arnold1049's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:4,545
- Reviews Submitted:555
- First Review:February 24, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 24, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Tinseltown`s in trouble and it`s up to you to save it! Solve a cavalcade of challenging puzzles in this Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
EVEN "STARS" CAN'T SAVE THIS GAME
PostedJuly 30, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I was intrigued by the idea that Hollywood stars made cameo appearances in this game. If that is true, then the graphics are so bad that I was unable to recognize a single one. The first names of the characters was supposed to be a hint, I think, but even that didn't help me figure out who they were supposed to represent.
I played 40 minutes of the free trial and I would say 75% of that time was spent reading inane dialogue. There were references to a "John" character who could be found on a Western movie set, but even that teaser was not enough to keep me playing. I'm sure he would not have resembled John Wayne anyway.
This game deserves no stars. I gave it 2 stars because I don't like using the word "hate" to apply to anything. I feel the same way about using the word "love" in reference to a game. Big Fish, maybe you could come up with different words for the ratings?
Totally avoid this game. It isn't even worth the time to play the free trial.
I don't recommend this game.
Investigate the dastardly deeds of a wealthy socialite and prove your fiance is not a thief in Snark Busters: High Society!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
NOT REALLY A TALE ABOUT THE SNARK
PostedJuly 29, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The Snark and the continued search for it has very little to do with this game in the series. It is basically only about the protagonist proving her fiance is innocent of stealing.
This game contains the type of hidden object scenes where it is necessary to find pieces of an item to be combined into another item that will then be used in the advancement of the game. Not my favorite kind of hidden object game, but I like the storyline and the brightness of the graphics so much that they overcome this slight annoyance.
Nothing too remarkable or outstanding about this game, but another solid addition to the series.
I recommend this game!
Embark on a globetrotting adventure to unearth an artifact from the bowels of a lost ship in this riveting Hidden Object game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
LITTLE GAME THAT PACKS A PUNCH
PostedJuly 27, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game has ten chapters and each chapter has several hidden object scenes. This game is different from anything I've played before. I played the whole game under the timed mode and I ran out of time 3 or 4 times, which meant I had to start the chapter over. And starting over didn't mean that you repeated finding exactly the same items or playing the same puzzles; the chapter changed if you have to play it over.
I was surprised at how hard the hidden object scenes were. The objects that needed to be found were contained in both lists and silhouettes. Often you needed an inventory item to open another part of the scene to find objects, but the lists did not mark the objects that needed extra steps differently from the in-sight objects. A few of the scenes had to be played with a flashlight, increasing the difficulty.
Hints were limited for each chapter and I ran out of hints several times. Golden coins needed to be collected throughout the game and you could use these coins to purchase tips. I never figured out how this worked. One tip costs 3 coins and I must have purchased 2 or 3 tips but never saw how they could be used to help me find the objects. As far as I was concerned, collecting the coins was a worthless endeavor.
Part of the story involved undersea locations and an additional restraint was added. You have to watch the air in your tanks and if you start to run out, you have to go back to the surface to recharge them. During this recharging, the clock is still ticking, so it contributes to the stress of completing the scenes in the given amount of time. Of course, you have the option to play the game without being timed, but I liked the challenge of trying to beat the clock,
The graphics were great and the characters very life-like. There are no voiceovers. The dialogue contains options of which question to ask during the conversation,
The storyline was very interesting and believable. The ending leads into a sequel, but Big Fish does not carry it,
This is a very surprising little gem that should appeal to all hidden object fanatics.
I recommend this game!
Your investigative report on the Weeping Woman of San Cristobal turns personal after you witness a kidnapping. Is the legend true?
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 14 found this review helpful
GREAT NEW GAME
PostedJuly 27, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played the whole game plus the bonus chapter on a custom difficulty level that was only one level up from the casual mode. I used the custom mode so that I wouldn’t get sparkle hints when I was in a hidden object scene. That drives me crazy.
