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:
Was Veronica West’s death an accident… or a cold-blooded murder?
Overall rating
5
/
5
152 of 193 found this review helpful
ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES
PostedJuly 13, 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
This game has everything you could ask for. I played the entire game under the casual mode.
The storyline was very interesting, a great detective story and an excellent change from dark, fantasy games.
The hidden object puzzles covered all types; lists, silhouettes, etc. I did need a few hints for them. The puzzles were fairly easy; I played all of them without skipping or using hints, thus winning some awards. There were often layers within both the hidden object scenes as well as the puzzles. Supposedly, there were morphing objects to find in the hidden object scenes, but this was not explained at the beginning of the game, or in the tutorial, which I played all the way through. Being unaware of these objects to collect, I missed out on one of the achievements. There definitely could have been better instructions at the beginning of the game.
Collecting stars in the various locations unlocked 4 brand new bonus hidden object locations at the end. I missed 5 of the stars, even after going back over every scene to find them. The great thing was, at the end, in the bonus section, the game showed the location of which stars I missed and allowed me to return to that location to collect it, thus ensuring that I was able to play the extra hidden object locations. This was a really neat idea.
The extras also included all the hidden object scenes in the game that could be replayed to earn an additional achievement award. The achievement awards had a neat twist to them; you could earn some of them for doing things wrong, like over-clicking in a hidden object scene. A neat change of pace. I was unable to win all the awards, as some are based on speed and I'm not that fast with a mouse pad.
The bonus chapter was supposed to be a prequel to the game, but I really didn't see the connection. It was fairly long and was as interesting as the main game. It also was a detective-type story.
The extras had a lot of extra things, including a search for collectibles. These objects were not available to collect during the game, only at the end. The game takes you to each location to find one object that was not there during the main game. Fairly easy to do, but also a nice addition.
I tried to leave the music on, but the repetitive nature of the music with all games gets on my nerves and even at very low volume, I end up turning it off. The voiceovers were not affected by this, which is a really big selling point for me. I like listening to voiceovers, but hate to have to leave the music on in order to be able to hear them. The voiceovers in this game were excellent.
The interactive map was over the top. You even get an achievement for using it to jump from one location to the next. I used it a lot. It was really a beautiful map, as the locations on the map were actually a replica of the area, not just a drawing. Very nice change and more eye candy.
The game was nicely linear, with not too much back and forth. After completing one series of locations, the game moved into another series, but the previous locations were not closed. This is how I was able to go back and look for missing stars. I found some of the stars, but still missed 5 of them through the entire game. To collect all the stars, you have to play the bonus chapter as well.
I did not have to refer to the built-in strategy guide at all. With the combination of the excellent map, the hint button, and good instructions for the puzzles, I did not need it.
This is a very classy game. Good job, Big Fish.
I recommend this game!
Delve deeper into the secret world of a time traveling family trying to fulfill the prophecies in the Book of Oracles.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
THIRD IN THE SERIES
PostedJuly 8, 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
4
/
5
This game is about time travel and mixes facts with fiction as you travel through time and visit different world locations and time periods in an attempt to save the Flux family from world destruction. Various famous people throughout history are highlighted in the game.
The graphics are bright and sharp. Although there are the normal hidden object list scenes, every scene has objects that must be found, either to add to inventory, or to be combined and then added to inventory.
The puzzles are varied but not that hard. The game is fairly easy to figure out what to do next and how to do it. At no time did I need to refer to the strategy guide, although I did use the hint button at times to figure out the next step.
Kept me interested and involved the whole time.
I recommend this game!
Search for thousands of cleverly hidden items around the historic sites of Tokyo. Play a bunch of fun mini-games too.
Overall rating
4
/
5
ANOTHER WINNER
PostedJuly 4, 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
I really enjoy all the Big City Adventure games. They are very relaxing and a great change from the majority of dark and sinister games. I also like the tidbits about the city's history revealed about each location.
