Zurreen's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:369
- Reviews Submitted:165
- First Review:January 31, 2015
- Most Recent Review:December 9, 2023
- Featured reviews0
Status:
After falling asleep in the cinema, you wake up in the movie. Solve the mystery of the missing film crew and finish the movie.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Weird...
PostedDecember 9, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The storyline seems to be a curious mixture of science fiction and sleuthing of some sort. The villain is so cartoonish. Maybe the game is intended for children, but it's definitely not the kind I would have liked even as a child...
Most of the hidden-object puzzles (HOP's), at least in what appears to be the main game, are rather weird too. As the HOP-game lovers know, the "normal" HOP's come with a scene, a list of objects at the bottom of the screen, and you then have to find those listed objects in the scene itself. But the majority of HOPs in this game are not like that at all. They do show some 5 objects at the bottom, and require you to find them in the scene. But as soon as you click on such an object in the scene, a 3D image appears, requiring you to turn and rotate the object until it fits the black profile in the background. So a bit of a test of your spatial abilities, I guess.
The game gets even weirder as it ends when, without any explanation, you find yourself back in the game! Apparently, this is supposed to be a bonus chapter but, as I mentioned, we don't know why or even how we are back in the game again! At least some of the locations in the main game are locked, but that doesn't help much, especially since our trusted gadget at the lower-left is no longer working. Thus, we get no clues, tasks, or objectives. We just have to go from one location to another, trying to ... well, make things work. But, at least, the HOP's we get are more of the "normal" variety, requiring you to find listed objects in a scene.
I should also note that I played the game only in the Expert mode. I would advise you NOT to do so though. The HOPs are simple, and so are the puzzles, no matter what level of difficulty you choose. Playing in the Expert mode only makes the game more frustrating (and even annoying), since you don't get any magnifying-glass or gear icons, and there is usually no logic to what objects you need and/or why. So you basically find yourself clicking all around a scene, hoping you will find *something* that will help you proceed in the game... :(
In short, I really did not like this game. If you like fantasy or science fiction type of stories (even if they don't make much sense), don't mind the weird HOPs, and like picking out popcorns (the collectibles in this game, 50 in all), then you may well enjoy this game. Otherwise,
I don't recommend this game.
You are the private detective Hercule Poirot and, once again, you find yourself up against a mysterious serial killer who goes by the name of "ABC".
Overall rating
3
/
5
Rather Long and Tedious
PostedDecember 7, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Let me note at the outset that this is NOT a Hidden-Object game. So I *guess* you can call it an Adventure game, but it's not exactly that either. It is more like an interactive movie, especially because of all the dialog and the cutscenes.
The storyline is pretty close to the Agatha Christie's novel and is pretty well-done at that. The music is nice and soothing. The puzzles are pretty original and can be quite challenging, but they are all pretty straightforward - you just have to concentrate and use your "little grey cells," as Poirot would say. The graphics and voice-acting are pretty good too.
However, I gave the game only 3 stars because it also has a lot of downsides. For one thing, there is just *way* too much dialog. There are also just *way* too many achievements, which is rather pointless since you get most of them by simply progressing in the game (finishing an interview or a location, etc.). What bothered me at least is that the name of the trophy does not indicate at all why you got it. So you have to quit the game, go to the Main Menu, then to Bonuses, and then the Trophies, and then *scroll* horizontally to find the trophy you just got and *then* click on it to see just what it was for anyway. Worse, the game has its own auto-save points. So if you happened to have quit before the game had saved (look for the mustache icon that comes on when the game saves), then you have to replay the portion after the last auto-save! In all fairness, the game does auto-save quite frequently, but it *can* be annoying, especially since you would have to check to make sure you replay everything you had played before so as not to lose any "ego points" that you may have gotten the first time.
In addition, the game play is a bit awkward too. You can't pan around and click at a spot to get Poirot to directly go there. Often, you have to click at one end of the screen to move him to it, then as the camera moves, point to yet another end, and sometimes do it a number of times, especially when you have to have him exit one location and move around in the next one. Rather cumbersome, and more so since you can NOT get him to move very quickly (because it's Poirot, of course - he doesn't hasten!).
In short, the game has quite a few shortcomings. I have actually mentioned only a few. But, all in all, if you don't mind long-winded speeches, rather tedious puzzles, and don't like to check out what trophy you got immediately after you get one (and you do get so many, often for doing nothing special at all!), then you may well really enjoy this game. And that is why
I recommend this game!
Follow a mystical story full of secrets and puzzles after a severe storm forces you to seek refuge in an old wax museum!
