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:
An ancient phoenix summons Anna to explore a drifting ocean city, confront the Evil Colossus and save her lost tribe.
Overall rating
2
/
5
74 of 105 found this review helpful
First Impressions Only
PostedApril 11, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
This is not my usually long thought out review, but just what I felt a half hour into the demo when I stopped playing. I just couldn't go on with it.
The archaic looking graphics depressed me. They haven't improved one iota from the previous game, and they are of a style that just doesn't feel right in a top rung fantasy game. 2 or 3 years ago, yes. Not anymore.
What I saw in 30 mins was not enough to overcome that prejudice. There were a couple of easy puzzles, 3 iHOs, a lot of backstory and cutscenes.
The cutscenes were pretty well done. The 'book' guy Jacob is still very very good.
The music is truly zen-like and my favourite part of this game.
The story is not unusual, but that's not an objection really. Looks like it will be treated in much the same way as Empress of the Deep 2.
A quick peak at the strategy guide shows you'll not be getting much in the way of useful help there. The screenshots are blurry and poor quality, in the HOs, they give only the final item you'll recover, guess you'll need to get hints for the rest. The solutions to puzzles are a bit tight-lipped too.
It showed 3 chapters out of what looks like 11.
The extras are what attracts me to the game even though I don't like what I've seen. You must unlock through game play first Zem and then Zem 2, (Match 3 game) Then you can win trophies that unlock artwork. LOVE this idea!
And there are escaped cats to collect - aw!!! I love cats.
So maybe I'll give it a second chance later, but for now, it just looks so awful!! I felt embarrassed looking at it.
Not for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Help a detective explore a rampant briar growth in Scotland, and discover the true tale of the real Sleeping Beauty!
Overall rating
3
/
5
33 of 39 found this review helpful
Hints At The Quality Games To Come
PostedApril 9, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
There is much that is good about this game, but you must first become used to the poor graphics that are unavoidable for a game this old (released March 2010).
As well, you must enjoy fragmented HOs, because that is all this game offers, with a few puzzles tossed in.
Once your eyes have adjusted, you can appreciate:
• Interactive objectives feature which tells you which scenes require your attention
• Pleasant ‘zen’ music
• Morphing collectibles
• And the challenge offered when you complete the game and it is automatically changed to hard mode and the promise of a secret room to be discovered.
• Pleasant ‘zen’ music
• Morphing collectibles
• And the challenge offered when you complete the game and it is automatically changed to hard mode and the promise of a secret room to be discovered.
I really like the story, the first in the Dark Parables series, where all their stories are treated this way.
The Curse of Briar Rose is the ‘true’ story behind the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, and you are a fable detective enlisted to release Briar Rose and the castle from the curse.
The Curse of Briar Rose is the ‘true’ story behind the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, and you are a fable detective enlisted to release Briar Rose and the castle from the curse.
This game is easy, apart from the visibility question, and therefore pretty short.
But if your eyesight can handle it, I think this is a fine game for the collection, and worthy of the spectacular games that follow in this series.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
28 of 31 found this review helpful
A Masterful Performance
PostedApril 8, 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
FROM CE GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
I like this game, the third in a really good series of paranormal tales.
As well as innovative views of HOs, like silhouettes one time, return items the next, and some standard list HOs, we also get some really odd special powers.
The puzzles are equally mind bending and imaginative, and many I found quite tricky. The crystal ball that other reviewers mention is a good example of the kind of ‘different’ I mean.
As with the previous instalment, this was absolutely gorgeous artistically, and for that alone worth playing.
I’m rather ‘over’ carnivals, and therefore was very pleasantly surprised with the originality of characters, their predicaments and their visuals, all were excellent and new.
Everything about this game feels original and alive.
I recommend this game!
The town of Deadwood is being terrorized by the ghost of a murderous outlaw! Break his curse and save the day!
Overall rating
3
/
5
19 of 21 found this review helpful
Easy & Entertaining
PostedApril 7, 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
3
/
5
GAME COMPLETED TWICE
This is one of the easier HOPAs I have played, and would have been even easier, if it had had a hint button outside the HOs and/or a walkthrough. Nevertheless, I stuck it out and finished the game without help, which was very satisfying.
Set in the Wild Wild West, this game’s atmosphere is very creepy to match its ghostly story. A hint button that is a vulture ought to give you an idea of the style of this one.
The music and background noises were particularly ominous, although they sounded like they’d work better in a sci-fi environment.
The graphics are of that rarer cartoon style, except more subtlety is used. And a little glarey. But the objects are easily seen. No interaction unfortunately.
This game is fun to play but it is never going to make anyone’s top ten list. It’s an average game, very relaxing when you don’t feel like going into battle.
I recommend this game!