This is a straight hidden object game with easy puzzles. There are multiple locations within the city and these locations are played several times for a total of 60 hidden object games and the same number of puzzles. The graphics are very colorful and the hidden objects are challenging to find as many are tiny and get lost in the riot of colors. The types of puzzles are also repetitive. I played the timed mode and only ran out of time twice on one specific location. I liked the rhythm of the game, with a timed, challenging hidden object scene followed by a relatively easy puzzle.
The only thing that bothered me was the out-of-focus postcards used throughout the game to show the various locations. These postcards were made to look like an oil painting, but they were all so blurred and fuzzy that I got a headache looking at them. I tried to get past them as quickly as possible.
I earned only 6 of the available 12 achievements, many of which are based on completing actions quickly, not using hints, not skipping puzzles, etc., etc.
A nice, long, relaxing game.
I recommend this game!
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call Collector's Edition
Face off against Davy Jones and his nightmares from the deep!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
GREAT GAME, GREAT SERIES
PostedJuly 3, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game does everything the right way; interactive map that shows active locations and allows you to jump directly there, good hints, interesting puzzles, excellent bonus chapter, achievements, morphing items, extra items to find, choice between mahjong and hidden object scenes, choice of level of difficulty, etc.etc.
I did not earn all the achievements, nor was I able to find all the morphing parrots, seahorses or octopi. I enjoyed the game so much that I might play it again to see if I can do better in this area.
The bonus chapter was pretty long and fit neatly in with the main game. There were actually more hidden object scenes in the bonus chapter than in the main game.
I rarely used the hint button and I don't think I referred to the strategy guide at all.
There was a lot of back and forth among the same locations, but the map allowed you to jump to the next active location, so the frustration potential was reduced. I still don't understand why games are designed with all this back and forth; I just feel like it is busy work.
It would have been nice to be able to hear the voiceovers without all the other sounds. No matter how good the music/sound is, it gets on my nerves hearing it over and over and over again.
Definitely worth the extra cost for the Collector's Edition and purchasing the other games in the series.
I recommend this game!
Embark on a thrilling rescue mission in the Town of the Cyclops!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
ONLY AN INTERACTIVE MAP COULD HELP THIS GAME
PostedJuly 1, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game certainly had potential, but it was completely spoiled by the excessive back and forth that was required.
Once all the locations were opened, the game would require you to go from the farthest location on one side to the farthest location on the other side, and the only way to get there was to go down, over, up, back, etc. Once you reached the right location, you might pick up one item that was needed in another location. And that next location would almost always be as far away from your current location as they could make it.
All this back and forth is just busy work to make the game longer, I guess. I was so frustrated with this movement that I was gritting my teeth. If the map had been interactive, where you could use it to skip to the next active location, I might have rated it higher.
I just don't think there is any need in a game to require all this back and forth business. I think it just shows that the developers are lazy and can't figure out how to program a long game without this time filler.
Other negatives for this game were the puzzles and the strategy guide. Some of the puzzles were extremely hard to figure out how to solve them, and the instructions with the puzzle and in the strategy guide were of very little help.
I did not find all the strawberries to open that bonus chapter and I'm certainly not going to play this frustrating game again just to try to open this bonus.
The bonus chapter was also very disappointing and did not fit with the main game.
This game really got on my nerves.
I don't recommend this game.
One night the ghost of President Lincoln appears, asking for your help. Can you find the hidden Confederate treasure?
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
MY NEW FAVORITE GAME
PostedJune 25, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I thoroughly enjoyed this game. The only improvement I can think of would be to make the map interactive so I could jump from one location to another.
The storyline was excellent. Having been born and raised in Missouri, the Jesse James connection was particularly interesting.
Of the 22 available achievements, I got 18. Three of the 4 I missed had to do with finding all the clovers and ravens. The 4th was not doing the barrel puzzle in the fewest moves.
There is a lot going on during this game, enough to keep me busy and not bored. After finding 40 clovers, the bonus material was unlocked. I enjoyed playing the unlimited hidden object scenes and doing the puzzles that brought up true information about the characters in the story.