Overall rating
3
/
5
A Very Simple Hidden-Object Game
PostedNovember 29, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The story is somewhat interesting, though not really original and pretty simple at that. It basically serves as just a framework for what is really a strictly Hidden-Object (HO) game. Thus, there are no puzzles, mini-games, even cutscenes, or any kind of voice-acting at all. The graphics are a bit dull, and the tutorial is really not very helpful... You are pretty much on your own, learning as you go. But the game is rather short. So you can always replay the game and try to get more out of it.
Speaking of replaying... I noticed that one of the other reviewers has complained about not being able to restart the game because there are no profile options. I do hope that person is reading my review because, while it is true that there are no player profiles in this game, the fact is that you CAN restart the game, any time you like! Just go to Settings from the Main Menu, and click on the green button "Clear Progress" in the lower-right corner. Be sure to Exit the game and then restart, if you would like to see the first three scenes that tell you the story: rushing to son's birthday, accident, etc. If you don't exit the game and try to play, the game WILL still start from the beginning. It just won't have those three story scenes. You are welcome. :)
In short, the game is okay if you are not looking for a lot of challenge, not interested in any real storyline, and would just like to play a series of very easy HO scenes. If that is what you are looking for, then
I recommend this game!
With your carriage broken, and a wolf nearby, you must find shelter. What awaits you in the village just ahead?
Overall rating
3
/
5
Rather Disappointing
PostedOctober 4, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have loved the Shiver game series, but I am afraid I was pretty disappointed with this particular game, Moonlit Grove. In all fairness, I admit that I really don't care much about vampires or, in this case, werewolves. But the game was pretty disappointing in other ways as well.
To start with the positive though... the graphics were good, the music was really nice, and I loved the fact that, in spite of being a Collector's Edition, there were no Achievements. Thus, one can truly get the best out of the game, focusing on the story itself, without having to worry about such irrelevant things as collectibles, morphing objects, finishing a Hidden Object Puzzle (HOP) in less than a minute or two, etc., just to collect some silly "achievement."
I found the game disappointing though, not just because of the story line (as I mentioned, i don't care about werewolves), but because of the game play itself. For one thing, there are a lot of locations but no Map to guide, let alone zip, you through them. In addition, you end up collecting a lot of objects that you often don't know what to do with! Thus, you end up lugging them all along, from one location to another, trying to find out how and where you can use them! And a lot of times, you end up using objects in ways you might never have imagined! (For example, ever thought of using a harpoon - yes, a *harpoon* - as a corkscrew?!!).
The HOPs are okay, for the most part. The other puzzles are easy enough, but often annoying - for example, those requiring you to click repeatedly and all over the screen, just to spread something all over some surface OR shooting a dart or a pebble, over and over, until you finally manage to hit just the right spot (and, trust me, it often does not have much to do with your manual dexterity OR aim; the game seems to be simply quirky on how and when you get it right).
Since this *is* a Collector's Edition, we have a Bonus Chapter, of course; and, unlike other Collector's Edition games, this one is actually directly and importantly related to the main game. Indeed, it is the final chapter, without which the story would not be complete. So, if you would like to try this game, you really need to get the Collector's Edition. Keep in mind, however, it has all the shortcomings that I mentioned the main game had - no map, too many objects and too few clues as to how and where to use them, etc.
In short, there was not much I liked about this game. But if you like a game about werewolves and enjoy roaming nice-looking locations, back and forth, trying to find "creative" ways of using different objects, then you might well enjoy this game. And that is why,
I recommend this game!
After leaving something in your car, a hitchhiker vanishes! Track her down and return her things in Shiver: Vanishing Hitchhiker!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Excellent Game!
PostedOctober 1, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The story is very interesting, and the music is absolutely wonderful. The graphics are somewhat flat, but they actually and perfectly suit the melancholic storyline. There are perhaps a bit too many Hidden Object Puzzles (HOPs), and the graphics make it a little difficult to discern the objects. Nevertheless, the HOPs are still all pretty easy and fun. The other puzzles are few, but also quite easy and fun.
Since this *is* a Collector's Edition, we do have a bonus chapter, called "Extra Play." In fact, it is indispensable, since it is in fact the final chapter, the one that completes the story. So it is definitely important to buy the Collector's Edition of this game.
Last but not least, unlike other Collector's Edition games, this one has no Achievements! Thus, you can enjoy the game without being distracted by any silly and totally extraneous things like having to search for any collectibles or rushing through HOPs and puzzles, etc., just to get some silly achievements, having absolutely nothing to do with the main story at all.
In short, I really liked this game; and I think you will too. That is why
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover what's causing the strange symptoms in Blackwill?
