LogieBaby's Profile
 
 
 
Stat Summary
 
  • Average Rating:
    3.6
  • Helpful Votes:
    12,354
 
  • Reviews Submitted:
    375
  • First Review:
    December 24, 2011
  • Most Recent Review:
    July 5, 2024
  • Featured reviews
    0
 
 
Status:
 
 
LogieBaby's Review History
<<prev 1 ... 13 14 15 16 17 ... 38 next>>
 
The famous Johnny Abilli has been murdered at the Broadbeach Resort. You've been called in to crack the case.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
67 of 138 found this review helpful
These Dead Reckonings in large part to their retro themes are superb
PostedFebruary 20, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromLooks like poor Johnny has paid the ultimate price for a variety of sins.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Good
4 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
In 2015, Eipix gave us the Brassfield Manor chapter of the Dead Reckoning series. For me that was one of the three best HOPAs of that year. Now we get Broadbeach Cove and this game although totally different in style is the equal to Brassfield in substance. Broadbeach I liken to a "film noir " murder mystery novel or movie prevalent in the 1940's and 50's.
Johnny Abilli is a playboy gambler found slain at the titular Florida resort. A detective is sent to investigate the slaying and fortunately for we game players the plot thickens rather quickly. As is often the case, money is at the root of all this evil. The list of suspects grows exponentially and this is just during the demo. There is lots of action at a yacht, the boat landing, a hotel, a beach shack and a few more venues again just during the demo. It's for sure the detective will be wearing out lots of shoe leather what with all the traipsing around required.
The hidden object sections are nicely done and there is variety in the offerings. During the demo, I did skip a couple of the puzzles, something I surely won't do after I make a purchase.
In a review earlier in the week I stated that collectibles were beginning to be tedious. Not here. There are 40 old style microphones to be had and they are deviously placed. I can appreciate that these items need a good look see to locate them.
Players not familiar with the Dead Reckoning series could be missing out on some gems if they are not at least trialed.
Eipix has hit a home run with the DR games.
I recommend this game!
-4points
67of 138voted this as helpful.
 
Overall rating 
Disliked it.
2 / 5
20 of 31 found this review helpful
This game annoyed me on many levels
PostedFebruary 18, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromI did not know that Halstatt Austria printed its newspaper in English.Imagine that !!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor 
Poor
2 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
OK
3 / 5
Storyline 
Poor
2 / 5
We have had 2 very good HOPAs this week so I can't complain about the quantity. Her Own Eyes comes nowhere near the offerings on the 14th and the 17th of this month. The story is a repeat of oh so many other games. A girl maned Freya is murdered in Halstatt, Austria. Somehow Freya's eye lenses are surgically placed into the eyes of an American woman. How these lenses are brought to the USA is not told. The woman also gets a package including Freya's glasses. With them on the woman can visualize scenes depicting Freya's slaying and other activities of her killers. So our gal decides to play detective and flies to Austria. In speaking to 3 people in the demo ( a security guard, Freya's mom and the Halstatt mayor ) all of these Austrians speak perfect English with decidedly American accents. For me this is a major flaw in game development since it detracts from those aspects of a game that should be steeped in realism no matter how weird the game is built to be.
I did like the hidden object segments which are varied . They include word lists, silhouettes and putting 2 pictured items together to acquire one thing in the scene. An example is finding honey based on seeing a bee + a flower.
I found some of the puzzles annoying. In the demo alone there are 3 of them where the player must slide objects into a perfect position to open a box, a gate, etc. Talk about overkill!! I found no collectibles which for me are becoming a distraction and there are some morphing objects. I am at the point where the only reason for buying a CE version is for the bonus chapter in a game I really enjoy. Collections, morphs, screensavers, music are all extraneous items that usually add nothing to the game itself. Domini Games, the developer of Mystery Tales has often created excellent HOPAs. Not this time. I'll avoid this one. Judge for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
+9points
20of 31voted this as helpful.
 
