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:
Find your missing fiancé in the deepest parts of the ocean. Discover the forgotten underwater city hiding many spine-chilling secrets.
Overall rating
5
/
5
84 of 101 found this review helpful
A MUST PLAY! Good Balance HOS & Mini-Games
PostedNovember 29, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This review is based on completed game in the 2nd of 3 modes of difficulty.
The 3rd mode showed no indicators for HOS or cursor changes so was not my cup o' tea. The middle showed HOS but no other winks or twinks so it was just right.
OVERALL:
The most enjoyable game for some time. Graphics are outstanding with Art-Deco-Atlantis theme (if that makes sense to anyone but me), good sprinkling and variety of HOS, plenty of mini-games of varying levels of difficulty, music adds to ambiance and pace of game, strong storyline that held through to end of game, a map showing active areas, and no real downsides. On this game - It's all good.
*** I Highly Recommend this game! ***
SOME DETAILS:
STORYLINE: I confess, not anything really new, an ancient evil is unleashed and must be stopped. But it was packaged nicely with the overall theme and story integral to all of game play with HOS and mini-game. There was suspense throughout without a feeling of being rushed through scenes and several surprises along the way. Very well executed.
Graphics- We gamers are really getting spoiled. The entire theme and scenery is beautiful, original, and crisp in detail. The motif is a little retro blended with Atlantis-style scenes (hopefully this has meaning to more folks than just me!). What's not to like? I took my time working through each scene and didn't mind coming back if needed because everything was so beautiful.
Music- Had variety and added to ambiance without becoming intrusive. It stayed on throughout game. VO and animation were good as well.
HOS- A good smattering, but not too many which kept things fresh. There were a variety of styles, including lists of items (no junk pile), to "seek shapes that build into an object", to "move things around to uncover items", and some other new methods.
They were somewhat interactive, cleverly done, and if things ever got tough the gamer had the option to switch to playing dominoes (pics of fish, sea shells, etc.) in order to complete the hos. -Very nice touch.
Mini-Games- There were plenty that varied in level of difficulty. Some I had seen and others that were new to me, but all were cleverly put together and fun.
Hints- I did not use them for HOS so can't comment, but did use a couple of times during game play and they were excellent, outstanding even.
Access- Pretty straightforward with a specific shape opening a door or triggering a mini-game or locating missing items to play a mini-game. No schlepping to find a shape that will open a box that has other shapes in it that at some point lead to some door or window that needs to be opened.
Map- There was a map that showed active areas but did not allow jumping to locales which could have prevented some minor back and forth.
Awards- Plenty of these and the gamer is notified each time one is obtained. There were no collectibles.-All ok by me!
Journal- Yes, but it is rarely referenced. It's primary use seemed to be in keeping track of progress. Any formulas or codes needed would be shown on the screen at the right time so no need to consult the journal.
This is a great, great game. There are not any downsides I can point to. It was well worth the price.
I recommend this game!
Reunite the Dragon and Pheonix Kingdoms to stop the evil witch!
Overall rating
5
/
5
35 of 42 found this review helpful
Best of the Best. Great game beginning to end
PostedNovember 19, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Review based on completed game in 2nd of 3 modes of difficulty.
Like the other 96 who have reviewed this one it is a winner, setting a standard by which other games should aspire.
ERS games are a cut above the rest, but they have outdone themselves with Song of the Phoenix.
ERS games are a cut above the rest, but they have outdone themselves with Song of the Phoenix.
OVERVIEW
This game is stunning with beautiful, detailed, original graphics, the storyline is well told without being sappy, the music has a lot of variety adding to the atmosphere, the mini-games were plentiful and among the best executed I have seen.
This game is stunning with beautiful, detailed, original graphics, the storyline is well told without being sappy, the music has a lot of variety adding to the atmosphere, the mini-games were plentiful and among the best executed I have seen.
