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:
Saddle up for fun and become a sheriff in Golden Trails: The New Western Rush. Find the culprits behind a bank robbery!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 20 found this review helpful
Unique & Addictive Game Play For HO Fans
PostedMay 27, 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 first game of a SERIES I consider to be BY FAR the BEST HOG only games.
The GRAPHICS are GREAT, with the side panels of widescreen wood instead of the usual boring black, filling the screen without messing up the aspect ratio.
I particularly LOVED the VOICEOVER of the main character. Other characters do not have VO.
The STORY is DIFFERENT and fun. You are the NEW SHERIFF in a SMALL TOWN in the ‘Wild West’ era, reluctantly sent there “for a rest”, and you arrive just in time to investigate a bank robbery. Soon, it becomes clear that NOTHING is what it SEEMS.
You CONDUCT your investigations by a talk to SUSPECTS, followed by a good look around. This is your HO GAMEPLAY. While there, you find PICTURED ITEMS, some of which are INTERACTIVE, others are for your INVENTORY, to use in later scenes. There are also all the EXTRAS to keep in mind.
You then complete a simple PUZZLE, one unique to these games, and SHOOT some BANDITS, before moving to the next episode.
Your sheriff SUMMARIZES the EVIDENCE at the end of each episode, and controls the places where you go next, so there is no wandering off on your own. (Sorry, adventurers, these games just weren’t made for you)
Every so often, you will need to show your marksmanship abilities and SHOOT BANDITS who pop in unannounced.
This is a SE, but you would be forgiven for not realising it. Look at the list of extras included in this game!
Extras:
• 200+ COLLECTIBLE sheriff’s badges
• 20 “stolen items” (they sparkle when your cursor hovers over them – SOMETIMES)
• 45 REPLAYABLE HOS with separate trophies
• 80 Trophies & Awards
• Secret Mission (a BONUS CHAPTER epilogue available after completion of main game)
• 200+ COLLECTIBLE sheriff’s badges
• 20 “stolen items” (they sparkle when your cursor hovers over them – SOMETIMES)
• 45 REPLAYABLE HOS with separate trophies
• 80 Trophies & Awards
• Secret Mission (a BONUS CHAPTER epilogue available after completion of main game)
Great fun, and great value too.
I recommend this game!
Search the Wizbury School of Magic for the stolen gold, and rebuild the school!
Overall rating
4
/
5
71 of 86 found this review helpful
HOG Loaded With Fun Features, Sweet Kids’ Game
PostedMay 26, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
BASED ON ONE HOUR DEMO
Unlike many other fairy tale and magic games such as the Princess Isabella and Awakening series, I don’t think this game is likely to appeal to the “kid” in us all. It’s just a little too twee for that. It really is for the youngsters – probably pre-teens.
But it’s a GREAT game for the RIGHT AUDIENCE. It’s got LOADS OF FUN THINGS TO DO:
• List of HIDDEN OBJECTS to find in every scene, CHANGED EACH TIME YOU RETURN.
• INTERACTIVE items where you may get a close up to find your items, or you may have to complete an easy PUZZLE.
• COLLECTIBLE gems, 6 in each scene.
• FAIRIES that when found find one item on your list for you.
• ACHIEVEMENTS, some of them MYSTERY ones.
• Sell your items to the local shop to GET COINS.
• BUY UPGRADES to improve the school.
• WALLPAPERS of each room, unlocked when you first visit.
• Use your MAP, SPELLBOOK, and MAGIC WAND to help you, as well as HINT.
You can also:
• CHOOSE one of three CUSTOM CURSORS.
• CORRECT for ASPECT RATIO.
• Use SLIDERS for VOICE, FX, MUSIC, AMBIENT.
• AUTO-ADVANCE the DIALOGUE.
There is a HUGE amount of DIALOGUE, at least at first, so this last is a big help.
I didn’t like the ‘cut and paste’ GRAPHICS, and found some things hard to see because they were small, but then I’m not 12 anymore.
I cannot adequately explain why I think this is strictly kids’ stuff; perhaps because the STORY and the way it is EXPRESSED is pretty simple. You arrive at the Wizbury School of Magic just in time to discover that all the gold meant for renovations has been stolen and you offer your help to collect money and rebuild.
