dsrtrosy's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:80
- Reviews Submitted:9
- First Review:January 29, 2012
- Most Recent Review:May 29, 2012
- Featured reviews0
dsrtrosy's Review History
Fight with The Blue Coats during the American Civil War!
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 29 found this review helpful
Excellent game with some strange negatives
PostedMay 29, 2012
dsrtrosy
fromAlbuquerque, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Well, I find myself (happily) going against the flow here.
Despite its unfortunate topic choice (and a couple of minor offenses), this is a much more fun and challenging game than we usually find at BFG.
A hybrid of Risk (turn based), action RPG, and shooting gallery, this game was just downright tough! You choose to play one of three soldiers (not sure what the third one is--but it doesn't really matter because the setting is just an excuse for a Risk-like map of the US). You take turns taking over states, in some of which you can find forts, train stations, and docks--all important to your strategy.
If you don't keep track, however, your enemy can get strong while you aren't looking. While it's important to increase your army size, it's also important to give the men better arms, and practice your shooting skills.
When you confront an enemy force (or they confront you), your cavalry, foot soldiers and heavy guns face their battalion of the same. Choose a group to attack and set them in motion, while trying to keep your guys out of the way of their cannons.
If your fort is attacked when the battalion is away in another state, you play a shooting gallery game. It's fast and you are handicapped by only being able to stay under cover for a short period of time.
A quick play of this game kicked my tuckus!! For those of us with an RPG jones, this looks to have a ton of replay value.
Now...the big BUT in the room--it can be a bit offensive in some ways (this war was decided a long time ago, Mexican's attack if you get to Texas, Indians attack if you get to Oklahoma or Missouri--not sure which). But if you can get past the horrible stereotypes, the gameplay mechanic is actually quite good.
I recommend this game!
After Awakening in a mysterious castle it's up to you to collect clues and items needed to solve perplexing puzzles and escape!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
Another game has surprised me
PostedMarch 18, 2012
dsrtrosy
fromAlbuquerque, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I rarely go for this kind of game--from the outside it looks very childish, and the first few puzzles and tasks are very easy. But there is a nice undertone to this game. No one is helping you, even the goblins who are supposedly there to serve you in your long dreamless sleep.
Eventually you will realize this is not a game for little girls. Yes, there are fairies and unicorns, but there is also drinking, gambling and other unpleasantness among the goblin ranks. And in spite of the bright and gorgeous palace in which you find yourself, you can't help but feel more and more surely that something is wrong here, something you should remember. You are filled with a sense of loneliness.
The story isn't dark, and the graphics are incredible. None of the search or puzzle games are very challenging. But the game is longer than it seems it will be and there is plenty to do as you look for the final escape from your beautiful prison. This was definitely a perfect Sunday afternoon game--didn't require me to think as hard as the games I normally buy, but still gave me a great sense of value at the end.
I recommend this game!
Reveal the secret legacy of The Order of the Griffin and restore Sunward City in The Secret Order: New Horizon!
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 9 found this review helpful
Just can't get past the sparkles
PostedMarch 12, 2012
dsrtrosy
fromAlbuquerque, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
I want so much to like this game, but the wonderful, gritty, modern-looking graphics are completely ruined by fairy sparkles. I simply cannot get past the first scene. It's too incongruous.
I don't recommend this game.
When Houdini’s promises of contact from beyond go unkept, his wife comes to you in a final plea to unravel his mysterious passing.
Overall rating
3
/
5
0 of 4 found this review helpful
Very easy, but very pretty
PostedMarch 4, 2012
dsrtrosy
fromAlbuquerque, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is a pretty, polished game for people who want very little challenge, either in the adventure or the HO scenes. The visual quality of this game ranks among the highest at BFG, with a really gorgeous backdrop, some amazing animation, and an excellent inventory/guide/hint system.
My low ranking, although I will recommend the game with a caveat, comes from the complete lack of challenge. Basic computer-generated card tricks are disguised as mini-games (with solutions easily found on the web) and the discovery of "clues" is just too simple for players with much experience. The puzzle boxes were a new twist for BFG, but still not anything new in the world of gaming.
At the 30-minute mark I had found 10 of the 40 "special items", which means the full game would have taken me 2 hours. I'm used to free games that last for a hundred hours--I'm not willing to pay for one with no replay value that I can finish in the time it takes to watch a movie.
For very casual gamers looking for extremely simple and relaxing play, this would be a good choice. For me, I will end where I began this review--30 minutes in to the demo and ready to find a real challenge.
I recommend this game!