For me there was just the right sprinkling of HOS. These were a combination of fragmented object (find the shapes shown and then use them to find other items) and the standard list. All were highly interactive, well thought out and a joy to play. I never thought I'd write that about a HOS. I like them in doses, but these I looked forward to.
Even though the storyline is similar to others we've seen, with castles and dragons and evil minions, it is very freshly presented without getting sticky and sloppy with sentiment.
All the news is outstanding on this one - I highly recommend. It is the only game I can see myself playing more than once.
ADDITIONAL DETAIL
MINI-GAMES: These offered a wide variety of ones we have seen and some new and the level of difficulty varied as well. I even skipped one and I hate to do that. I was anxious to find out what came next, and getting that last little tile to fall into place was taking too long..... :)
HOS: As previously said these were all very well done, highly interactive, original, and just plain fun. Also a handy feature, many times a revisited HOS would be in the same state left from the previous HOS.
***Also on HOS - even in challenge mode there were shimmers indicating the location for each new scene. THANK YOU! It's better to know there is a HOS to play then having to back track wondering if one has been missed because they aren't marked.***
MAP/AREA COMPLETE: This game offers neither but they are not needed. The game continually moved forward , denying access to areas that has served their purpose.
JOURNAL: Yes, it was excellent as it captured info needed for puzzles without dropping gratuitous hints.
AWARDS/COLLECTIBLES: I didn't come across either of these, but there was so much going on throughout the game for me it would have been an unwelcome distraction.
INVENTORY: I loved that there was no need to acquire and re-acquire the same hammer or wrench or watzit continually. There is a special wrench introduced early in game play that remains until the end. THANK YOU!
Any dislikes/downsides? None, other than what to play next. This game has spoiled me so I suspect, just like after reading a great book, it will take time to find the next great game.
Job well done ERS! Keep 'em coming.
I recommend this game!
Journey: The Heart of Gaia
After being kidnapped, Liz must free the Underworld from the tyranny of Scartaris Umbra.
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 30 found this review helpful
Many a puzzle, nary a HOS! Long Game Play.
PostedNovember 18, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on completed game in hard mode.
This game has everything from crisp, clean, and very creative fantasy themed graphics, to plenty of mini-games of varying difficulty, and a variety of locales.
A number of the mini-games I had not seen before. The ones I had were beautifully put together and still fun. The game is driven by finding 'x' number of items in order to gain access to various puzzles or to build a power source.
There is a map that shows active areas and allows jumping to locations. I love this feature! There is no area complete indicator but no real need as the game is forward moving and access is cut off to scenes no longer needed.
There is no journal and none is needed. The music was nice but at some point became a distraction so it was turned down mid-way through.
Since this game has all the things I like - Great graphics, fantastic scenery (ok-a little heavy on the fantasy), no HOS, no back-and-forth, plenty o' fun mini-games, so why not give it a higher rating?
Two reasons-
As game play progresses the gamer picks up 3 side-kicks that have special abilities including the addition of lots of banter or better said "irritating chatter".
As game play progresses the gamer picks up 3 side-kicks that have special abilities including the addition of lots of banter or better said "irritating chatter".
It had the effect of adding a distracting, cartoonish feel to the game which sucked out some of the fun without adding anything. - For me anyway
The second reason is that even though the game was in "hard mode" the 3 sidekicks could not resist offering hints at every opportunity.
If the sidekicks weren't chiming in, clicking on items brought out black bar hints. There were even glints and winks here and there to ensure attention made it to the right places.
Job well done Waterlily! I like the games produced by this company a great deal. They are well polished and deliver to promise.
I recommend this game!
Use your botany skills to survive the strange new planet of Botanica. Can you find your way back to Earth in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure?
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 39 found this review helpful
Unique & Gorgeous! COMPLETED GAME IN HARD MODE
PostedNovember 13, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Review based on completed game in Hard Mode (3rd of 3 options).
Boom Zap really has their act together but have topped even themselves this time.
