Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
2017 has not been a banner year so far inasmuch as lots of new games have been fair to downright poor. Thankfully the good folks at Blue Tea continue to provide us with exceptional quality in its outstanding Dark Parable series. Requiem for the Forgotten is a gem of unqualified brilliance both in its appearance and the level of challenge it offers. The town of Anaben has been plagued by a strange sickness wherein townsfolk are sucked into a sinister candle and nothing but their shadows remain visible. Why the evildoer is acting in this manner is unknown, at least during the demo. What makes this game so terrific is the way we must construct items during HO segments. No word lists here, all Dark Parables have FROG scenes. Frogs are fractured items which must be reconfigured. When complete the items are stunning. Most of these scenes require effort on the part of the game player to complete each item. The puzzle sections are always challenging in DP games. The first one in Requiem involves relocation of triangles into their correct box parts ( there are 4 such segments ) and when completed the player must then move parts of another scene to comply with part of a story. All this is done to obtain one thing to further the game. No collectibles in these games, hard to find parts of parables are available to be found. All Dark Parable games are magnificent. Lots of us know this as fact. Newer players need look no further than these to provide hours of solid game play. Thanks again Blue Tea
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
2/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
1/ 5
Storyline
2/ 5
This Subliminal Realm is very nearly ridiculous on many fronts. For starters the 2 human characters are drawn horribly. Next all of the puzzles ( demo only ) are extremely childish. A 7 year old might find them appealing but anyone much older should get bored quickly. The human characters can speak to each other during voice overs but when the woman trying to save Matthew interacts with Harold the Magician in the first realm, which is undersea, Harold can be heard but the lady only asks questions in the form of written sentences without being heard. WHY? The game is replete with the aforementioned too easy puzzles while there is not one traditional HO segment. Given the ease of the puzzles I was hoping for an HO to break up the boredom that had set in. I completed the undersea realm section in a half hour and the demo ended so there being 4 realms, this does not speak well for the overall length of the game. Given the cost of CE's I do not want to finish a game in less than 3 hours.
In a review of a prior game a couple days ago I lamented the overall lack of quality seen thus far in 2017. Call of Atis does absolutely nothing to increase my hope and desire to find better offerings. All this mess of a game needs to render it a 0 star game would be some sort of elf or animal or robotic assistant.
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I entered the game with some trepidation since 2017 has not been a banner year thus far considering lots of dreadful HOPA games have been offered. This Living Legends edition while not among the best does provide a fair degree of entertainment. The story gives us identical twin sisters, one of whom is an accomplished violinist and as such has been invited to perform at an annual music festival in Bremen. What she does not realize is the evil Mistress of Fog is waiting to capture her and three others including a floutist, drummer and horn player so the mistress can destroy Bremen for reasons unknown in the demo. If the musicians can play an ancient melody it renders the mistress incapable of wrongdoing for a full year. Granted we have seen similar stories in games past, I liked the twist granted in this one. The non-musical twin is tasked with saving her twin and the others who are being transformed into beasts including a cat, donkey, rooster etc. Using items found in HO segments and puzzles enables the sister in her quest. The HO scenes and there are but 3 in the demo are doable without much effort. The puzzles are likewise rather mundane yet I did find one that involves placing pictured circles within 2 different scenes that are connected a nice challenge. There are flowers and paper dolls to be had for those who cannot do without collectibles. I must rate a game 5 stars and then it must have at least some originality in the story for me to consider a CE purchase. Beasts of Bremen does not rise up to that level. I will consider it later on as an SE version. With so many junk games these past 2 months, this game is somewhat a breath of fresh air.
