JustTheFacts's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:33,148
- Reviews Submitted:681
- First Review:December 7, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 4, 2018
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Hidden Mysteries®: Gates of Graceland®
Explore the home of the King of Rock and Roll while searching for clues about a lost song!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Groundbreaking
PostedJune 29, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
.
This game is SPECIAL, UNIQUE, “goes where no game has gone before...”
.
This game is SPECIAL, UNIQUE, “goes where no game has gone before...”
I’ve never seen another game like it. It incorporates REAL LIFE NEWSREEL FOOTAGE into the game’s VISUALS. These are REPLAYABLE video clips of Elvis and are BLENDED BEAUTIFULLY with the game’s own ART – and the STORY.
It also offers us an original SONG we must piece together, sung in a CREDIBLE Elvis-like voice, which can also be replayed as you get more of it. The WELL CRAFTED LOCATIONS are all crowded with MEMORIBILIA (much of which is recognisably based on actual material), the HOUSE is drawn from the REAL GRACELAND, and the VARIED SOUNDTRACK fits BRILLIANTLY with the mood and times of Elvis Presley.
I must admit, if you’re NOT a FAN of Elvis, the degree to which his image is splashed around in this game might be TOO MUCH.
The STORY is just such a REFRESHINGLY NEW IDEA. As a music historian, you come across evidence that Elvis wrote a FINAL SONG just before his death. You go to Graceland to track down the song. Upon your arrival, you receive a bump on the head, and when you recover consciousness you begin to have VISIONS of Elvis throughout his life. These are interspersed with your exploration of Elvis’ home.
This is primarily a simple HO ADVENTURE game. There are NOT MANY PUZZLES & they are mostly easy enough to do. Getting about gets a bit confusing at times, but there is a MAP that gives ACTIVE AREAS and a quick filling DIRECTIONAL HINT. The HO SCENES are strictly LIST with NO ANIMATION or INTERACTION. And there are a great many of them, as this is quite a LONG game.
Many areas do not offer much to do, which is one thing I think the developers could have done differently. My other complaint would be that a MAP inside a JOURNAL is a pain to access.
These developers took on quite a task for themselves when they decided to resurrect ‘THE KING’, but I think they did a GREAT JOB.
I recommend this game!
Escape an underground vault of clockwork wonders with the help of its mysterious and eccentric inventor in Fantastic Creations: House of Brass!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Not For Me, But...
PostedJune 28, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON GAME COMPLETED ON THIRD TRY
.
It’s a very good STEAM PUNK PUZZLE ADVENTURE where some of the puzzles are HOS of an unusual type.
.
It’s a very good STEAM PUNK PUZZLE ADVENTURE where some of the puzzles are HOS of an unusual type.
We find ourselves in a most unusual HAUNTED HOUSE, with NO GHOSTS, but where ROBOTS roam, causing havoc, and attempting to PREVENT us from LEAVING. Through the ingenious devices of the ARCHITECT, an eccentric but visionary INVENTOR, we can receive his help along the way and thwart the intentions of the out of control robot, GWEN.
The ARTWORK is TOP QUALITY, well rendered and imaginatively conceived. The ideas behind the gadgets are very clever. Visually, this game is a treat, not only for its beauty but also for its originality – the eye candy is of a more mechanical sort. SOUND is very quiet, very little AMBIENT noise, not even steam/engines a lot of the time. The MUSIC is quite upbeat and pleasant.
There are VOICEOVERS, specifically, Cogglethorpe (the inventor), which are REALLY WELL DONE. It must be said, though, he could drive you nuts with his SMUG ARROGANT CONDENSION.
The GAMEPLAY is MOSTLY PUZZLES, wonderfully designed, both original and familiar. Some of these puzzles are REPEATED, but with greater difficulty as we go. Even the simplest puzzles in this game require some BRAIN POWER. I had to SKIP (SLOW) many.
The HO SCENES are different. They are twists on MULTIPLES OF where we must find “12 square shaped objects” or 12 “containers”. They require greater MENTAL EXERCISE than the average HO, and I like them.
The JOURNAL is of little assistance in sorting out where next to go, and there is NO MAP, but HINT offers CRYPTIC REMARKS (these fireflies always seem to escape). I had to resort to the WALKTHROUGH in order to finish this game, after my third attempt stalled again.
