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:
Discover the secrets of your family's past on a mystical island!
Overall rating
3
/
5
214 of 227 found this review helpful
Great Game, Greater Disappointment
PostedApril 28, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
FROM CE GAME
Having recently rediscovered the first Phenomenon, City Of Cyan, I was totally hyped about this one. And the demo gave me cause to feel totally confident that I’d love it.
There is the expected beautiful graphics, fine music, and quality production values. Did you see those amazing eyes?
There are HOs with time travel portals that take you to the same scenes, but in a different time, with a new set of items. (This was cool when these ‘time spots’ triggered memories relevant to the story. Here, they are apropos of nothing.)
You also have an alternative to HOs that is new and most welcome. A cross between word association and scrabble, this game makes that last stubborn item all the more fun to find.
What other puzzles there are, are fresh and easy. An overall adventure emphasis makes it what I like to call an inventory oriented game. Your time is spent finding, earning and using inventory items.
But the most exciting thing of all for me was a truly interesting story. Not the find-my-parents part that never got past the first few minutes, but the story as Gloria (another lovable reason to like this game) tells it. Four feuding religious orders founded at the time of a meteorite strike are all out to get you, the offspring of a ‘mixed marriage’. Here’s a little socio-political stuff to run with, I thought.
But that’s IT!! Nothing, nothing, the WHOLE game , not a single action that has anything to do with this story. What we do instead is collect gems for our amulet which allegedly means we have increasing power over the elements, although there was no sign that we did. We certainly never used such power.
It broke my heart . Insult to injury – the ending was totally unconvincing and irrelevant even to this sorry tale. And very abrupt.
It’s still an excellent game in terms of artwork and gameplay, so I must recommend it, but I’ll never be able to love it myself.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious force from a parallel universe wreaks havoc on a small town as a scientist fights to stop it from taking over the world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 24 found this review helpful
A HO Game At Heart
PostedApril 27, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Hmmm, I read the advertising blurb, I thought parallel universe etc., cool.
So far I have delivered a package to a hotel address in a town not on any map, discovered the parcel is actually for me, a form of protection, and I have since been wandering around the deserted town dodging live power lines and looking to stop I know not what from doing whatever it is he shouldn’t be doing, and my guide is a scientist who says he can’t meet me in person, and refuses to tell me what’s going on.
Other than that, the day’s been fine, thank you for asking.
This is a HO game really. Oh, don’t get me wrong, there are PUZZLES, although fairly SIMPLE ones. And there is point and click adventure action to be taken, but most of the time is taken up with brightly coloured, slightly INTERACTIVE HOS.
Since you’re just moving from scene to scene without a lot of motivational input, it is good that you have a JUMP MAP & DIRECTIONAL HINT. Without it there's a lot of to and fro.
The ART in this game looks pretty good, but occasionally its ‘clip art’ origins show through, where the cut has been less than perfect. I find that sort of thing irritating, but I imagine most don’t.
The MUSIC is jazz, and it is very laid back and cruisy. There is no sense of urgency or danger in this adventure.
The game’s LENGTH will be determined more by how quick you are in HOS than anything else, it could go short or long.
NO BLING! – collectibles or such. This is a low budget game, but not without its moments.
If you are like me and spoiled with all the brilliant HOPA’s out there, you’ll understand why I can’t recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Uncover dark secrets, find hidden clues, and solve nefarious puzzles, in PuppetShow: Mystery of Joyville.
Overall rating
5
/
5
58 of 67 found this review helpful
Simple But Elegant Game
PostedApril 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
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
What a treat it is to be playing Mystery Of Joyville again. The GRAPHICS are simply beautiful – bright, colourful, exquisitely detailed. Even the ‘ugly’ scenes look wonderful.
Compared to the later PuppetShow games, Joyville is very simplistic, and very much a HO GAME. There are HOGs everywhere you turn, and each LIST is full of items such as “4 clocks”, so you get to stay put for quite a while. There is some INTERACTION, but it is not indicated on the list, only by sparkles.
The PUZZLES were delightfully simple; in a couple of cases I was waiting for the catch! For me to call a puzzle easy, it must be very simple indeed.
