to the ambience of the game. Any music I heard was played quietly in the background.
There were plenty of HOS to play which were easy. These were quite cluttered scenes but I had no problem finding any of the items. Each one only took a couple of minutes at the most.
The mini-games ranged from being very easy to downright hard. The hardest one was putting red and blue chips in the right order on a board. This one took me ages - well over an hour to achieve. LOVED IT. I don't often get mini-games that are challenging, so I relished these ones.
We didn't have an interactive map with this game but you don't have to venture off too far and its easy to remember where to go.
The game was very long - I think I played for at least 6 hours, maybe longer. However, on the Hard mode you cannot skip games, so you have to tough it out and play them all.
Overall, a really enjoyable game - something you can sink your teeth into (no pun intended!). Definitely recommended. Please give it a try as I think you would enjoy it.
The makers of this game have also done Calavera - Day of the Dead, Secrets of the Seas - Flying Dutchman and Ghost Town - The Cats of Ulthar, so I'm going to check these out now.
I recommend this game!
Travel back in time to the late 19th century and get ready for spectacular adventures on land, sea and air.
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
FUN, CHALLENGING, FRUSTRATING ALL AT ONCE
PostedJuly 10, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I don't know why, but I keep coming back to this game. I have played it many times and still find it challenging, addictive, fun and frustrating - all at once!
There is a fair bit of reading to do during the travels of Phileas Fogg and his companions, but you can skip if you want. I read everything the first time round, but after that I skipped so I could just get on and play the boards.
It starts off relatively easy until you get to China and then it gets challenging. I lost quite a few lives in that country the first time round. At the end of each round you play for a stamp to prove that you had been to that particular country when you eventually get back to England.
At the end of each round you get tips on how to play better. That will come in handy for anyone new playing the game.
I liked that the clock shows the actual time in the country you live in (e.g. New Zealand). Quite cool.
The graphics are very good. The boards are large and crystal clear so you can see where things are and what you need to do. I liked that.
The music is apt for each country you go to. So for instance if you are in China, then you get to hear Chinese music, etc.
So, if you want to play a game that has nice characters, good graphics and music, and you are in the mood for a challenge, then this game is perfect. So that's the reason why I keep coming back to it. This game has some special qualities.
Overall, definitely recommended.
I recommend this game!
Guide Kate Reed as she searches for the artifacts that can break the power of a cursed gem in House of 1,000 Doors: The Palm of Zoroaster!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
HOS GALORE - TAKE A BITE OF THAT APPLE
PostedJuly 10, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've played all three House of 1000 Door games now and enjoyed all of them.
You have:
* Casual and Expert modes of play;
* Voiceovers;
* Diary;
* Interactive map;
* Find 46 morphing objects in the game [not the Bonus].
* Voiceovers;
* Diary;
* Interactive map;
* Find 46 morphing objects in the game [not the Bonus].
I played on Expert throughout the game and bonus.
You travel to four (five if you include the Bonus) destinations - India, China, Madagascar and Jerusalem to undertake all your tasks. I really enjoyed these.
The graphics are superb and truly superior compared to many other games I've played. You can see everything crystal clear. A real pleasure to behold.
The music was mainly played by an organ quietly in the background. I didn't need to turn it down to concentrate.
The interactive map also shows areas where you still have tasks to perform. So if you get stuck, you can look in there. I personally won't use it as I like to be challenged, but its there if you need it.
The morphing objects did actually morph and were easy to grab. A "hand" will come over it anyway as you are looking around.
There were soooooo many hidden object games to play. I truly lost count. It seemed like every two steps you took, bang you run into another one. These were very easy to play and only took a minute or two to complete each one. I came to dread these a bit because I got sick of them. But I know many fishies will love these.
The mini-games were also very easy. Some took a while, like putting the stone blocks back together in the right way. I am useless at that type of mini-game and it took me ages. But most of them were standard that you find in most games.
The Bonus game was about helping Gabriel [the guardian of the house], who was aging quickly, to find a golden apple to stop him from dying. Great length for a Bonus game.
So overall, I played for many hours - about 6 hours for the game and about 90 minutes for the Bonus. Money well spent there. Pity about the challenge, but hey we can't have everything.
I definitely recommend this game - well actually all of the 1000 Doors games. Plenty of adventure and a lot of fun.
I recommend this game!
An organ grinder seeks revenge, marking his victims with cards. Can you stop him before he destroys the entire city?
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
I REALLY FELT FOR THE ORGAN GRINDER
PostedJuly 5, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This has a good story and its a little bit sad. I truly felt for the organ grinder and his family.
You have:
* Casual, Adventure and Hardcore modes of play;
* Interactive map;
* Journal cards;
* Voiceovers.
* Find 10 lost pets (morphing throughout game and bonus).
* Interactive map;
* Journal cards;
* Voiceovers.
* Find 10 lost pets (morphing throughout game and bonus).
I played on Hardcore throughout the game and bonus and didn't need to refer to the Strategy Guide at all.
The graphics are wonderful - as usual for Elephant. Everywhere was crystal clear and easy to see.
The music played quietly in the background and I really didn't notice it that much.
The hidden object games were very easy to play. You never played the same one twice. These don't take long to do at all.
Once again, the mini-games were very easy to do. A few took a while to do because I had to get everything in the right order. I've done puzzles like these all before and didn't see anything new.
Keep an eye out for the morphing 10 lost pets. Yes, they actually do morph and are easy to see.
In the bonus section you can do an additional 9 puzzles. I had fun doing these - I love puzzles. They are not as easy as you think!
All up I think the game and bonus took me about 6 hours.
Overall, I liked the game. However, it was very simple and unchallenging - great for beginners and maybe intermediates. Would have been wonderful if there had been a Custom mode where I could have turned everything off. I love a good challenge which makes me think about everything I do.
Definitely recommended.
I recommend this game!
The runestone that has protected the town of Neverville for centuries has disappeared. Now, the evil necromancer Grimhall is threatening its people. Can you save them from this grim fate?
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
I WISH I LOOKED LIKE VALERIE!
PostedJuly 4, 2014
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Not a bad game which I played in an afternoon.
You have Normal, Hard and Detective modes of play. I played on Detective throughout the game.
The graphics are very good. I had no trouble finding items in the HOS and locating all the clues. I didn't really notice the music.
The hidden object games were standard and pretty easy to play. I didn't spend that much time of them. There were no teeny tiny or blurry undecipherable objects to find.
The mini-games I quite enjoyed. I've seen them all before. A couple of puzzles peaked my interest when they were harder than they looked. Nice surprise.
All up I think the game took me about three and half hours. A nice afternoon spent (raining and cold - middle of winter - blah).
Overall, I recommend this game. I think its worth playing.
I recommend this game!