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
2/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I am conflicted by this game since there are aspects I like and others that make little if any sense. Lots of accidents resulting in fatalities, except for the heroine's father, are occurring. Our gal with the assist of a mystical bracelet can divine some other worldly events and decipher why folks are meeting their maker or attempt to prevent these deaths from becoming so. This is OK as to the story itself, while other stories are similar in lots of games, here we do have a nice variation on a familiar theme. This is a plus. Unfortunately we must also deal with the minuses. There are some factors which seem almost implausible. We have an exploding generator. This item which runs on gas is located indoors within a cupboard. Who in their right mind would locate any generator indoors? When running, the fumes alone can be quite hazardous if inside a building. Then there is the ubiquitous pooch, a basset hound named Uni. She seems like a nice doggie who will listen to her mistress so why is it necessary to find a plaything to move the pup from point A to point B? Then when the gal descends a rope ladder, who then turns the rope into a noose ( which wasn't there originally ) and lowers Uni to the ground? I know these games require a degree of belief suspension but this borders on the ridiculous. As to game play itself, the HO segments are run of the mill and all of the puzzles ( demo only ) have zero challenge. If there are morphs and/or collectible objects I found none nor did I look for them. This could have been a fine game were it not for some rather idiotic events that should not occur. Lethal Predictions is not a disaster but it is certainly not a game worthy of a CE version purchase. Later on should I have an expiring free game code that othewise would be lost to me ( I'll never figure out why BFG uses expiration dates on these ) I may pick this up gratis. I will not recommend this as a CE, I may as an SE.
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
2/ 5
None of the previous Keeper of Antiquities editions have been sure fire purchases for me and this chapter does not change my mind. I really enjoy lots of the fantasy themed games; however this series is not among those which delight me. I cannot put my finger on why this is so. Perhaps there being so many HOPAs in the genre is a factor. Were it not for so many other titles out there that do capture my fancy ( Dark Parables and the Awakenings are but 2 of the series I really find compelling ) I might have a stronger opinion regarding the Keeper games. As to the game itself it is very well drawn and the story certainly has some originality which for me is a primary factor in deciding on a purchase. The originality lies in the many creatures that must be dealt with by Alexandra who is an expert in dealing with unworldly artifacts. Here she is tasked with freeing from Gregory Williams, a famous illusionist, a prism-like crystal that is a key the Imaginary World. She meets Bob who is searching for his family and agrees to assist him. I knew from the start that Bob wasn't all that he was cracked up to be and that he really wanted the crystal. Bob gets it at gunpoint as the demo ends. There are some excellent hidden object segments that are much better than those ordinarily seen in HOPAs. They are the highlight of the game for me. The puzzles though breaking no new ground do need some thought to unravel. There are collections and morphs and jigsaw puzzle pieces to gather and Alexandra has at her disposal lots of tools to further her quest. I own so many games of this ilk that spending more money on this version seems somewhat redundant. This is the primary reason that I'll pass. I do however praise the game and recommend it to those players who might enjoy the Imaginary World. Perhaps a free game code may entice me when the standard edition becomes available in a few weeks. Time will tell.
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
1/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
1/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
1/ 5
I was asked to beta test this game just last week so there was obviously no tinkering with Fetch in such a short time span. A kid loses his pet via a dognapping and he goes through a series of trials to rescue the pooch. The game is essentially one old fashioned video game after another. The drawing is poor and there is nothing compelling about the boy's character. I cannot say anything good about this mess so I'll say nothing more.
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
1/ 5
I will never knock the terrific grid puzzles that Match Gems games this developer puts out. These renditions with the penguin family are the very best of the griddlers. These are the only games where the finished product looks like what the title of each grid implies. Using 4 to 6 colors in each grid and having such a variety of colors is fantastic. For me the problem and it is a minor one is that I am getting tired of seeing cats, owls, friends, etc. in every new chapter of the series. While I can understand that Match Gems keeps churning these games out at such a rapid pace, I would too because the money is certainly rolling in, I wish either we get to see entirely new grids or better yet have various shapes ( ovals, squares, triangles, etc. ) that another grid maker gave us a few months ago. The problem with the earlier shape game is too many glitches that were never patched. I suppose I might use a free game code if a code is at its expiration date and it's either use it or lose it. I won't buy it. One last thing, these games are not Sudokus as in intimated elsewhere. Sudokus always use the numbers 1 through 9 in various combinations. This is a wonderful game and for those who can't get enough of them grab it and growl.
