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 mystery, magic, and romance in this Hidden Object game! Play as Dela Reese and escape China with the love of your life.
Overall rating
2
/
5
23 of 29 found this review helpful
Harlequin Romance? Modified HOS? Hard to care now...
PostedJuly 1, 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
1
/
5
First of all - my bad for relying on reviews rather than trying the demo first. I don't like the hassle of demoing then buying and find that the reviews typically give a rounded perspective so it is rare that I get something I don't like.
However this time I was a little too quick on purchase button or maybe I was attracted by the siren song of different and complex mini-games....
For the romantics out there turned on by cut scenes of cartoon characters whispering sweet nothings to each other in between bombings and ninja style supernatural attacks, read no further. 'Nuff Said. This is the game for you.
For those of us who stay away from the cloying, sticky sentiments, these are the things I did not enjoy:
--Not much depth, complexity, or variety in scenery and music. Scenes were recycled for multiple rounds. Don't know about anyone else but I really got sick of that hotel room.
-- HOS? None of the traditional. This was pure find x number of a given thing.
-- Also, I confess, this is a pet peeve for me --there was a lot of actual work involved- fixing taxis, cash registers, acting as a clerk in a clothing store, finding suits to dress our hunky animated shape shifter who has been traipsing around in a towel. Remember Race from Johnny Quest? Hari is not unlike that.
Who wants to do real world work during game play? To carve out time to play this game I ignored a full laundry hamper, dishes in the sink, and the rest. After all the day-to-day work in the game I definitely needed a Calgon moment.
--On to the Game Play - It was Lather, Rinse, Repeat:
1) The main character gets a psychic impression from a metal weapon which tells her what needs to happen next.
2) Next there is a cut scene filled with a mixture of whispered sweet nothings between our hunky, mostly towel covered shape shifter and our perky heroine and interruptions by squinty-eyed evil people planting bombs and using ninja style weaponry.
3) With cut-scene over, the gamer is told to disarm x # of bombs, find x number of itsy-bitsy-teeny items such as 12 cylinders, pieces of paper, toys, faces, and on and on in scenery we have seen many times. If you didn't use glasses at the start of the game you will if you are able to stick around for the finish.
4) Amid finding these various items puzzles and mini-games would pop up all over the place. Many of these were fun, creative, and increased in difficulty as the game progressed - all good stuff there. Games who don't like scrabble, boggle, or other word games will probably make good use of the skip button.
5) Level completion pops up, then we all go back to #1 with a lovey-dovey cut scene interrupted by those pesky bad guys with poor timing.
Besides liking many of the puzzles, I also liked that this game structure dared to be different. I admire a company and the obviously talented staff that aren't afraid to change things up a bit. Hopefully we will see lots more bigger and better things from these guys once they get the training wheels off.
Besides liking many of the puzzles, I also liked that this game structure dared to be different. I admire a company and the obviously talented staff that aren't afraid to change things up a bit. Hopefully we will see lots more bigger and better things from these guys once they get the training wheels off.
suggestions - Explore fragmented object, provide a map that allows movement from one area to the next, and a "done" section for areas where there will be no more game play.
Having said all of this I can recommend this game only to the hard core Harlequin Romance gamers and that is not me.
I don't recommend this game.
In this adventurous romance, outwit powerful villains and break an evil curse inflicted upon your love, Hari, while saving your best friend’s life!
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 21 found this review helpful
Puzzle Palooza....Great at first.
PostedJune 25, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This review is based on game play in Expert Mode.
Be careful what you wish for - I am always asking for more mini-games and fewer HOS. Well, Tiger Eye Sacrifice delivers just that.
Puzzle, after puzzle, followed by puzzled, and then another puzzle. After a few hours of this I just wanted the game to end. Once I reached the last puzzle the ending literally lasted the blink of an eye.
The storyline is a cross between a Harlequin Romance and a trip to Puzzle Lollapalooza should such a place exist.
The story picks up where Tiger Eye Part I left off, with little background given so I would recommend playing that one first. Storyline for this game: A hunky shape shifter and hot babe's love are thwarted by an evil magician.
At first I was loving it - The constant stream of puzzle after puzzle was refreshing. Some of the puzzles were unique, pretty cute and clever, most easy, but some with difficulty thrown in.
As for HOS - There wasn't much here other than pop up boxes telling the gamer to "find 12 roses" or "6 pieces of paper". Once found these items would be used to solve the next mini-game. Sometimes locating the place to use the items was not obvious.-Again, maybe because of expert mode.
Game Play -
Graphics: Crisp and beautiful, scenes nicely done.