Overall rating
5
/
5
Excellent Game!
PostedAugust 12, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The storyline was original and *very* interesting. The graphics and music were great. The voice-acting was superb. The Hidden-Object Puzzles (HOPs) were quite interesting and fun. Some of the non-HOP puzzles/mini-games were not that interesting, but most of them were pretty good.
This is unusual for me, but I would highly recommend getting the Collector's Edition, mainly because of its Bonus Chapter. In most Collector's Editions, such bonus chapters tend to take off on a tangent from the main game and seem to be there only because the developers seem to feel obliged to provide them as part of the Collector's Edition. Not so in the current game though! The Bonus Chapter in this game is actually fit to be called a last chapter, picking up where the main game had ended and providing a more complete conclusion. Thus, it is practically indispensable if you want to get the full story.
In the Collector's Edition, we also have a number of collectibles, of course - three (according to the Strategy Guide). I really enjoyed collecting the black Pearls, and it was fun to then use/spend them to decorate the room provided in the Extras section of the game. The game also asks you to collect the fish and then the various items for its aquarium; but picking the latter can be a bit cumbersome and I am not sure all the items you pick make it to the aquarium... The third collectible is actually not a collectible at all, even though it is called as such by the game's Strategy Guide. In fact, it is an Easter Egg, called an "Egg Basket," which simply asks you to find the developer's logo hidden in the game, and that is really easy to find indeed.
There were only a couple of things I didn't like about the Collector's Edition of this game. First, unlike most Collector's Editions, you don't get all the puzzles in the Extras section of the game. There are just a few mini-games, but that's about it. So if you happened to like a puzzle that you might want to play again, after finishing the game, you won't be able to do that, unless it happens to be one of the few mini-games provided in the Extras section of the game.
More importantly though, I didn't like the Achievements very much. For one thing, there are so many of them (48, to be exact, as you will see in the Achievements section of the Extras)! But then, some of them you get just for doing what you had to do anyway in order to proceed further in the game. Then there are some really silly achievements (for example, feeding the fish, using one of the Extras' game wallpapers and setting it on your own computer, etc.). And then, there are achievements that require you to do *opposite* things (for example, Skip the Tutorial vs. Finish the Tutorial), which is actually *requiring* you to play the game TWICE, because you can't get those opposite achievements in the same gameplay!
.
But then, these problems (replaying a puzzle/mini-game or getting all the achievements) are really just side issues, so to speak. As I indicated earlier, the game itself is really very good, and the Bonus Chapter alone justifies buying the Collector's Edition. And that is why
.
But then, these problems (replaying a puzzle/mini-game or getting all the achievements) are really just side issues, so to speak. As I indicated earlier, the game itself is really very good, and the Bonus Chapter alone justifies buying the Collector's Edition. And that is why
I recommend this game!
In this scarier-than-ever story, find out what really happened on prom night, 1964...
Overall rating
3
/
5
It was okay (I guess...).
PostedJuly 23, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The developers have obviously spent a lot of time making this game. Unfortunately, however, they did not spend enough time coming up with a truly original storyline. Just another story about a mother, trying to save her child... The story is *developed* in an original way, no doubt; but it's not really that interesting. What's more, the basic story has some serious holes in it. For example, we are told at the very beginning of the game that we have gone back in time; but we are never told how that happened or why! We are also told, and again at the very beginning of the game, that the heroine's father was a student at the old school, and had actually died in the fire there. My reaction to this piece of information was "Say what?!!," for obvious reasons. I mean, that means the heroine was born while her father was still in High School; and we've already been told that we are talking about 1965. So this whole idea about the father's having a child before he had even graduated from High School, back in the 60s, is either ludicrous or would have led to the heroine's having all kinds of social issues that would not have made it possible for her to be as "normal" a person as she is supposed to be in this game! Finally, the ending makes absolutely no sense at all. But I can't talk about that, of course. You would have to see for yourself what I mean, should you decide to play this game.
The music is just so-so. In fact, it was so insignificant, I cannot even remember what it was. The Hidden-Object Puzzles (HOP's) are rather complex but interesting, for the most part. Sadly, I can't say the same of the mini-games which were mostly ridiculously simple or, in a couple of cases, overly tedious. Either way, I did not find them to be fun at all...
Since this *is* a Collector's Edition, we have a Bonus Chapter, of course. The chapter is related to the main game but actually tells a much more original and interesting story than that of the main game. So if you do decide to buy this game, it would be worth the money to get the Collector's Edition, just for the bonus chapter itself.
