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:
Investigate a military hospital that hosted a variety of terrifying experiments in The Agency of Anomalies: Mystic Hospital!
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 44 found this review helpful
Paranormal Approach to Tired “Abandoned Hospital” Tale
PostedFebruary 24, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
Story: You are a special agent with the Agency of Anomalies sent to investigate a military hospital that hosted a variety of terrifying experiments before it was abandoned. Discover the monstrosities that soldiers, doctors, and nurses have been transformed into, and try to stop a dimensional vortex from destroying the world.
Developer: ******
Release Date: Jan 2012
Extras: Time Scores, Cut Scene Replays
Release Date: Jan 2012
Extras: Time Scores, Cut Scene Replays
Or is that paramilitary? This game contends with those tried and true villains – the army and their mad scientists, using the Anomalous Activity Detector (aka Hint). This device identifies areas of interest, and if asked, the solutions. This can be surprisingly unhelpful, and recharge is slow, so the game is not easy.
The HOs and visuals are the usual grungy rat holes you’d expect from an abandoned hospital, but they are well done and for the most part appropriate to the location. They are both lists and return items, and each HOs is visited three times. There are few puzzles, most reasonably easy, but skipping one costs you 30 minutes of game time, so that’s just as well!
This is the first of a series of three games each of which is increasingly well done, but it is still an excellent place to start your career with the “Agency of Anomalies”.
I recommend this game!
Jessica would never imagine that her big day would turn out to be a nightmare; they had an accident and Jonathan McNealy, her husband is missing.
Overall rating
3
/
5
44 of 71 found this review helpful
Not Inspiring, But Not Bad Either
PostedFebruary 23, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Story: As the blurb says, Jessica’s trouble starts on her wedding day, with a car accident caused by an apparition, a husband who disappears, leaving her wounded to fend for herself in an unknown forest. Which she does admirably and eventually ends up at her husband’s family mansion, where things really start getting strange! :)
The demo took me 45 minutes of relaxed and pleasant play, and in that time I did a heap of slightly interactive HOs, so I’m guessing that the emphasis will be on those. The HOs are exceptionally clear, large and bright, which didn’t stop me needing a hint now and then.
As others have mentioned, this doesn’t seem like it will be memorable, but I do believe it will be enjoyable and reasonably interesting. The story for the length of the demo went very slowly admittedly, little actually happened, so it may not be edge-of-your-seat stuff. It will go on my “punchcard filler” list, which means I’ll buy it eventually.
Game is ideal for lovers of HOs who still want some purpose to their seeking.
FOR THE RECORD THE ORIGINAL SILENT SCREAM WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LIKE THIS and absolutely awful to play.
I recommend this game!
Track a mad man across time and investigate a gristly murder from the past!
Overall rating
3
/
5
32 of 36 found this review helpful
Challenging HOPA, Emphasis On The “A”
PostedFebruary 22, 2013
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
Story: Angelica Weaver, a detective on Chicago's Special Task Force, must use her ability to connect with the dead to stop a present day killer. The only way for her to get ahead of this killer is to first identify a murderer who escaped justice over a hundred years ago. Through extrasensory visions she is able to jump back and forth between crimes scenes in historic London and present-day Chicago, where the victims reveal to her their final moments.
Developer: ****
Release Date: Oct 2012
Extras: Collectibles, Achievements, Unlockable Unlimited HO Games
Release Date: Oct 2012
Extras: Collectibles, Achievements, Unlockable Unlimited HO Games
I have struggled to complete Angelica Weaver twice now, and am convinced - this game is HARD, except maybe to a seasoned adventurer. And no easy mode to relieve the pressure.
It is also original, intriguing, and very professionally done. The atmosphere is thoroughly modern, (even, alas, when we’re in 19th Century London) and the realistic use of technology works well.
Collectibles take two forms – dream catchers give you hints, and sheriff’s badges an achievement. HOs are varied – interactive lists, find matching pairs, find 30 pieces of whatever within labyrinthine settings. None are too easy. The puzzles and mini-games are original, and of course, hard.
The story is engaging, and tests your detective abilities, but you have Angelica’s VOs and a journal to keep track. I loved the personalization btw – nice touch.
I believe this game is worth five stars to an expert, but for the rest of us, this is work.
I don't recommend this game.
