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:
The enemy of your enemy is your friend, or are they?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Good But Not So Great A Game
PostedNovember 21, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I was actually quite excited to get this game. It had been a long time since I had played a new HO game, and the Dark Tales happens to be one of my favorite series. I tried not to have too high expectations, however, because some of the Dark Tales games were not that good. But my excitement peaked as I started to play the game. The graphics were very good, and the music quite nice as well. The Dark Tales theme music is especially my favorite, and it was so good to hear it again. But it was not just the graphics and the music. The game itself started on such a mysterious and intriguing note.
Unfortunately, however, my excitement dropped shortly after I started. You can say that the game started with a bang, but then plopped like a dead duck! As I mentioned, the story starts out well enough – very intriguing and mysterious – but then it takes a nose dive, becoming too repetitive and rather a bore. As you will see at the very beginning, the game is based not on a story but a poem by Edgar Allan Poe. So, the further you go in the game, the more it seems to lack that Edgar Allan Poe "touch," that eerie sense of the supernatural that seemed to pervade all his writings. Still, the developers could have done a better job of “fleshing out” the poem. What’s more, there are many things that we see in the game that are just never explained. Unfortunately, I cannot say anything more, because that would be a spoiler. Suffice it to say that the story just has a lot of holes in it that the developers did not even bother to fill.
While the storyline is not that great, the game does have a lot of interesting puzzles and Hidden Object scenes. In fact, I have given the above high ratings mainly because of these puzzles and scenes. This is no doubt the most "advanced" Dark Tales game in that respect. The great variety of the puzzles and HO scenes ensures that every player is sure to find some puzzle(s) and HO scene(s) to their liking. The downside, of course, is that while a gamer might love some puzzles and scenes, he/she might hate the others. In fact, this game is also quite different from earlier Dark Tales games in that it has a lot of Arcade-type mini-games. Most of the puzzles, HO scenes and mini-games are fairly easy; but some can be quite challenging. But the good news is that Hint and Skip are available in all difficulty modes: Casual, Advanced, and Hard. There is even a fourth option, Custom, where you can in effect "make up" your own difficulty mode. In addition, no matter what your particular difficulty mode may be for the overall game, some of the more challenging puzzles offer their own choice of Casual and Hard. So you have quite a lot of choice in solving these puzzles, mini-games, etc., at your own pace and pleasure.
Bonus Chapter. Since this *is* a Collector’s Edition, it does include a Bonus Chapter, of course. But this Bonus Chapter is a lot longer than those in most games. In fact, it is long enough to be practically a full-length game itself! And it is not really related to the main game either, except for some of the locations and the underlying theme perhaps. Thus, it could well have been a sequel, rather than just a chapter, to the main game. So, you are practically getting two games for the price of one! And that is definitely a good thing. I should note, however, that I did not really like it very much. The story was rather boring, the locations not that great, and there was just too much technical mumbo jumbo that did not fit Poe's style at all. In my opinion at least, the developers really drifted too far from Poe in making this chapter.
Achievements. Again, like most Collector’s Editions, this one also has Achievements. And if you like to win such achievements, you better check them out as soon as possible. You would have to start the game, at least see the Intro, however, before you can see a description of these Achievements. The first thing you will note is that there are just SO MANY of these Achievements! A lot of them are easy because they involve your doing something you need to do to progress in the game anyway. But others are not so commonsensical. In fact, you have to keep checking the Achievements as you go through the game because some of the Achievements actually require you to say or do something specific, for example, not asking someone who he is or giving a sarcastic response, etc. As such, however, these Achievements can be quite a SPOILER, because their descriptions tell you what is coming up in the game. They are also quite a BORE this way, because you have to keep checking the Achievements section throughout the game in order to avoid missing any Achievement, and that can be quite distracting from the game itself. In addition, note that there are two Achievements that require you to take opposite actions in the same situation (give the money/not give the money)! Thus, the game actually forces you to play it twice! Otherwise, you will miss one of these two Achievements, as well as the all-inclusive Achievement of getting all possible Achievements.
Conclusion: The game is pretty good as far as the graphics, music, puzzles, HO scenes, and mini-games are concerned. The main story is not interesting, and that of the Bonus Chapter is even worse. But the Achievements are definitely the worst part of the game and are best ignored.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Superb!
PostedNovember 5, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I must confess that I was rather disappointed when I began the game, thinking it would be just a game with lots of HO scenes and no real story. So I was really pleasantly surprised to find, soon after starting the game, that it was nothing like that at all. In fact, the storyline is quite original and extremely interesting. And, yes, the game does probably consist mainly of HO scenes, but there are different *kinds* of HO scenes. What's more, there is also a good variety of puzzles, which are rather easy and lots of fun.
In short, this game is a wonderful blend of a great story, really nice HO scenes, and interesting puzzles. In fact, I would love to know whether this game has a sequel. As far as I know, none was made. But if anyone knows of one, please do be sure to let me know, because I *really* would love to get it! :)
I recommend this game!