Explore a cursed forest in search of missing persons! Be wary of the ancient and shadowy presence that has dominion there.
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
16 of 20 found this review helpful
second good HOPA this week and this one an SE version
PostedFebruary 17, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromWhat sinister force has taken the Millers??
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor 
Good
4 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
OK
3 / 5
Storyline 
OK
3 / 5
On the 14th the excellent CE Tales of Terror was introduced by a relatively unknown developer. 3 days later this Mysteries of the Past saga is announced by yet another new game crafter.
Although not quite as good as that offered Sunday, Shadow of the Daemon is a very fine tale.
The story is nothing new, a father & son ( the Millers ) have disappeared mysteriously from a rustic lodge. The detective is summoned to find them and is greeted by the lodge manager, Mr. Cranston. He seems innocent enough but I get the feeling this man is part of the sinister goings on even if his participation is unwitting. There are obvious paranormal events occurring at the lodge, mostly in the form of a purplish shadow that infiltrates various rooms in the building.
As to game play, absolutely no new ground is broken yet this does not detract from the enjoyment. I am pleased that some of the items sought are nicely hidden and there is interaction with some of them. Puzzles are not highly evident in the demo with those that do appear being rather run of the mill.
Had this game been initially offered 4-5 years ago, I would have given a 5 star rating. Things have become so much more sophisticated in the now that this more simple game garners a well deserved 4 stars. There are no collectibles or morphs which I found refreshing. Mysteries of the Past is somewhat old school, nothing wrong with that. It is certainly worthy of SE pricing, I'll probably acquire it via a free game code since only SE's can be had with freebies. I have asked BFG to consider allowing the use of 2 free game codes to pick up a wanted CE. So far, no luck with that inquiry. Shadow of the Daemon is worthy regardless of the skill level of the player.
I recommend this game!
+12points
16of 20voted this as helpful.
 
Help the Penguin family solve colorful mosaic puzzles and welcome their uncle Aaron!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
7 of 12 found this review helpful
I promise the review will be short, sweet and to the point
PostedFebruary 16, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromThis is not an unlucky 13, so folks phobic about the number can jump right in
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Poor
2 / 5
Whenever a new Fantasy Mosaic arrives, it is an instant purchase. The developer, Match Gems, continues to provide the absolute best in grid games. Always tri-color, interesting designs, and the best part which is absolutely no hand holding.
Tough grids are apparent in the initial group of 5. ( There are 20 groups total. ) FM 13 is another example of what a griddler should be. If you enjoy these, buy it.
I recommend this game!
+2points
7of 12voted this as helpful.
 
Terror strikes deep into the heart of this family's cursed estate!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
11 of 19 found this review helpful
Is Estate of the Heart being introduced at Valentine's Day more than a coincidence? Nevertheless, a great game!
PostedFebruary 13, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromBOO !! Are you afraid of ghosts?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Good
4 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
With some recent new HOPAs being merely so-so at best IMO, this Tale of Terror is a very welcome addition to the PC gaming world. Margie, her father, and Jesse the photographer are investigating the Heart Estate which is rumored to be a hotbed of paranormal activity. The scuttlebutt is that anyone venturing into the estate after 1904 mysteriously disappears and that ghosts are running rampant throughout the building. Margie's dad is determined to disprove the goings on. Jesse is convinced ghosts are real and Margie at first just seems to be coming along for the ride.
It doesn't take long for the trio to realize the Heart Estate is definitely a source of ghostly activity. We learn that Luisa Heart has been poisoned by her husband. Was it accidental or not? He has invented some sort of machine intended to cure Luisa. A friend ( Bertram ) who is enamored by Luisa is bent on the success of said machine.
During the initial investigation, our intrepid trio encounter ghost sightings, various items hopping about in poltergeist fashion and then things get really interesting when Jesse is captured by a sinewy contraption with glowing green eyes and taken through an otherwise impenetrable wall. Dad is now starting to get the picture particularly after he and Margie are separated from each other in a rotating room.
That's a whole bunch of stuff happening and this is just in the demo!!
As to gameplay itself, the hidden object sections are nicely conceived. We find traditional word lists, parts of which are interactive, and silhouetted items being gathered again with interactive involvement. In each HO segment there is a morph and they require a good eye to spot them.
The puzzles are fairly routine in that we are not exposed to anything original yet their completion do demand some logical thought. Many of the inventory items discovered need to be combined in order to be of use.
Lots of games have some sort of device as an aid and Estate of the Heart has one, a gizmo which detects some ghostly apparition which when found tells part of the tale.
The poisoning aspect reminds me of Ravenhearst ( nothing wrong with that !! ) and the snaky green eyed things bring to mind similarities in the movie The War of the Worlds.
I am totally enthralled by this imaginative game. Kudos to which seems to me a new developer. If this is so, their maiden voyage is hopefully a harbinger of good things to come in the future. Last but not least collectible hearts are interspersed within the game.
This for me is the best new game of 2016, so far.
If I may, in a recent review of the latest Sea of Lies which was a mediocrity for me, I misstated the title of a similarly themed game I found to be superior. The correct title is Nightmares of the Deep: Cursed Heart.
I recommend this game!
+3points
11of 19voted this as helpful.
 
