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:
How did the attacker escape a room locked from the inside?
Overall rating
3
/
5
26 of 29 found this review helpful
Fun, Beautiful, but Short Game Play
PostedSeptember 17, 2012
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This review is based on hard mode which does have sparkles for HOS (which is ok by me). On the soapbox for a moment: I prefer difficult mode, but also find it nice to have the HOS called out to save backtracking, so nice job there.
The likes:
"Nothing to do here right now" - I love when games indicate areas that are complete or have no action for the moment, saves some clicks.
"Nothing to do here right now" - I love when games indicate areas that are complete or have no action for the moment, saves some clicks.
Music - It was terrific. I actually turned it up. Fit with theme and HOS all else. Loved it.
HOS - Not interactive, beautiful, some level of difficulty, and lovely detail.
Story - Was fun and remained on theme throughout
Mini-Puzzles - Varied in difficulty, mostly easy, but pretty and clever and fun. Although more than once once puzzle revealed a key to a key to another puzzle that contained a key. Que?
The Dislikes:
Even in hard mode there were leading comments that denied the gamer a chance to think a little bit.
Even in hard mode there were leading comments that denied the gamer a chance to think a little bit.
Map - showed places visited, activities complete, but didn't work very well as sometimes it did not reflect where the player was or that there were still activities remaining and, lastly, did not allow the player to jump to locations.
Short game play - the thing was over quickly and I am one slow player.
Tight leash - The game pushes the player along a very specific path of activity so that sucked a little fun out.
The very last piece seemed tacked on. The Monster den should have been a climax, but really added almost nothing but a mysterious looking scene.
Overall, fun, beautiful game, but short, not challenging, and overall could've been better. Definitely wouldn't pay for CE.
I recommend this game!
Experience the birth of the terror that gripped the island of Tormente! Every story has a beginning, but few are as horrifying as this!
Overall rating
2
/
5
79 of 87 found this review helpful
Man did I hate this game!
PostedSeptember 4, 2012
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Despite the rave reviews I was surprised and disappointed to find game play obnoxious, tedious, and just not my cup of tea.
Let me explain -
The graphics are crisp and detailed with beautiful scenes and a lot of areas to investigate so that's a good start right?
There was no map allowing direct jump to locations, showing active areas, and areas complete, but many games don't offer these niceties as yet so-no biggy, we can't have everything.
Now the rub - This game is a constant, onslaught of hunting around for random special shape after random special shape that will be fitted into a waiting something, like a box, desk, drawer, gravestone, etc. This then grants access some small thing advancing game play.
But what about the mini-puzzles? You can send me all over the place looking for all kinds of silly things as long as there is a good mini-puzzle pay-off at the end.
Not so here. The gamer schlepps from place to place collecting the odd sun, moon, silver medallion, and blah, blah, blah, then on to the next. A bit like filling out a grocery list.
Sure a light sprinkling in the right context of this mindless searching for fun shaped pieces can add charm in doses.
However, a seemingly random, relentless stream, with no apparent meaning or connections and most importantly few/none mini-puzzles sucks the fun right out.
**spoiler alert on**
As example, to find a trucker's key to his rig, we must first find a gold heart. The gamer then travels to a construction site where the gold heart fits into the lid of a red velvet box that is inside a crusty, worn out wheelbarrow next to a greasy hard hat.
As example, to find a trucker's key to his rig, we must first find a gold heart. The gamer then travels to a construction site where the gold heart fits into the lid of a red velvet box that is inside a crusty, worn out wheelbarrow next to a greasy hard hat.
Inside the velvet box there is a picture of a large, middle-aged construction worker, next to the picture is the needed truck key. Seriously?
This trucker carries a velvet box that opens with a golden heart to work? Probably the only reason he wasn't covered in bruises by bullies in the pic was that he was a pretty big guy and could take care of himself.
**spoiler alert OFF**
**spoiler alert OFF**
Despite my initial intense dislike for the game I couldn't ignore all of those rave reviews, so I played for several hours trying to keep an open mind and hoping things would settle out. I didn't really get any of that - just a Migraine moment.
For me a game is beautiful graphics, cohesive, intriguing storyline, interesting characters, challenging mini-puzzles, and a well thought out ending. Things absent in this game.
If I am off-base and missing the point all together please feel free to tell me. I would appreciate it being set straight.
Sorry I can't recommend.
I don't recommend this game.