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
The original Vermillion Watch was to me an utter disaster and the demo portion could not end fast enough. Seeing this one led me to think that Fleshbound would be another mess. I am wrong in that assessment and pleased this is an excellent HOPA ( at least the demo ) The detective is assigned to investigate the activities of Arsene Lupin, a master thief and cohort of the evil Red Queen who was introduced in the first installment of the series. In this case the detective named Hawkes is somewhat of a beginner at his profession and as is almost always the case when the detective is a novice he is accompanied by others more advanced in their work but who seem to never even lift a finger to assist the trainee. These so-called teachers should all be fired !! This is the one downside to the game but I can get past this considering it is a ploy used so often in these games. I enjoy that the story makes use of criminal elements in a less than sinister manner. Lupin reminds me of the Pink Panther as he is such a gentlemanly cad. There is the mysterious woman clad in black we meet in the theater who apparently wants to help the detective but needs to do so surreptitiously for reasons known only to herself. One of the best features of Fleshbound is the superb drawing of characters and scenery. I do wish during voice overs that speaking was more obvious via better lip movement. The hidden object segments and the puzzles during the demo, which was quite short by the way as I finished it in 38 minutes, did not offer much challenge save for the third part of deciphering a cryptex. There are morphs in the HOs and collectible lightning symbols for those interested in these extras. The past couple of weeks have not given us much IMO from developers and BFG so I am pleased that the last day of 2016 offers what should be a superior game. It is certainly on my buy list. HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone I hope all fellow gamers have a good and very healthy 2017.
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Visual/Sound Quality
2/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
2/ 5
While the Christmas season is not among my favorite holidays ( too commercialized for my liking ) I do enjoy the opportunity to spend time with extended family and friends. I also always have the time to explore new HOPA, I guess fancying new games is one of the benefits of being retired. I hardly expected to be introduced to a game that is so replete with doom and gloom given that it is Christmas Eve. The Thirteenth is a lad named Matt Barlow who has been kidnapped by the Sons of Dusk while his father finds himself transfixed into a ghostly reality as he attempts the rescue of his son. Dad need to travel hither and yon in strange town that includes a gas station, the Baker Hotel, its various rooms and the garage. The father meets and old man, another specter who claims that the boy must be the 13th Barlow killed by the Sons of Dusk to fulfill a prophesy. Killing a kid is just what we all need on Christmas Eve to keep us in a joyous holiday mood, don't ya think !!! NOPE. Therefore, IMO the story line stinks to high heaven. The drawing of the game is amateurish at best and the hidden object scenes and puzzles add nothing to what we have all seen countless times. Might I have a different opinion of this Haunted Hotel edition had it been introduced at another time of the year? It's possible but I doubt it. The best thing about the game was my placing it in the recycle bin and then deleting it now and forever. To all my fellow lovers of PC games and the folks at BFG have a healthy and joyful holiday . PEACE !!
I don't recommend this game.
-19points
74of167voted this as helpful.
Myths of the World: Bound by the Stone Collector's Edition
Can you stop the evil beasts before it’s too late?
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
In the voice over intro to all Myths of the World it is said: "Myths of the World endure the passage of time" This may be true but as far as this game series is concerned endurance has become burdensome. The first 3 or 4 editions are quite good while the last couple certainly did not endure. This version called Bound by Stone does not IMO live up to the standards proffered by the early games while it does surpass its immediate predecessors. In this game the player is somewhat of a novice Master Defender summoned to a village to overcome the Solomonari, beings with supernatural powers who are unleashing predatory beasts bent on devastating the village. I have only played the demo and within this phase the defender acquires a magical amulet when charged is used to eliminate beasts and other power sources proven to be detrimental to the village. There is a "woman " sort of having a tree like appearance who initially seems to assist the defender yet it is obvious that she is the evil leader of the Solomonari. During the demo there are not a whole lot of HO segments while there are a few clever puzzles. The HOPA is replete with interactivity wherein the defender obtains items strewn throughout the environment which must be utilized in other places to further the adventure. To its detriment, the HO sections are way to easy during the demo while some of the puzzles do offer challenges to the player. For the lovers of collections, wolf figures are available and there are also morphs. Overall Bound by the Stone does not floor me. To me it is good but not great and given that I have loads of great games in my arsenal which I'd rather replay than spend more I shall not buy this CE. Perhaps the SE version might tempt me, I'm just not sure. I am grateful that the folks at Eipix have stepped up and improved what had become a sagging series. I only purchase games I consider to be 5 star efforts so this one just falls short though I do recommend it for trying.