To the younger crowd, I think you’ll love this! Us old fogies will have to pass.
I recommend this game!
The evil Alura is back, and this time she’s attacking your homeland!
Overall rating
4
/
5
37 of 40 found this review helpful
5 Stars To The Standard Edition
PostedMay 25, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
This game is not CE standard, but it is an EXCEPTIONALLY DELIGHTFUL game.
As a SE, this game promises to be VERY ENJOYABLE. The GRAPHICS are BEAUTIFULLY & IMAGINATIVELY drawn. This is a MAGICAL TALE, so you will see some very different pictures of everyday items.
The MUSIC is pleasant and ethereal, but the AMBIENT SOUND is really good. I searched everywhere tracking down that mouse I could hear, and as it turned out, it was important that I did.
The GAMEPLAY is HO with a FEW (SO FAR EASY) PUZZLES, and a goodly EMPHASIS on NOT DIFFICULT adventure.
There is a JOURNAL, an INTERACTIVE JUMP MAP, and a HINT that JUMPS you to the suggested area.
The HO SCENES are a major plus. They come in MANY TYPES. So far, INTERACTIVE LIST, SILHOUETTES, MISPLACED ITEMS, & make-something-with-stuff-from-this-area. There are also HOS that cannot be unlocked until you find MULTIPLES OF, and FRAGMENTED OBJECT HOS.
The variety of HO types alone makes the game just that much more interesting.
But the BEST thing about this game is the STORY. Having come home from your previous adventures, you discover your earlier foe is taking revenge on your kingdom. In order to stop her, you must TRAVEL BACK TO THE PAST, at a crucial moment in her life, and PREVENT her subversion to EVIL. I know it's been DONE BEFORE, but it is FUN.
Her mother’s MAGICAL AMULETS (4) will prevent this catastrophe, if you can get them in time. And so, your quest. Along the way, I suspect a little romance.
The SG shows 5 CHAPTERS and the BONUS CHAPTER, along with an introduction, which I did not complete within the hour. So I’m thinking the game is a DECENT LENGTH.
I am really enjoying this game, but I would NOT recommend the CE version to the average gamer. We simply expect more than ART GALLERY, MUSIC and BONUS CHAPTER these days.
With this weekend’s sale, perhaps a lot of people will decide to live without the extras, (and I might even be one of them), so to them I say... ENJOY!
Uncover the Sea Secrets of the Flying Dutchman in Secrets of the Seas: Flying Dutchman!
Overall rating
3
/
5
15 of 16 found this review helpful
Adventure Ahoy!
PostedMay 24, 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
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
I enjoy this game every time I play it. At first it seems pretty simple. Your friend has lost a bet with an evil PIRATE CAPTAIN, and is forced to join the crew of the FLYING DUTCHMAN, a legendary ghost ship that can never make port, doomed to sail the oceans forever.
However, throwing your lot in with him in the hopes of rescuing him, you find yourself HELPING the CAPTAIN, AGAINST HIS WILL, to UNDO the curse. Plenty of land-based action as well as on the ‘briny waters’.
I like the GRAPHICS on this one. They’re not the best you’ve ever seen, but they are BRIGHT, COLOURFUL & RICHLY TEXTURED.
MUSIC was TYPICAL swashbuckling stuff, but I really liked the AMBIENT sound in much of the game. VOICEOVER was limited to the opening.
The GAMEPLAY was a good mix of 2 parts ADVENTURE, 2 parts (INTERACTIVE LIST) HO SCENES – visited twice, 1 part PUZZLES. None of it was hard. But...
HINT outside HOS was useless, and there was NO MAP. There was a JOURNAL, with essential details.
You have COLLECTIBLES in the form of PEARLS, which offer backstory, and are a NECESSARY part of the game.
A surprising amount of story was included in this game, making far more interesting than a standard pirate game.
No underwater locations, however, to my sorrow. Still, solid entertainment.
I recommend this game!
A murderous figure in a red mask haunts the streets of a small French town, and the mayor needs your help to track him down. But you soon discover that the mysterious Red Masque might not be the real criminal…
Overall rating
5
/
5
83 of 89 found this review helpful
Exciting & New. Choose Your Own Ending!
