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:
Pendle Tower was once a lavish high-rise hotel, but a new renovation has awakened a long-dormant secret within its foreboding halls.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Talk About Boring, Indeed... :(
PostedJune 2, 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
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The music was wonderful, and the storyline was at least not another rehash of an old MCF hit. Unfortunately, however, those two are the only good things I can say about this game. And, yes, the characters were new; but, seriously, how many movies we have seen, games we have played, and books we have read already about some mad scientist conducting some crazy experiments and the ghosts of the subjects/victims then coming back and trying to tell someone - anyone! - about what was done to them?!! In other words, this game is just another take on a practically clichéd idea, and it's a pretty dull presentation at that ... :(
But it is not just the story that is so dull and boring. The Hidden-Object Scenes (HOS's) and other puzzles are quite dull and boring as well. They are also quite tedious. What's more, the instructions for the non-HOS puzzles are often so obscure, you might have to refer to the strategy guide or a walkthrough just to figure out what you are supposed to do!
Since this *is* a Collector's Edition (CE), you have a bonus chapter, of course. But it is really just a different perspective on the story - specifically, from a ghost's point-of-view - and is not really vital to the game at all. In other words, feel free to save your money and get the Standard Edition, if you are interested in buying this game at all.
Again, since this *is* a CE, there are two sets of collectibles (stained-glass pieces and jigsaw puzzle pieces) that you have to find. While it's relatively easy to find the jigsaw puzzle pieces, the stained-glass pieces can be a real nuisance, to say the least; and there is absolutely no fun or satisfaction even when you do find them all. You just get an achievement for completing each collection. And, yes, you do get to put the jigsaw puzzle pieces together, after you have completed the collection; but that jigsaw puzzle is practically a joke - even a six-year-old can easily do it!
The other achievements are just as unremarkable.
In short, I can't figure out what the rave is about this game. Personally, I found it utterly boring and couldn't wait to finish it. If you just want to kill some time and don't really care for an original storyline and interesting puzzles, you might well like this game. But if you are more serious about gaming and, especially, if you are an avid MCF fan like me, then
I don't recommend this game.
Master Detective must face the greatest challenge – time itself!
Overall rating
2
/
5
What An Absolute Disappointment!
PostedMay 19, 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
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Seems like I spoke too soon when I greeted the last MCF game, The Harbinger, with "A Great Comeback, MCF!" in my review of that game. It had just become so tiresome to see the repeated rehashing of old MCF stories that Harbinger did seem quite refreshing and new, even though it did have direct references to the old games. But the current game, Crossfade, which picks up where Harbinger had left off, does more than just refer to those old MCF stories - it actually takes us back to them! Indeed, if you look at the table of contents of the game's strategy guide, you will see that each of the four of its five chapters is actually a *title* of an old MCF game! So talk about rehashing taken to the extreme!
Now I know that at least three of those old games are what made MCF such a successful series. And of these three games, Ravenhearst was no doubt the superstar. But this was back in the days when Big Fish took the time - and expense - to cast actual actors in cutscenes that were practically like movies; and the fact is that it was the *actor* (Dennis Kleinsmith) that made the character Charles Dalimar practically come alive, and it was that characterization that really made MCF such a great success. But Big Fish no longer uses those live performances, substituting them with cheap animations. Worse, even though they feel free to use Dennis's facial likeness, they don't hire him even as a voice actor, turning instead to far less talented actors that Big Fish does not even bother to name in the credits!
But in addition to all the rehashing and cheap animations, the current game suffers from numerous other shortcomings. For one thing, the story is *incredibly* boring. The Hidden Object Puzzles are quite dull. The other puzzles are just as uninteresting and, worse, often come with vague and incomprehensible instructions. Indeed, one of the so-called full-screen puzzles actually has a glitch that prevents you from solving a part of the puzzle. Thus, you have no choice but to skip that part, and this one tiny skip actually costs you an achievement! But don't bother contacting the Big Fish about this problem. As many of you must know by now, they never fix anything... :(
Finally, the Bonus Chapter is actually a useless addition to, and as uninteresting as, the main game. As in The Harbinger, you still have two sets of Collections. You have the Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces again. But instead of the Tarot Cards, you have to find pieces of Evidence. Unlike the Tarot Cards in The Harbinger, however, these Evidence pieces are extremely hard to find. What's more, while you could at least play with the Tarot Cards (getting a prediction to a question) after finishing the game, you can do absolutely nothing with these Evidence pieces, nor do you get any achievement for finding all of them. So I have no idea why you should even bother trying to find them!