Overall rating 
It was OK.
3 / 5
42 of 58 found this review helpful
There are much better pirate themed games available
PostedFebruary 6, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromEipix, who generally succeeds with its games, sinks to the bottom of the ocean with this leaky vessel
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor 
OK
3 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Poor
2 / 5
Storyline 
Poor
2 / 5
Sea Of Lies games have never been choices I must have.
None of these offerings have a convincing enough story to compel me to purchase. Beneath the Surface is yet another example of a weary trend. Our tale is set in a bygone era. Wooden sailing ships are beset by the Siren, a masked woman who summons a tentacled beast to attack and sink ships for reasons unknown ( having completed only the demo ). A woman surgeon becomes the counterfoil in the quest to defeat the Siren. I realize lots of these games are purely fantastical; however I expect a degree of realism in the story. Being our tale is set at least 300 years ago, women were not surgeons. Furthermore, if a lady could be in this occupation, why would she be the one to take on a task better performed by trained military personnel? The reason is quite simple. Most players of these HOPAs are female and developers cannot divest themselves of constantly casting women as prime protagonists in these epics. Game makers should at least allow the player to gender select.
As to game play itself, the game offers nothing we have not seen countless times already. To its credit, we are provided with a couple of hidden object segments that are well conceived. I personally found puzzles whose instructions were a bit vague but that might have been just me not figuring out how to attack them. There are ( ho hum ) collectible ship wheels.
Anyone wanting to play superior pirate themed games need look no further than Mysteries of the Deep.
I don't recommend this game.
+26points
42of 58voted this as helpful.
 
 PuppetShow: The Face of Humanity Collector's Edition
PuppetShow: The Face of Humanity Collector's Edition
The mayor's daughter is missing and you must find her!
 
Overall rating 
Disliked it.
2 / 5
35 of 49 found this review helpful
It's time for ERS to close the puppet factory .
PostedJanuary 21, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromThese puppets have slipped lots of cogs over the past few years.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor 
Poor
2 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
OK
3 / 5
Storyline 
Poor
2 / 5
When ERS brought out the initial episodes in the Puppet Show series, games 1,2,and 3 were excellent. Subsequent to that the format has gone downhill. This latest chapter, The Face of Humanity borders on the absurd. The detective, not gender specific which is nice, is summoned to Saltsburgh to rescue Agnes(mayor's daughter ) who has been kidnapped. Upon arrival, the detective learns that puppets have somehow overtaken the town much to the dismay of town residents since the puppets do everything. This has left town folk without employment, mostly at a salt mine.
Part of what makes this game ridiculous is the time frame in which the game occurs. Given the look of the game, I deduce we are in at best the late 1800's. Mechanical puppets would be OK but not speaking robots as the technology just isn't there yet.
Then there is the same old same old relative to gameplay itself. In the demo alone, which by the way is rather short,
we needed to find 3 or 4 keys. I'm getting sick of keys. I wish developers started to show some imagination rather than rehashing time and again.
We meed David and Hannah who are the apparent puppet masters. They are obviously concerned about the bad tidings in their town so why is Hannah so dismissive of the detective? One would think she'd be welcoming assistance in any fashion. There is nothing at all novel about HO segments and/or puzzles in this game. There are figurines to collect and the player must acquire coins to purchase helpful items. Been there done that too many times.
If I want to play Puppet Show, I will merely reacquaint myself with earlier versions that are superior in quality to the latest game. Cannot recommend this game at all. To any newer players to the HOPA world who are unfamiliar with Puppet Show, check out the earliest games in the series.
I don't recommend this game.
+21points
35of 49voted this as helpful.
 