Again, since this *is* a Collector's Edition, you also have to find a collectible: the symbol of an eye. While the symbol is actually quite large, it is still *really* difficult to find in many locations. In fact, I did not enjoy looking for it. It was just too distracting from the main game to look for it, and too tedious to find it. However, the good news is that even if you miss the collectible here and there, you can always go to the Collectibles section of the Extras, and find it - and even get an achievement for completing the collection, after you have finished the whole game.
Indeed, that is the great thing about this developer: you can win all but one achievement, even after you have finished the main game and the bonus chapter. The *only* achievement you must get during the game itself is the so-called "Match-3 Master," which requires you to do a whole HOP using only Match-3.
In short, the game has a lot of good points, even though I wasn't too intrigued by the story or the mini-games. So if you don't mind a rather old theme and some tedious puzzles (that you can easily skip or solve with the help of the game's own Strategy Guide), then
I recommend this game!
Can you find out who’s kidnapping jurors before it’s too late?
Overall rating
1
/
5
Talk About Boring... R-E-A-L-L-Y Boring, indeed... :(
PostedJune 14, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I have written reviews on many games and I don't recall ever giving such a bad rating to any game before. So that should tell you just how much I disliked the current game. The storyline is incredibly poor, and that should in no way reflect my view of Edgar Allan Poe's work itself. In fact, even though the game *claims* at the very beginning that it is based on Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Speaking with the Dead," it is not! Indeed, I have found that many (perhaps all, I didn't check every one) of the Dark Tales games that are said to be based on Edgar Allan Poe's this-or-that work are not even remotely related to that work at all! But this current game really takes the proverbial cake since Edgar Allan Poe's poem is not even called "Speaking with the Dead" - it was actually SPIRITS of the Dead! And I can just imagine that poor writer, Edgar Allan Poe, turning over and over in his grave at how what is widely said to be a beautiful poem has been associated with such a horrible piece of work, mutilating the very title (not to mention the *spirit*) of his poem... :(
Turning to the game itself now... Aside from a bad - and pretty silly - storyline... The Hidden-Object Puzzles (HOP's) are all pretty dull and boring. As for the non-HOP puzzles, there were a couple I found challenging and interesting; but the rest were all way too simplistic and quite boring also. The locations were all dull and dreary. Finally, the voice-acting was extremely bad, especially of Dupin - he seemed to have laryngitis or something...
Since this *is* a Collector's Edition, you have a bunch of Achievements. There are a few typical ones, like those requiring you not to skip a puzzle or use hints, etc. But then, there are others which don't even make sense as to what you are supposed to do to get them! And they will probably never make sense since the description of the various achievements - even the above-mentioned typical ones - that you do get, don't tell you how you got them, after you have gotten them!
Again, since this *is* a Collector's Edition, you can find two sets of things. One is called "Collectibles," which is a feather you must find in every location. You don't even get an achievement for completing this set though. All you get is a picture of a raven - with colored feathers! - in the Extras section. It might have made more sense if they had used the picture of a *peacock* instead. But a raven with colored feathers...? [SMH]
As for the morphing objects, the term "morphing object" is in itself a misnomer in this game since the objects are not actually morphing at all (at least as far as I could tell) but just very small and totally black silhouettes that can be quite difficult to discern especially when they are found in the shadows in some locations. So you really have to strain your eyes sometimes to even find them! And all you get for all your efforts in finding them all is just an achievement for having completed this particular set... [SMH, again!]
And, once again, since this *is* a Collector's Edition, you also get a Bonus Chapter; and I must tell you that, of all the hundreds of bonus chapters of various Collector's Edition games I have played, never have I seen a Bonus Chapter that was so utterly bizarre, downright ridiculous, and so *remotely* connected to the main game as the one in this game! The game offers it as a further illumination of sorts as to what had happened *in the court* that had led to the beginning of the main game. Yet, the bonus chapter focuses, not on the court case itself, but - at least in the cases of the first two of the three witnesses at court - what those witnesses were *doing*, in their own personal lives and totally unrelated to the crime they were supposed to have witnessed!
In short, if you *must* (for whatever reason) play this game, I would suggest you get the Standard Edition, and thus dispense with the silly achievements, collector's items, *and* the bonus chapter. Personally, however, I think the whole game is nothing but a big bore and not worth the money. And that is why
I don't recommend this game.
Who could turn down an opportunity to change the past?
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
A Nice Twist, But... Not Again...
