queenvon's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:1,040
- Reviews Submitted:31
- First Review:January 21, 2012
- Most Recent Review:May 16, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The Stroke of Midnight
A romance author has stumbled upon a Victorian-era love triangle, and must reunite the long lost lovers in the afterlife!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Overlooked Gem of a Game
PostedApril 23, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Stroke of Midnight deftly blends HOS and adventure games into a beautiful, fun game with a little mystery and love thrown in for good measure. I doubt anyone would arrive at a castle in a foreign country for a vacation to find it in severe disrepair (missing/broken windows, etc) and NO humans around--then decide to go ahead and stay there! I know, suspension of disbelief...but other than that, this game was quite good. A lot of beautiful graphics, lots of lovely HOS and lots of things to do. The main character, a romance novelist, comes to recharge her creativity and finds herself amid ghosts with a mystery/story to tell. The crux is a love triangle, with 2 fathers wanting to unite their children & families...naturally, one of the children is in love with someone else.
Hints/Tasks come by way of mirrors, so no traditional hint button necessary, although you can click on the mirror's initial clue for more info. You follow the ghost to your next task. Most of the time I didn't need any additional help, but there is a blog walkthrough available. For the most part, what to do next usually either makes sense or is hinted at by objects you get from the HOS.
I enjoyed this game, even with the romance novel angle, as the graphics were gorgeous, the puzzles hard enough without being frustrating, plenty of HOS and plenty of adventure. The only CON in my opinion was the length--I wanted more game play! It took me about 3 hours to play.
Not too easy, not to hard, a solid game that is truly intermediate. I was pleased with the number of HOS, as that is my favorite genre.
Download the trial and decide for yourself--you may find yourself sucked in, as did I!
Hints/Tasks come by way of mirrors, so no traditional hint button necessary, although you can click on the mirror's initial clue for more info. You follow the ghost to your next task. Most of the time I didn't need any additional help, but there is a blog walkthrough available. For the most part, what to do next usually either makes sense or is hinted at by objects you get from the HOS.
I enjoyed this game, even with the romance novel angle, as the graphics were gorgeous, the puzzles hard enough without being frustrating, plenty of HOS and plenty of adventure. The only CON in my opinion was the length--I wanted more game play! It took me about 3 hours to play.
Not too easy, not to hard, a solid game that is truly intermediate. I was pleased with the number of HOS, as that is my favorite genre.
Download the trial and decide for yourself--you may find yourself sucked in, as did I!
I recommend this game!
Allie`s on a quest to find some breaking news in Adamas, but must now choose between her friend`s well-being and true love!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Just like Their Books: short & simple
PostedApril 10, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
My Grandmother LOVED Harlequin Romances--they are always the same formula, however, but clean and easy to read...sort of popcorn for the mind. I should have kept this in mind, but got sucked in from the download sample and bought the game...and got about 45 more minutes of playing time out of it! Yes, the storyline was formulaic--boy meets girl, impossible love, a 'situation' arises, couple are thrown together, overcome situation and impossible--LOVE CONQUERS ALL!
The game play was very traditional HOS, well done, and for the most part, central/linear to the storyline. It does include a Harlequin Romance novel to read, as well (but I skipped that). It was worth the price I paid (Spring BOGO sale), but $6.99? Not unless you are addicted to Harlequin Romances like my Grandmother and can't abide the newfangled games with overt and occult themes.
Great for those of us who LOVE HOS, too!
The game play was very traditional HOS, well done, and for the most part, central/linear to the storyline. It does include a Harlequin Romance novel to read, as well (but I skipped that). It was worth the price I paid (Spring BOGO sale), but $6.99? Not unless you are addicted to Harlequin Romances like my Grandmother and can't abide the newfangled games with overt and occult themes.
Great for those of us who LOVE HOS, too!
I recommend this game!
Fabulous fun in this Easter Eggztravaganza. Help Mike and Sally make this the best Easter ever!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Family Game: GREAT, Adults: Not so Good
PostedMarch 25, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Easter is approaching, bringing us this cute, kid oriented game where is the story line is about dying Easter eggs, which are sold out in town. There are many HO scenes with 'special items' (bunnies & eggs) to find in each in addition to the listed items. In between the HOS, there are a variety of mini-puzzles : small jigsaw map of town, unlocking the farmer's barn using proper sequence of keys matching items; ALL mini puzzles are easy to medium, several are variations on ones from more adult games.
The scenes and graphics are geared solely to the under 16 crowd, everything I saw was appropriate for this age group. Although as a Christian I realize the purpose for Easter, I do think those who do NOT celebrate or believe MIGHT find some of the imagery objectionable (like Bibles).
Lovely family game, nice for kids or elderly who do not want much of a brain drain.
The scenes and graphics are geared solely to the under 16 crowd, everything I saw was appropriate for this age group. Although as a Christian I realize the purpose for Easter, I do think those who do NOT celebrate or believe MIGHT find some of the imagery objectionable (like Bibles).
Lovely family game, nice for kids or elderly who do not want much of a brain drain.
I recommend this game!
Help the Special Enquiry Detail crack the case, and catch a criminal, in this fun and exciting Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 28 found this review helpful
A REAL Mystery to Solve
PostedMarch 17, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Granted, it wasn't all that difficult to figure out whodunit, but in this game, you actually got to solve a murder. The graphics were good, the HOS were well done for the most part--that is the biggest downfall in this game, in my opinion. The HOS were repetitive scenes/locations--the cop office, the lab, the study, the victim's bedroom, etc--but you were often asked to find different objects each time, so that made it bearable to me.