This game is fun, original, filled with stunning and whimsical graphics and attention to every detail from beginning to end. The mini games range from easy to some challenge. The HOS are few and so well done they were a pleasure to come across.
The storyline is straight forward-Ellie, our intrepid botanist finds herself in a strange new world looking for a way home. The evil Queen Kassandra hopes to cross over to Ellie's home as well so she can take over. I noticed they made her beautiful but gave her wrinkles and signs of aging on close ups! Like any villain worth her salt Kassandra shows up every so often to throw a wrench in things but there is no final show down with her.
Bonus play is an epilogue. It took me a couple of hours (I am a slow player) and included puzzles not seen during regular game play making it worth the CE price.
Things to note:
-JOURNAL/TASKS: Ellie is given the equivalent of an iPAD that contains Journal, tasks, plant discoveries, and a map.
-MAP: It seemed the map was tacked on because it is expected that every game have one. Like the rest of the game, there was attention to detail and it was well done. However, the doesn't call for a map based on its construction and since the map did not show active areas or allow jumping it wasn't used.
-STRATEGY GUIDE: The SG keeps up with game play, a feature I love! No paging back and forth accidentally seeing too much. Open the SG no matter where you are and it is right there with you. The one exception ironically is bonus play where paging is required. I found myself referencing the SG very little during game play, but several times during bonus play. Not sure if I was tired or the puzzles were more difficult.
-HINTS & TOOLS: Ellie has a botanist's kit where plants can be collected and identified. I didn't try hints so can't comment.
-ACHIEVEMENTS & COLLECTIBLES: There are both. The collectibles were cute little lady bugs with their wings spread and masterfully hidden in some case. I had fun just finding the nutty places they were hidden in place sight. I found 45 of 50. :( Achievements can be seen at any time.
-DIFFICULTY MODE: Game difficulty is set during the first scene with no opportunity to change it later. Hard mode still shows magnifying glass, hand, etc.
I have run across some games offering a "purist" form of difficulty where the cursor never changes from a pointer to indicate anything - That sounds more like work than fun to me.
True, I don't like the distraction of winks, twinks, and blinks but having to click every single thing in every single scene to figure out if there is something to do, pick up, or a HOS or mini-game seems tedious. I am not trying to prove anything - I just want to play a fun game.
Anyway, none of that here. Boom Zap did a nice job keeping the glints away but couldn't resist embedding hints in the journal or in black bars at top of screen.
-GRAPHICS: As already mentioned, beautifully done with uniqueness and every attention to detail from the beginning to end. I found myself pausing at each new scene just to enjoy the scenery - had their been roses in Botanica, I would have wanted to stop and smell them. :)
Reminiscent of the movie Avatar, there are glowing jelly fish like things floating around in each scene. I never tired of seeing them.
-MINI-GAMES: Of the mini-games we have seen elsewhere they were very nicely packaged "Botanica style". Of those that were new to me it was a pleasant surprise. They ranged in level of difficulty and I enjoyed each one.
-HOS: There were only a few HOS. This had a nice effect as it made me appreciate the times I came across them. It also helped that they were not junk-pile and were very cleverly put together with attention to detail just like the rest of the game.
I thoroughly enjoyed this game and have a lot of respect for the team who put it together. Keep up the great work!
I recommend this game!
Uncover Poseidon’s ancient secrets hidden under the town of Black Water!
Overall rating
5
/
5
56 of 59 found this review helpful
My New Favorite - Best Bonus Play Ever! See the Kraken!
PostedNovember 10, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review base on completed game + bonus play in casual mode (1st of 3). The 2nd and 3rd options are hard core gaming with no cursor transitions or indicators.
This game has it all delivering from the opening scene to the very last of the bonus play. This is one of, and possibly the best, games I've played.
About the game:
STORYLINE - Save the world by traveling to an island where archaeologists disappear and so does everyone else after intriguing artifacts are unearthed, a sea monster is awakened, one of Poseidon castle's raised from the sea, and the dread Kraken called forth.