Rescue your daughter, Hannah, from the clutches of an evil witch before it's too late in this chilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 30 found this review helpful
All Around Great, Great, Fun and no HOS! :)
PostedSeptember 4, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You read right - no HOS. This is a pure adventure game with 3 levels of difficulty. I preferred the 2nd option as it left the comments associated with clicks.
The graphics are outstanding. They are crisp, colorful, detailed, a little creepy around the edges without being dark and dreary. -Sort of a cross between Tim Burton and Disney in the 60s.
The mechanics:
-There is a journal that I never referenced and is intermittently brought up to date, so not much use there.
-There is a journal that I never referenced and is intermittently brought up to date, so not much use there.
-There is a map that shows active areas and areas with unfinished objectives. Unfortunately there is no jumping directly to locations. At times, the daughter appears with a portal allowing a direct hop which is nice.
-I didn't use hints, so don't know how they are; The strategy guide is well done and was helpful when what to do was not always clear from the map or objectives list.
-level of difficulty in game play could be changed at any time. There were not sparkles or other distractions during game play which for me is a plus. I like to take my time and not be pestered by blinks and winks and twinks while looking a scene over.
-The music was great. Very suited to what was happening and adding a suspense.
-The storyline was darkly funny and unique. As example, part of the evil witch's occupation of a school consists of a deliciously evil plant that infiltrates almost every scene.
It is neon in some of it's coloring and very creatively done with a variety of creepy faces so one does not know what to expect from scene to scene. There are a number of ways it is dealt with throughout game play - all fun.
-mini-games: Level of challenge varied, they were unique and clever. At one point there are 3 circular bronze monster "faces" cut into pie wedges that must be re-organized into their correct state, but no example is provided and the pie wedges cross all circles. I had fun with that one.
What is not to like about this game? That it had to end- that's what! Now to find the next great game.
I highly recommend his one. There are a variety of intriguing locations and fun from start to finish.
Great job all!
Use a mystical locket to explore a magical world and save a young girl in Otherworld: Spring of Shadows!
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 24 found this review helpful
This one is special - a real winner!
PostedAugust 26, 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
Storyline
4
/
5
This review is based on advanced, the 2nd of 3 game modes.
I absolutely loved this game. The artwork for the story from the vary beginning was original, lovely, and outstanding.
The graphics were crisp and beautiful. As a pleasant change of pace, I found myself turning the music up as it melded very well with the context of each scene throughout the entire game.
This is one beautiful game with clever and cute mini-games, that trended toward the easy. The HOS were fun and varied. Some were "find related pairs", others, "find a certain # of something", and in one case, find the fragments that will combine into an object.
There is a map but it serves to guide the gamer to places open during each chapter, so it not frequently used. There is a journal that serves as a reference a couple of times.
There are 'artifacts' which are little fairies hidden within most scenes. I was able to find 55 of the 60 so that was a bummer.
This is a fairly long game, with about 6 chapters and bonus materials. I am a slow player and it took me a couple of days.
What I didn't like -
The game was buggy. It died more than once and had to be restarted.
A couple of times completion of a mini-game did not cause the game to continue. Instead, I would back out of the game (such as the runes in the church) and start from scratch, then things work work just fine.
During the mini-games, such as at one point, when putting together a stained glass window, the comments at the top of the screen were things like "that's not right! What am I thinking!", or "I should try something else", and on and on, even though I was doing the right things. If this happens to you, just continue and all will be fine.
A couple of the mini-games had a timing element to them and I just do not like being rushed. I play these games to relax so I could do without those puzzles.
Gorgeous Game! Highly Recommend.
I recommend this game!
Help James defeat the sinister Sandman!
Overall rating
2
/
5
29 of 33 found this review helpful
Just not much there....
PostedAugust 12, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game has 3 modes. This review is based on "dreamy" - casual game play with sparkles and glints for areas of interest.
The dislikes:
--graphics dark, grainy, and sub-par
--background music bland and eventually annoying so it was turned down
--no map and no "area complete" indicator. Lack of these resulted in some back and forth.
--Some puzzles remained accessible after solving which was confusing. Was there something more to do later? NO. They continued to be viewable, ie. the crystal game toward the end of game play
---Game play time very short. I am a slow player and this took 3 hours, which means most would finish it in less time.
--Overall look and feel were not unique. There were farmyard scenes, train trestles, cobblestone streets, a dock, etc.