Some of the appeal of this game is, in fact, its simplicity.
The story is simplicity itself. You are asked to investigate the disappearance of a young boy. His family inform of a rash of disappearances from the town that seem to be connected to the old puppet theatre. So you investigate the theatre.
I liked that there was NO MAP, NO HINT outside HOGs, NO VOICEOVERS, NO VIDEO CUTSCENES. I’m not saying I’d want all games to go back to that quieter game style, but it is nice for a change.
I also love the way animation is implied by a series of stills.
I got a real buzz out of replaying this little gem.
I recommend this game!
Track down a missing detective and fight an evil curse!
Overall rating
5
/
5
224 of 244 found this review helpful
This One’s For The Pros
PostedApril 27, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Do you yearn for the good old days and Mystery Case Files’ UNSKIPPABLE PUZZLE BOARDS? Want to fly blind through a medley of electronic and mechanical mishaps to solve a mystery? Wage war against evil and remove ancient curses in a tropical jungle?
Then you’ve just found heaven.
I finished the demo in about 40 minutes, but half of that time was spent in the Strategy Guide, not the game. As well as the puzzle boards (2 in the demo), there were a few STANDARD PUZZLES, some within my reach, most of them not. There was also a lonely little HO.
The story is portrayed very dramatically from the start, strange shamanesque figures, Aztec (forgive me if it’s another culture) rituals and sacrifices.
Your boss is attacked by his client shortly after retrieving a map for him. John is convinced the map is cursed, and there certainly are some queer things happening. Even the dog is behaving strangely.
And the fridge, well, the fridge has developed a life of its own and has to be chained down.
The freakish storm overhead adds lightning, thunder and ominous portents to the atmosphere, and you gotta be feeling pretty spooked.
Three modes of play (I chose easy, huh!). You have an EXCELLENT HINT system, if you choose to use it, one click takes you through all the scenes to the next active zone.
There is a MAP that shows where you’ve been but is not interactive and NO JUMP FEATURE.
There are COLLECTIBLE scorpions, which appear right out there as part of the scene and are therefore actually easier to miss. There’s also a TROPHY ROOM & ACHIEVEMENTS.
As above, PUZZLES are the focus of the game, but there is enough challenge in the adventure to warrant attention.
The atmosphere is foreboding, and the GRAPHICS complement that, being somewhat heavy handed. Music portentous as well.
BONUS CONTENT
BONUS CHAPTER, GALLERY, REPLAYABLE PUZZLES & HOs, MUSIC, SG.
I don’t know if I’ll end up buying this one, it’s a fair way out of my comfort zone, but I heartily recommend it to our EXPERT FISHIES. (and adventurous amateurs)
PS. The end of the demo is worth the hassle of downloading in itself. It really gives you an insight into whole game in a way no other demo has.PS. The end of the demo is worth the hassle of downloading in itself. It really gives you an insight into whole game in a way no other demo has.
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
3
/
5
14 of 17 found this review helpful
Buy It On Sale
PostedApril 27, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
How we got involved in this mess is never explained, but we find ourselves on a deserted blimp as it’s about to self-destruct. A guy in a red hood tells us we must SAVE A LITTLE GIRL, which I’m in favour of, but his behaviour is odd, and I just can’t trust him.
On the ground, we’re left to fend for ourselves in a strange MEDIEVAL CASTLE on a snow capped peak. Despite repeat appearances from the other characters, the story does not really occupy us. That’s left for the gameplay.
Plenty of both HOs and PUZZLES in this one. I would think there was something for everyone. HOs are two types, LIST by words and by silhouette. The games are not very hard, although I did have to use the DIRECTIONAL HINT quite a bit to find out what to do next. It was not very obvious.
Also, this is a geographically large game, with NO MAP, and inventory is often overflowing as you wander about trying to find that puzzle where the widget was needed.
With NO WALKTHROUGH, and actions which I would have called a mini-game or puzzle having no skip option, it was touch and go for a while whether I’d be able to finish at one stage. (Thank you forum fishies).
Also, SKIP is quite slow even on Casual. So, while not being particularly hard, it still was a challenge.