In short, this game was a real disappointment, on *many* levels. If you really don't care much about MCF, then you may like this game, especially if you are just looking for something - anything - to pass your time. But if you are an avid MCF fan like me, then
I don't recommend this game.
A small-town murder case hides a revelation that will shake the agency to its core!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A Great Comeback, MCF!
PostedMay 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
For a number of *years* now, it seemed that the MCF games that came out were only just dull imitations of the once-outstanding series. If we continued to get these games, it was only out of some sense of loyalty - or maybe a hope that the series would one day return to its former glory. Well, as far as I am concerned at least, the present game (The Harbinger) is just such a return! It does not have the same format as the old MCF games (for example, there are no what I recall were called Super Puzzles). But, if anything, it is actually better - just as interesting, without being as ... well, dark... as the old MCF games. Specifically, now...
The storyline is quite original and really interesting. The graphics are great, the music is nice, and the game is actually quite simple and straightforward, even in the Hardcore (the hardest available) difficulty mode. The only thing that makes that mode challenging is that you don't have any icons to "spoonfeed" you along the game! Thus, there are no magnifying glasses to highlight close-ups, gear icons to show interaction, or sparkles to point out HOP's (Hidden Object Puzzles). But don't worry. You can always choose the two lesser difficulty modes. Then again, you are given a choice of customizing your difficulty mode.
Since this IS a Collector's Edition, you get a bonus chapter as well as Extras, including Achievements. If you have read my other reviews, then you know I get Collector's Edition games only because they offer a bonus chapter, which I expect would give me the whole story. But I I really don't like the Achievements that are often included in such editions, because they are just *so* distracting from the actual story itself. Not so in the present game though! All the Achievements are actually quite straightforward, with many of them achieved simply as you proceed in the game itself. Further, it is really easy to find the two types of Collection items: Jigsaw puzzle pieces and Tarot Cards. Thus, the game accommodates both types of gamers: those who actually like such Achievements and Collections, and those who find them only annoying.
In short, I really enjoyed this game; and I believe that you will too. That is why,
I recommend this game!
Expect the unexpected as this unusual plot twists and turns its way through the seemingly sleepy lakeside location.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Excellent! In *Every* Way!!!
PostedNovember 29, 2022
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
I rarely give a game such high ratings, but this one truly deserves it. :) Let me tell you at the outset that this is *not* a Hidden-Object (HO) game. Rather, it is what you might call an adventure game; and a really good one at that! Don't be fooled by the beginning portions of the game though. It gets really interesting as you go further along in the game.
In addition to the storyline, the graphics, the music, and the voice-acting are all wonderful. There is also a Map that you can use both to look up and to get to the various locations. You can also use the Hint button if you get stuck in the game at any point. There are also several minigames. Most of them are pretty easy, but some can be really challenging. You can always SKIP such minigames, of course; but be careful not to skip too many or you might lose one of the 2 achievements you can get for solving a certain number of minigames. It would be better perhaps if you just look up a walkthrough. [Note: There is a really good one on YouTube. You are welcome! :)]
And, yes, you read me correctly. Even though this *is* a Standard Edition game, it does have achievements (35, in all). But they are nothing like the ... well, *stupid* ones (e.g., morphing objects, collectibles, etc.) ... you get in the HO Collector's Editions. Rather, most of the achievements in the present game are connected directly to the game itself. In other words, you get them as you proceed in the game. There are a few though (3, I think) that you get for clicking on objects which really have nothing to do with the gameplay. Rather, we apparently get these just for being *attentive*, I guess. Then, there are the two I mentioned that you get for solving a certain number of minigames. Finally, there are three achievements that you get depending on how many achievements you got overall in the game. If you got all you could get, the game will congratulate you for getting the highest one ("police chief"). But just check the achievements after the credits and you will find that you actually got all three of these achievements!
In short, I really enjoyed this game; and I think that you will too. That is why it is without *any* reservations that
I recommend this game!
Your honeymoon turns sour when a madman kidnaps your husband, forcing you to expose Houdini's greatest trick.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Boring, Tedious AND Misrepresentative... :(
PostedNovember 25, 2022
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 would like to note at the outset that the characters Houdini and even Whitehead really existed. However, the story about there being a relationship between the two, and even that Whitehead was an aspiring magician, is all false! Whitehead did punch Houdini in the stomach, which may have contributed or even led to Houdini's death. But this punching was due to some dare that Houdini could take the blows, and had nothing to do with anything shown in the game. As such, the game is mispresentative and, at least to me, rather appalling...