I also did not play with sound; I never do, as the repetitiveness of the music annoys me. However, this game allowed me to hear the voiceovers even with the sound turned off. I think this is one of the best things games can make available to us players. I love listening to voiceovers and this game, set in Mexico, had excellent voiceovers. All the accents were right on.
The graphics were awesome; clear and bright, even though the storyline is another dark subject; a woman who committed suicide because she lost her children to her ex-husband and his new lover, then comes back from the grave and steals children. The characters looked very life-like and the mouth movements fit the voiceovers extremely well.
The game had achievements to win and morphing flowers and golden skulls to collect. I was able to find only 21 of the 25 flowers/skulls, so I’m guessing I missed them in the same 4 scenes. They might have been in the very first scenes, before the tutorial pointed them out. I missed those 2 achievements, as well as the achievement for winning all the achievements. I can live with missing only 3 out of 16 achievements. The achievements were attainable, unlike a lot of games I’ve played. There was only one achievement based on speed (finish a hidden object scene in 1 minute) and I was finally able to do this in the bonus chapter. The hidden object scenes in the main game were interactive, with puzzles and other actions needed in order to find some objects, so I think it would be very hard for anyone to finish those kinds of scenes in under a minute.
The hidden object scenes and puzzles were good. The hidden objects weren’t too small and the scenes weren’t dark. Some of the puzzles were difficult enough that I had to refer to the strategy guide in order to solve them. (Built-in strategy guide, another big plus for the game.) I didn’t want to miss an achievement by skipping them. The information on how to play the puzzles was also very good.
The map during the main game was interactive and, in casual mode, showed where actions needed to be taken. There was no map for the bonus chapter, which resulted in a lot of back and forth, but not an excessive amount. The hint button worked as a navigational tool, so that helped.
The bonus chapter was fairly long. It was not an extension of the main game, but was set in the same location, just with a different subject. I kind of expected to pick up the 4 missing flowers/skulls during the bonus play, but that did not happen; there were no flowers/skulls in the bonus chapter.
I’ve always wondered why the hint button doesn’t work when you are in a puzzle. It would seem to me that just a little help to get you started on a puzzle would be a good thing, instead of an all or nothing strategy; either you solve the puzzle or you have to skip it.
I think this is a great game and a great effort on BF’s part. Keep them coming.
I recommend this game!
An imprisoned soul will never be free until you clear his name!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
SOLID PERFORMANCE
PostedJuly 25, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Good, solid game with great, clear graphics. Hidden object scenes and puzzles fairly standard. I played the whole game in casual mode, without sound. No voiceovers. Had a great interactive map and built-in strategy guide. There was some back and forth, but the map made movement easy. The achievements were not too hard to accomplish. I did not find all the card collectibles, though.
The storyline was excellent, with flashbacks to the past. Great characters; would have been nice to hear them talk. The bonus chapter fit nicely into the main story and provided a good ending. The game wasn't that long, but didn't really seem too short, either. Just about the right length.
This is the second Dana Knightstone game I have played and the series so far has been good quality.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious man in red summons you, sending you to a flying ship where a little girl needs your help!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
GOOD ENOUGH TO BE A CE
PostedJuly 23, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The only thing keeping this game from being equivalent to a Collector's Edition is a few extras like bonus play, an interactive map, wallpapers, etc. The length and variety of actions in this game would have been worth the price of a CE.
The storyline is basic good versus evil, with a stranger coming to the rescue of people being tormented by demons. Enough said. I never play with music, so I have no opinion on it. There are no voiceovers, but there was not that much dialog that had to be read.
The variety of puzzles and hidden object scenes was very impressive, Some of the puzzles were fairly easy, but others were hard enough that I had to skip them. Some were unique and others were enough of a variant on standard puzzles to make them interesting and challenging. There were lots of hidden object scenes and they varied between lists and silhouettes, with items that had to be opened or moved to find other items. Definitely kept my interest.