Rediscover your identity and prove your innocence in The Cross Formula, an incredible Adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
This is the good stuff!
PostedFebruary 28, 2012
dsrtrosy
fromAlbuquerque, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is special.
First, it's a true adventure, not a HOG. The challenge is in following the directions and finding out if you have done everything you can in a scene before you move on. The logic is impeccable--this is exactly what an indie adventure game should look and play like.
Next, there is the gorgeous, hand-drawn artwork (for those who can appreciate it). While some have called it "cartoonish", it's actually quite on the par with a good graphic novel--and that's exactly what you end up playing.
The story is great (although I find the mash up of Arizona and New Mexico maps a bit strange). Yes, it's weird and you never are completely sure why you have these strange blackouts, but this is part of the story's charm.
I applaud BFG for going out on a limb for such a different and truly exceptional game. I hope to see more of these.
I recommend this game!
Fairway Solitaire
Pull out your clubs (and your diamonds, hearts and spades) and enjoy a round of Fairway Solitaire!
Overall rating
5
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
Surprisingly good
PostedFebruary 23, 2012
dsrtrosy
fromAlbuquerque, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is not normally the sort of game I play (as a serious gamer, I'm more into the heavy duty TD and RPG games on other sites, but I like some of the HO/Adventure games here as well).
However, I had a coupon, so I thought I'd give this a shot (he heh...truly an unintended by serendipitous pun). It's ridiculously fun! There is a guiding storyline/campaign as well as really high replay value. I go to solitaire just for relaxation from time to time--now this will be my new go-to solitaire game!
I recommend this game!
After crashing your car in the middle of nowhere, you stumble upon a mysterious town with a shady background. Solve a dark mystery!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 4 found this review helpful
Wow.
PostedFebruary 17, 2012
dsrtrosy
fromAlbuquerque, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Just wow.
This game is definitely on a par with the original MCF in terms of story, challenge and length. But it stands apart from anything else I've played here in so many ways.
I prefer games that allow you to return to earlier scenes to find new inventory items that might be useful in later play (what some gamers criticize as "toing and froing" is actually usually just logical progression of thought). This one is VERY good in that regard. For instance--and this is hardly a spoiler, as it's in the first few moments of demo play--one of the first things you see is a flashlight on the ground near your crashed car. After making your way through a couple of small challenges, you're suddenly presented with a scene in which you need that flashlight. And although it was subtle, you know RIGHT where to look for it! It's exactly what might happen if you were actually wandering around just after a wreck and didn't quite have all your wits about you.
The rest of the game is similar--completely immersive. And it's creepy without being scary. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous and everything provides clues to the overall mystery, but in a really beautiful way that often makes you doubt if you are really seeing what you think you see.
I should also add my kudos to the ability to switch to a match-3 puzzle to help you locate hidden objects in some HOS. There are definitely a few items that are hard to see, and instead of charging right through with a hint, you get to extend gameplay with an additional game. Very nice touch!
If I had to critique something, I would only say that I wish we could see the location of the item found by unlocking the "eye" in the match-3 game.
But that's a small annoyance in an otherwise practically perfect game.
I recommend this game!
Help Eden Hunt win a mysterious treasure hunt and finance her future adventures! Find the treasure of Akua first to win!
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 19 found this review helpful
Definitely NOT a HOG!! (Thank God!!)
PostedFebruary 15, 2012
dsrtrosy
fromAlbuquerque, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This has to be one of the three or four cleverest games on Big Fish. If you are a HOG fan, though, you probably want to skip it. It's all math, logic, and non-linear puzzles with some sliding and jigsaw thrown in for good measure.
My rating is 4 stars because it was WAY too short for a serious puzzle lover (and most of the puzzles are on the easy side--hints will rarely be needed). That being said, the story line is fun, the characters are quirky, and the artwork is gorgeous.
I recommend this game!
Emma Roberts has been tasked with writing a story about an old haunted manor. Help her explore the McInroy Estate!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 12 found this review helpful
Best HOG so far
PostedJanuary 29, 2012
dsrtrosy
fromAlbuquerque, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This game was a special bargain last week, so I decided to try it out. It's the best computer-based HOG I've played (I tend to prefer the genre on iOS). This one was great because there were very few annoying sparkles, lots of exploring, and much more overall gameplay than most HOGs. Some reviewers have criticized the "toing and froing" but it makes quite a bit of sense in this one--almost as though, having been in one space, you later recall that there was something you might use in another space. I loved not having everything handed to me, even though the darkness of the picture sometimes made finding everything a bit difficult.
I recommend this game!