BONUS PLAY - Finish the job by destroying the newly trapped evil before it can escape and destroy the world...... Fits in seamlessly, offers 3 new areas to explore, and mini-games not previously included in the game.
The remaining HOS were were more challenging and complex requiring a lot of interaction, searching for shapes, and figuring out what to do with shapes in order to complete the scene. Very fun and refreshing.
GRAPHICS - Phenomenally detailed and original with mythical Greek theme throughout. A bit of a resource hog as though my laptop meets stated requirements no other application could be running in the background without disrupting the graphics.
MAP - Allows jumping to locations, indicates active areas. Navigating is each as game has 5 chapters, closing off completing areas.
AREA COMPLETE - There were no indicators, but no need since the MAP showed active areas and the gamer typically isn't allowed to enter areas of no more use - at least in casual mode.
HOS - There were roughly 10 in the main game which may not sound like much but they were well constructed, find objects from a list, somewhat interactive, non-junk pile, and strategically located.
No need to wade through scores of HOS acquiring then re-acquiring the same axe, screwdriver, or wrench,.....well you get the picture.
Bonus Play contained 3 or 4 HOS which were completely different that the others. --Also well constructed, but now the search was for shapes to locate then figure out where to apply in the scene to get the desired reaction and there were easy mini-games embedded as well. All good and fun stuff.
Mini-Games/Puzzles: Difficulty ranged from easy to some with challenge. There were plenty of them without overkill. They were creative, beautiful or cute as called for, and lots of fun all the way.
Some of the them were new to me, but most were dressed up versions of what we have seen.
Surprisingly bonus play had completely different mini-puzzles for a pleasant change of pace. - These guys definitely did not phone it in as we've seen so many times before.
I've been burned out on bonus play as so often it seems tacked on with HOS and mini-games piled on without rhyme or reason or much thought - just re-use of what had been built into the game just played.
LOCKS - Pretty straightforward - either a key, a mini-game, or objects would open doors and boxes, etc. No back and forth finding random shapes in order to find other shapes that eventually lead to a lock that the gamer has to track down again.
MUSIC/SOUND EFFECTS - Added to atmosphere and mood was turned up throughout. Very enjoyable.
Downsides?
Not much, other than the previously mentioned taxing of computer resources so that other applications can't run in the background without disrupting game graphics and performance.
Also a nit - the zoom in boxes would oftentimes disappear when the cursor was moved to pick up and apply an inventory item. Not a huge deal as it meant just re-clicking to pull it up again, but a bit irksome after a while.
I highly recommend the CE version of this game (as the bonus play is not to be missed) to anyone who enjoys Greek Mythology, a smattering of well constructed, interactive HOS, a wealth of mini-games, and the opportunity to figure out what comes next without being barraged by hints.
I recommend this game!
After learning about your royal heritage, you’re off on a fantastic adventure to undo the amber curse and save the King and Queen!
Overall rating
4
/
5
33 of 36 found this review helpful
HOS a LOT!!! Gorgeous Graphics, Lots o' Fantasy Fun!
PostedNovember 4, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on Completed Game in Export Mode (the 2nd of 2 modes).
These games are becoming so beautifully put together I Think us gamers might be getting spoiled!!!!! Remember "Zork"? How things have evolved....
Summary: I recommend this game for those who love HOS and fantasy fairy tale lands as this game is superbly done and delivers on all counts.
I would not recommend this game for those who tire of rapid fire HOS, especially if it comes at the expense of puzzles and adventure.
-----------Having said that --
HOS lovers, this is the game for you! Nary is a move made that doesn't first require completing a HOS. If a few minutes pass and no HOS is seen, just move to the next room.....
HOS lovers, this is the game for you! Nary is a move made that doesn't first require completing a HOS. If a few minutes pass and no HOS is seen, just move to the next room.....
