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:
Find the woman who disappears in the Hall of Mirrors. Investigate two worlds: the Carnivals of Good and Evil!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
SOLID GAME
PostedJanuary 29, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game could have used an interactive map as there was a lot of back tracking. The storyline was fairly linear and logical. I played the casual mode. The hint button was very useful in finding the next location to play. For the HOS, there was a choice to play Monaco instead, something I have never seen before in any of the games I've played. This was a nice touch.
Some of the puzzles were hard and I ended up skipping a couple of them. Not hard exactly, but based on trial and error and I would get frustrated and would skip them.
Achievements were available, but some of them were unattainable. If you played all the Monaco games to get that achievement, then you couldn't get the achievement for playing all the HOS without a hint.
Even though this is not a CE, there was a bonus chapter available after completing the game. It followed the storyline well and provided a nice ending.
I recommend this game!
Prepare for a mind-bending journey into the realm of the weird in Haunted Halls: Revenge of Dr. Blackmore! Brace yourself for the unexpected in this exciting Hidden Object adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
SLOW START BUT GOOD FINISH
PostedJanuary 27, 2014
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game was a little slow out of the chute and made me wonder if it was going to be worth playing. But I stuck with it and it evened out after a bit. The first couple of HOS were the kind that showed a silhouette of the object that you needed to find. Since most of the silhouettes looked like big black blobs, it was a little frustrating. Another couple were the kind of HOS where you need to find pieces of the object to put together. After getting through these few HOS, the rest were the standard junk piles.
The storyline was good and logical, but I kind of wondered how many times I was going to have to rescue Tim. The bonus chapter flowed well with the game and was a very good addition.
The hint button did not help with finding the next location as the only message it gives is basically go find another location, but no hint as to where that location might be. This required a few looks at the built in strategy guide, but not enough times to be a distraction. And I really like built in strategy guides, so this is a plus for this game.
Some of the puzzles were a little hard to figure out as the directions could have been clearer. I did skip a few of these, as I don't have the patience or the interest to refer to the strategy guide to figure them out.
I liked the portable laboratory where you mixed various ingredients to produce various potions/items needed during game play. This added interest to the game and broke the monotony. It was funny, though, that no matter what color of ingredient went into the mortar and pestle, the result was always blue colored. LOL.
Nice solid game.
I recommend this game!
Mystery P.I.: The New York Fortune
A fun loving and eccentric New York billionaire has hidden the will to his fortune somewhere in New York City!
Overall rating
4
/
5
26 of 26 found this review helpful
HOS, HOS AND MORE HOS
PostedJanuary 27, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game is pure HOG; no real storyline, just HOS after HOS. There are 25 levels with multiple HOS in each level. At the end of each level is a puzzle to complete, all of them simple and easy. The HOS are not very hard, either. Finding 25 apples and 25 keys allows you to play bonus material at the end. The bonus material consists of going back to every HOS and finding every HO in each scene. There is also a "find the difference" puzzle for each of the locations as a bonus. This game should have enough HO for every serious HOG lover.
I recommend this game!
Explore the vastness of a ship lost in time, what mysteries will you uncover amidst its Mayan idols, menacing sea creatures, and exotic treasures? Find out in this exciting new Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game on the open seas!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
SMOOTH-PACED GAME
PostedJanuary 20, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game flowed smoothly and logically for a relaxed feeling of play. This was made possible by the interactive map and integrated strategy guide. The interactive map was a necessity, as this game revisited the same locations over and over. If it had not been for the map, movement would have been too frustrating for me to consider playing the game.
Most of the puzzles weren't too hard, though I needed to refer to the strategy guide for a couple of them. I was able to get through all the HOS without having to use a hint. It gave you the option of playing a mahjong game instead of the HOS and as part of the extras, you could play these mahjong games one right after the other.
Accomplishing various tasks during the game won you achievement awards. The bonus chapter was not that great; it didn't really fit into the basic game.
The pace of the game was just right for me and I enjoyed playing it.
I recommend this game!
An unseen prankster plagues the exclusive Redondo Spa! Now it’s up to you, as Nancy Drew, to stop them before the clients retreat!
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
FOUND A TREASURE TROVE
PostedJanuary 19, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
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
This is the first Nancy Drew game I have ever played and I was very impressed. The game had a great storyline and was very challenging. In fact, I did not score enough points to open up the extra material, a first for me in any game. Now I have to go back and play it again to see if I can do better.
The puzzles were very challenging. I found the "facials" puzzles the hardest, although disarming the bombs was no picnic either. I had to refer to the walkthrough once for one puzzle.
There are no "skip" buttons, so you have to keep trying until you get it right. I probably should have referred to the walkthrough more often, as I would have been quicker through the game and maybe would have attained the score needed to get to the bonus material.
