s_sgs's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:3,617
- Reviews Submitted:99
- First Review:January 8, 2012
- Most Recent Review:October 24, 2013
- Featured reviews1
Status:
Investigate the disappearance of the chancellor's daughter and uncover the long lost kingdom of the exiled Frog Prince!
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 30 found this review helpful
Surprised to be disappointed....
PostedFebruary 11, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
After all those rave reviews I was surprised to have such a disappointing experience.
Graphics are excellent, the music is fitting and not intrusive. The sound effects got a little obnoxious because each click was accompanied by what sounded like someone kicking the back of a chair.
The game requires a lot o' clicking looking for morphing objects and things to pick up, so that harsh sound got old real fast. Click-Kick-Click-Kick....Yeesh.
There is a lot of moving back and forth and back and forth. It's a good thing the graphics are so beautiful as that took some of the sting out.
Players only have access to the full game if played in "hard mode" otherwise some puzzles and areas are not accessible. At the end of the game, the player is offered to start all over again in hard mode to get the full effect.
I absolutely loved that it was fragmented object rather than hidden object. What a great twist to have to find the various pieces of things so they could be assembled.
Having said all that, I would still recommend the standard version of this game for it's beauty, the fragmented object aspect, and the interesting storyline and am planning to try the next Dark Parables.
However, if that same click-kick noise crops up the sound affects will be off for the duration....
I recommend this game!
Save the three worlds contained inside of a magical book in Azada: In Libro! Stop a dark magician from conquering Azada!
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 28 found this review helpful
Started out with a bang...fizzled out
PostedFebruary 6, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This game started out fast and moved quickly. The graphics and music were outstanding and paired well together. It seemed like there was more variety of music that is typical.
Only late in the game did the music start to grate on my nerves when stuck on a puzzle.
The mini-games were clever but extremely easy with only 2 or 3 that took time to work through. One having to do with avoiding like pieces being repeated on a board vertically, horizontally, and diagonally became just tedious. Skip button!
But after that initial bang the game ended quickly requiring about half the time it usually takes and I am a slow player. The bonus play was also quick to finish, unimaginative, and seemed tacked on.
This one showed such promise at the beginning but just sort of petered out.
Even so, I still would recommend the standard version just for some of the fun (though easy) puzzles and beautiful music and graphics.
They really did do a beautiful job in that arena. Too bad that excellence didn't carry into storyline and game play time.
I recommend this game!
Journey into the Nightmare Realm and save Emily from an imaginary world that has been taken over by darkness!
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 39 found this review helpful
Strong Story Line and Lots of Fun
PostedFebruary 5, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I really loved this one - Graphics are outstanding with very creative motifs. The music is ok. I found myself turning it down mid-way through.
Unique activities in the HOS scenes were woven directly in as part of the story line which was a nice twist.
The pace was fast with a sense of urgency to get the next object. If you like to relax, take your time to mosey along taking in the scenery, this is not the game for you. Things move fast.
The emphasis on story line until the very end reminded me more of an old style adventure game with a sprinkling of mini-games and HOS for good measure.
As the game neared the end the designers kept the fun going and did not just call in the final scenes by having the player laboriously schlepping from one HOS to the next until the clock ran out.
The mini-puzzles were consistently clever but easy and quick to complete. One that was solved by using lines from a poem I found particularly fun - but still very easy.
At one point I took a wrong turn and got out of sequence with the story line. Things started acting a little wacky and it required a trip to the Strategy Guide to get back on track.
For the bonus play, which flowed well with the story, I found myself consulting the Strategy Guide a number of times as what to do next was not obvious.
One irritant that I have run across with a few games. but really noticed when playing this particular game - It was unusually easy to accidentally exit a HOS or other scene when trying to click on an object.
That one little pet peeve aside, this one I definitely recommend for fun factor, graphics, and, creativity.
Well worth it.
I recommend this game!
The day famed mystery writer Adora Graves died the lights went out in Beacon. Cast light on the town or be stuck in the shadows!
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 27 found this review helpful
Surprisingly Clever and Fun
PostedFebruary 3, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I almost didn't get this one just because the picture of the Wraith made it seem that the game would be dark and humorless. - Just the opposite.
They took some time putting together the HOS and they contained some creative moves with humor sprinkled in the mix. A couple of times I laughed out loud.
There was some creepiness in the form of the typical run down, blood smeared laboratory and several of the HOS were a bit dark, but otherwise the graphics were very nicely done.
Some of the mini-games were the usual fair - make all the joints of the pipes fit together to get the plumbing working, find gasoline to get the generator going, etc.
There was even what seems to be the requisite "play the piano" correctly several times in a row mini-game (this time an organ) - that one I finally skipped and I dislike skipping any of the mini-games.
Then there were some puzzles with new twists that added to the fun. Overall though the mini-games were fun and beautiful.
The storyline had some originality and held together the whole way through. The music flowed well. I even found myself turning the volume up at one point.
The log book kept the objectives clear each step of the way. I played this one without a strategy guide so I got stuck a few times.
The run time for the game was nice and long and there was a great epilogue that tied the story up nicely. It was great having a solid ending to the story.
Yep, I definitely recommend this game. Well worth the money.
I recommend this game!
A missing girl has been lured away by evil music! Stop the young prodigy and save everyone from the evil Maestro!
Overall rating
5
/
5
18 of 22 found this review helpful
Creative, beautiful, a delight to play!
PostedFebruary 2, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Maestro: Notes of Life was a lot of fun. The music was beautiful and fit right in with the outstanding graphics. The HOS items were original and some well disguised, in plain site.