PostedMay 24, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON CE GAME COMPLETED
I am a sucker for kittens, so I had to buy the CE of this game, with all its cute extras, but always, it’s the game that counts.
And this game IN ANY VERSION, is top notch. The most recent of the Dark Tales series, it has all the characteristics that make this my all-time favourite series.
Even more BEAUTIFUL GRAPHICS than usual, a nice CHANGE in both the MUSIC and the VOICEOVERS, M. DUPIN as urbane and charming as ever... though not as talkative, perhaps the circumstances of this case depressed him.
And the CASE is DIFFERENT from our usual investigations. We are called in by the MAYOR to deal with the rash of murders of council officials perpetrated by a mysterious villain known as the RED MASQUE.
What we find is a town on the point of OPEN REBELLION, falling apart around our ears. Starving people waylay us in the street, buildings disintegrate before our eyes. Everyone is living in terror of someone. It will take more than just identifying the villain to bring about JUSTICE.
And this new angle is reflected in the GAMEPLAY. Before the game is finished we will have to collect ‘justice orbs’ which summarise different crimes, then weigh them up in our lady of justice’s scales. Only then can we decide who to arrest. In other words, we CHOOSE THE ENDING.
We have several types of HO SCENE to work with. There is the conventional INTERACTIVE LIST, some MULTIPLES, at least one PROGRESSIVE SILHOUETTE (find one to use on the next and so on til you get your inventory item), and some INTERACTIVE SILHOUETTES. In this last, more than half the items require a further step, and being only silhouettes, you are given no indication to tell which needs interaction.
I found the PUZZLES QUITE EASY, but that may be me finally getting the hang of some of the standard ones. Though these were mostly ORIGINAL, they were based on similar logical processes.
To me, the game seemed LONGER than the others in this series. There was an added COMPLEXITY to the ADVENTURE ASPECT in this one that had me scratching my head several times as to how to move forward. There were also MORE LOCATIONS.
While I am by no means sorry that I bought the CE, I believe the SE to be an excellent game, and a MUST HAVE for most players.
I recommend this game!
Save your brother and try to solve the mystery behind the silver screen in Final Cut: Death on the Silver Screen, a thrilling game set in the 1950's!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Game In Brief & Bonus Content List
PostedMay 23, 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
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
The first thing that hits you upon playing this game is, appropriately, its CINEMATIC QUALITY. You never lose sight of the fact that this game is a WORK OF ART, specifically, a WORK OF ART DECO. The breathtaking scope and authenticity overshadows all other aspects of the game, yet they are not shabby either.
A quick look at the BONUS CONTENT below will give you an idea of just how LONG & COMPLEX this game is, as well as being CLEVERLY designed.
The HO SCENES are BEAUTIFULLY DRAWN with NO ANACHRONISMS that I could spot. They are of the INTERACTIVE LIST type, and are visited TWICE.
The PUZZLES, and there are OODLES of them, range from extremely SIMPLE to VERY CHALLENGING.
There is a JOURNAL which includes a TASK LIST, FATHER’S DIARY, and a INTERACTIVE MAP. And by the time you find the map, chances are you’ll be needing it just to get around the mansion, its grounds and the studio lots. Unfortunately, it’s not a jump map.
COLLECTIBLES include 20 photos, 10 playing cards, 10 lights, and a MYSTERY COLLECTIBLE. Plenty of ACHIEVEMENTS as well, some the usual, some really odd.
The STORY is COMPELLING, although it may seem unoriginal to start. Soon, the mysteries deepen and the price of failure is increased.
This is a PREMIUM QUALITY game.
BONUS CONTENT LIST (Not Enough Room Here For Review!) *****
*Strategy Guide *16 replayable HOS *33 replayable PUZZLES *ART, including 12 WALLPAPERS, CONCEPT ART, 13 MOVIES & 24 MUSIC tracks. *PHOTOS & a MAKING OF movie, about the development team
BONUS CHAPTER – all NEW LOCATIONS. The story forms an optional but exciting epilogue.
I recommend this game!
Become the fabled detective and rescue the Final Cinderella from the evil Godmother's clutches!