Graphics: Crisp and beautiful, scenes nicely done.
Hints: Not much help, but haven't played in expert mode before so that might be why.
Map: Yes, but it consists of arrows that pop up to show available areas of travel, not a layout of the town.
Journal: Yes,but it isn't useful during game play except for the romantic to re-read love letters
Music: Is fine. I turned it down as it didn't add much to game play
I like this game enough to recommend it for puzzler lovers but HOS fans might be disappointed.
I recommend this game!
Uncover a dark scheme in Entwined: Strings of Deception and solve an elaborate murder mystery!
Overall rating
2
/
5
28 of 34 found this review helpful
HOS Happy! Fun Not!
PostedJune 22, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This review is based on game play in hard mode.
Out of consideration for the talented folks who developed this game, it pains me not to be able to give a thumbs up.
The reviews had me set to absolutely love this game but unfortunately the tedium was almost immediate.
The M.O. was random schlepping from scene to scene and back again. --Not unlike a day at the mall shopping until you drop.
The gamer has the "bonus job" of locating items of jewelry and fingerprints in each scene. The way this was implemented made game play became formulaic -
1) Enter a scene,
2) play the HOS,
3) locate the fingerprint,
4) find the jewelry,
5) move on,
6) Not sure what to do next? Meander from room to room, find a random HOS that will yield some Gizmo for later use.
1) Enter a scene,
2) play the HOS,
3) locate the fingerprint,
4) find the jewelry,
5) move on,
6) Not sure what to do next? Meander from room to room, find a random HOS that will yield some Gizmo for later use.
Map: There was a map but it did not allow movement from location to location so was of limited use.
Case File: A case file took the place of a journal. It's clear a lot of effort went in to putting it together but it was rarely of use. A couple of times I wound up writing things down that weren't captured anywhere else.
Strategy Guide/HINTS: The HINT system was very well put together and like a strategy guide. Very nicely done.
Mini-Games: These were the usual fair, few and far between, and shamelessly easy.
Storyline: The gamer is kept on a tight leash and herded in a single direction to close the case.
This one is just not my cup of tea.
Again, thanks to the developers for their hard work, but I cannot recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Save the besieged alpine village of Martlet and rescue its residents from the mysterious living statues in this exciting Hidden Object Adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
36 of 40 found this review helpful
Great to the last key stroke.....
PostedJune 21, 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 review is based on CE game play, casual mode.
I loved this game and that's something I haven't been able to say about a game for a while.
It had a great storyline that held together through to end of bonus play. Excellent, crisp, beautiful graphics, a good sprinkling of HOS and mini-games.
Favorite things:
--Map! Wish all games had this. The map allowed instant movement from one place to another, showed "hot" areas, and "not" areas.
--No journal, but not needed as the map filled the gap
--Music was light and unobtrusive, even during HOS so no need to turn music down
--Very creative storyline and scenes - everything was beautiful with a slight air of menace....
--Mini-games where shamelessly easy, but creative and fun
--Collecting the 26 mini-statues hidden in scenes was really fun at first mainly because the statues were so detailed and neat to spot. Toward the end it seemed they were phoning it in as the statues were indistinct or just a random gnome. Too bad.
--Map! Wish all games had this. The map allowed instant movement from one place to another, showed "hot" areas, and "not" areas.
--No journal, but not needed as the map filled the gap
--Music was light and unobtrusive, even during HOS so no need to turn music down
--Very creative storyline and scenes - everything was beautiful with a slight air of menace....
--Mini-games where shamelessly easy, but creative and fun
--Collecting the 26 mini-statues hidden in scenes was really fun at first mainly because the statues were so detailed and neat to spot. Toward the end it seemed they were phoning it in as the statues were indistinct or just a random gnome. Too bad.
Not Favorite:
--Clicking on objects during HOS was a bit imprecise, at least with my system anyway. I might have to click on an item two or three times to get it to select the item I wanted
--Clicking on objects during HOS was a bit imprecise, at least with my system anyway. I might have to click on an item two or three times to get it to select the item I wanted
--the "disappearing/reappearing" inventory bar, gave me vertigo after a while. I'd prefer just to have the inventory shown at all times rather than pop up whenever the cursor hits that vicinity on the screen
This is a terrific game. Very polished and well put together. I am slow and this game with bonus play took roughly 6 hours.
Highly recommend!
I recommend this game!
Help Scarlet Frost outwit evil itself in a dark and mysterious theatre to save an innocent girl’s soul from the most sinister of perils.
Overall rating
4
/
5
23 of 27 found this review helpful
Not my cup of tea.....