Guide Ethan Black as he attempts to rescue his bride-to-be from a terrifying menace known as the Faceless Ones!
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 25 found this review helpful
Beautifully & Well Designed
PostedApril 7, 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
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
If it wasn’t for the weather, I might have given this game five stars. But the endless downpour wears away at my nerves to the point I cringe every time the clues lead me outside. Which they do a lot, because there’s a lot of ground to cover.
Ethan Blake (that’s you) has to stop a madman before any harm can come to his fiancé, held by the kidnapper. It’s a familiar opening, but it soon takes off in new directions.
The story, though very cleverly and artfully told, is at times quite confusing, yet remains fascinating despite that. All sorts of weirdness happens that requires explanation. The ending ties all this up satisfactorily, if a little strained.
The game play is logical without being linear, you have a reasonable idea of where to look for the type of item you need.
Predominately HOs and relatively few not too difficult puzzles, this is nevertheless an exciting adventure, with superb graphics and delightful varied locations.
It is quite a long game, as there’s much to do and many places to go, but it doesn’t wear thin.
More games of this balance of games and styles and story would be very welcome indeed. Very professionally done.
I recommend this game!
Step into the shoes of a detective who has been approached by the FBI to take over a terrifying case and stop a Dark Ritual!
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 24 found this review helpful
HOs All The Way
PostedApril 6, 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
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
How time changes us. This game used to be one of my favourites, but replaying it now, it feels dated and HO heavy.
The story is the usual save the family member from the crazy scientist stuff, with a couple of amusing twists. I have no problem with that, it’s a good story that covers plenty of variation.
The graphics and the game play are the problem.
First of all, the graphics aren’t bad. They’re a little rough around the edges, literally, and occasionally that’s bad enough to make a HO invisible. The game's fairly low definition stuff, and there’s no attempt at anything that could be called ‘art’.
Then there’s the design of the HOs themselves. No effort has been made to give the appearance of relevance to the scenes, or drama or colour. Result: somewhat grungy overly cluttered junk piles with medieval weapons and NASA photos in the same cupboard.
The gameplay was very straightforward. 90% of it was HOs. That’s okay for some, and used to be for me, but for experienced gamers it’s not good news at all. There are dozens of them and each is visited twice. They are slightly interactive.
Barely remember the mini-games, even I found them easy.
One thing I really loved though was the music. Very ominous and science fiction, and only around some of the time so you don't get sick of it.
Do I recommend this game? For the HO fans, certainly. For someone dipping their toes into the HOPA, yes. To anyone else, no, this game is B Grade at best.
I recommend this game!
The Dark Piper unleashes infested rodents into the town of Hamelin! Defeat him before he leaves a trail of destruction all across Europe!
Overall rating
3
/
5
46 of 48 found this review helpful
Crikey! I’m, Well, I’m Shocked!
PostedApril 6, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED A COUPLE OF TIMES
I had to look twice to see who made this game, because it seemed impossible to me that the people who gave us The Exiled Prince could produced anything so dark, so macabre, so, well, violent.
Obviously, this is a game that no rat-o-phobe would want to see – and believe me you REALLY don’t, but it is also not for anyone who prefers their battles with evil to be somewhat low key.
The darkness in this game is intense, the creepiness is everywhere, and the battle is fierce and grim to the bitter end.
For all that, it is an exceedingly beautiful game, well conceived, the story well told, the puzzles are all interesting without being too challenging, and there are plenty of interactive HOs.
I really enjoyed it. I was completely caught up in the story, even this second time around.
My one beef is the map. Very badly put together, it is inaccurate, enough to have you heading off in the entirely wrong direction.
Worse, it is supposed to tell you where there are “areas of interest” but that symbol shows up only if you have an active HO there.
Any key, puzzle etc that you could be using does not register. So it’s around the map getting “There is nothing to do here right now” throughout the entire game.
There was also a fair bit of back and forth with one item too.
But the game is fun, has some surprises in store for you, and is, as you’d expect, visually marvelous.
I recommend this game!
Discover the Red Riding Hood Sisters and defeat the nefarious Wolf Queen!
Overall rating
5
/
5
75 of 84 found this review helpful
They Just Keep Getting Better
PostedApril 5, 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
GAME COMPLETED TWICE
The Dark Parables series started with a game I never really liked, Curse of Briar Rose, a different but nothing special take on the story of Sleeping Beauty.
It’s a fragmented hidden object game with only one or two puzzle types interspersed with the HOS.
This game, the fourth of the series, is almost incomparably better in every way, most particularly in my favourite aspects of games.
The stories over all four games have become increasingly complex and fanciful, and this story is a true gem of creativity and imagination.
The original Red Riding Hood is saved and lives to establish a sisterhood of hunters vowed to protect their woods from all evil. This just as well, because the minute you, intrepid Detective, enter the forest you are attacked by a mist wolf and only survive with the help of a Red Riding Hood sister.