Overall rating
5
/
5
122 of 143 found this review helpful
Eye Candy, A Little Flawed
PostedMay 23, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON ONE HOUR DEMO
It’s Dark Parables, right? So that tells you two things right off. It’s gonna look BEAUTIFUL, and it’s a FRAGMENTED OBJECT game. Right on both counts.
However, I was disappointed to see that some of the ARTWORK was GRAINY, harking back to a look we haven’t seen since Curse of the Briar Rose. Luckily, the HO SCENES are not like that. For the most part we are talking delightful colour, imaginatively created objects and a SUMPTUOUS FEAST for the eyes.
The GAMEPLAY is a lot of FROGS, each visited twice, with a scattering of PUZZLES as well. The ADVENTURE COMPONENT is LIMITED.
Like all the games in this series, there is an overwhelming list of COLLECTIBLES.
• 45 Parable pieces, which give you interesting twisted fairy tales
• Cursed Objects – 20 morphing
• Royal Clothing – 4 pieces each for the previous Cinderellas
• Cursed Objects – 20 morphing
• Royal Clothing – 4 pieces each for the previous Cinderellas
No sign of ACHIEVEMENTS, but collecting these items reap unspecified REWARDS.
There is a INTERACTIVE MAP, but no jump function. NO JOURNAL. HINT is DIRECTIONAL.
There is a new twist – a CUTE COMPANION. I’ll let you find out about him yourself.
All of this is encased in a very COMPLEX version of the original FAIRY TALE, including cameo moments from past Dark Parables.
BONUS CONTENT REVIEW
In keeping with past Dark Parable games, I expect all of the above – COLLECTIBLES & CUTE COMPANION included, will not be exclusive to the CE game.
What you WILL get extra is:
*Integrated SG (didn’t show much in the demo, so I can’t give an indication of time)
*Wallpapers, Art, Music (locked so I don’t know how it looks)
*Replayable Puzzles & NEW ONES (allegedly anyway)
* BONUS CHAPTER, which looks like fun. You go into the PAST and play the tale of ONE OF THE PREVIOUS CINDERELLAS, an ORIENTAL.
*Wallpapers, Art, Music (locked so I don’t know how it looks)
*Replayable Puzzles & NEW ONES (allegedly anyway)
* BONUS CHAPTER, which looks like fun. You go into the PAST and play the tale of ONE OF THE PREVIOUS CINDERELLAS, an ORIENTAL.
I played the FULL HOUR (2 Chapters of an unknown number), and still feel as though I have only scratched the surface of the treats in store on this one.
4.5 out of 5!
I recommend this game!
When a medical consultation goes terribly wrong, it's up to you to realize the full potential of your ability and save the day!
Overall rating
3
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
“20Th Century Dumpster” Art
PostedMay 22, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
Don’t get me wrong, the ART is GOOD, well, reasonably good, but the game has got to be the UGLIEST I’ve ever played. Keywords for it would be RUST, BLOOD & GRUNGE.
The GAMEPLAY is quite OKAY, if the artwork doesn’t put you off. PRIMARILY a HO GAME, the FREQUENCY & DIFFICULTY of the PUZZLES INCREASE as you progress.
The HO SCENES are STATIC, NON-INTERACTIVE LISTS, which are visited TWICE. The lists are RANDOM GENERATED, so often you are asked to find the same items as the first time. As well, some items are given two different names (for example: metal cup 1st time vs. tea cup holder 2nd time).
The AMBIENT SOUND was screams, cries and some pretty scary MUSIC. No VOICEOVERS.
The STORY is the familiar ESCAPE THE ASYLUM one, with the TWIST of having PARANORMAL ABILITIES & other patients to RESCUE as well.
There is a MODERATELY USEFUL DIARY, but NO MAP. HINT actually gives you ONLY a hint, and can be very frustrating because of that!
For me the only really outstanding thing about this game was the "ANGEL", who turns up every now and then, complete with straightjacket, to provide some useful guidance. She is really well depicted and is great symbolism. She'd make a nice signature item for a series.
Despite my lukewarm response to it, it must be noted I had no trouble finishing the game, it HELD my INTEREST all the way TO THE END.
I recommend this game!