Collecting ravens increased the number of hints available. I found very few ravens, but that was OK as I needed very few hints. The only thing I used the built-in strategy guide for was for help on some of the puzzles.
This game is the tops.
I recommend this game!
Follow the kidnapper's clues, rediscover Sarah's past and bring her brother back to safety in this action packed Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
NEEDS AN INTERACTIVE MAP
PostedJune 24, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is one of my pet peeve games; the ones that have me running back and forth so many times that I totally lose track of where I am or where I should be. The saving grace to this game, as opposed to others of the same type, is the hint button worked as a navigator.
The puzzles were fairly easy, but some of the hidden object scenes were tough. Lots of small items to search through; I used the hint button a few times out of frustration. There was also a catch to some of the hidden object scenes; even when I was finished finding all the items on the list, I had to go over the scene very carefully to find one additional item that needed to be added to inventory, with no clue as to what I was looking for.
There is a twist at the end of the story that was surprising. Or maybe it wouldn't have been surprising if I had been able to concentrate on the story instead of catching myself coming and going among the same scenes over and over again. Try to get this one on sale.
The quaint mountain town of Hochwald hides a deadly secret. Defeat a mechanical mastermind and save your friend before another earthquake strikes!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
EXCELLENT MAP
PostedJune 22, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is another game that takes you back and forth too much. The only saving grace was the interactive map, which showed where actions needed to be done and allowed you to jump to that location through the map. But opening the map every minute or so in order to get to the next active location was very irritating.
Good storyline. There was no bonus chapter. The "extras" included 6 hidden object scenes and 6 minigames to replay, but the hidden object scenes repeated the things that had already been found during the game. I was expecting to be able to "find" all the objects in all the scenes, but that didn't happen. In the 6 scenes, one of them was new, but still that wasn't much of a bonus.
I won many achievements during the game and the achievements were part of a stained glass scene, which I thought was new and different and neat. Highlighting different parts of the glass told you what achievement it represented. I expected to see the various parts of the glass light up when I won an achievement, so that at the end the whole scene would be lighten up if I won some or all of the achievements. Didn't happen; none of the glass lighted up at all. Disappointing.
The achievements were pretty attainable, not like ones that expect you to never skip a puzzle or never use a hint during the game.
I enjoyed the game and the storyline kept me interested.
I recommend this game!
Famed writer Nathaniel Hawthorne has died during a freak storm, and his spirit comes to you for help!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
COULDN'T KEEP ALL THE CHARACTERS STRAIGHT
PostedJune 19, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The storyline in this game wasn't easy for me to follow. I actually played the game completely through twice and understood the story a little better after the end of the second game, but I'm still not sure who all the players were and what their significance was.
I played through twice because I didn't find all the cloverleafs the first time to open the unlimited mode. Well, I think I did even worse the second time around. So I was unable to unlock the unlimited mode, which was disappointing for me. It would have added a lot to the value of the game, as well as the length of it. Not sure I am going to waste my time playing again just to see if I get any better at it. I didn't find all the ravens, either, so I missed that achievement also. In fact, I didn't get very many of the achievements at all. Needless to say, this game was challenging,
I recommend this game!
Amazing Adventures Riddle of the Two Knights
Follow a curious trail through crowded bazaars and snow-swept summits to find what is missing!
Overall rating
4
/
5
LOTS OF HIDDEN OBJECTS
PostedJune 18, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
All the "Amazing Adventures" games have tons of hidden object scenes. Although the scenes repeat several times, there are always different objects to find each time. The puzzles are fairly easy.
The story line has you finding clues as you complete each level (25 of them) and at the end, the clues have to be put together to solve the mystery.
Collecting 50 crowns entitles you to unlimited play at the end. Here you can go to each location and find all the hidden objects, totalling over 2000 objects for all the locations combined. Unlimited mode also gives you 35 Match 2 puzzles.
A long game even without the unlimited play at the end. Relaxing game to hone your hidden object skills.
I recommend this game!