Heather_G's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:663
- Reviews Submitted:127
- First Review:November 21, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 6, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Discover a story of mysterious kidnappings of both children and mafiosi.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Great change of pace...
PostedMarch 14, 2017
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Marble Popper, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game has a decent story to it, and it doesn't involve demons or amulets--yea! Something a little different makes a refreshing change.
This is a big game and took me two full evenings to complete, so pretty long as well. There is a jump map which makes it easier to get from one area to another.
The puzzles were varied and all offered a bit of a challenge (not a cake walk like so many other recent games) without being horribly difficult. I never even had to peek at a walkthrough. Thank goodness there are no keys left in the door-poke it through-land it on a paper and pull it under gags or any of the countless done-to-death obstacles, except for the fact that everything is locked. The instructions were very clear for each one.
The progressive hidden object scenes were wonderful, and possibly the best thing in this game in that they were thoroughly integrated into the world and everything you pick up has a use, so it makes sense. Super! Not a single junk pile!
The music was subtle and not overly repetitive. I never felt the need to turn it off, and the music fit the mood of the scenes.
The translation to English is pretty good, but at one point you pick up something it says is a knife and it isn't. Think about what it looked like when you found it, before you picked it up, and you'll be right on.
This plays very much like an adventure game, but where those are often rather lonely, here you get to interact with a good number of other characters. All the voice overs are well done and fit the characters.
The only complaint I can muster is that zoomed in scenes don't zoom back out when you're done with them, making you wonder if you missed something. Still, that's a minor flaw I can live with when the rest of the game is so fun.
I have not played any other games by this developer, but I will certainly be looking for more from them. I highly recommend this game!
I recommend this game!
Elizabeth and her friend Steve are in serious danger on a faraway planet. Can you help them find their way home?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Some very hard puzzles!
PostedMarch 7, 2017
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Marble Popper, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm an old adventure gamer, so I certainly appreciate this kind of game. The translation errors were not too much of a problem--I can live with that. The problem I encountered, and what kept me from giving this game 5 stars, is that some of the puzzles are insanely hard (I played on the more difficult of the two settings). I'm not sure if one of them can be finished at all (maybe a game error?).
I HATE having to skip puzzles and I had no choice on two or three in this game. There is no walkthrough except a youtube series in which the player skips every hard puzzle, so no help there. The instructions are a bit ambiguous. I wish we could still interact with each other in the forum as fellow players can often shed just enough light on what you need to do to make solving the puzzles possible. Very frustrating.
I like challenging puzzles, but after twenty minutes or more on one, even I run out of patience.
I agree that I'd like to see more games from this developer, and also that they need better translation to make their games more polished. I would like to either be able to get a tiny hint within a puzzle, or have a walkthrough published for future games. I wish someone would do one for this game!
I recommend this game!
You've returned from school to visit your father at his famous Jazz Pepper Club during Mardi Gras, but everyone is hypnotized. Have they heard the wrong note?
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 7 found this review helpful
Another wonderful addition to the Cadenza series.
PostedFebruary 16, 2017
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Marble Popper, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm very glad to see this series. I've seen a lot of Asian themed games, one or two Native American, a few set in Venice, etc. but there have not been a lot of games featuring African Americans as most of the main characters, as well as the character you play. The Women's Murder Club is the only other one I can think of (and it was also very good).
As a Caucasian woman, I'm probably in the major target audience for many casual, hidden object games, so I'm not surprised that so many feature characters that feel familiar. But I enjoy stepping into unfamiliar settings, cultures, and situations in games and they are a treat when they come along.
In fact, I'd like to see an even wider net cast. Let's see more games set in outer space, the old west, ancient Rome, fractured nursery rhymes, Neanderthals, the bottom of the sea, underground, etc. Let us play as and among a greater variety of characters from all over the globe.
Ah, but I digress... This games has a wonderful plot and story, well-developed characters and fairly realistic scenes. There's dirt and garbage in the alley, cars trundle along the street, etc. It's easy to get caught up in a game where you can relate to the characters, and there is a cohesive story tying all the events and actions together. Some of the best games I've ever played (and this includes more traditional, pure adventure games) have been written by actual, talented authors. The Gabriel Knight series by Jane Jensen being a prime example. I'd really like to see more of the developers using professional writers rather than slapping a sketchy plot on a game that falls apart or wanders aimlessly.
