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:
Travel to the secret corners of the globe and uncover intriguing clues in this Hidden Object Adventure game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Not the best, but still good enough.
PostedOctober 2, 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
5
/
5
Like the first Hide & Secret game, this one also does not have those rather annoying multiple difficulty levels nor any of those pesky Achievements that serve to only distract us from the main game itself. Unlike the first game, however, this one does have some puzzles. The Find-the-Differences puzzles are fairly easy, but the last puzzle (actually a kind of hidden-object with a "twist") is rather hard. Fortunately, however, the game continues as the hero keeps going up and down as you collect the objects, without your having to restart the level. The main reason this game is not my top favorite, however, is that the hidden objects are way too small, especially in some special scenes where you have to find pieces of a map or some Mayan symbols from a bunch that may not even be actual Mayan symbols. And you get only 2 hints per HO scene, unlike the first game where you got 3. It's not a major problem, however, but you may have to restart the level many times before you succeed in solving these HO scenes. I also don't like old Merlin popping up with a flash, as a random-click penalty, even if you *innocently* click on one too many wrong items by mistake. Finally, the dialog is a bit too long, even though I enjoyed the history "lessons" contained in some of them.
In short, I would still recommend this game, even though it does have some - shall we say, annoying? - aspects.
I recommend this game!
Help Will Scout and Anna Lyze on their quest to defeat the villain Jacques and rescue the Treasures of the Ages in this hidden object game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Oldie but Goodie!
PostedOctober 2, 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 relatively old game, no doubt, but one I love to play from time to time. The best thing about it is its very simplicity: no multiple difficulty levels, none of those pesky Achievements that only distract us from the storyline, just plain hidden-object fun. In fact, there are not even any puzzles. The hero's constant comments about food might be amusing to some, while annoying to others; but they should not keep you from enjoying the game. The hidden objects themselves are fair; in other words, not too small to find. It *can* be a bit too challenging if you are trying for the top position in the High Scores, but the game does not require you to do so. It's all up to you! In short, just plain hidden-object fun. Love it! :)
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the Logan Family's terrible secret in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Game for Game's Sake
PostedAugust 21, 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
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The game started off great enough. The graphics were sensational, the opening cutscene - even the few scenes afterwards - so tantalizing. But then in just a few scenes, a matter of minutes in fact, it all goes downhill. As soon as you cross the bridge, "all" is revealed. And it's all downhill after that as we engage in a rather repetitious and monotonous search for new rooms to explore to - shall we say, dispose of - one ghost after another.
Now I know that the Phantasmat series *is* meant to be one that involves either releasing or exorcising a bunch of ghosts. "Behind the Mask" is just one example. But I use that game as an example because that was the truly masterful way of doing it - we "disposed" of one ghost after another, yes, but with each such "disposition," we learned something new, about the character we had just disposed of as well as a bit of the overall story. So that was a great game! But this one - Mournful Loch - was far from great. We just dispose of one character after another, without even being told anything about the character, why they happened to be in the form we see them in, what role they played in the overall story, and just what was the genesis of the overall story itself! Absolutely no real plot whatsoever.
And the bonus chapter does not help much at all. It is almost as if it were a mere after-thought, something just tacked on because this was after all supposed to be a Collector's Edition. In fact, the bonus chapter is way too short to be a sole justification for buying the Collector's Edition. And the chapter not only does not add to the main storyline, it actually makes the main story line more confusing. Apparently, there were not one but two villains! But what role did this second villain play, we are never really told. Thus not only was the bonus chapter an after-thought, it is not even a complete thought at all.
In short, don't be fooled by the great descriptions by some reviewers here, my friends. They just have great imaginations, and are only filling in an enormous amount of gaps left by the game itself. And gaps, there are so many! We are basically given just an outline of what the story is. What you see at the beginning is all you get really, with a few tidbits later on that really don't explain much at all.
Finally, I would like to add that not only is the storyline poor, but the programming is not good either. I have noticed this in the past EIPIX games too where the scene would "flare" up and you would have to go to the main menu to reload your game to be able to see clearly again. But I never mentioned it in my reviews before because I figured a flare-up here and a flare up there is okay. But there seem to be too much of it in the present game (Mournful Loch). EIPIX definitely needs better writers as well as programmers.
In spite of my disappointment with the game, however, I am still going to go ahead and recommend it - to anyone who is willing to play the game for the game's sake. In other words, if you only care for good graphics, some nice HOPs, and some interesting puzzles, then go for this game. Just so long as you don't expect the story to make too much sense!