--The storyline itself not unique or compelling: A boy is looking for his friend kidnapped by the sandman. Each time the boy gets close the evil sandman spirits the girl away, which started another game segment. Unfortunately the sandman didn't have many places to hide, which would explain why the game was so short.
--background music bland and eventually annoying so it was turned down
--no map and no "area complete" indicator. Lack of these resulted in some back and forth.
--Some puzzles remained accessible after solving which was confusing. Was there something more to do later? NO. They continued to be viewable, ie. the crystal game toward the end of game play
---Game play time very short. I am a slow player and this took 3 hours, which means most would finish it in less time.
--Overall look and feel were not unique. There were farmyard scenes, train trestles, cobblestone streets, a dock, etc.
--The storyline itself not unique or compelling: A boy is looking for his friend kidnapped by the sandman. Each time the boy gets close the evil sandman spirits the girl away, which started another game segment. Unfortunately the sandman didn't have many places to hide, which would explain why the game was so short.
Now, the stuff I liked:
--There is a journal that was of limited use, providing some hints, but nothing to reference for puzzles.
---The mini-puzzles were clever and cute, varying in level of difficulty. These I enjoyed!
---The HOS were interactive and well done, semi-junk pile but not cluttered. I don't recall being asked to locate a single hour glass, although buttons, scissors, and canes were pretty common.
---I understand the complaints of annoyance around finding the Sorcerer's cats, but this segment I found to be especially clever and fun. There is another pretty cute segment that involves caring for an injured raccoon.
--There is a journal that was of limited use, providing some hints, but nothing to reference for puzzles.
---The mini-puzzles were clever and cute, varying in level of difficulty. These I enjoyed!
---The HOS were interactive and well done, semi-junk pile but not cluttered. I don't recall being asked to locate a single hour glass, although buttons, scissors, and canes were pretty common.
---I understand the complaints of annoyance around finding the Sorcerer's cats, but this segment I found to be especially clever and fun. There is another pretty cute segment that involves caring for an injured raccoon.
Minor pet peeves:
--The cursor turns into a giant, klunky boot to indicate when the player can travel to a new scene.
--Keeping up with the "puppet" theme there were curtains on each side of the screen throughout the game which cut down on real-estate. That boot loved to pop up easily 3/4" from the bottom of the screen.
--The last game segment we find James interrupted in his heroic savior mission running for MUTE to blot out the continuous loop of screaming, yelling, and pounding on the walls from the girl while he is trying to work out the last puzzle. Fortunately the resulting silence from that short detour allowed James to solve the puzzle and save the girl!
--The cursor turns into a giant, klunky boot to indicate when the player can travel to a new scene.
--Keeping up with the "puppet" theme there were curtains on each side of the screen throughout the game which cut down on real-estate. That boot loved to pop up easily 3/4" from the bottom of the screen.
--The last game segment we find James interrupted in his heroic savior mission running for MUTE to blot out the continuous loop of screaming, yelling, and pounding on the walls from the girl while he is trying to work out the last puzzle. Fortunately the resulting silence from that short detour allowed James to solve the puzzle and save the girl!
In my humble opinion this would be well worth $2.99 as a special of the day, but not much more.
Thanks to all the folks who put in the time and effort - especially on those clever mini-games. No this one definitely wasn't for me, but based on other reviews an awful lotta folks did like it.
I don't recommend this game.
Ariel's twin sister, Belle, has been kidnapped and it's up to you to assist in her rescue!
Overall rating
2
/
5
35 of 39 found this review helpful
Felt pestered to work at the game's pace, not my own.
PostedAugust 9, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The game has 3 modes of play, this review is based on advanced.
I really wanted to love this game based on the rave reviews, but it just isn't for me.
First, the goodness:
--Very creative and intriguing creatures; I liked the tavern
--The journal is well done and useful
--The hints do the job but are not great; they recharge quickly even in hard mode
--There is a strategy guide but it is accessable only from the main menu
--Very creative and intriguing creatures; I liked the tavern
--The journal is well done and useful
--The hints do the job but are not great; they recharge quickly even in hard mode
--There is a strategy guide but it is accessable only from the main menu
Now, the rest:
--No Map; Graphics dark in places and kind of grainy
--No Map; Graphics dark in places and kind of grainy
--The cursor is extremely sensitive making it easy to miss the a hand showing an item to pick up. I wound up slowly combing each screen watching for the blink that was the cursor turning to a hand and then back again.