This game is like reading a good book that you can step into and see and hear. It's not my favorite game of all time, but it's a very good one, and I hope to see more like it.
Well done, Mad Head Games. And I like your little message at the end of the credits telling what you're trying to accomplish, and that you appreciate us, the players. That's nice to hear.
I recommend this game!
Enjoy this beautiful adventure set in a unique interactive 3D Thailand! Complete mysterious puzzles and find hidden objects. Prepare for an unforgettable experience!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Best for Adventure lovers who like a real story!
PostedFebruary 6, 2017
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Marble Popper, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
If a game has a good story, I will stay with it no matter what. This game has a good story, AND the characters are good actors. I'm not just talking the voice-overs, which are good (although... at times... a bit... halting...) but the facial expressions, hand gestures, and body language conveyed a lot.
Yes, there were some gaps in the story, but nothing so significant that you lost the thread of the tale. And I would have liked a cursor that changes to show what you can interact with and where you can go, but it wasn't a big deal. The hint is very helpful, so if you get lost, you always have that, and it recharges quickly.
The game ran fine for me on a PC with no flickers (others had mentioned this) or other glitches. The mini-games and FROG's were fun and posed a reasonable challenge.
It might not be for the die-hard hidden object fan, or for those who like a lot of hand-holding, but I really enjoyed it and think other fans of the true Adventure genre would also like it.
I recommend this game!
Welcome to the Fiction Fixers! It’s your duty to protect famous works. Your first mission: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Ow, my eyes!
PostedJanuary 30, 2017
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Marble Popper, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a wonderful little game you can enjoy alone or with your kids without worry. The hidden object scenes are straightforward lists. The objects can be tiny, faint, only small portion showing, or just plain well hidden. If you don't like to use hints, you may find your nose pretty close to the screen, searching for everything. This is a game where a magnifier tool would be helpful (maybe for the next game in the series?).
Voice-overs were good, artwork cartoony but pleasant and the game ran without a hitch for me. There is no option for difficulty. I've got hundreds of games under my belt, but I tend to be a bit slow, and it took me just under four hours, so a reasonable length.
I liked the Oz episode a little better, but I love that this series has a completely novel storyline. No amulets or lost relatives here. Thank goodness! And thanks to the developers.
I recommend this game!
Join our heroines Lily and Madison as they follow a series of clues about a recent string of chilling murders.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Best for classic adventure game fans.
PostedDecember 29, 2016
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Yes, it feels a little dated and is probably worth only three stars, but I felt it needed a tiny ratings boost. This plays like an adventure game with a few hidden object scenes thrown in. Not a lot of hand-holding here, which is fine by me.
Pros:
The story was pretty good and kept my interest.
The voice-overs were excellent.
Background sounds fit each scene which added realism.
I liked the sliding scenes.
Fairly long game.
It had some interesting puzzles with a nice degree of challenge (not impossible, but not a cakewalk).
The story was pretty good and kept my interest.
The voice-overs were excellent.
Background sounds fit each scene which added realism.
I liked the sliding scenes.
Fairly long game.
It had some interesting puzzles with a nice degree of challenge (not impossible, but not a cakewalk).
Cons:
I often had to click an arrow twice before it registered.
I had one puzzle vanish so there was no way to finish it without skipping.
There was one thread left unraveled in the story (a character that was never explained).
The hidden object scenes were ordinary and some items were very hard to pick out.
I often had to click an arrow twice before it registered.
I had one puzzle vanish so there was no way to finish it without skipping.
There was one thread left unraveled in the story (a character that was never explained).
The hidden object scenes were ordinary and some items were very hard to pick out.
Overall, I think this is a perfectly good game for those who enjoy old-school adventure type games.
I think the poor reviews are largely by fans of the more modern hidden object games that make up the largest share of games here at Big Fish.
If you want to try something a little different, or miss the older adventures, do give this one at least a demo.
I recommend this game!
When a new romance blossoms, the door to mystery opens in Love Alchemy!
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
Just not good...