I’ll probably never play this game again, because it was very frustrating for me, but I do believe it is a very well put together game that would entertain and challenge most players.
I recommend this game!
Help Constable Hawthorne investigate the rumors of witchcraft in Hidden Mysteries – Salem Secrets, a fun Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
It’s A Long, Brown HOG
PostedJune 28, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
.
This is a strictly HO only game. NO PUZZLES, NO MINI-GAMES and NO HINT!
.
This is a strictly HO only game. NO PUZZLES, NO MINI-GAMES and NO HINT!
And I’m not exaggerating when I call it LONG & BROWN. To get from one end of the main street to the other, you pass 5 HO SCENES, despite almost every door being locked and no other people around. As you venture into the surrounding area, there are more... and more... and more. Each scene is visited twice, and their numbers are legion.
The GRAPHICS on this one are old style, – so lacking in detail everything looks plastic. Though the DEFINITION is VERY GOOD for a 2010 game. But there’s NO EXCUSE for the UNREMITTING BROWNNESS of the game.
ALL the HOS, ALL the town, all the surrounding area, all the interiors are BROWN BROWN BROWN. For added cheer, there is an occasional GREY. Even when an object is coloured, for instance, red and green maraca, they STILL don’t jump out at you, because the entire scene is drenched in mist. Boring and ugly.
GAMEPLAY consists of moving through the town doing HO SCENES, (strictly STATIC - NO ANIMATION and NO INTERACTIVITY), collecting info and items to help in your case.
There is an awful lot of back and forth. With almost NO INTERACTION with other characters, NO HINT, and a MAP that tells you nothing more than a REAL MAP would, it’s often impossible to figure out what to do next, without backtracking to the beginning and trying to find what you’ve missed.
There IS a JOURNAL, and a TASK LIST, which are your only sources of information as to what is going on.
The STORY is one that’s been done by others much better (see Midnight Mysteries – Salem Witch Trials). You are Constable Hawthorne, despatched to Salem to INVESTIGATE DEATHS & DISAPPEARANCES the locals are claiming are being done by WITCHES. It is up to you to separate FACT from SUPERSTITION.
It’s a CLASSIC TALE I happen to love, and I was very DISAPPOINTED to see it dragged down to this MONOTONY.
If you can ignore the ART in this one, and you’re a DIE HARD fan of HOs, this game may still be worth a look. It does make you think.
Personally, I found this HOG was a BOAR.
I don't recommend this game.
In order to save your life, your twin sister traded her soul to a witch. Now you must race through the looking glass to rescue her!
Overall rating
5
/
5
66 of 80 found this review helpful
Where Dreams Come True
PostedJune 28, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED CE GAME
Dreams come true in this MAGICAL FANTASY TALE about the LOVE OF SISTERS. You are fatally ill when your sister is offered the chance to save you at the price of her youth and her soul. She does not hesitate, and is dragged off to ANOTHER WORLD by the witch who made the offer. Now well, you follow in the hopes of RESCUING her.
The netherworld is NOT the DARK HORRIFYING realm you normally expect, but a DREAM WORLD of UNBELIEVABLE BEAUTY, where ANYTHING is possible, and ROMANCE is as real as the SPRINGTIME that surrounds you. Of course, not all is as it should be, because there’s the witch to be dealt with, but you are immediately charmed by it all.
The GRAPHICS are indeed MAGICAL, clear, colourful, vibrant. The IMAGES created by the artists take your breath away. The AMBIENT SOUNDS are of songbirds and waterfalls. Nor does the IMAGINATIVE input stop there. The MUSIC is varied, definitely NOT the usual fare offered by ERS, and really ENJOYABLE. And a little musical DIVERSION from the norm I'll let you discover for yourself.
VOICEOVERS are a MIXED bag. The WITCH is sooo annoyingly CHILDISH, I can’t tell whether it’s deliberate or just bad acting. Certainly increases your dislike!
This game has a number of INTERESTING, UNIQUE, QUAINT & yes, SOMETIMES unbearably CUTE, CHARACTERS. You do not have a single constant COMPANION, but plenty of helpers along the way. And the enemy and her MINIONS are well done too.