--Pet peeve: When the game refuses to accept an item. One of many examples - a well handle and bucket needed to be attached to a well (Isn't there always a well?). It took a half a dozen attempts with responses of "it won't fit" or "that won't work here", etc. before the game would finally and at long last allow the handle and bucket to attach. Grrr.
--Even in hard mode the game is free wheeling with unasked for hints. Click on a mound of dirt, "something needs to be planted here". There just was not much room to think things through; instead the player was led by the hand even in hard mode.
--This may just be my own idiosyncrasy, but I felt constantly pushed for time. Each new scene was busy with blue flutteries showing HOS (yes, even in advanced mode), little purple buds to click on so they would bloom and accumulate value for "shopping", locating gold coins for the same purpose, then the painstaking scanning of the entire scene to make sure no inventory items were missed.
--Speed of HOS completion determined the # of gold coins earned; No time to smell the roses there...
--The background music was a kind of maniacal, off-key piano that jangled my last nerve. For some reason I could turn it down, but not off, so to make it stop I turned the speakers off.
Thanks to the entire team for all of their efforts. It is good to see how many really enjoyed the game. I just don't like to be time pressured and doused with hints and glints.
Sorry that I cannot recommend this game, but very glad so many others loved it.
I don't recommend this game.
When a young woman is found comatose by the side of the road with a bloody knife beside her, it’s up to you to unravel her story!
Overall rating
5
/
5
25 of 28 found this review helpful
Outstanding! This one is a winner!
PostedAugust 8, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is one of my all time biggy favorite games, not only for the original storyline, the stunning and unique graphics and music, but also the the intuitive and non-intrusive game structure.
There are 3 modes of play. This review is based on the 2nd (advanced?) mode. In this mode there are no sparkles and no bombardment of unasked for hints so I was allowed to play the game at my own pace, figuring things out for myself. Very Nice.
The game structure-
Cut-Scenes/VO: Outstanding. Realistic, well paced, added intensity to game play.
MAP: The map was heavily used throughout game play as it allowed the player to jump to available locations within each chapter. It showed which locations still required action, which were "complete", and those that were locked. - This convenience is one I wish came with all games.
Journal: There is a detailed journal that signals when there is new information but I rarely if ever actually used it as it didn't contain codes or other information needed for game play.
HOS: Even without sparkles, it was very clear in each scene where the HOS were. The graphics were well done, with HOS sort of junk pile style but not cluttered.
Mini-Games: For a great change of pace some of the mini-games were original and they varied in level of difficulty with a couple offering some challenge.
Flower-Auras: Each scene contains cyan colored flowers that are collected for "shopping" to furnish the psychic's office and viewing current award status, such as # of min-games solved without skips or # of HOS completed without hints, etc. I don't know what to think about this - it made more sense in the bonus play.
Storyline-
As a psychic the gamer gets into the mind of a girl found on the roadside unconscious, uninjured, and holding a bloody knife.
As a psychic the gamer gets into the mind of a girl found on the roadside unconscious, uninjured, and holding a bloody knife.
The game chapters are divided by symptom that Jane Doe exhibits at various points in game play once she reaches the hospital.
As each symptom surfaces, such as paralysis, the psychic is taken to a location in Jane Doe's subconscious to solve the mystery and cure the symptom.
These locations are very creative, unique, and just plain fun.
The ending came abruptly as most of them do, but it was satisfying and led nicely into the bonus play.
I absolutely loved this game and hope to see more like it. I hope others enjoy it as I much as I have.
I recommend this game!
When the ghost of the beautiful Diane de Poitiers appears in front of you, you are transported back in time in Amulet of Time: Shadow of la Rochelle!
Overall rating
4
/
5
23 of 32 found this review helpful
I loved this game, but....
PostedAugust 3, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This review is based on having played in both casual and advanced modes.There is little difference between the two other than no sparkles indicating a HOS and no indicator of available inventory items in advanced mode.
This is one beautiful game. The scenes are bright, beautiful, and detailed.The storyline I thought to be very original with lots of room for sequels - the gamer is sent back in time to derail an assassination attempt.
The music was also bright, original, and fit very well with the action, so it stayed turned up. The ghosts and voice overs were excellent.
There was a court jester as villain who pops up now and again but even he didn't take himself too seriously.
There was no map, but there was a journal with notes and profiles on characters - I rarely if ever used it although it was detailed and well put together.
There were certain locations that would be closed when no longer useful although this was inconsistent. - A consistent indication of "area complete" would have been nice.