PostedJune 7, 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
This game is very well put together, more on that later. The reason for my rating is that the entire theme is heavy on the occult side ---Perfect for those who like the creepy. Also since there was no map there was some tedious schlepping back and forth.
Likes:
--Music good, non-intrusive, never got tired of it even in HOS
--Graphics excellent
--Strategy guide keeps pace with game progress so no need to flip pages back and forth
--Goals and Objectives crystal clear throughout
--HOS beautiful and very well done. Many things "hidden in plain sight" - these were fun
--Several "place the displaced objects" vs. typical HOS vignettes
--Beautiful scenes
--For those who like the occult a lot of creepy demons and some scares
-- Mini-games: Although there were only 3-4 types of puzzles they were still fun. I particularly enjoyed being given a picture and having to place little circles that reflect parts of the picture.
--Music good, non-intrusive, never got tired of it even in HOS
--Graphics excellent
--Strategy guide keeps pace with game progress so no need to flip pages back and forth
--Goals and Objectives crystal clear throughout
--HOS beautiful and very well done. Many things "hidden in plain sight" - these were fun
--Several "place the displaced objects" vs. typical HOS vignettes
--Beautiful scenes
--For those who like the occult a lot of creepy demons and some scares
-- Mini-games: Although there were only 3-4 types of puzzles they were still fun. I particularly enjoyed being given a picture and having to place little circles that reflect parts of the picture.
Dislikes:
-- Although HOS well done, there are a LOT of them. At one point there were three in a row to complete
-- No map allowing jumping back and forth
-- Storyline was very simple and not fresh
-- Game play easy, easy, easy. Player is told what to do each step of the way so the game a little intrusive
-- Not a lot variety in types of puzzles (3-4 kinds)
-- Would have liked more puzzles and fewer HOS
-- Although HOS well done, there are a LOT of them. At one point there were three in a row to complete
-- No map allowing jumping back and forth
-- Storyline was very simple and not fresh
-- Game play easy, easy, easy. Player is told what to do each step of the way so the game a little intrusive
-- Not a lot variety in types of puzzles (3-4 kinds)
-- Would have liked more puzzles and fewer HOS
For those who like the occult I would recommend this game as it is polished and nicely put together with beautiful graphics an scenes.
For myself personally I would not recommend this game based on the creepy, dark, satanic theme.
Other reviews indicated that the story included some occult overtones but went on to say that the game remained "light and fun". I personally did not find much about this game to be light or fun.
I recommend this game!
Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles Collector's Edition
Charles Baskerville is the latest victim of a centuries-old curse! Help Holmes break the curse before the next murder occurs!
Overall rating
5
/
5
23 of 26 found this review helpful
This is a keeper!
PostedApril 23, 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
I loved this game! It had all of the things that make for a lot of fun without the tedium that sometimes comes with HOS.
The map was excellent, showing active/inactive areas, giving the player the option to "hop" directly to a location, and indicating when areas were "complete". I wish more games had these features.
HOS were were sprinkled at just the right intervals and varied in difficulty. The hint system was good.
The graphics were excellent throughout with beautiful and creative scenes offering lots to see. The music went well with game play and and did not become obnoxious or intrusive.
I thoroughly enjoyed the clever and complex storyline. -- What to do next was usually clear and there were a wide variety of fun things to do. Some of the puzzles were fairly challenging.
Sherlock, Watson, and the Baskerville Heir do voice overs at the beginning of each scene which were enjoyable and well done.
I will confess to not playing the bonus game - it started out seemingly the way they all do. The "evil" did not really die so bonus play is needed to put it down once and for all or at least until the sequel...... :)
I recommend this game!
Can a mysterious tattoo cure a phobia or will it turn a patient into a victim and make him crave for death?
Overall rating
5
/
5
43 of 63 found this review helpful
Fun & Unique Game Play!!!!
PostedApril 7, 2012
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
First I love the company who made this game as they show when an area is complete so time isn't wasted wandering back and forth between scenes and, in general, their games don't require a lot of back and forth.
The storyline about a man who wakes up with a mysterious tattoo, then travels the world with his girlfriend to solve the mystery was refreshingly unique. He and his girlfriend maintain banter throughout the game which I liked.
The graphics were outstanding with beautiful scenes and great sound effects. The music was fine and at times kicked up the intensity a bit. I did not find a need to turn it down.
There is no map and the journal was no help as it narrates events after they occurred, and there was no objectives list or strategy guide. The hint system worked well which is good because with the variety of methods used for HOS sometimes it was not clear how to obtain an object.