Guide Kate Reed as she solves four mind-bending mysteries that take her to worlds she's never imagined!
Overall rating
5
/
5
122 of 141 found this review helpful
Wonderful Wonderful Game
PostedFebruary 22, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
Developer: ****
Release Date: Jan 2012
Extras: none
Release Date: Jan 2012
Extras: none
Great concept for a game – a ghost house that has an uncountable number of doors to other places and times. Plenty of room for many sequels that still allow an infinite variety of adventures.
The game also has excellent graphics, quite different characters, and beautiful ambient sound and music. I loved the HOs with their high degree of interactivity and quality graphics, but there was a greater emphasis on the adventure aspects, which were very well done.
There was some degree of travel involved, and a map might have been a good idea, but I managed without. Hint directs you to the right location without requiring refill time, so it’s a good navigational tool.
There are the ever-popular morphing objects, not necessarily easy to find, and once you’ve completed a particular adventure, you can’t go back to get them, so keep your eyes peeled!
Highly recommended
I recommend this game!
Guide Kate Reed as she searches for the artifacts that can break the power of a cursed gem in House of 1,000 Doors: The Palm of Zoroaster!
Overall rating
5
/
5
122 of 132 found this review helpful
Absolutely Excellent Sequel
PostedFebruary 22, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
Developer: ****
Release Date: May 2012
Extras: none
Release Date: May 2012
Extras: none
The first 1000 Doors was a gem, and this 2nd instalment surpasses it. Same structure for the game as before – a haunted house with an unlimited number of doors to other places. One of the best things about this game over its predecessor is the truly exotic locations for each adventure. Another is the introduction of an interactive jump map. I had no reason to use hint at all through the entire game because of this feature.
You can take it for granted that if I’ve rated a game with 5 stars, its graphics are gorgeous, there is appropriate ambient sound and pleasant music, and that the story is sustainable. The game mechanics are excellent, the HOs are good – no microscope needed, and the puzzles are up to a high standard, but not too too hard. I’m weak on puzzles .
Definitely a Must Have for any HOPA fan.
Definitely a Must Have for any HOPA fan.
I recommend this game!
Find your missing fiancé in the deepest parts of the ocean. Discover the forgotten underwater city hiding many spine-chilling secrets.
Overall rating
3
/
5
52 of 62 found this review helpful
I Don’t Understand Why I Don’t Like This Game More
PostedFebruary 22, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
GAME COMPLETED TWICE
Story: Find your missing fiancé in the deepest parts of the ocean. Discover and investigate a forgotten underwater city that hides many spine-chilling secrets and supernatural forces which still lurk in every corner of this mysterious world. Face an ancient evil that is hiding in the deepest chambers of the once idyllic city of Eden.
Developer: Artifex Mundi
Release Date: Nov 2012
Extras: Achievements, Extra Chapter (Separate from Main Game), Interactive Map
Release Date: Nov 2012
Extras: Achievements, Extra Chapter (Separate from Main Game), Interactive Map
Here’s an intelligent story with believable twists, and clear and attractive, if not brilliant graphics. We’ve got uncluttered HOs, with the choice to play a domino game as an alternative to the admittedly very many HOs.
The puzzles were also interesting and not so hard that I had to skip more than a couple. Ambient sounds are good, voiceovers excellent, didn’t really notice the music. Cut scenes were not too frequent and were well done. Overall, though I didn’t time it, the game seemed longer than average. Has an excellent interactive map.
But something is missing. I felt no connection to the characters at all, was not moved by the beauty of the locations, didn’t hold my breath wondering what came next (even though the mystery was exceptionally well maintained).
Which means it’s a good game, but will never be a great one: an ideal punchcard filler.
I recommend this game!
Investigate strange goings-on in the eerie town of Fort Nightingale!
Overall rating
5
/
5
33 of 34 found this review helpful
Great Game, The Best Map I’ve Seen
PostedFebruary 22, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
Story: A TV show is turning the children of Fort Nightingale into zombies - but that's not the weirdest thing going on in the city! Enter this mystifying maelstrom as Clarrisa, a government agent that investigates unexplained phenomenon
Developer: ****
Release Date: Dec 2012
Extras: Morphing Collectibles, Interactive Jump Map with Toggles
Release Date: Dec 2012
Extras: Morphing Collectibles, Interactive Jump Map with Toggles
This is a top notch game, offering an interesting and unusual story with an action packed finish. Great graphics, interesting puzzles, a few arcade games, and enough HOs to keep me interested. The iHOs were of both the list and return items styles.