PostedMay 30, 2016
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I rarely write very negative reviews, but I feel this game deserves one. Sorry to the developers, as I have liked many of their games very much, but this one leaves a lot to be desired.
First, it's VERY short--like 2-3 hours, and I am not a speedy player.
Second, the list words in the HOS's are extremely tiny, written in a thin font you can barely see. Also, several items were not translated into English or even into our alphabet. No clue what those were without using hints.
Third, the story was just okay, but the writing was horrible. I'm sure part of it was translation difficulties, which I can forgive, but honestly, the character you play has to be about the stupidest woman I've ever seen. The dialog is simply awful.
Sorry, Ala... team, but this is not your best work. I can't recommend this game to anyone with the possible exception of an individual who looks for cornball dialog just to laugh at.
I don't recommend this game.
Darkness has engulfed Grimville! Use your cunning and wits to unravel the evil intrigues and save the town!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A good adventure, but not light and funny...
PostedMarch 31, 2016
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The graphics are what got my attention in the first place. I thought the cartoony style would reflect a comic feel in the game but it was your basic dark and gloomy "must defeat the demon" type of game. The graphics are, as another reviewer noted, similar to the Drawn series, which I liked very much. The story was interesting enough and there was a lot of adventure game feel throughout, with enough hidden object scenes to satisfy those who really enjoy them. This is a good game and ran fine for me, but if you're looking for something funny, like Tiny Bang Story or the like, this isn't it. If you're after an adventurish game that looks and plays a little differently from the rest, this is a good choice.
I recommend this game!
Shadows-kidnappers have arrived! Unravel the mystery of the Shadows and free the town from their dreadful fears!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Nice little adventure that's not like all the rest.
PostedMarch 17, 2016
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm going to side closer to the five-star rating reviewers on this one, but honestly, this nice little game does lack some polish when it comes to dialog. The nay-sayers are right that the translation or writing was done very poorly, but I never had any trouble understanding what they meant (even when they said the opposite of what they meant, like "This puzzle can't be complete until the piece is missing." or something close to that). You know they meant "until the missing piece is found" because that's what just about all minigames are like. Oh no! There's a piece missing! What a surprise!
Aside from the dialog and a couple of odd names for hidden object items, there's nothing wrong with this game at all. The hint system is very nice in that it leads you along from one scene to the next to get you where you can do something, and the jump map also told you where there were things to do. There were four difficulty settings which is great, although the one I chose wasn't supposed to show where actions could be completed but it still had sparkles on the HO scenes. There are not very many HOS's, and not all that many puzzles, but more like an adventure game where you have to find one thing, in order to do something or open another area.
The sound effects are creepy. There is some music but it's subtle and suits the mood of the game. The game ran just fine with no glitches for me. It's a little on the short side but I got a good three hours out of it, and felt it was well worth the Daily Deal price.
The developer, Graphium Studios, is new to me, and from their website, it looks like they haven't been around very long and this is one of their first games, so I'm willing to cut them some slack on the translation/dialog issues. If they make more games like this one, they'll soon earn enough money to hire a professional translator or dialog writer. I think they did a great job for an early effort and look forward to seeing more of their work.
If in doubt, try the demo, but if you like adventure games, or are looking for something different, I'd highly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
Explore the kingdom of Silverdale in this innovative new match-3 adventure.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
One of the best in this genre.
PostedMarch 2, 2016
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is mostly a match 3, but has a strong story line between game play boards. And massive boards they are! It can take nearly an hour to completely explore and finish one board. There are improvements you make to a town as well although no choices as to what they will look like. My only disappointment comes from some side stories that were never finished, but the main story does have a nice, satisfying ending, after which you can continue to play more boards to your heart's content.
Everything about this game is top-notch from the music to the graphics to the smooth game play.
Getting around the big game boards is similar to Vesuvia, where you match items at one edge of the screen in order to scroll in that direction, but there is also a map that lets you jump to another location after earning a powerup.
The story is charming and the voiceovers are extremely well done--very professional. The light humor reminded me very much of the story in Caribbean Hideaway.
This is a long, long game that took me a week to finish, and as I mentioned, you can continue to play even after the story is over, so really a good value.
I totally enjoyed this game and looked forward to playing it each evening. I highly recommend you give it a try.
I recommend this game!