The GAMEPLAY is involves a number of different HO STYLES, including: INTERACTIVE LISTS, MULTIPLES, PROGRESSIVE SILHOUETTES, STANDARD SILHOUETTES and ‘find PAIRS that work together’. You visit them each twice, but that’s cool, they’re well worth a second look.
The PUZZLES are very ORIGINALLY & BEAUTIFULLY designed, and while there are some STANDARDS there are also NEW ones and twists on others. The ADVENTURE SIDE of the game is pretty STRAIGHTFORWARD, and there is an INTERACTIVE JUMP MAP that indicates areas that are COMPLETE as well as those that are ACTIVE, and HINT is DIRECTIONAL.
There are many EXTRAS available with the COLLECTOR’S EDITION, but the BEST are AVAILABLE in the SE version TOO.
There are COLLECTIBLE fortune nuts, for which there is an OPTIONAL purpose near the END of the game if you collect them all.
AND you get to CHOOSE THE ENDING. I love games that do that!
I recommend this game!
Find out who is behind the shocking zombie invasion.
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
Undertaker, Overworked & Underpaid
PostedJune 28, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
This is the third in the HAUNTED LEGEND series, and they’ve become a bit of a legend themselves. The EVIL DWARF, St Gervaise (SG) is once again in town bent on doing mischief. This time he has his sights set on a mirror, and nothing will stop him.
Exactly WHY he needs this MAGIC MIRROR, and will go to such lengths to get it, is the MYSTERY of the STORY. The RESULT of his activities is a town OVERTAKEN by ZOMBIES.
The ZOMBIES are WONDERFUL, ugly, creepy, NOISY with all their moaning, and EVERYWHERE. They give this game a DISTINCTIVELY CREEPIER atmosphere than any other by this developer. They’re also a great excuse for the artists to showcase their work in a different genre. As always, these artists do a great job at it. The GRAPHICS are EXCELLENT, with their trademark hand-drawn look.
The MUSIC is apt, and the AMBIENT sound, with all that moaning and groaning, adds extra creep.
The GAMEPLAY is MOSTLY HO SCENES, both INTERACTIVE LISTS & PROGRESSIVE SILHOUETTES, visited twice each. The objects are clear, though some of the scenes are a bit dark.
Most of the PUZZLES are fairly EASY. HINT is DIRECTIONAL. There is a JOURNAL to keep a record of the STORY, and there is NO MAP.
There is quite a LOT of TOING & FROING. Sometimes I would have to go from one end of the game to the other and back, for a single item. A map would have been nice. For the most part though, the ADVENTURE is streamlined and basically LOGICAL. Although there are some solutions to problems that are very creative!
There are COLLECTIBLE fish scales, very beautifully done, but they are NECESSARY to progress, and a full set is required at the finish.
For me, this game was much more enjoyable than the previous two, because the game flowed well, was a little out of the ordinary, and had an INTERESTING TALE to tell.
The one I REALLY love though is the next one in the series – it has everything.
Meantime, this is still an excellent game.
I recommend this game!
Amazing Adventures: The Forgotten Dynasty
Travel to China in search of the Forgotten Dynasty. Can you piece together the clues and uncover the ancient secret?
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
The Least Of The Classic HO Series
PostedJune 27, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
GAME COMPLETED TWICE
To my mind, this story had real potential for scenes of great beauty and exotic flavour. I was sadly disappointed. The scenes in this game are less interesting than any of the other Amazing Adventures, and had less validity being there. Unless of course you think a tour of China wouldn't be complete without a spell or three in the prison!
This AA sticks to the formula – noninteractive HO scene followed by a puzzle: multiply by 25. And as always, they have collectibles that unlock unlimited play, and they are timed and scored.
Personally, I don’t like any of these games, but I think that they are quite good examples of pure HO games. If you must play them, though, I’d suggest one of the others.
I don't recommend this game.
A letter offers new information about Elizabeth just as Lynn's powers have awakened. Help her overcome the darkness before it's too late!