But even if the storyline were even remotely true, it is certainly not at all interesting. In fact, the adjectives (Boring & Tedious) that I have used are applicable to just about everything in the game. For example, there is NO map! And the locations do multiply as you progress in the game. What's more, you often have to go to "distant" places to find what you need to proceed further in the game. Thus, it's really tedious just to get around, going back and forth, and having to traverse several locations to fetch something and bring it back to where you have to use it.
The Hidden-Object Puzzles (HOPs) are of two kinds. One of them requires you to find the objects from a list at the bottom of the screen. The other requires you to match the objects shown at the bottom of the screen to those in the scene above those objects. The problem with both these HOPs is that there is always at least an object or two (and sometimes more!) in the scene that you can barely see! Thus, the HOPs are all pretty tedious and, again, not even interesting.
Most of the other (non-HOP) puzzles are way too easy. There *are* a couple of them that might be somewhat challenging to some players. But even in those puzzles, the greatest problem is that there is NO RESET BUTTON, which often helps when you get off on a bad start and want to start over as you realize what you needed to do to solve the puzzle, in the first place. At any rate, NONE of these puzzles are really original OR interesting in any way.
Since this *is* a Collector's Edition, we have a Bonus Chapter, of course; but it is quite inane, to say the least... :( You can plainly tell that this chapter was meant to be an add-on - only it doesn't even add to the main story. I call it inane though because of the way it is all set up. For instance, we are told we have to go back to the castle, but it takes what seems like forever just to get out of the hotel! And there is really not much we have to do, nor much sense in what we are required to do, once we finally do get to the castle.
I guess about the only thing good I can say about this so-called Collector's Edition is that there are NO Achievements! As I have noted in my other reviews, I really dislike these so-called Achievements because they really have nothing to do with the game and serve more as distractions than anything else. But then, in the present game, such distractions might actually have been welcome. Then again, it's not saying much, is it, when you would welcome even the distractions from the game itself...?
In short, I wouldn't even recommend playing the Standard Edition of this game, let alone spending the extra money to get this Collector's Edition.
I don't recommend this game.
There is a shadow hanging over New York City and time is running out.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Did Not Care For It At All... :(
PostedNovember 19, 2022
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
The story seemed original enough, but it was not really interesting at all. The main character was especially the worst. Overly made-up and overly dressed (complete with a short skirt, a FUR collar, and even RED HIGH HEELS!), she seemed more like a model than any journalist or investigator. In fact, given the facts that she was blond and made SO MANY stupid mistakes, she fit the cliché of a "dumb blond"! In fact, the whole storyline seemed to be nothing more than a skimpy outline used as an excuse to provide us with numerous Hidden-Object and other puzzles, all rather tedious and quite boring...
Since this *is* a Collector's Edition, we get the Bonus Chapter and (the *inevitable*) Achievements. As for the first, it is supposed to be a prequel to the main game, but its connection to the main game can't rightfully be called even tangential! You discover this extremely remote "connection" only at the end, by which time you have already wasted precious time and effort trying to finish the bonus game.
As for the Achievements, there are many, and all quite tedious and boring as well. For one thing, you have the now-usual Collections, which consist of morphing objects and four types of collectibles: Vinyl Records, Feathers, Figurines, and Four-Leaf Clovers. At least the good thing about these collections is that you can complete them even after finishing the main and bonus games. Just click on Extras (in the Main Menu), then Collections (at the bottom of the list on left), and then "Complete Collections" (in the lower-right of the box). [You are welcome. :)]
But there are other Achievements that require you to finish a mini-game in a set amount of time or number of moves. You can get *some* of these achievements after finishing the main and bonus games too, by playing these mini-games in the Extras section. But I found that there were some such achievements that you could NOT get by attempting them in the Extras section.
Finally, there are achievements that you can get only as you play the main and bonus games (for example, not using the Hints or Skip in the main and bonus games, playing the main game in the Hard mode, etc.). And, needless to say, all these so-called achievements are just plain tedious and boring and, worse, distract you from an already-too-skimpy storyline... :(
In short, I really cannot find anything good to say about this game. If you still want to try it, I would suggest that you get the Standard Edition. As i mentioned, the Bonus Game and Achievements are rather worthless, and certainly not worth the extra money. For my part though, whether it's the Standard Edition or the Collector's Edition,
I don't recommend this game.