The characters were fun, with well done voiceovers and definitely different. Music was creepy and very alien. The weather changed partway through the game, which was a nice touch. On all counts, excellent.
But the best feature by far is its map. It is a jump map, necessary as there are a lot of locations and a fair amount of traipsing. It gives you active areas and even where the morphing collectibles are and can be more use than hint (which I never used, because I had the map). I say ‘can be’ because you can switch that feature off! Then toggle it back any time. Brilliant!
I recommend this game!
A powerful wizard has been sucked into a portal and is lost! Only you can save him from death in Allora and the Broken Portal!
Overall rating
3
/
5
22 of 22 found this review helpful
Family Friendly, But That Doesn’t Mean Easy
PostedFebruary 22, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
Story: A powerful wizard has been sucked into a portal and is lost. Only you can save him. Approached by an Elf girl and a rodent friend, only the eyes of a human can be used to travel to Faraway Forest and save the wizard.
Developer: Azart
Release Date: Mar 2012
Extras: none
Release Date: Mar 2012
Extras: none
The cartoon-styled graphics, absence of evil and monsters, the cute companions, and magical machinations may all make it seem like strictly a kids game, but Allora is a challenge to grownups as well. Its gameplay style is unique.
The game is really just one long HOs, but put together in a way that I find much more interesting than standard pure HOs. Each self-contained ‘location’ contains at least one scrollable scene and two or three other scenes, from which you must find a number of list items, including ones that will become part of your inventory and are needed to get the required number of crystals or runes you need to complete the location.
You are taken back to each of these locations later, but the scenes have altered a lot since you were there. I love that trick.
Good for a little of something different.
I recommend this game!
Amazing Adventures: The Lost Tomb
Search for hidden objects and circumvent unique puzzle traps to recover the Lost Tomb of Ancient Egypt.
Overall rating
3
/
5
24 of 26 found this review helpful
Classic HO Game Very Old Now
PostedFebruary 22, 2013
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Story: A piece of an ancient map was discovered and is believed to reveal the location of the Lost Tomb of Egypt. Under the direction of the Museum, you must immediately begin your adventure to locate the Lost Tomb and the treasures locked within.
Developer: PopCap Games
Release Date: Nov 2007
Extras: High Scores, Times and Collectibles, Unlimited HOs
Release Date: Nov 2007
Extras: High Scores, Times and Collectibles, Unlimited HOs
This game is a little old now, so the graphics aren’t great. And as with most early HO games the story is largely non-existent and the gameplay is regimented and repetitive. All the AA games follow very much the same pattern. One crowded, cluttered, non-interactive and irrational junk pile, followed by a simple puzzle: repeat 20 times.
They do have collectibles, which unlock unlimited play mode on the HOs, and as they are timed and scored games, top scores ranks are an achievement of sorts. Personally, I don’t like these games, but I think that they are quite good examples of pure HO games, so if that’s what you like, I’d recommend it.
I don't recommend this game.
Amazing Adventures: Around the World
Travel to unique and exotic locations around the world to help find the most expensive gem ever known - the World Diamond.
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 19 found this review helpful
Another Classic HO Game
PostedFebruary 22, 2013
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
Story: After pieces of an ancient tablet begin appearing around the globe, the museum calls you in to hunt them down and follow the clues to the greatest gem the world has ever known -- the famous "World Diamond".
Developer: PopCap Games
Release Date: Sep 2008
Extras: High Scores, Times and Collectibles, Unlimited HOs
Release Date: Sep 2008
Extras: High Scores, Times and Collectibles, Unlimited HOs
Your mission in this sequel to The Lost Tomb is travel around the world to recover the World Diamond. The scenes are all over the place, and therefore give the game more variety than its predecessor. Other than that, slightly better graphics, and a couple of different puzzles, this game is identical to the first.
The formula is still strictly one static noninteractive HO scene followed by a puzzle: multiply by 25. You return to each location randomly and often. As before, they do have collectibles that unlock unlimited play, and they are timed and scored.
Personally, I don’t like these games, but I think that are quite good examples of pure HO games, so if that’s what you like, I’d recommend it.
I don't recommend this game.