What kept this from getting a higher rating:
1) Easy, Easy, Easy: On both casual and advanced modes, the game play was fun but just plain easy from the HOS to the mini-games to what action to take next.
2) No "Hand"! --- In both casual and advance mode, there was nothing to indicate items available for picking up. The cursor would just pass right other them without changing.
The game was also contextual as to when it would allow items to be added to inventory. Click on an item the first two passes through a room and nothing. On the 3rd trip-hazzah, the item was picked up.
At least in casual mode when an item did become available it would have "glints". No glints in advanced mode so click away....
The game was very short. I am very slow and this game only took about 3 hours.
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
Having said all this, I still loved this game. It was beautiful. It was fun. It was original. The ghosts were a little startling and the court jester "villain" a nice touch.
Good stuff. I hope to see more.
I recommend this game!
Dracula Origin
Play as the vampire slayer Professor Van Helsing, hot on the trail of the diabolical Count in this thrilling Large File Adventure!
Overall rating
2
/
5
33 of 41 found this review helpful
Why all the hoopla?
PostedJuly 27, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Despite the rave reviews, awards, and accolades for this game, I found it to be seriously lacking in fun factor.
The entire game was slow and tedious, with lots of back and forth scenes and locations. The gamer also spends a lot time watching Van Helsing casually stroll from one place to another.
The dialogue between characters was also slow and at times painful. I began to cringe each time the dialogue box popped with the number of questions for a new character.
The actual game play was the standard -- find a character, do them a favor, they do you a favor, on to the next step. The ending was also the usual -a setup for sequel without making real sense to the game just played.
The graphics were detailed and would have been beautiful had they not been draped in a sad sepia-tone. The music was ok, but I turned it down midway through.
There were very few mini games (bummer) and no HOS (ok by me). The first mini-game was also the one I found to be to most clever. -Easy, but different.
It required combing through newspaper clippings to identify where an attack occurred and direction in which the villain fled in order to triangulate on Dracula's lair.
On the plus side -
The Journal was very helpful and well put together. It contained one stop shopping for inventory items, reports, dialogues, and just about all else needed for game play.
Another good thing was the ability to save the game at any point. This came in handy when having followed steps out of order I was left without an badly needed inventory item. Kudos for offering this feature!
Sorry that I can't recommend. Clearly many put a lot of time and effort into this. This one was just not my cup of tea.
I don't recommend this game.
Rescue your canine companion, and solve the mystery of Houndspoint!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 26 found this review helpful
Great Game! Fun through the end of bonus play....
PostedJuly 7, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This review is based on CE in Expert* mode. See note at end of review.
I loved this game from the beautiful artistry of the detailed, rustic scenes, to the lovely unobtrusive music, to the terrific detail in each HOS, and the mysterious, compelling storyline.
Likes:
--Map enabling jump to available locations
--Journal that included needed info, so no need to write anything down
--Consistently gorgeous scene after scene
--Cleverly Interactive and fun HOS
--Mini-games fun were fun and clever but easy
--The theme and storyline remained consistent throughout
--Cut scenes and Voice Overs were well done
--Map enabling jump to available locations
--Journal that included needed info, so no need to write anything down
--Consistently gorgeous scene after scene
--Cleverly Interactive and fun HOS
--Mini-games fun were fun and clever but easy
--The theme and storyline remained consistent throughout
--Cut scenes and Voice Overs were well done
Personal Peeve, no real dislikes at all:
--An "I need to use something here" message or some variant appeared each time the gamer clicked on anything requiring items that still needed to be collected. This became an irritant but that may be that I tend to play a game from start to end in only one or two sessions.
--An "I need to use something here" message or some variant appeared each time the gamer clicked on anything requiring items that still needed to be collected. This became an irritant but that may be that I tend to play a game from start to end in only one or two sessions.
*As an aside regarding Expert or Hard mode - I very much like not being clubbed over the head with unasked for hints on what to do next, but it is annoying to miss HOS due to no sparkles.
IMHO as an intermediate gamer taking the step to Expert/Hard modes, a few sparkles showing that a HOS is available would keep the focus on storyline and game play without compromising level of difficulty.
Schlepping from scene to scene randomly clicking to determine if game play has stalled due to a missed HOS was more annoying than difficult.
Opinions about sparkles in difficulty modes aside, this is a terrific game. It is a lot of fun, beautifully done, and a joy to play.
I wholeheartedly recommend this game!
I recommend this game!