There are shimmers indicating HOS in Expert Mode which I appreciate! Thank you! :) It's no fun backtracking, clicking on everything to find the one nook with a HOS that I missed the first 5 passes. That's not adventure - it's tedium and aggravation. I can get these at work!
About the HOS; they are somewhat interactive with 2 or 3 items showing in YELLOW that require an action to reveal them or do something to change them - Some of these were cleverly done and made me laugh.
Also a nice touch, items removed during a HOS did not return the next time that HOS became active. The HOS are a blend of easy to more challenging. The flawless graphics allow many an item to successfully hide in plain sight. Yes, I had to use hints several times. sigh.
About the mini-games; despite being easy and puzzles we have seen before in other games, they were beautiful, creative, and cleverly executed which made them fun. My personal fav is the "One Octopus Band". Extremely cute and funny.
The bummer for me was that the puzzles seemed to get easier as the game progressed. In the final chapter there were few puzzles and those seemed tacked on, requiring only a couple of mouse clicks to solve.
About the storyline; It's a bit of what we have seen before -Witch curses a kingdom, when the daughter comes of age she must break the curse, but with a very nice twist at the end.
There are clues so the ending isn't necessarily a complete surprise, but still I thoroughly enjoyed it-- well executed and heart warming. It was a far cry from games that, after playing them for hours to reach the climax, roll the credits 3 seconds after the final move.
There is a journal that I used for reference only a couple of times, but it is detailed and as with the rest of the game very well done. It does give some hints.
No need for a map which is good, because there isn't one. The game closes off areas from previous chapters.
As always, I longed for an "area complete", but there were none. It would have come in handy as this game has a lot of rooms and scenes in each chapter. A number of them serve only one or maybe two purposes or are just pass-through.
With a couple of exceptions, the completed puzzles areas were closed off, but all else left wide open.
I did find that, the way the game is structured - constantly moving forward, the only backtracking necessary was when I had overlooked something and this happened a couple of times.
Maybe completed areas were open to allow gamers to revisit favorite areas?
All this praise, so why not give it 5 stars?
Well, I fall more into the camp of HOS are nice in doses when mixed with adventure and more challenging mini-games.
I felt "HOS Overload" mid-way through the game and the last chapter didn't help. It seemed clogged with HOS like weeds choking out the mini-games and adventure.
Still, it was worth sticking to it for that nice "pop" ending.
HOS Lovers of the world, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Investigate a mysterious, medieval monastery and reveal the terrifying truth!
Overall rating
3
/
5
28 of 32 found this review helpful
Very strong at start, petered out to abrupt end.
PostedNovember 3, 2012
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on completed game in Hardest of 3 Modes called "Challenge".
First the Likes/Observations, followed by dislikes.
Likes/Observations:
True Challenge Mode - No glimmers, glints, winks. Loved it!
Concept - Appointed by Cardinal to investigate Angel status crying blood at Medieval Monastery surrounded by friends and foe . Very cool!
Sense of Humor - There were some very clever and funny little bits throughout until the final scene. Thanks!
No HOS! :) NONE. ZIPPO.
Mini-Games - Not much new, but packaged very cleverly. In challenge mode it was not always obvious where the mini-games could be found or what needed to be collected which added interest.
Graphics - Very clean & crisp allowing very small objects to be hidden in plain sight, sending me to the strategy guide more than once.
VO good & Characters interesting
Opening Doors - Access was typically mini-game or key. No back and forth to find a shape that plugs into a box to get another shape to plug in to somewhere else and on and on..eventually leading to opening the door if you can remember where it was. Thanks team!
Map & Area Clear: There was no map and no "area clear", but no need based on the way the game was organized. Areas and even portions of the scene were inaccessible when not needed.
Little to no backtracking - yay.
Awards for those who like them: Find 21 angels to unlock various mysteries about the storyline. I found 19. :( Many other awards given for not using hints or skipping games, etc. All can be viewed at any time.
Dislikes:
Short Game - It did not take long to play and, despite the initial promise of the storyline when it felt to be about mid-way through the game I was actually at the finish.