Overall rating
4
/
5
83 of 98 found this review helpful
I'm On The Fence
PostedJune 27, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
But only because, well, oh woe is me, I DON’T LIKE the GRAPHICS! Not the QUALITY, the STYLE. So unnecessarily grainy! And yet the characters are drawn BEAUTIFULLY. And everything else about the game is JUST GREAT! Woe, oh woe! Right, now that’s off my chest...
This game has all those little extras we want from CEs. ACHIEVEMENTS, COLLECTIBLES & MORPHING OBJECTS (yup both), a cute but not sickly sweet COMPANION, UNLOCKABLE extra PUZZLES, and a GAME TIMER. PLUS the standard GALLERY items, BONUS CHAPTER, SG.
It also has of course, the ACTUAL game, and a STORY.
This is a sequel to the Charleston Witches game, with little Lyn all grown up and seeking revenge. While we try to ‘RESCUE’ her, she is doing everything in her considerable MAGIC POWER to STOP US. A very nice twist on the overdone ‘rescue family member’ tale.
The GAMEPLAY is BALANCED between 27 HO SCENES & 29 MINI-GAMES, with some HOS visited twice. They are INTERACTIVE LISTS, or you can choose to do a MEMORY PAIR MATCHING game instead. This is not one of your easy ones, so you will still work.
The PUZZLES are so far EASY & FAMILIAR, with only one that was ORIGINAL in the demo (I didn’t get to finish in the hour). POINT & CLICK ADVENTURE was fairly INTUITIVE, but DIRECTIONAL HINT works outside HOS, and the INTERACTIVE JUMP MAP shows ACTIVE AREAS.
Some things I particularly liked:
The imp is funny, and you can interact, but not at all sugary sweet. After all, he’s an imp!
The silence. For a lot of the hour, there was NO MUSIC, just appropriate BACKGROUND noises.
If you SKIP (it’s QUICK) a PUZZLE, the game will play it out for you, so you can see what you needed to do.
Best of all, the STORY is DIFFERENT.
I guess I'll learn to live with the graphics, but will wait until the next CE sale to shift the balance into the game's favour.
I recommend this game!
A terrible legend has become reality. The legend of a terrifying creature returned from hell.
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
I’m Head Over Heels
PostedJune 26, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
What a treat this game is! Not at all difficult, it nevertheless kept my interest over the 4-5 hours it took to play. It’s quite a LENGTHY game. It is also an ATTRACTIVE, WELL-BALANCED & INVOLVING HOPA.
The first thing to attract me to this game was the STORY - it's a CLASSIC. As Ichabod Crane, you are asked to investigate 5 murders using your new-fangled scientific detection methods of LOGIC & EVIDENCE. The locals, however, are convinced the killer is not a man, but a DAEMON.
The legend of the Headless Horseman is revealed to you as you progress and find scraps of information, meanwhile you are quickly having to change your tune, when confronted by a series of ghosts – the victims of the Horseman.
The HORSEMAN is a BRILLIANT piece of ART, both the graphics and the animation. I intend to upgrade to the CE, just to get a copy of him. The GRAPHICS throughout the game are also of a VERY HIGH STANDARD. Despite being DARK often, and sometimes a bit MONOCHROMATIC, they are really nice to look at.
The HO SCENES are excellent. They are a bit HARDER than most, and I found myself having to ask for HINT occasionally. They are each visited TWICE, once with an INTERACTIVE LIST, and once with FULL COLOUR PIX of the items. I must say, no attempt was made to keep the objects suited to the time period (phonographs in C17th, I think not!).
PUZZLES are EASY, and mostly FAMILIAR. There are just the right amount of them, and balance nicely with the point and click ADVENTURE component of the game. Nothing is illogical here, no thinking outside the box, so your NEXT MOVE is usually CLEAR.
If you need help, HINT is DIRECTIONAL. There is NO MAP, but the game cuts off COMPLETED AREAS, so it’s not really needed. The JOURNAL holds CLUES and the pages about the Horseman legend that you find.
There are GOLDEN HORSESHOES to COLLECT, and they can be found in the HOS as well as the main game. They can be used to buy “TROPHIES” – they are actually more like SOUVENIRS with which to decorate your office. Dog, pet goldfish, books, telescope, that sort of thing.