Puss in Boots just showed up at my office with a request. Help investigate the kidnapping of his beloved and delve into a world full of secrets!
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
44 of 56 found this review helpful
Parts of this game are fine while other parts are dreadful
PostedJanuary 13, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromThis is like Puss in Boots meets Jessica from the Roger Rabbit movie
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor 
Good
4 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Poor
2 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Poor
2 / 5
Weeping Skies is another effort wherein the developer is either a new entity lacking in the skills of creating quality or this is an older game brought out of mothballs. The story is rather absurd. It happens that Puss in Boots, yep the fairy tale cat has married a rather voluptuous woman!!! ( If they have a child, will it be Cat Woman? ) The wife is abducted and the detective who is the game player is hired to solve the mysterious goings on. For a game that is not supposed to be a fantasy, it is very much over the top in ridiculousness. Another poor aspect to the game is the amateurish drawing. There are no voiceovers in situations where dialogue takes place so why have the character's lips move?
Now we get on to what is good about the game. I found the hidden object segments to be challenging. In part because of the interactivity required, in part because some of the listed items are quite small or placed in dark areas and in part because some items are found in other locations within the main scene. Some players could be put off by the obscurity while I found it refreshing that some actual searching is necessary. None of the puzzles are compelling as they are easily solved. We have 2 assistants. One is a ferret decked out in 1950's clothing including a trenchcoat and a fedora. The other is a phoenix useful in lighting or burning.
There is a jump map but no collectibles or morphs.
At the outset of the game, I thought Weeping Skies bordered on the dreadful for reasons listed above. As I got further into the demo I came to the conclusion the pluses outweigh the minuses. Had the game been introduced 5 years ago prior to the increases in sophistication so prevalent today, I'd have jumped at it rather fast. Sometimes something apparently old can still be new.
Given there is a 2 for 1 sale today, I will take advantage of the free game and make Weeping Skies one of the pair.
If you can overcome the absurdity of the story and the lousy drawing, this is a decent mystery game.
I recommend this game!
+32points
44of 56voted this as helpful.
 
 Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
There’s more to this restoration project than meets the eye.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
74 of 141 found this review helpful
This HE installment is superb
PostedJanuary 7, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromGiven my age ( 69 as of next week ) it would be nice to locate a Fountain of Youth
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Good
4 / 5
The most recent HE game in the series was somewhat of a disappointment for me. I felt the story was a bit ridiculous and the story is a major factor in my decision to purchase or leave it be. In this game, the story is compelling albeit a bit confusing.
A H.E.L.P expedition has been abducted by an insidious treasure hunter with the assistance of a former H.E.L.P. agent.
There is a search for the fabled Fountain of Youth. The confusion for me lies in that here it was Magellan who sought the fountain. History tells us the explorer Ponce de Leon was the man obsessed with this discovery. So did Eipix make an error in historical fact or is the developer merely exercising some " poetic license " At any rate, this does in no way detract from a rollicking adventure. As is always the case in HOPAs, the player must achieve the goal of rescuing his/her colleagues and foil the plans of the evil doers.
As is always the case in HE games, the scenery is stunning. Graphically this is a game anyone can find appealing.
The hidden object segments are top-notch with various levels of interactivity. The puzzles are inventive. One I particularly enjoyed was of the Rube Goldberg variety . It demanded considerable thought yet it wasn't so hard as to warrant consideration of a skip. This occurred just prior to the demo conclusion which is as far as I have gotten so far.
Although I did not check any of them out yet, HE games always provides interesting fact cards which gives capsule information of real events tied to the story line.
For those who enjoy them, we find morphing objects and some collectible items as well.
The Fountain of Youth is an outstanding addition to the HE series. It gets from me a very enthusiastic 5 STAR rating.
I recommend this game!
+7points
74of 141voted this as helpful.
 
Join our penguin on a journey to the parallel universe of mosaic puzzles!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
4 of 24 found this review helpful
Fantasy Mosaics are the best and #12 just may be the BEST OF THE BEST !!
PostedJanuary 6, 2016
Customer avatar
LogieBaby
fromWhat a joy when something great becomes greater
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
 
Current Favorite:
 
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Poor
2 / 5
Griddlers in the know are well aware that Match Gems puts out the ultimate in grid games. No other developer has yet come close to this series in any way, shape or form. In Parallel Universes two elements quickly come to mind. First, as has always been the case, no hand holding since the player is not subjected to a myriad of 5 x 5 or 10 x 10 grids at the game outset. These multicolored masterpieces get larger and tougher in the starting group of puzzles.
Secondly, the background music in #12 is for me a cut above even for Match Gems. I really enjoy the more dynamic score being used.
If the folks at Match Gems ever read the reviews, a suggestion if I may. Consider adding a fourth color to the grids.
Got to go.............there is a purchase that needs my attention.
I recommend this game!
-16points
4of 24voted this as helpful.
 
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