The only drawback for me was that the mini-games tended to be extremely easy. - Unusually easy. With the exception of attempting to position the bones of mini-skeletons which I was not able to get right, the rest of the mini-games were quick to solve without help.
One very nice thing was the way that music, song sheets, musical notes, - all aspects of the music world were infused throughout the game.
So, while the mini-games were easy, the structure of them, such as completing a mosaic or opening a box locked with a series of mini-record players, was original and fun. I found myself smiling and even laughing at the creativity and fun setup of these mini-games.
When it came to "finding" items along the way, some were very creatively and discretely hidden which added to the fun and caused me to do some backtracking! :)
The storyline was also well integrated and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the game, and, now that I notice there is a CE of the sequel I will move on to that.
Yes, I highly recommend this game for it's beauty, music, creativity, and all around fun.
I recommend this game!
Track down your real parents in The Keepers: Lost Progeny! After growing up an orphan, a mysterious photo showing your parents arrives!
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 26 found this review helpful
Had fun with this one
PostedJanuary 29, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Music and graphics were excellent, but found some of the HOS objects tough to identify. Wound up asking for more hints than usual just because the scenes were dark and the objects did not always look as expected. - The beauty of HOS I guess.
Storyline was intriguing if a bit dark. If you're into demons, runes, and magic with a back drop of chasms and flowing lava this is the game for you.
Game play time felt a little short. Puzzles were medium to easy but fun and creative. One thing I appreciated - NOT having to back track time and again.
Played in casual mode and the sparkles were understated - not at all obnoxious or intrusive.
Music fit in well so I did not find myself turning it off.
I'd recommend this game - Download for me was 1.2GM - what's up with that?
I recommend this game!
Dive into Haunted Manor: Queen of Death and save your sister before it’s too late! Find a powerful amulet to stop an ancient evil!
Overall rating
5
/
5
23 of 29 found this review helpful
Buggy Bonus Play but otherwise outstanding
PostedJanuary 28, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
So I had been planning to say that this was one of the best HOS/Adventure games I have played to date and perhaps I still feel that way.
Music and graphics were excellent. Storyline was straightforward but intriguing and stayed spooky without being dark or creepy. The HOS and mini-games were easy but fun.
The HOS items were well done and interesting, although I did get tripped up a couple of times trying to find a "divider" which turned out to be an old fashioned compass.
HOWEVER, as the game play began to reach the end things started acting flaky. One cut scene locked up in the parent's bedroom and would not go away - good thing the game was done with the room by then. One mini-game shortly after that locked up so I had to hit skip, which I do not like to do.
The strategy guide completely omitted one section having to do with obtaining a wheel for the final mini-puzzle, so the time I actually did get stumped I had to go elsewhere for help.
Lastly, at the end and in the bonus game, there was a lot of running back and forth getting tools then finding out they needed to be sharpened before used. -Don't really get the value of repeatedly backtracking to sharpen tools.
Once used as usual, the tools would go away only to have to be reacquired in a HOS later on. - and for the record, at the end of game as well as in bonus play there is a LOT OF HOS required to continue. Fortunately the beautiful artwork and music took some of that tedium away.
The game ending was abrupt as was the end to the bonus play which is too bad as everything was staged for a very dramatic and memorable close.
Minus the buggy behavior and repeated backtracking from room to room, I'd love to see more games like this one. Again - graphics, artwork beautiful, music and all else were extremely well done.
I definitely recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
After being summoned to a mysterious manor, you must unravel the story of an ancient evil and discover your destiny before it’s too late!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 27 found this review helpful
Loved this one!
PostedJanuary 18, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
The style of this game made it fun and interesting from the start.
-The CE components were integrated throughout the entire game making the story flow naturally and without the bonus play seeming so 'tacked on'.
-Moving from place to place via a map was much more convenient than having to back track time and again
-Finding an object, then having to locate its it's individual parts before being able to pick it up was novel
-Graphics were lovely
-puzzles were medium-easy even in difficult mode
-strategy guide was good but not the best; the couple of times I did get stuck on a puzzle I was out of luck for details in the strategy guide
-Story line was sweet without being sappy
-# of tasks to accomplish for each scene was clearly shown so it was clear when an area had no more to offer
Overall useability of this game was great for the reasons above. Also it did not take up a lot of drive space being under 300MB. No annoying time limits pestering me to move quickly before having a chance to absorb the beautiful graphics.
Didn't so much like-
-Even with the map to help hop from place to place there was still a lot o' hopping
-Several times I would click on an item to be told it was the wrong action, then finally when consulting the strategy guide was told it was the right action meaning I just had to click a lot more and come at it from various directions. Irritating.
-While the game could be played by the whole family it was not childish so an adult could enjoy
-I am going to check out other games by this company.
Definitely a CE buy!
I recommend this game!
After Sara inherits a home, she discovers that a restless spirit can speak to her! Help her sooth Emily’s soul in Haunted Past: Realm of Ghosts!
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 27 found this review helpful
Quick & Easy
PostedJanuary 8, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I enjoyed this game for several reasons. The strategy guide was the best I've encountered as it was very easy to navigate. The Puzzles were basic and I had no need to skip any. The HOG scenes were pretty straight forward with some items to combine and some very tough to find small items.
It was nice not to have to sweat over time limits. I like to take my time without being nagged by glints telling me where to look or time limits like with Mystery Case Files.
The storyline remained interesting and the bonus game was worth the CE price.
I recommend this game!