The only criticism I have is that it definitely needed at least a map, and an interactive one would have been perfect. There was a lot of back and forth and ordinarily that turns me completely against a game. The saving grace with this game was that the hint button acted as a navigator to the next active location, although it worked by taking you backwards/forwards one screen at a time. If you have a good memory and are good at remembering how you got to a certain place, this might not be a problem for you. However, after a few back and forths, I get completely lost and can barely remember the last location I visited. However, the challenge of this game and the interest it generates overcame this irritant for me.
I was so impressed with this game that I immediately purchased the other game in this series, Timeless: The Forgotten Town CE. It would be nice if other Timeless games were developed, if the quality meets or exceeds this game.
I recommend this game!
Agatha Christie: Peril at End House
Hercule Poirot is at it again Mon dieu! - in another Hidden Object mystery of murderous proportions.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
LEAVES YOU GUESSING UNTIL THE END
PostedJuly 20, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is a great mystery, just like the author's books it is based on. The storyline was convoluted and had a surprise ending. Very interesting characters; would have been nice to have voiceovers.
The hidden object scenes were tough. The items were tiny and often faded into the background. Hints are limited to 5 for a given set of 4 or 5 locations, so they have to be used sparingly. The puzzles were relatively easy.
A good, basic game that held my interest the whole way through.
I recommend this game!
What happens when the heart turns against itself?
Overall rating
5
/
5
TRUE PIRATE ON THE HIGH SEAS
PostedJuly 16, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
An excellent game with great graphics, lots of good hidden object scenes, well done voiceovers, and an interactive map. During the game you collect a piece of paper at each location. These papers reveal the true story of the pirate the game is based on.
The puzzles were fairly easy and I didn't have to skip any of them. Did not need the built-in strategy guide either. Was not able to earn all the achievements; the ones based on speed are always hard for me to do.
Since the storyline is based on a real person, it was very interesting. The lush tropical scenery was really easy on the eye. The game was fairly linear with very little back and forth. The map did an excellent job of keeping me on track.
Just a great, enjoyable game.
I recommend this game!
Fly to Paris to cover the opening of Paris's hottest new restaurant, Le Roi Soleil! Help discover who murdered the restaurant's famous chef!
Overall rating
4
/
5
23 of 39 found this review helpful
GOOD WHODUNIT
PostedJuly 15, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is rather short. It has a nice storyline; a murder investigation located in Paris involving rival restaurant owners. The puzzles are easy. The hidden object scenes, of which there are several, are a little harder, as the items are often small and the scenes very busy.
There is an interactive map that allows you to jump from one location directly to another. In fact, it is the only way to move around the game. Each location has very few actions. other than the hidden object scene. There is also a journal that contains notes and objectives, but these are covered easily in a couple of small pages.
Short, easy game that is worth a free coupon and maybe $2.99 but nothing more.
I recommend this game!
Explore the incredible underwater hidden object world of Aquascapes.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
HABIT FORMING
PostedJuly 15, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game is a neat spin on hidden object games and similar to social games played on the internet. Game play consists of purchasing aquariums, stocking with fish and decorating them. Each aquarium can contain a maximum of 12 fish and achieve 3 levels of awards for decorating. Shells, stars and experience are earned while playing hidden object scenes, which then enable the purchase of items. There are 8 types of aquariums with coordinated backgrounds and decorations. The number of aquariums is virtually unlimited. Collecting enough stars opens up new levels which make new decorations and fish available.
A large number of achievements are available to earn. I decided to quit playing after reaching level 75 out of 100. The achievements that I was unable to win included finding 40 gold items in 30 seconds, playing for 6 straight hours, using 100 hints, finding 4 objects in 3 seconds, adding 50 items to inventory and opening 20 aquariums.
The achievements kept me playing a lot longer than I should have. The repetition of the hidden object scenes became extremely boring, even with objects being moved or added or deleted to try to add variety.
Great game to kill time without too much challenge to the brain cells.
I recommend this game!