Although it is classified as a HOG, it is definitely not like any other HOG I've ever played. Great graphics, challenging puzzles, interesting storyline; what else could you ask for. I will be buying more Nancy Drew games, and it looks like there are tons of them out there.
I recommend this game!
It's time to head north on your next Big City Adventure! Search for thousands of cleverly hidden items around Vancouver, Canada!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 20 found this review helpful
ARM CHAIR TRAVEL
PostedJanuary 17, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game gives you a lot of information about the history of the location (Vancouver) and its current attractions. It is a basic HOG with 69 HOS, various locations that are repeated, but with new HO to find. The mini puzzles at the end of each HOS are repetitive also, but got a little harder as I got further into the game. But I did not have to skip any of them.
There are 12 achievements that you can win during the game, most of them depending on speed and accuracy. I got 8 of the 12, and of the ones I missed, 3 were based on speed and one on not using any hints in the HOS. I don't have the patience to search very long for an item, so I used the hints several times.
I played in the timed mode and almost ran out of time only once. However, just before I ran out of time, a pop-up gave me the option to go to relaxed mode, which I did. Once I solved the puzzle, then I reset the game back into the timed mode.
Finding hint buttons in each scene (3 of them) gave you access to additional hints and also increased your score if you didn't use them.
Although not that challenging, the variety of the game held my attention and it was fun learning about a place I had visited before, but on business with no time to see the sites. The bonus play at the end was short, and a little different, so that was a plus also.
I liked this game and will probably go buy some of the other locations.
I recommend this game!
What was a regular day turned into a nightmare for a young woman wakes up not knowing what happened or what will happen next!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
NO CHALLENGE
PostedJanuary 13, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game offered very little challenge. It was also pretty short. It is a FROG, where you have to find pieces of items or multiple items and then use the new items to place them back into the scenes. The storyline was weak and lacked continuity. Pretty much ho-hum.
I don't recommend this game.
Discover the Red Riding Hood Sisters and defeat the nefarious Wolf Queen!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
NOT MY FAVORITE TYPE OF HOG
PostedJanuary 9, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game is a FROG or FOG, not sure which is right. Anyway, it is one of those HOG where you have to find pieces of objects based on pictures of the pieces. This is my least favorite type of HOG, so I was not that happy with this game. I need to be more careful about readying the descriptions of the games so I can keep away from this particular type.
The game seemed kind of short for a CE. The bonus play at the end was actually a prequel to the main game.
Hints worked well; not a lot of back and forth. There is a map, but it is not interactive. Also, the only time it shows where something needs to be done is when there is a HOS to play; other actions that need to be taken are not shown on the map, so it is of very little value. The strategy guide is built in, I believe, but I never had to refer to it. The game is not really that hard.
Just did not impress me.
I don't recommend this game.
Solve the riddles surrounding ancient artifacts to uncover what really happened to the last known royal Mayan family.
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
NICE SURPRISE
PostedJanuary 8, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
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
This game was part of the bonus material at the end of Enlightenus II and what a surprise. I mean the entire game was provided; 19 levels that took me over 7.5 hours to play. This was my first experience with a riddle game and I really liked it. It did get repetitious at times; same locations and often the same riddles, but the storyline was something that made me want to see the next chapter.
In this game, you are given a riddle that you have to solve in order to figure out what object you must find in the accompanying HOS. After solving x number of riddles and finding the matching objects, you then played a rotating tile puzzle to read the next chapter about the fate of the Mayan princess. I played the timed mode and I think I ran out of time about 3 times and had to start all over. The time limit includes both the HOS's and the puzzle at the end of each level. So if I was slow solving the riddles and finding the objects, then I didn't have time to solve the puzzle. Some of the puzzles were difficult also.
You are only allowed 5 hints for each level. I do have to say that, even after figuring out what object I was looking for, they were sometimes very hard to find as the majority of the objects are extremely small. But, then, that was part of the challenge.
After this, I'm sure I will be playing more riddle games.
I recommend this game!
Clarence Flatt, an expert clockmaker, has asked for your help and has offered you the chance to explore the Timeless Tower!
Overall rating
5
/
5
21 of 22 found this review helpful
REVERSE HOG
PostedJanuary 8, 2014
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is definitely worth the money, because the bonus content includes another complete game, Forgotten Riddles: Mayan Princess. This bonus game had 19 levels and took me over 7 1/2 hours to play. I think I played it longer than the Enlightenus game itself.
Yes, the scenes are repeated, but usually with different objects. I thought having to place objects into the scene, as opposed to finding objects as in a regular HOG was a neat change and certainly held my interest. I have found very few HOG's that don't repeat locations, unless they are very short.
I had never played a riddle game before and really enjoyed this introduction to one in the bonus material. First you had to solve the riddle to figure out what object you needed to look for, then you had to find the object in the scene. At times, this was extremely difficult, as the items were very small. The storyline of the bonus game was excellent.
So, a couple of firsts for me and that certainly held my interest.
I recommend this game!