Vivien Ambrose has just discovered how to travel through time! Set off through history in Time Mysteries: Inheritance!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Pretty Good
PostedNovember 5, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The storyline was quite original, and so was the presentation. The Hidden Objects can be very small, but they are not impossible to find. Then again, if you do get stuck (or just don't want to rack your brains over that last pesky object or two), you can always use the Hint, which is available in both the Regular and the Expert modes. You can also use the Hints for the game itself. Keep in mind, however, you get only 4 Hints at a time. Not to worry though because, if you do use up the 4 Hints you initially get, you can always replenish them! Basically, the word "Hint" is replaced by "Charge Hints," in the lower-left of the screen. You click on "Charge Hints," and would get a message basically asking whether you want to do so. Accept, to get a quick round of Match 3!!!And it will be a rather quick round. But the grid is pretty simple, and the matches are easy to make. Depending on how well you do, you can replenish up to 4 Hints, which is the maximum number of Hints you get at a time. In fact, if you love Match-3 puzzles, you can use up your Hints fast, just to be able to play the Match-3 rounds!
In addition to the HO scenes and possible Match-3 puzzles, you also get a number of Find-The-Differences puzzles. You can use your Hints in these puzzles also. There are other puzzles in the game, however, where you can't use a Hint for actual help. But they are all quite easy, and you can always click on "Solve" to SKIP any you don't like.
In short, this is quite a fun game, with a very interesting storyline, good graphics, nice music, and a variety of rather simple HO scenes and puzzles. The only thing I did *not* like about the game was the absence of any voices. In other words, no voice acting whatsoever. That is not uncommon in many HO games, of course, but I think it was a rather big flaw in this particular game. And the alternative was not only cumbersome, but could be tricky too. You see, for the most part, you have to click to move the dialog along. At other times, the dialog seems to move on by itself, but after a rather long time, tempting you to click to "get on with it already!" But if you click too fast, you can easily skip a line and never know what you missed! So, all things considered, it really *would* have been nice if the developers had used voice actors. They could have used the subtitles as an additional help.
I recommend this game!
After your father dies, your sister Violet requests your help at the Family Castle. Get to the bottom of a dark mystery!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
In a word: B-O-R-I-N-G
PostedNovember 3, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The graphics were okay, but just about everything else was quite bad. The music was so monotonous, it could give one headaches. The HO scenes were quite poor. Just to give you an example, in one we were supposed to find a dagger. Well, there were at least three objects that clearly qualified as one, but the only one that the game accepted looked more like a *claw* than even a dagger at all!
The Hint is available for both the Casual and Advanced mode, and works for the HO scenes as well as in the game itself. However, it is not very useful in the latter. You actually have to click on each and every scene/location to learn whether there is something you can do there. In addition to being laborious in this way, it can actually be quite misleading! For instance, it can tell you that there is nothing you can do in a given location and that you need to try somewhere else, when it is exactly in that same location where you can and need to do something!
There is also NO MAP, nor ANY VOICE-ACTING at all. So you are pretty much stuck with that monotonous music all the way through the game. But what is the worst part of the game is no doubt the storyline - or, should I say, lack thereof! In other words, there is hardly any storyline at all, or at least quite a boring one. In fact, the description of the game itself is quite misleading when it says we must "help Violet get to the bottom of a dark mystery in Shades of Death: Royal Blood." We are actually quite on our own, and there is not even a mystery to solve! Any questions raised at the beginning of the game are answered in a matter of minutes! After that, it is pretty much a *mindless* quest for a few pieces of an amulet. Every now and then, you will meet a few *holograms* that are said to be ghosts but are neither scary nor interesting; and without any voice-acting, they may as well have been some of the many notes we find throughout the game.
In short, this is a pretty boring game, to say the least. :(
I don't recommend this game.
Seven gnomes wait in silence, holding a secret. Take up the hunt if you dare, and find the path to the Chamber of Fortune.
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
It was okay.
PostedOctober 31, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The graphics and the whole ambience of this game remind of an old adventure game, "Scratches." However, there is neither murder nor any mystery involved in this game. As the description of the game states, "Edward J. Smith created a secret chamber deep underneath his estate before he mysteriously vanished." However, we are neither invited to solve that mysterious disappearance nor ever told what did happen to the man. Apparently, that is not important. Instead, we just have to go around the estate, basically in and a bit around the house, finding the man's riddles in our quest to find the treasure he has supposedly left behind. Again, you don't have to solve those riddles either. In fact, they don't even make much sense. You just have to find them in order to proceed further in the game, as you go from one location to another, solving one Hidden Object scene after another, until you (finally) finish the game.
I should note that the music is really nice and, as I indicated earlier, so is the atmosphere. But there is really not much to the game itself except a whole lot of HO scenes and some puzzles. And that is why I would call it a so-so game. So if you would like to try a game that is neither that challenging nor really that intriguing, this might the one for you.
I recommend this game!
Defeat the forces of darkness and defend Emerland by uniting the races of the world against the evil sorcerer, Sat, in this magical card game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
A Truly Superb Game!!!