I recommend this game!
Phantasmat: Reign of Shadows Collector's Edition
There's more to this resort than meets the eye.
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A Different Twist On Some Old Clichés
PostedAugust 19, 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
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
If you have played enough Big Fish games alone, you must have run into the recurring theme where you have to find or save your sister. And, of course, we have all heard from movies as well as played games on mad scientists experimenting on human subjects without any moral considerations. Well, the graphics in the game are actually superb, and the music pretty good as well. Unfortunately, however. all of that adds up to just window dressing for a combination of the above two, really worn-out themes - in this case, we have to SAVE THE SISTER from the MAD SCIENTIST.
There was actually a "twist" that might have elevated the storyline above the cliché threshold. Unfortunately, again, it comes way too early in the game. Once the suspense is removed, or should I say "revelation" made, the story really goes downhill. We are essentially expected to stretch our imaginations beyond any rhyme or reason in trying to go along with the story. All becomes rather silly, to say the least.
The Bonus Chapter would actually have been much better than the main game but, unfortunately again, it is much too short and not even complete. Little explanation is given of what happens there. Even the Diary Pages we collected so assiduously throughout the main game and the bonus chapter, explains hardly anything that we had already learned in the main game and the bonus chapter. Perhaps we are expected to fill in the blanks, but little is given to help us out with that. It's almost as if the Bonus Chapter were an after-thought, which was not even completely thought out yet.
In spite of its shortcomings, however, I would still recommend the game, if only because of the graphics and the music. So enjoy the wonderful winter world, and the haunting sounds - but try not to set your expectations too high, story-wise.
I recommend this game!
Phantasmat: Town of Lost Hope Collector's Edition
Carrying the lives of many on your shoulders, you are forced to balance on the tightrope placed between life and death.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Well done
PostedAugust 14, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The idea is an old one. A group of teenagers, for some reason or another, get off the main highway, end up in the middle of nowhere, only to be chased around by an axe-murderer... Not exactly my cup of tea, but for those who like this sort of thing, it was actually pretty well-done.
The graphics were pretty good, and the music (unlike many EIPIX games I have recently played) was quite suited to the theme. I did not care much for the Hitchcock twist. Why do Horror movies/games always have to have them these days...? :( The Bonus Chapter was much better in that respect.
Some of the puzzles were *really* good. In fact, I spent more time playing - and replaying - one of these in the Extras, than I did playing the main game and the Bonus chapter! It was what I call the "combat" board game. Quite original, pretty neat, and lots of fun!!!
I also enjoyed the Bonus Video. EIPIX included a "The Making Of" segment in the two MCF games, as well as one or two of their earlier Phantasmat games. The first such segment did actually focus on the making of the game, and it was fine. But their later attempts were quite silly, not having anything to do with the making of the game at all. This Bonus Video idea was much better and, as I indicated, quite entertaining as well.
As for a recommendation, as I mentioned, the story is not really my type. But for those who like such stories, it has been done quite well. And it is for those folks that I would definitely recommend this game. :)
I recommend this game!
Your long-lost relatives are excited to welcome you to the family… or are they?
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Wonderful Surprise!
PostedAugust 13, 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
After playing the last two Phantasmat games by Eipix (The Endless Night CE and The Dread of Oakville CE), I was actually quite reluctant to play yet another Phantasmat game by the same developer. But what a pleasant surprise indeed! The idea was quite original, the storyline absolutely gripping, and the sound and graphics so great!
There were still a bit too many puzzles, even though they were all quite easy; but they did not get in the way of the story at least.
The actors were all great. A couple of the voice actors were a disappointment, however. I don't know why EIPIX is so, well, "fixated" on Bill Corkery. Nothing personal against Mr. Corkery, but I am really not very impressed by him. I do so wish EIPIX would try to get Dennis Kleinsmith (the voice actor who played Charles in the first three MCF stories). Dennis is absolutely great, especially as a villain. I suppose he might be more "expensive" than Bill Corkery, but the extra money is definitely worth it. So I do so wish that EIPIX would get Dennis for their future games.
The other disappointment was the fact that a lady provided the voice for the little boy! It was not too bad, considering how the little boy sounds in this particular story. Still, I do so wish that EIPIX would make an effort to get the "right" voices - surely, there is some talented boy out there who can provide the voice for a little boy in these games.