Face the legacy of mythical sunken city of Ys!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Excellent Game
PostedNovember 6, 2022
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
I really enjoyed this game. The story was original and *very* interesting. The graphics, the music, and the voice-acting were all great. The Hint can be used both in the Hidden-Object Puzzles (HOP's) and the game itself, and you can use the Hint and the Skip even in Expert mode. The Map can be used to see the various locations as well as to get to any location that is available to visit.
Since this *is* a Collector's Edition, we get a Bonus Chapter and Achievements, of course. As far as the first is concerned, it is really not related to the main story at all. Just an add-on, obviously only because it *is* a Collector's Edition. Briefly, it is just a story of a little boy who was caught in what the game description calls "the legendary cataclysm that wiped out an ancient civilization." So, again, it has absolutely nothing to do with the main game itself.
As for the Achievements, they are all rather... well, nominal. They are divided into three groups. The first group is called Story-Based Achievements, and consists of 18 achievements. But then, they are really not "achievements" at all. In fact, I don't know why game developers even *call* them achievements, since you get them *automatically* as you proceed in the game and thus have nothing to do with player skills at all.
The second group *is* called Skill Based Achievements, but there are only 10 of these, and all pretty easy to get actually. [Note: There is actually a typo in the achievement called "Rapid Reflexes," which is said to require finishing "HIdden Object PuzzleS in 45 seconds without hints." I have capitalized the last "S" in "Puzzles" because *that* is the typo, suggesting we have to finish several - perhaps even ALL - the HOP's in 45 seconds without using any hints. In fact, you have to finish only ONE HOP this way to get the achievement. You are welcome. :) ]
Finally, we have to find a total of 27 collectibles spread throughout the main game and the Bonus Chapter. All of them are *really* easy to find, so long as you don't get so involved in the game itself that you forget to look for and/or click on one or more!
In short, I really enjoyed the main game. But, as I have indicated, the bonus chapter was just so-so, and the achievements were not really achievements at all. So you may well want to play just the Standard Edition of the game. It's your call. My own 5-STAR/EXCELLENT-ALL-ROUND rating is based solely on the main game; and that is the one and only reason that
I recommend this game!
The hidden object classic is back! What mysteries are hidden beneath canvases of the greatest artists?
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Nice & Easy Game
PostedOctober 31, 2022
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
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I don't know why so many people are complaining about this game's being short. It seemed long enough to me...
I guess it all depends on how you play it - whether you click all over the place, not minding a random-click penalty; or use the Hint a lot; or both. If you take the time to actually look for the objects yourself, I think you will find the game is long enough, certainly for a game based solely on finding hidden objects. There *are* no puzzles to solve except for these Hidden-Object Puzzles. So if the game had been any longer, it might have become monotonous and boring.
As for the game itself, I thought it was rather nice. I especially liked the paintings. The hidden objects were all easy to find. In short, it is a nice, relaxing game that most folks should enjoy. And that is why
I recommend this game!
The hunt for Corwin’s treasure in on and your wife is caught in the middle! Can you save her?
Overall rating
4
/
5
Nice & Really Easy Game
PostedOctober 30, 2022
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
The storyline is original and interesting. The Hidden Object Puzzles (HOP's) and other puzzles are easy and fun. You can use the Hint and Skip buttons even in the Expert mode, and the HInt can be used both in the HOP's and the game itself. Finally, the Map can be used to see and get to the various available locations, as well as to see the available tasks, all even in the Expert mode.
I should note that the game *is* rather short, perhaps because it is so easy. But it's lots of fun, and I think most folks will enjoy it as much as I did. And that is why
I recommend this game!
Accompany Mary Jane and Jack on a swashbuckling hidden object adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Excellent! In *every* way!
PostedOctober 29, 2022
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, the music, and the voice-acting was all wonderful. The Hidden-Object Puzzles (HOP's) and other puzzles were original, quite reasonable, a lot of fun, and very interesting. The Hint can be used in the HOP's as well as the game itself, and you can use the Hint and Skip even in the Expert mode. Finally, the Map can be used both to see as well as to get to the various available locations.
Since this *is* a Collector's Edition, of course, you have both a Bonus Chapter and Achievements. The Bonus Chapter is actually a *prequel* to the main game, and quite interesting and fun as well. The Achievements are mostly quite easy. There are some that might be a bit challenging, mostly because you have to do something right in the first try. There is only one that is a bit hard: finishing a HOP in less than 30 seconds.
In short, I loved this game in every way, and I think you will like it too. Therefore, it is without any reservations at all that
I recommend this game!