PostedOctober 27, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The graphics are superb, the music is truly wonderful, and the storyline is an ingenious way of presenting the solitaire levels we play throughout the game. In short, whoever put together this game is definitely a genius, and deserves the highest possible praise. Thank you SO MUCH for hours of so much fun and enjoyment. In fact, I like to play this game, all the way through, every few months! And I can't begin to describe just how much I *truly* enjoy it.
I just wish there was a sequel to this game. There seems to be one on Big Fish, but apparently it is only a demo and offered online only. If anyone happens to know whether there is actually a full-length sequel, especially one we can play offline, please do be sure to let me know. I would love to get it. Thanks.
I recommend this game!
Help a shaman protect his tropical island from a deadly tidal wave in The Treasures of Mystery Island: The Ghost Ship!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Great Game!
PostedOctober 24, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Generally speaking, the graphics are great, the music is nice, and the storyline is quite original and interesting. I especially liked the way they used the ship model: you meet ghosts (harmless ones, not scary at all), get them what they need, only to see them reduced to wooden figurines which you then put in the ship model to get something that *you* need. Pretty cool!
Speaking of storyline, I do wish they would not use that whole idea of aliens' being our ultimate "saviors." But at least that idea is not emphasized too much in this game.
I should also note that I usually don't like Hidden Object games in which you look for, not an object, but *pieces* of objects. But it's not a problem in this game. The pieces are really quite easy to find and if you are having too much trouble finding that last piece, you can always use the Hint, available in both the Casual and Expert difficulty modes. In fact, you can use the Hint in the game itself. In addition, the Map is also quite helpful, indicating where an action is possible. I wish it also helped us get from one location to another by just clicking on a location, but it does not do that. But that's really not a problem, since there are actually four sets (parts of the island) of locations, we visit only one set at a time, and there are not too many areas in each set.
Finally, there are 56 Morphing Objects, basically one in every location except for the first set on the map, which has 13 locations but you get only 12 morphing objects. These objects are pretty easy to find also. If you can't readily see one, just move your cursor around to find a clutching hand, which is used both to pick up an object for your inventory as well as to "catch" the morphing object.
In short, this is a wonderful game. Well done!
I recommend this game!
Solve a horrifying supernatural mystery and save the life of an innocent child!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
A Masterpiece Indeed!
PostedOctober 22, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a remarkable game, definitely one that stands out from the crowd. The graphics are unusual - nothing like those pastel-like ones we see in so many Hidden Object games these days. Instead, they really set the scene and the mood of the story. You feel like you are watching some old movie perhaps, one in which you have been taken deep in the heart of Africa. You can practically feel the heat of the day described at the beginning of the game! Most effective and rather surreal...
The storyline is especially quite original and interesting, and the music is most suited to the setting as well as the story. The voice acting is excellent as well, especially that of the main character. The Hidden Object scenes and the puzzles are all quite fair, in fact pretty easy. But if you happen to get stumped, either in a HO scene or the game itself, the Hint is very helpful and available in both the Casual and Expert difficulty modes. It just takes longer to recharge in the latter mode.
In short, this is really a great game. If you like a game with lots of suspense, without a bunch of silly HO scenes and/or overly complicated puzzles, this is the game for you! :)
I recommend this game!
Guide a mother who pursues a terrifying apparition into a twisted reality to save her daughter.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Great Sequel
PostedOctober 21, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It's been a while since I played the first Stray Souls game, but I have played it enough times to note that this second game, Stolen Memories, is definitely a lot better than the original. The first one was just too dark for my taste. Although the storyline is quite similar (in both cases, the husband disappeared - in the first one, the wife went looking for him, whereas in this one, she has to look for her daughter as well as the husband), this one was presented much better. The characters are a lot better-looking as well, and so is the voice-acting.
The Bonus Chapter does a good job of connecting the main stories of both the original game and this sequel. However, it was a bit silly the way the developers actually did it - a Secret Agent is sent by the government to pick up the dolls because of their magical abilities... Since when does the government believe in magic?! And the agent doesn't even know how to land a plane safely?! And the voice actor for "Ben" was rather bad...
In short, I liked the main game, but the Bonus Chapter was a bit too silly for me, except for the connection it provided between the original and the sequel's main games.
I recommend this game!
Investigate the dastardly deeds of a wealthy socialite and prove your fiance is not a thief in Snark Busters: High Society!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Nice & Light
PostedOctober 19, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is what I would call a pretty light game, probably designed primarily for children, but enjoyable by all. The graphics are nice, and the storyline pretty simple: the heroine's fiancé is accused by a wealthy duchess of a crime he did not commit, and it is up to the heroine now to vindicate him. It's almost like a fairy tale, except that it is the heroine that is doing the rescuing, and has to "play detective" to do so.
To be honest, the heroine does tend to go on and on, rather ad nauseam, about her lover and how it would be when she is married to him. So a bit overdone there. But still, as I said, it's a nice, light game that adults and children should equally enjoy.
I recommend this game!