PostedJune 9, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
If you are an avid MCF fan like me, and have been playing the series from the beginning, then the very title might have evoked the same reaction in you as it did in me: "Oh, no... Not again..." In fact, I don't know what it is about Big Fish. One after another, there have been several developers since the original team that made the Ravenhearst games, and each of these followers seem to be practically compelled (by Big Fish?) to keep on going back to the Ravenhearst theme. Now I know that those first three Ravenhearst games were quite a hit and no doubt what made MCF such a success. But keep in mind that the second and third installments actually used real-live actors - most notably, Dennis Kleinsmith, who portrayed Charles Dalimar, and really made that character, as well as the series, the hit the Ravenhearst saga became. Sadly, however, Big Fish doesn't use real actors anymore. It feels free to portray Dennis's physical likeness, but doesn't even use his voice, instead choosing to hire mediocre actors that it fails to recognize even in the game credits! If Big Fish is going to *insist* on going back to Ravenhearst - and, in particular, the character of Charles Dalimar - it needs to at least use Dennis for that character's voice-acting. So the game was quite disappointing in its failure to do that.
Having said all that, I will admit that the current game is at least an original and even interesting twist on that now-time-worn theme. As seems to be the usual case in the Collector's Editions with the current developers, we have to find two types of Collectibles. We have the now-familiar 20 Jigsaw Puzzle pieces that the Achievements section clearly tells us would be found in Zooms, i.e., close-ups. Then, we have to find the so-called Medallions, a pair of them in about every location. Unlike the last couple of MCF games, these Collectibles are usually (but not always) easy to find, and thus not as distracting from the main storyline as they were in the last few MCF games. All you get for your efforts though is an achievement for completing each set of Collectibles; and, in the case of the Jigsaw Puzzle pieces, once you complete the set, you can solve a jigsaw puzzle in the Extras section of the game. Unfortunately, however, as has been the case with all the preceding MCF games by this developer, the jigsaw puzzle is so simplistic that it would be a child's play even for a child!
There is nothing remarkable about the Achievements either. You get most of them simply by proceeding in the game. As for the Bonus Chapter, it is only tangentially related to the main game - the story of how the girl who had escaped (the Bonus Chapter is even titled "Escape") gets the evidence to the police. Frankly though, the story is far from interesting. The developers were probably obliged to provide a bonus chapter only because it *is* a Collector's Edition; and, unfortunately, this was the best they could come up with... Thus, all things considered, you are probably better off just getting a Standard Edition of the game. The Bonus Chapter is really not worth the extra money; and you would also be able to focus better on the main game without being distracted by any of those pesky Achievements, especially those Collectibles.
In short, while I wish that Big Fish would not keep going back to the Ravenhearst theme - or at least bring back the original actor (Dennis Kleinsmith) to reprise his amazing portrayal of Charles Dalimar - the current game provides at least a decent twist on that age-old theme. So, if you are not totally sick and tired yet of going back (yet again!) to that theme,
I recommend this game!
A ski resort high in the mountains hides a dark past!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
It Could Have Been Better Though...
PostedJune 5, 2023
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game reminds me of an old MCF game, Dire Grove. For example, we have to find and rescue some missing people. Also, we find recordings of those people telling us, bit by bit, as to what happened to them. Other than that though, the story is original enough. It is also quite interesting, but would have been a lot more interesting if it weren't for the following shortcomings.
The Hidden-Object Puzzles are rather few, and not that interesting. Meanwhile, there are way too many of the other kinds of (i.e., non-HOP) puzzles, most of which are quite tedious and uninteresting. The instructions for solving those puzzles are often not clear, making the puzzle-solving even more tedious in many cases.
But what ruins the fun of this game the most is undoubtedly the Collectibles. There are two kinds: House Details (HD's) and Jigsaw Puzzle pieces (JP's). The HD's are indeed the worst to find, partly because they are so small and partly because they are morphing. But the JP's can be quite difficult to find too, even though we are told in the list of Achievements that they would be found in "zooms," i.e., the close-ups. So trying to find these two types of collectibles really distracts you from the game and ruins a lot of fun you might have had otherwise. And it's really not worth much trying to find them either. All you get is an achievement for completing each collection; and, in the case of JP's, once you collect all the pieces, you can go to the Extras and put together a jigsaw puzzle that would be too easy to solve even for a six-year-old child!
Finally, since this *is* a Collector's Edition (CE), you also get a Bonus Chapter. Given the above shortcomings in the game, I would have normally advised you to get a Standard Edition of the game and thus avoid even the temptation of trying to complete either collection. But the fact is that, unlike other CE's, this game's Bonus Chapter actually adds to the main game, telling us what happened to the missing peope from their own point-of-view.
In short, if you can ignore the collectibles and not expect too much of the Hidden-Object and other puzzles, you *should* enjoy this game. And that is why
I recommend this game!