The opening is quite dramatic and dark, actual killing of the mythical wolf occurs. Bear that in mind, because it will not be the last death you see in this game.
The graphics are of course spectacular. That’s what sets games apart, and every game looks better than the last.
There’s not much I can say about it, except gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Even the skeletons are gorgeous!
Also, I noticed the music was particularly beautiful. I left the game on while I made a coffee just so I could listen to it.
This series’ signature gameplay of finding and reconstructing sensationally beautiful items to use in puzzles and mini-games (of which there are still not very many really, but a bit more variety) continues to dominate the game.
But the complexity of the adventure aspect of the game has significantly improved its general appeal – and increased the difficulty. Thank goodness we get a sort-of interactive map and a directional hint this time! It must be said, though, I still wandered about aimlessly often enough, unable to find what I needed to do next.
Not everyone is going to want this kind of game, but for those who like being immersed in beautiful fantasies, and can cope with a darker element, this is for you.
I recommend this game!
The Order’s most closely-guarded secret sleeps deep beneath the ancient Spanish streets. What lies within this mysterious box?
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 47 found this review helpful
Top Notch Game *****
PostedApril 5, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
GAME JUST COMPLETED
I honestly thought I was over gushing about the graphics, but here I am again. Wow! This game just looks so professional, you are already convinced before you get past the intro. But it’s not all about the graphics, or even mostly, because this game is top calibre stuff all the way.
We’ve met these people before, these Keepers, of which we are one; and the evil Vlad has crossed our path. But this time the world really will end if we don’t stop him. He’s after the infamous Pandora’s Box, and in his hands, that means havoc and destruction for at least 500 years.
There’s much of interest and an interesting interpretation on history in the story, and you’ll need to be attentive in order to understand some of the actions required. You have a good journal for that and a jump map of different design from the norm.
In the beginning there is a lot of cutscenes and dialogue (very well done, but not in sync), as the backstory is laid out for us. Soon enough, we’re on our own though.
The game starts out quite easy – I was quite surprised at the simplicity of the puzzles, having played the other Keepers game (not essential to this story, but a great game) - but the surprise was short lived. It soon became the more complex and intriguing game I expected.
I enjoyed the HOS, which were interactive and often required more than one action before receiving an object. The graphics on some were not as good as they should have been, but they were interesting and challenging.
The puzzles, some new some old, some unique to the Keepers series, ranged in difficulty, getting harder as they went.
There are Achievements (all easy to get), and morphing objects to collect. Like the puzzles, the morphing objects start out very easy to see, but as the game progressed, become more tricky.
You can’t beat a game like this. Interesting, challenging and best of all, fun.
Bonus Content Review *****
Briefly, the bonus game was as good as the main game, relevant to but necessary for the main story, and with new locations and puzzles.
The standards are all there – wallpapers etc.
Achievements and morphing objects are exclusive to the CE, as are the extra mini-games, and of course the Strategy Guide.
I particularly appreciate these last two, because I am looking forward to understanding and winning some of those trickier mini-games before I play this again!
I recommend this game!
I recommend this game!
Dupin needs your help solving the mystery of the gold bug. Crack the codes and follow the clues to one man's obsession with an old legend.
Overall rating
5
/
5
81 of 89 found this review helpful
Dark Tales Back On Form
PostedApril 5, 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
GAME COMPLETED TWICE
M. Dupin has invited his ‘friend’ (that's us - another promotion!) to join him as he pays a visit to a friend who believes he has found a map to Captain Kidd’s lost treasure.
This is another story by Poe and one we simply can’t hear too much of, and so we’re off to the seaside!
The introduction to this game is worth the price. Before we even start we have:
• A delightfully dramatic opening, very movie-like
• Very un-ERS-like and totally wonderful original music
• Replayable puzzles and HOS
• Very un-ERS-like and totally wonderful original music
• Replayable puzzles and HOS
Very soon after, we also meet our new side-kick, a very well trained St Bernard who will help us by sniffing out clues – literally, of course.
And there’s much to do, the code needs deciphering, a masked man and a mysterious woman seem to be intent on harming our friend.
The puzzles are good, all pretty easy and well explained, with enough variety in them to stay interesting.
The HOS come in two modes, the standard interactive list and the newer style of silhouettes where to find one item you must first find another and another and... I for one am thankful to see a game using a variety of HO styles.
We have more help than usual with a journal, a map, and a hint button.
The graphics are of course excellent, extraordinary colour.
M. Dupin remains charming (I was amused to discover, though, that we are a little more cynical about our famous friend these days – the journal is quite amusing at times.), the good guys win in the end, how could we want more?
I heartily recommend this game!
I recommend this game!