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:
Appease terrifying ghosts before they kidnap and punish the entire city of Sunnyvale in this dark and mysterious Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
40 of 48 found this review helpful
Weird, Not As Good As Expected, But Solid
PostedJanuary 15, 2012
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
Headline says it all. The standard story soon gets weird, with little explanation of things that are essential to plot. Like why and how the house came to be kidnapping people in the first place. And just what sort of evidence rules do they have in Sunnyvale? Major leaps in logic make the game confusing, which it otherwise wouldn't be...
Because the gameplay is straightforward and vintage Fear For Sale, the HO scenes are really interactive and clear, the puzzles are fun, and the artwork, while not as good as I anticipated, is still above average and worked well on wide screen.
Things I particularly liked were the multiple uses of inventory items before you lose them. Also, if you have to fuel up something, you don't have to traipse around half a dozen places getting a funnel, a hose, a gas can, the fuel, etc. A simple HO scene and you collect a full can with a pouring nozzle.
The disjointed story is mirrored by music that clearly had not been intended to produce an appropriate atmosphere. Sometimes it was actually quite cheerful, not spooky at all. I actually got a kick out of it, it made me smile each time it chimed in with just the wrong kind of theme.
McInroy Manor was quirky and so is this one - and a good game without setting the world on fire.
I think most people will like it.
I recommend this game!
Journey to a foreboding island as you go on the hunt for a murderer in Elixir of Immortality, a fun Adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
30 of 34 found this review helpful
More Fun Than Expected
PostedJanuary 14, 2012
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
Based on the trial, this game is primarily HO, with the occasional puzzle and a bit of adventure to give the gameplay some direction.
The story is a lighthearted 'quest for the elixir of life', as you'd expect from the title. You are a detective undercover as the manservant in a castle full of odd characters, all suspects in the murders of several previous manservants. Not a safe working environment!
The graphics for this one are better than I expected and handled widescreen without any distortion. Music was light and upbeat. No voiceovers.
The HO scenes were clear and most of the items were in plain view, which isn't to say that they were too easy to find, I'd say they were medium level difficulty. You do return to previous HO scenes, which I don't mind - once. Some scenes had too much rust for my liking.
In all, I will probably pick this one up for those days when I'm feeling too lazy for an adventure game, and want to stare absentmindedly at the screen :)
After your father dies, your sister Violet requests your help at the Family Castle. Get to the bottom of a dark mystery!
Overall rating
3
/
5
72 of 76 found this review helpful
Pretty Ordinary, Which Does NOT Mean Bad
PostedJanuary 14, 2012
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
This game is good on most levels, it just isn't extraordinary on any.
The graphics are good, bit grainy on my 21", but not enough to gripe about. The music is good, and the ambient sounds are very good.
The storyline is okay, fairly familiar though. I was disappointed that we didn't get to see more of the bad guys, and the ending was somewhat anticlimactic.
Some critics say it's too easy, but to me, it was nice to play a game where the puzzles were as easy as the HO. I do agree with the others that the game was too short. But it came neatly packaged in 3 chapters and didn't include any time wasters, such as repeating HO scenes.
One thing I really did like about this game is the way they did the HO scenes so that they fit into an enclosed bordered area that was separate from the task/list/hint bar. Was nice to have clearly delineated search areas.
Good game for a low key change from the real puzzlers, but nothing unique.
I recommend this game!
Dracula: Love Kills
The Queen of Vampires is back and is determined to destroy the world! Help Van Helsing and Dracula as they team up to stop her!
Overall rating
4
/
5
25 of 28 found this review helpful
Just How Bloodthirsty Are YOU?
PostedJanuary 14, 2012
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
3
/
5
You'll find out in this hilarious vampire adventure in which 'The Count' (that's you) teams up with Van Helsing to save the world. Just as you'd expect from the stories, your character is gorgeous but evil, and the vampire hunter is a stuffed shirt good guy, with Igor in the middle being simply, well, simple - and vicious.
The game looks great, feels almost believable, and has enough quirky HO scenes, tricky but not impossible puzzles, interesting story and odd characters to rate as a fine HOPA game. Even if you're not a vampire fan, you'll enjoy this fresh look at the legend.
I recommend this game!
Spirit Seasons: Little Ghost Story
Explore the Blindhill Place manor and meet the ghost of Agatha, a young girl who is haunting the huge mansion!
Overall rating
4
/
5
64 of 71 found this review helpful
The Perfect Daily Deal
PostedJanuary 14, 2012
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
I would not have been happy with this game if I'd paid full price for it, but as a Daily Deal, it's just right. It's a kind of HO mini-game! Is it a kid's game? I guess so, but I enjoyed it. That's good enough for me.
It's too short and the story is too basic for a full game, but it is a simple adventure, with quite tricky HO scenes and plenty of them. There are lots of interactive items in each scene, and the scenes are clear (in windowed mode). The graphics are a little quirky, with curved lines and odd perspectives.