This is not a long game, and there is nothing that makes it stand out, but it’s a decent little game. Picked up on sale, it’s not a bad buy.
I recommend this game!
Once again black powers have seized the kingdom of Orion. The entire city is gripped by fear and it's up to you to save them, and yourself!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
Embattled Orion In Dire Straits
PostedApril 26, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME SUMMARY & BONUS CONTENT REVIEW
I have had a love/hate relationship with this series all along, but I can finally say, with only a little hesitation, that I like this one.
I still hate the graphics. They’re ugly, grainy and a strain on the eyes. But I still love the story concept. Saving the kingdom of Orion from the destruction of a vengeful witch, involving travelling back in time. Loved the ending.
I still hate visiting HOs 3 times, but I still love the way HOs are a blend of multiple items, item list and misplaced items.
This is a very long game with a wonderful variety of puzzles, many of which I’ve seen nowhere else. There does tend to be too much to and fro, and the game could certainly use an interactive jump map more than most. I think I would have liked this game much more with one.
BONUS CONTENT REVIEW
There are NO wallpapers or concept art in the extras! Now that’s a first. Instead we have:
8 MINI-GAMES to replay.
A ‘GAME DESIGNER’, which from what I can grasp of it (not much, I didn’t understand the puzzle in the game either), allows you to create unique matches for the particular puzzle it relates to.
BONUS CHAPTER
In a word, repetitive.
There were 4 HOs, which we visited 3 times each. There were variations of the Tangram puzzles which we played 6 times. We had 5 magic potions to progress through the chapter, which we acquired in almost the same way each time. There were, however, other things to do besides, and some of them were quite interesting.
The game took me roughly an hour, but I skipped most of the Tangram puzzles. By contrast, the main game took me 5 hours.
The replayable mini-games include the best and most original, and for that and the SG I think the CE is worth the $.
I recommend this game!
A wonderful story of the citizens of Joyville. Can you change their destiny? You will see – nothing is impossible.
Overall rating
5
/
5
75 of 89 found this review helpful
Looking Forward To The Big Finish?
PostedApril 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
It is the finale, right? Cuz, you know, I thought the last one was! Still, I’m very happy that it wasn’t.
I have never been a huge fan of the Puppet Show series. I bought them and played and replayed them, but it was mostly the beauty of the artwork that appealed to me. Mechanical puppets never really took my fancy.
Until now. This game is even more beautiful than the others, but it is also more intriguing – and sympathetic.
We are here to help Felicia find her father the Puppet Master, who’s gone missing in suspicious circumstances, but Felicia is acting weird.
And others reported seeing an old woman who, when we get a glimpse of her, is ominously familiar. And to top it all off we’ve got one of those nasty spider puppets bullying people and breaking stuff. So begin our investigations.
Along the way we save a trapped cat, are confronted by a ferocious dog, and get our very own spider puppet. Not, I would normally have said, a very cuddly sort of sidekick. But this one (I named mine Timmy) has these beautiful sad eyes, so shiny they seem to have a tear glistening about to drop. It’s enough to make your eyes water!
Timmy helps you get to those things you can’t reach, like all good sidekicks do.
We have both list and silhouette "find one to find another" HOs, plenty of puzzles, some look tricky, and there’s plenty to do in each scene.
Plenty of lovely scenery, one of my favourite bits was the tram ride. I’m hoping that will be our preferred mode of transport for at least a while.
And I look forward to finding out what Felicia is really up to this time.
I recommend this game!
Once again black powers have seized the kingdom of Orion. The entire city is gripped by fear and it's up to you to save them, and yourself!
Overall rating
4
/
5
29 of 34 found this review helpful
Interesting HOs And Unique Puzzles
PostedApril 26, 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
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED A COUPLE OF TIMES
After playing, and complaining about, four games in this series, I’ve come to the conclusion that the chunky grainy graphics must simply be what the game designers want.
Personally, I think it looks ugly and sometimes makes HOs difficult to see, but I guess there’s no help for it.