Concept not fully developed- The Angel, who looked more like a gargoyle to me, crying blood is a minor character & referenced as part of a puzzle at beginning of game. That's it.
The game is exciting until acquisition of "the first" precious artifact. Wow. What will be next? Almost nothing. No more artifacts acquired. ?????
What was left of the game was brief. It included mini-games, one that is timed, a trip through a labyrinth for which we are given the map leaving no challenge, chit-chat about the mystery, then a very abrupt, disjointed ending.
It was so great not to be on a deserted island or castle or ghost ship. There was such potential. Everything had been really fun and interesting with an abrupt about face. What happened team? Was there a time crunch pushing the game out which shortened and confused the storyline? A change in designers/developers? Did I somehow take a short-cut path causing me to miss half the game?
Journal - Of limited use as it contained hints and answers. Sometimes needed for reference. Also, kind of a nit, but an irritant nonetheless, The journal did not increment itself when entries were added.The journal would signal a new entry, but when opened it was still on the previous entry.
I do recommend the SE of this game because the first part is fun and interesting and by using a Monastery they took us away from castles and islands.
Perhaps the CE will have more meat on its bones.
I recommend this game!
Find the woman who disappears in the Hall of Mirrors. Investigate two worlds: the Carnivals of Good and Evil!
Overall rating
4
/
5
51 of 65 found this review helpful
Unique - Had a lot of fun with this one! Well worth the SE Price!
PostedOctober 15, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is based on completed game in advanced mode (the middle of 3 options).
So many things to like about this fun but short game.
First, the middle level of challenge - was just right, allowing the gamer the opportunity to look over each scene in peace, without a constant stream of VO, black bar hints at each click, and Incessant glimmers, shimmers, winking, and twinking covering the scene. If you want all that action check out the Margrave series.
What was nice and welcome were discrete indicators for each HOS, meaning no backtracking trying to stumble over a missed HOS as happens in Expert mode because nothing is marked. -Advanced mode offered the perfect balance. Great job developers!
There was a map showing current location and active areas but did not allow jumping to locations. There is also a rarely referenced journal that also kept track of objectives.
Any combinations or other info needed for game play were posted alongside the easy but clever and fun mini-games.
Most of the mini-games we've seen before, but these were dressed up very cleverly, so while they were a bit easy, they were also fun and fresh. There was a good balance between HOS and mini-games. It seemed like roughly 30+ of each.
There are awards but no need to spend time at each scene to seek out morphing objects, coins, or flowers to get them.
This game managed to balance mystery and Halloween style creepiness with tongue in cheek humor that kept things light and fun.
Graphics are crisp and clear, music was carnival style so it was turned down but I kept the sound effects including VO on.
The cut scenes were nice as they all served a purpose in the game, but were kept short and to the point.
As others have said, it's an easy game, completed within a few short hours, but I still recommend it for fun factor, holding to a strong storyline to the end, having a straight forward, easy to use interface, and some uniqueness.
This is one the whole family can play even though it bears a bit of the occult. It doesn't take itself too seriously, so while we get some minor scares and creepy scenery we also get plenty of smiles and laughs.
This one is just fun. I would not spring for CE if it came out, but SE is worth the price.
I recommend this game!
Unearth your forgotten childhood memories to reveal the secret of the ancient labyrinth.
Overall rating
5
/
5
38 of 42 found this review helpful
FINALLY! Great Game after a long dry spell
PostedOctober 12, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This review is based on game play in expert mode.
I was so happy to have found this fun and clever game after a long spell without finding anything to catch my interest.
Either games could not resist constantly glinting, squinting, and hinting, incessantly, there wasn't anything interesting going on, or the interface was obnoxious.
Sable, FINALLY! -Engaging from the start. Interface between gamer and game was very natural, storyline intriguing, graphics consistently beautiful, mini-games easy but clever and fun, and just the right amount of interactive HOS sprinkled throughout.