There are multiple possible endings, and that adds a bit of extra flavour to the game. Because it's so quick, it's the ideal game for when you're too busy or distracted for a full-bore adventure game where serious challenges are posed.
I always play casual mode in these games, not feeling confident yet to 'brave it alone', but I think this will be a good game to start on expert.
I recommend this game!
The day famed mystery writer Adora Graves died the lights went out in Beacon. Cast light on the town or be stuck in the shadows!
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 36 found this review helpful
This is My New Favourite, Here's Why!
PostedJanuary 14, 2012
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
1. The visuals on this game are something else, extraordinary clarity, and while not exactly beautiful - this is a thriller after all, and so must be grungy - was really well conceived and executed. The HO scenes were tricky without ever "cheating".
2. The sounds and music were good, the voice overs were excellent.
3. The story, while not new, quickly develops into something more, and the treatment throughout the game is medium paced, intriguing, and involving.
4. The ending is spectacular - all I'll say is it puts plenty of CE's to shame.
5. Perhaps the greatest aspect of an already fantastic game is the sense of humour. It's sly and unobtrusive, but if you like wit in your entertainment, this will tickle you.
That this game is the first from a new developer is also amazing and promises great things for the future.
This is definitely a winner.
I recommend this game!
Help Anna find her way to the mystical floating cloud city, seek out the Children of Light and save them from the Evil Empress!
Overall rating
3
/
5
43 of 56 found this review helpful
Beautiful & Soothing, Best Enjoyed By Kids
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
This game is the ultimate in zen therapy for stressed mums. Park the kids in front of it, or take a leisurely tour of the fantastical locations for yourself.
Gameplay: The quest aspect is simple and relatively easy so the focus is on the beautiful surroundings and the puzzles. The puzzles were straightforward for the most part, but I did skip a few because I ran out of patience with them.
Artwork: Despite my mediocre response to the gameplay I did love really beautiful graphics. Although I've seen better artwork in terms of clarity and technological quality, I found myself dawdling through HO scenes, taking in the sights and soaking up the atmosphere. Music and sounds contributed much to the relaxing environment.
Story: It is simple and easy to follow, less involving, however, than the graphics. It’s the closest I've seen too a truly original fairy tale, and kids would love it.
Replay: I might play it again if I need to de-stress, but this really is for a younger audience and presents little challenge.
Flaws: The map is worse than useless. So getting around sometimes frustrating.
Tip: If you enjoyed the first Empress of the Deep, this is the same story with better artwork.
This is definitely a 'try before you buy' game, as some may find it too easy and/or too unrealistic.
I recommend this game!
Restore the royal amulet to break an ancient curse and stop an evil witch from regaining her terrible powers!
Overall rating
2
/
5
45 of 58 found this review helpful
Only Played The Trial... Didn't Like It
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
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
3
/
5
But have no interest in taking it further. I found the poorish quality of the graphics - on some scenes not all, weirdly - combined with a stodgy gameplay and frustrating instructionless puzzles tedious very quickly. Background noises were good.
Wouldn't recommend this one, but the sequel is pretty good.
I don't recommend this game.
Dr. Sigmund Fraud has been released from the asylum, and is up to his old tricks. Help Detective Ravenwood track him down!
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 20 found this review helpful
Definitely For Horror Fans
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
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
This game really IS creepy and sometimes unsettling - and I felt that way 5 minutes into the demo! The feel of it is too realistic for light entertainment, even though the graphics are over-the-top psycho.
I did like the very different HO games (find yoga positions, eg.) and it strikes me as a game with some genuine originality to it.
I will probably buy it if it's a daily deal, but otherwise it's just a bit too much, and the graphics technical quality is below par.
Probably appeal most to hardcore horror fans, and retro lovers.
I don't recommend this game.
After Sara inherits a home, she discovers that a restless spirit can speak to her! Help her sooth Emily’s soul in Haunted Past: Realm of Ghosts!
Overall rating
4
/
5
109 of 122 found this review helpful
Truly Creative Use of an Old Gimmick
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
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
Having completed the trial version twice (did CE as well), I'm still not 100% clear as to how the game will play, but it has this to recommend it.
The story is based around a spooky deserted mansion, with that also-now-familiar twist of a shadow world behind the real one. What makes this one original and interesting is the uses that you can make travelling back and forth through the rooms, hiding objects in the 'then' and digging them up in the 'now'.
The music and sound are both great and the atmosphere is suitably gloomy. My biggest reservation about this game is the graphics -there are plenty of HO scenes, well drawn with very interesting use of brightness in the 'shadow' world, but all scenes are close to monochromatic, at least in the demo. That puts me off a bit. I like colourful games.
The gameplay itself seemed fairly standard, and I enjoyed being able to work the puzzles myself - no skips in this one so far, and I finished the trial in just under an hour, which I take as promising 4-5 hours. Oh, and hint is really really quick, so if you must use it, at least you won't be stalled for long.
In all, not a game on my 'must have or I'll die' list, but definitely on my 'punchcard weekend' list.