The variety of types of mini-games was narrow but they were fun and creative, beautiful, and very enjoyable.
The HOS were a lot of fun, integral to the game, and, once complete, allowed access to pick up objects that the player had seen earlier but was not allowed to pick up.
There was a wide variety in how each of the HOS worked which I very much liked. Sometimes it was finding a certain number of something, or pieces of items, or actions to take.
Now, for the least favorite part of the game - could be because I played in casual mode.
The game was kind serial with a single mission at a time and the player being led by the hand each step of the way which became a tad annoying. Perhaps I will go back and play in expert mode to see the difference..
The game did a good job balancing humor, mystery, suspense, and drama making it a blast to play.
I highly recommend this unique, fun, beautiful game.
I recommend this game!
20 years ago a terrible accident destroyed most of Cyan City. Now, Monica returns to uncover the secrets of her childhood!
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 33 found this review helpful
Thoroughly Fun Game Play!
PostedApril 3, 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
Before I forget, things I liked:
--Graphics - beautiful, crisp, and well defined.
--Integrated Strategy Guide - kept up with game play, so no clumsy paging back and forth
--Map - Interactive part of game; Some items gotten from map, showed active areas & areas to revisit later
--Storyline was somewhat unique & who doesn't like the color Cyan?
--Voice Overs - Very good
--Mini-Games - Easy but fun and clever
--HOS medium to easy but beautiful, and not too frequent
--Graphics - beautiful, crisp, and well defined.
--Integrated Strategy Guide - kept up with game play, so no clumsy paging back and forth
--Map - Interactive part of game; Some items gotten from map, showed active areas & areas to revisit later
--Storyline was somewhat unique & who doesn't like the color Cyan?
--Voice Overs - Very good
--Mini-Games - Easy but fun and clever
--HOS medium to easy but beautiful, and not too frequent
From the beginning there is mystery about who to trust and who not to trust so the story draws the gamer in.
That brings us to the not so good-
--Ending extremely abrupt, just long enough to set up for a sequel and to leave the mystery of who were the good guys vs the bad guys.
--music and sound effects ok; not memorable.
--Ending extremely abrupt, just long enough to set up for a sequel and to leave the mystery of who were the good guys vs the bad guys.
--music and sound effects ok; not memorable.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed playing this game and very much appreciate those touches of interactive map, strategy guide keeping pace with game play, the mini-games, and gorgeous graphics.
Highly recommend.
I recommend this game!
Novelist Edward Grand has found evidence of a terrible tragedy in the city of Rosemount and sets off to investigate!
Overall rating
3
/
5
27 of 31 found this review helpful
Beautiful Game, Worth Playing
PostedApril 1, 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
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm with another reviewer who mentioned being tired of icy cold motifs. So, while this game takes place during the typical "evil doer" trying to wipe out all warmth in the world, it was well executed.
What the story lacks in originality it makes up for with beautifully rendered graphics and scenes. The HOS, mini-games, and puzzles are easy but fun. I would like to have encountered a few more puzzles.
The bonus play for CE is a natural extension of the story so worth the price.
The journal is helpful, there is no map, but one is not really needed as the game is well organized and partitioned. I referenced the strategy guide only toward the end and not much even then as things are pretty clear. There is not a lot of back and forth which was refreshing.
Pet Peeve-The ending was extremely abrupt and bland which was a missed opportunity for a real blow-out.
Overall, familiar storyline well executed.
I recommend this game!
Use your powers of observation to save your friends from the genetic aberrations that populate a forgotten island in Natural Threat: Ominous Shores!
Overall rating
2
/
5
33 of 37 found this review helpful
Buggy but beautiful
PostedMarch 31, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game started with such promise - the graphics were crisp and beautiful against an "Island of Doctor Moreau", exotic backdrop featuring a myriad of colorful and creative plant and insect life. The music was not obnoxious but also nothing special.
Flaky Game Play - The game completely locked up twice, and in one HOS specified finding "0/20", but did not say the "what". - far from obvious, it turned out to be well hidden pieces of a stained glass window that had not yet been encountered in the game.
Tedious back and forth - There are a lot of very beautiful scenes and the player will see them again and again due to the back tracking to see if there is a HOS required to continue and as part of completing tasks. There is no map so no way to jump from scene to scene so revisiting the same territory again and again became very tiresome.
Storyline? The cut scenes seemed out of order as references were made to things that had not happened. At one point an "eye" appears and the reference assumes we have seen it before. The "eye" is never explained.
Despite the plentiful scenes and beautiful graphics I cannot recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.