It is just as well the series have some excellent and unique features to make up for it. Things I particularly noted in this game:
HO SCENES
The HO scenes in this game are really imaginative and clever. A variety of multiple items, standard lists, misplaced items and fragmented objects are not only scattered throughout the game, but in several cases a combination of these will be used in one scene. Very cool.
On the downside, each HO (and there are lots of them) is visited 3 times, and that is just too much of a good thing.
PUZZLES
There are some really original puzzles, and again a lot of them. Some are repeated, but increase in difficulty each time. The level of difficulty varies. I used the skip button more than I like to, but that was more impatience and tiredness, because...
LENGTH
The game goes on forever. There are 10 chapters, and I swear each one of them seems to be taking an hour. This involves an enormous amount of to and fro, as all areas remain active throughout. There are usually too many items in inventory, and most of the time only the last one you pick up has somewhere to go, and it’s where you just were.
HINT
Hint gives you a picture of where you need to be. Very good. Unfortunately, you can’t use it to jump to that place. Which is a pity, because there is no map and this game really needs one so you can get around.
So, good or no good? I’m still on the fence. Still, I bought, I play it, I haven’t trashed it, so it can’t be all bad, lol.
I recommend this game!
Travel from the Dark Middle Ages to the present to save the inhabitants of the Orion kingdom in Echoes of the Past - The Citadels of Time!
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 22 found this review helpful
Could Have Been Excellent
PostedApril 25, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
DEMO & MAIN GAME COMPLETED
(WRITTEN 2013, GAME RELEASE 2011)
(WRITTEN 2013, GAME RELEASE 2011)
I would have given this another star if they had given the castle of Orion a makeover.
These graphics were fine for 2009, when the first game of the series came out, but they were already looking dreadful with the second game in 2010.
Even allowing for the fact that two years have now passed since this game's release in 2011, I just don’t think it’s good enough to be using 2009 graphics. With the exception of some HO scenes, the graphics are as grainy and clunky as they were in the first game.
Other than the graphics, this is a pretty good game. The things that I LIKE include:
*tool bar at the top of the screen.
*getting a ‘final item’ to find in HOs, which is the inventory item.
*as well as list HOs there are ‘misplaced items’ games.
*excellent voice acting.
*the picture puzzles at the end of each chapter.
*the story, which continues to remain interesting, and the characters.
*the locations outside the old castle scenes.
*replayable HOs and mini-games
*in game strategy guide
*getting a ‘final item’ to find in HOs, which is the inventory item.
*as well as list HOs there are ‘misplaced items’ games.
*excellent voice acting.
*the picture puzzles at the end of each chapter.
*the story, which continues to remain interesting, and the characters.
*the locations outside the old castle scenes.
*replayable HOs and mini-games
*in game strategy guide
Another game destined to be great that just didn’t make it.
But I have faith, and continue to hope for an installment in this series that shows some improvement .
I recommend this game!
Dreamscapes: The Sandman
Be the one to save Laura from her nightmares
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 19 found this review helpful
Adventure Of The Imagination
PostedApril 25, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
I love HOs. Puzzles usually frustrate me or bore me. So it was a shock to realise ¾ of the way into this game that I was playing a puzzle adventure! I hadn’t even noticed there were no HOs because I was having such a good time with the puzzles. So, one star just for that.
It has to be said upfront that the graphics in this could be better. Not the artwork, that’s fine, just the definition. Too fuzzy. But I didn’t notice that for a long time either, I was too busy playing. Also, some scenes pan. Love that. Excellent voice acting. Appropriate music. Star No. 2. is for the arts.
Star No. 3 is for the beholders. These are nasty little eyeballs who hide cleverly in cracks and shadows, but once you spot them, must come out where you can see them – and neutralise them. And they’re ugly little dudes. They don’t all look the same, some look like tiny spiders, others more like centipedes, all of them creepy. And there are 100 of these little nasties.
The final star, No. 4, goes to Benny, a cheeky little companion of unknown species who keeps turning up wherever you are. It’ll be a while before you figure out why.
The story that ties all these things together is one we know, but never tire of. Laura is caught in her dreams, which some evil dream guy has turned into nightmares, and you must save her. It’s a fun story, allowing the imagination run riot, and in this game it certainly does.
I recommend this game!