About the Game:
THEME=The action takes places in and around a mostly deserted campground that looks like a throwback to times long gone by.
THEME=The action takes places in and around a mostly deserted campground that looks like a throwback to times long gone by.
Most scenes were used very well, meaning they weren't just walk-throughs, and there were good variety of areas (campground, waterfall, labyrinth, ...).
MAP=YES. In a campground style cartoon map, the type given at at state parks, the gamer can jump anywhere already visited. Shows WHERE gamer is but not active areas or undiscovered HOS (at least in hard mode).
AREA COMPLETE=NO.Would have been nice.
JOURNAL=YES and useful too. Glimmered when new info added; Contains info not found elsewhere
AWARDS=YES. For no-mis clicks in a HOS, number of HOS without using a hint, number of puzzles solved without skip, etc.
INVENTORY=Although items picked up are not necessarily used right away in only one situation were there so many items that there was a need to scroll. Nice touch.
Another nice touch- Items meant for combination with future items to form a final piece were locked out until they were complete.
USING ITEMS=Several times when using what turned out to be (after consulting the SG) the right inventory item at the right time on the right thing, the game just kept giving me "That won't work" messages. Grrr. Just kept trying...
MINI-GAMES=There are a decent amount and while the lion's share have appeared in other games, these were dressed up and presented in ways that made them fun and different. I live for mini-game. I confess.
HOS=Somewhat Interactive, nothing complicated and nothing teensy-tiny. Nicely arranged, not junk-pile style.
STRATEGY GUIDE=GOOD. Referenced it several times re: what to do next - Especially when (per above) use of inventory items wasn't accepted leaving the gamer a little lost.
HINTS=Used SG so didn't try and can't comment.
BONUS PLAY=Interesting and fun, but it felt tacked on.
FUN FACTOR=Definitely a fun game beginning to end. Well put together. I found myself chuckling at various points. A couple of places were a little creepy but thankfully nothing dark or dreary.
It got a kick out of this one and highly recommend.
I recommend this game!
Embark on a thrilling rescue mission in the Town of the Cyclops!
Overall rating
1
/
5
65 of 98 found this review helpful
PG14 Offensively Pagan
PostedSeptember 21, 2012
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I never thought that would be the title of a silly game review, but this game under the guise of abandoned and ancient fairy-tale settings has some graphic and offensive language against Christians.
One puzzle involves a woman who was tricked by the Puritans into coming into the open. When she did they put beetles in her hair so the birds came and pecked her to death to get to the beetles.
Really? Seriously? Is that a fun message?
Insult to injury this game cannot shut up. In expert mode there is a non-stop dialogue giving blatant hints about what to do next, which is completely unnecessary because the "mini-games" are beyond easy.
If the the player is not moving quickly enough then more and more hints come along.
With voice over off, at least I could choose not to read constant stream of hints.
The music was beautiful in a spa setting but had to get turned down because it literally was putting me to sleep just like good spa music should.
The good stuff:
Graphics are lovely and well done and that whimsical "Margrave" fantasy graphics style flowed through into this game as well.
Graphics are lovely and well done and that whimsical "Margrave" fantasy graphics style flowed through into this game as well.
There is a map that is very well done. I couldn't get it to allow me to jump anywhere, but it was certainly detailed and helpful.
There is no journal, but was not needed as there are keepsake items that keep info at the ready, and in typical Margrave style glow when the gamer is at a place where they are useful - again, what's with the constant stream of hints even in expert mode?
There are runes and magic cards as with the other games, little hurdles between chapters, not difficult, not real interesting either.
The strategy guide is ok. In fact, it was a little coy in places, which was a nice change of pace since not everything was blatant.
I guess it's shame on me - I disliked the previous game, but the reviews were so rave I thought there would be a different experience.
Glad for those who like the game but still don't see the need for or value in the serious and gruesome knocks to Christians.
Don't recommend.
I don't recommend this game.