All in all, however, I really enjoyed this game and would whole-heartedly recommend it to other gamers.
I recommend this game!
It's the end of the world... at least in Oakville.
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Needs more work
PostedAugust 10, 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
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is definitely a much better game than the last Phantasmat story (The Endless Night), but EIPIX still has a lot more to learn. The idea was interesting enough, but it was never clearly developed. There were also just way too many HOPs and puzzles, which served to only distract us from the storyline. In fact, I think it is fair to say that EIPIX seems to make games for the sake of HOPs and puzzles, rather than the story. That's just wrong, at least in my humble opinion. The HOPs and puzzles should be integrated in the story only to the extent that they are not dominating the game itself, which is exactly what they are doing in this game. That's not good.
The actors and voice actors were okay, with two major exceptions. The girl that played Josie was wrong for this part. I think EIPIX is using still photos instead of any real "acting," which is also bad. For example, at one point, the comment says something like "there was a glint of rage in Josie's eyes." Yet all we *see* is the plain *wooden* expression that we have been seeing on "Josie" from the beginning of the game. The voice actress who played little Vivian was not good either. It sounded like an adult, or at least an adolescent, was *pretending* to be a little girl, and ended up making the little girl sound just odd for a little girl. I have said it before, and I'll say it again - if EIPIX really wants to continue - well, messing - with these Big Fish classics, they really need to loosen up the purse strings and spend some good money to get better actors/voice actors. Otherwise, they really are just "messing up" these hit Big Fish games...
Finally, a word to the Achievement enthusiasts: beware of the HOPs in the Extras section. EIPIX has made it extremely (and unnecessarily) hard to get gold medals this time. In fact, it's hard to tell just what the criteria is for getting those gold medals! There is also one big nuisance of a bug in one of these HOP scenes in the extras. If you check out the Big Fish forum for this game, you will find quite a few frustrated gamers complaining about this bug. Many even quit trying to get the achievement because of it. But don't quit! Check out specifically the "Bug on HOP Achievement," where a gamer has actually explained how to get around this pesky bug. For that we can all thank that gamer. So, thanks, "Frier_ok"! Sadly, no thanks to EIPIX *or* Big Fish, of course.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the townspeople from mysteriously aging?
Overall rating
1
/
5
16 of 17 found this review helpful
Unbelievably Bad
PostedAugust 5, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I hate to give a bad review, especially such a bad one; but I think it's especially when a game is so bad that we the gamers need to be honest to help "save" other gamers from having to "suffer" as we did. So here we go.
The main idea is far from original, but that in itself would not have been so bad. What's bad is the story itself or, should I say, lack thereof? In other words, there was really no story at all! We already knew what was going on practically from the opening cutscene, and the identity of the villain becomes quite clear pretty soon thereafter. So there was absolutely no suspense - that is, other than that of wondering just how many more silly hurdles we must cross, and shabby puzzles we must solve, before we can finish the game already!
Indeed, the puzzles were *ridiculously* easy - a matter of 1,2,3, in most cases; and the HOP's were none too challenging either. But returning to the "story" again, I know that the developers were trying to make *some* point at the end; but God help me if I know what it was... And the Bonus Game made absolutely no sense whatsoever! :(
In short, this was truly a horrible game. And to think, after playing the last game (MCF: Broken Hour), I thought the developers were finally beginning to "get the point," so to speak. Instead, we get this. :(
Finally, I would just like to note one thing. I know that MCF tends to have some "mechanical" stuff (recall those Super Puzzles, for example). I also know that Sci Fi and Horror tend to be grouped together in games and movie sections. But here the developers have tried to mix both of them in the same story, and ended up making a mockery out of both genres. Such a travesty! :(
I don't recommend this game.
Uncover the mystery of Huxley’s Boarding House before time runs out!
Overall rating
5
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
A Wonderful Surprise
PostedAugust 1, 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
To be honest, after playing the last two MCF games (Key to Ravenhearst & Ravenhearst Unlocked) by these developers, I was actually quite reluctant to play another one of their MCF games. In fact, the only reason that I (reluctantly) started to play it is that I had already bought it before playing those Ravenhearst games. And what a pleasant surprise it was as soon as I started playing it! The main idea might not be original, but it is certainly presented in a very original way. The story is very interesting, the graphics are great, and the game should be fun on whatever difficulty level you play it (mine was and always is "Insane" - hehehe).