I had a really good time with this one and hope it is the start of a Cursed Fate series.
I recommend this game!
Celtic folklore seems to be more truth than lore when the Samhain festival goers disappear! Find the missing people and save the day!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Spectacular Visuals
PostedJune 26, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
Hard to imagine this game is already over 2 years old. The CUT SCENES & GRAPHICS are nothing short of SPECTACULAR. Unfortunately, though, they don’t have widescreen.
The ARTWORK is breathtaking. The opening scenes feature an ANCIENT CELTIC GOD who looks more lifelike than many ‘live actors’ I’ve seen in other games. We also get different WEATHER, which I always appreciate, and to me shows scope in an artist.
The STORY involves the disappearance of an ex (THAT’S different), and a Celtic rite performed at Halloween. Personally, I found the story a touch CONTRIVED. It is made to incorporate all eras – ANCIENT, MEDIEVAL & MODERN, and leaves too many of my questions about how they all connect unanswered. I would have liked to have more background on the Celtic lore too. But if you don’t try for depth, there is a FLOW in the GAMEPLAY, and logical sequence of events. You won’t get lost, even with NO MAP.
The GAMEPLAY is HOS & PUZZLES dominant, with ADVENTURE tying in things together but still posing a challenge from time to time. The HO SCENES are WONDERFUL. Beautifully designed scenes, easy to find objects, interesting twists here and there. You only visit them once.
HINT is very quick, and works outside HOS, but each DIRECTIONAL pointer to another scene takes up a HINT, so you must wait through many hint refills if you are not where you’re supposed to be.
The PUZZLES are QUITE HARD. I have to SKIP (also quick) about half of them. They include MANY ORIGINAL ones as well as some STANDARDS that have been incorporated into the game very well.
If the puzzles had been a little easier, I think I would have given this game full marks. But some of the FUN FACTOR DROPS when you have to skip so many times to get through the game.
This is the first in a series that has a well-deserved reputation of being top quality all the way, and certainly are. I enjoyed them even more than this one. So this is just the beginning!
I recommend this game!
After being passed from one orphanage to another, all Katherine wants is a family to call her own.
Overall rating
3
/
5
69 of 93 found this review helpful
Simple, Basic & Short
PostedJune 26, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
BASED ON ONE HOUR DEMO
There really isn’t much in this for most of us. Unless you are a fan of the PREVIOUS games in this series. (I’m not, I thought they were overly simple too). Those who are can look forward to a game that has not improved in any way much from the last one.
NONE of the now-expected technical improvements, such as WIDESCREEN, VOICEOVERS, INTERACTIVE MAP, not even a JOURNAL.
The GRAPHICS are OKAY though not anywhere near the QUALITY I expect from a game. Colours are BOLD and CLEAR, but somehow CARTOONY, and no real DETAIL. The MUSIC is repetitive.
The STORY is SIMPLISTIC. Meet cute boy at latest orphanage that you have been sent to. Frankly, I thought this love affair was presented in a totally juvenile fashion that sounded exactly like me when I was about 14!
The GAMEPLAY itself is also very PRIMITIVE. We have (above average admittedly) INTERACTIVE HOS, with occasional MATCHING PAIRS. Due to the simple graphics, items are not hard to find.
PUZZLES are all FAMILIAR and NOT CHALLENGING even for me.
HINT is quick and VERY GOOD outside HOS. It actually says things like: “There is something interesting in the garden.” SKIP felt like it took forever, but that’s probably just my impatience to be done.
There are diary pages to COLLECT, both for him and her. They give a bit more DEPTH to the STORY, but are NEITHER COLLECTIBLES nor necessary to the game progress.
Lastly, it was very slow. Nothing much actually happened, there was TOO MUCH READING, and the story had no momentum.
From the WALKTHROUGH, I judge this game to be EXCESSIVELY SHORT. There are only 5 Chapters, and I had almost finished the 2nd one when I ran out of time – and I was eating my dinner and distracted at the time.
This is a definite NO BUY for me, and I’d hesitate to recommend it to anyone other than fans of the series, who may be willing to forgive the lack of progress this developer has made since the last instalment, but as it has NO DRASTIC NEGATIVES, I give it 3 stars.
I don't recommend this game.