Fight your way out of a coma by exploring your deepest memories!
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 23 found this review helpful
Well Designed Psycho-Drama
PostedMay 21, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
My recollection of playing this game the first time was disappointment, but now I can’t understand why. It is a well-conceived, professionally executed HOPA.
It is not going to knock your socks off; it is after all a stand-alone SE. And the GRAPHICS could have been BETTER. But they are BEAUTIFULLY DRAWN, even if the clarity is not perfect.
The SOUNDTRACK is EXCELLENT. VOs are very well done. The MUSIC is BEAUTIFUL. The AMBIENT SOUNDS very appropriate.
The STORY is a HEART WARMING one. You are in a coma, and hanging onto life by a thread. A BRIGHT LIGHT and mysterious guide offer you the chance to REDEEM yourself so that you may REVIVE. This task consists of REVISITING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS and UNFINISHED BUSINESS. It is surprisingly interesting.
GAMEPLAY is STANDARD HOPA FARE. HOS are by INTERACTIVE LIST, and there are many of them. Most of the PUZZLES were REASONABLY EASY, though a few totally defeated me. Knowing what to do next was at times perplexing, but I always got there eventually.
You have a JOURNAL for recording CLUES & MEMORIES, and HINT shows you WHERE you should be and you have the OPTION to JUMP directly there.
All up, a NICE SE for a cold winter’s day, with a deeper look at what makes us tick than the usual offerings.
I recommend this game!
A murderous figure in a red mask haunts the streets of a small French town, and the mayor needs your help to track him down. But you soon discover that the mysterious Red Masque might not be the real criminal…
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Be Still My Heart, We Have An Office
PostedMay 21, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BONUS CONTENT REVIEW + NOTES ON MAIN GAME
Yes, it’s true, the kind and charming detective M. DUPIN (and the team at ERS) has, in this our fifth case together, granted us an OFFICE. And the official title of BEST FRIEND (study your office walls).
And what would an office be without TROPHIES, AWARDS, AND FRAMED CERTIFICATES. Yup. We have ACHIEVEMENTS! And a KITTEN! The kitten is truly awesome, don’t forget to play with him. And keep an eye out for his COLLECTIBLE TOYS (only a few) throughout the game.
Also in our office is our PHOTO ALBUM, containing SHOTS WE TAKE of the game.
These are the FIRST TREATS for the COLLECTORS EDITION. There is also of course (big breath):
12 WALLPAPERS, 15 CONCEPT ART SHOTS, 4 MUSICTRACKS, 4 SCREENSAVERS, 9 MOVIES, 30 BEHIND THE SCENES SHOTS, 14 REPLAYABLE HOs, 20 REPLAYABLE MINI-GAMES!
Plus, the in-game STRATEGY GUIDE & BONUS CHAPTER.
The BONUS CHAPTER
This took me roughly 1 HOUR 15 MIN, but I SKIPPED a puzzle or two. It is NOT NEEDED for the MAIN STORY, it is an epilogue offering a peculiar TWIST IN THE TALE. Personally, I found this chapter’s STORY & ENDING CONFUSING. I probably should have paid more attention to names and faces in the main game.
It covers NEW AREAS, PUZZLES & HOS almost exclusively, but some of the characters are the same. There are EXTRA KITTEN ITEMS to COLLECT & ACHIEVEMENTS for this chapter alone, but to SEE THEM & THE OFFICE you must START again on the MAIN GAME.
If you find yourself just a little bit IN LOVE with DUPIN then the CE BONUS CHAPTER is ESSENTIAL.
As for the GAME ITSELF? I won’t go into detail about the MAIN GAME, because if you have found me, you have waded through dozens of reviews already.
For me, the STORY automatically makes this a MUST HAVE. It appears that it’s going to be more thought provoking than most. Not only are politics an integral part of the investigation, YOU have to DECIDE who is GUILTY at the end of the game. This is an aspect of the game that MAY be for CE players EXCLUSIVELY, but I don’t think so.
GAMEPLAY & PRODUCTION QUALITY is CLASSIC ERS. Hand drawn water colour GRAPHICS, SEVERAL TYPES of HOS. EASY PUZZLES.
I recommend this game!