Usually, I really don't like it when there are any Achievements. I feel they only distract you from the story, which is supposed to be the heart of the game, after all. In fact, I wish there would be at least one Big Fish game series that did *not* have any Achievements... But even the Achievements were not a problem in this game (and in fact the two Ravenhearst games before it)! In fact, I was so impressed with the way the developers have *integrated* the Achievements with the game that I have to write a separate paragraph just to cover all the positives! So here we go.
For one thing, even before starting the main game, you can check out the Achievements box and find a complete list of Achievements and what is necessary to achieve each of them. In other words, none of those *pesky* "Easter Eggs" or "Secret" or "Mysterious" Achievements, that only distract the gamer as he/she continuously struggles to figure out what that Easter Egg or Secret/Mysterious Achievement might be, instead of focusing on the main story/game.
In addition, you can get just about any Achievement even after finishing the main and bonus games! Thus, you can get ALL the HOP-related Achievements, even finding the Lady Bugs, in the Extras section, after you finish the Main game (and those for the Bonus game after finishing that Bonus game). In fact, you can even get those rather pesky Morphing Objects after finishing the game! (In my case, I had already gotten all of them during the game, and opening that section in the Extras just confirmed it.) I said "just about any Achievement," however, because I had gotten all the puzzle-related Achievements during the game itself. But seeing the Puzzle section in the Extras assures me that you should be able to get those Achievements after the game as well. (Please, let me know if I was right about this.)
And if all of the above (story, Achievements, etc.) were not enough, the developers have introduced a fantastic feature in the Credits which I have never seen before (and believe me, I have played LOTS of HO and other games): you can actually PAUSE the Credits to read any or all of them at your own pace. So no more trying to super-speed-read this or that. I especially like to know the names of the voice actors, and sometimes there is a message from the developers as well. So I really appreciate this feature and applaud the developers for coming up with it.
In short, I really enjoyed this game; and would whole-heartedly recommend it to any gamer. :)
I recommend this game!
A great evil unlocks deep within Ravenhearst!
Overall rating
1
/
5
7 of 10 found this review helpful
Another BIG Disappointment
PostedJuly 28, 2017
Zurreen
fromAustin, TX
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
In fact, it seems the developers rushed to make it while they felt they would still be able to "cash in" on the Ravenhearst MISNOMER. I actually bought the Unlocked game before I realized there was another one, Key to Ravenhearst before it. And then I bought the 2 pack Collector's Edition, with both games, of course never realizing there was a new developing team who was just trying to capitalize on the Ravenhearst name. Talk about money wasted, indeed. :(
In the last game (Key to Ravenhearst), this new dev team brought back the "twins," without ever explaining who or how brought them back from the *dead*! In this game, you are told - from the very cover of the game! - that Alister is back, without ever explaining how he survived that disastrous energy surge we shot in him at the end of the previous game! In other words, the very premise of the game is quite improbable! But, as I noted in my review for the last game (Key to Ravenhearst), this new dev team is just trying to milk the FAME of the first three Ravenhearst games, on the cheap! As anyone who has played those first three games knows, Ravenhearst was built by Charles, an excellent character played by a brilliant actor. Instead of staying true to that line and sticking with the actor/character that made Ravenhearst famous, the new devs have invented this old coot of a father, who is neither scary nor impressive, and hired some cheap actor to play the role. As I said in my review of the last game, putting on a hoodie, speaking in a hoarse whisper, does NOT make a character either scary or impressive. Charles, as played by the original actor, did not need any of these "gimmicks." He was a true villain just the way he was, thanks especially to the great actor who played that role.
In short, I was *really* disappointed with this game. In addition to the above flaws that go to the very heart of the game, there were also technical glitches. And the "Behind the Scenes" section in Extras has absolutely NOTHING to do with anything behind the scenes at all! So talk about misleading.
Conclusion: If the devs want to "reclaim" the trust they have lost, they need to find a way to RESURRECT Charles, and be sure to hire the same actor that originally played him. The first part should not be hard at all considering all the other DEADs they have resurrected without any rhyme or reason at all! As for the second part, yes, it may cost a bit to hire such a great actor - but it will be worth the money to, again, RECLAIM the trust of the Ravenhearst fans that they have betrayed with (and in fact MAKE AMENDS to them for) these horrific so-called Ravenhearst sequels. :(
I don't recommend this game.