The story begins with the murder of a wealthy, privileged teen-aged girl being murdered in her bed while her parents attend a charity function for Daddy's homeless shelter foundation. You play a team of detectives in a newly created department which handles sensitive cases. Since the mayor is buddies with the Daddy Warbucks character, the team is called in.
For the most part, the scenes & graphics are middle-to well done. The cut scenes are junk--some sort of water colour or drawings of the characters which look as though the art budget was tapped out by the time the creators got to this part! Characters looked different than their CGI counterparts, strange looking with eyes too close together or the female having a manish look to her face but PLENTY of cleavage the rest of the time! As I said, strange, but other than the cut scenes, no real complaints.
Gameplay was pretty standard--a map which lights the locations you can/must go to next, with very few choices allowed.
There were puzzles in every chapter, many of which were old standards or variations on them, so nothing new or creative there...nor too difficult.
All in all, a good few hours of sleuthing pleasure, where the creators did not lose sight of the storyline. Puzzles were average, not too difficult and after a minute or 2, you are able to Skip without penalty. In several situations, you do get to be the lab/crime scene tech & perform tests such as GSR or fingerprinting. Sometimes there was little or no instruction on HOW to perform them, just trial and error. There is no time kept nor points awarded in the game, either. A good way to spend a rainy evening or day.
Try it--a bit of old school HOG with some crime solving--you might enjoy it enough to buy it, as I did, with no regrets.
The story begins with the murder of a wealthy, privileged teen-aged girl being murdered in her bed while her parents attend a charity function for Daddy's homeless shelter foundation. You play a team of detectives in a newly created department which handles sensitive cases. Since the mayor is buddies with the Daddy Warbucks character, the team is called in.
For the most part, the scenes & graphics are middle-to well done. The cut scenes are junk--some sort of water colour or drawings of the characters which look as though the art budget was tapped out by the time the creators got to this part! Characters looked different than their CGI counterparts, strange looking with eyes too close together or the female having a manish look to her face but PLENTY of cleavage the rest of the time! As I said, strange, but other than the cut scenes, no real complaints.
Gameplay was pretty standard--a map which lights the locations you can/must go to next, with very few choices allowed.
There were puzzles in every chapter, many of which were old standards or variations on them, so nothing new or creative there...nor too difficult.
All in all, a good few hours of sleuthing pleasure, where the creators did not lose sight of the storyline. Puzzles were average, not too difficult and after a minute or 2, you are able to Skip without penalty. In several situations, you do get to be the lab/crime scene tech & perform tests such as GSR or fingerprinting. Sometimes there was little or no instruction on HOW to perform them, just trial and error. There is no time kept nor points awarded in the game, either. A good way to spend a rainy evening or day.
Try it--a bit of old school HOG with some crime solving--you might enjoy it enough to buy it, as I did, with no regrets.
I recommend this game!
Follow the Hidden Expedition Adventure Team to Devil`s Triangle and help track down Phoebe, a famous ace pilot lost at sea!
Overall rating
2
/
5
44 of 57 found this review helpful
If you like more adventure than Hidden Objects...
PostedMarch 12, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
than this is the game for you! I LOVE the HO genre, but find games like Hidden Expedition-Devil's Triangle to be very frustrating and not at all the relaxing experience I am looking for in a game.
Let me confess that I am really a HO purist at heart and dislike all the games purporting to be HO games when they are truly adventure games with some HO scenes or element to them...this does NOT make it a HO game!!!
I liked the idea, the premise, the graphics of the game. I did NOT like having to do 43 things FIRST before I could do ANYTHING. You begin with a HO scene--that was great--outside the beetle-powered sub you are taking on your classified mission to the Triangle. On board, you are directed to tune the radio into the home base frequency to download the secret coordinates and get the sub moving...BUT FIRST you have to fix the dern radio! So, you must search for the missing parts, of which only 1 involved any kind of HO scene. There were some scenes where you were to match 2 items that went together--even if HOW they went together was obscure (like a sneaker and a horse shoe or a rabbit's foot charm and clicking on the front left paw of Albrect Durer's real rabbit lithograph).
So, if you WANT MORE challenge and hard work in your game, more adventure and fewer HO scenes in your HO genre, then get this game as you will enjoy it. If, like me, you are frustrated by this type of so-called HO game, try the free sample and decide if you like it.
So, if you WANT MORE challenge and hard work in your game, more adventure and fewer HO scenes in your HO genre, then get this game as you will enjoy it. If, like me, you are frustrated by this type of so-called HO game, try the free sample and decide if you like it.
I don't recommend this game.
A piece of jewelry, the Moonstone, has been stolen, and it`s up to you to track it down! Investigate the suspects to catch the crook.
Overall rating
2
/
5
55 of 73 found this review helpful
Frustration Masterpiece
PostedMarch 10, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game should NOT have been included in the Hidden Objects genre! Just because the player must search for every item needed to progress beyond standing still does NOT make it a hidden object game! This is a BUT FIRST...game--you need to leave the roof top, BUT FIRST you have to find a hook...BUT FIRST you have to find a knife to open the satchel that hides the hook...BUT FIRST, you have to find a strong stick to attach the hook to...You get the picture, I am sure.
Yes, the graphics were of acceptable quality and yes, I thought the story line/premise of the game was intriguing, thus I downloaded the game (free download only). It was an exercise in frustration for me. I do not enjoy the But First games, they are usually Adventure games. Of the 75+ games I have downloaded/bought/played here on BF, I haven't come across another as frustrating as this one (thank goodness!).
IF you like adventure games that involve major amounts of searching, thinking, seeking and putting items together to make another, then this is a game for you.
IF you are expecting a lovely bit of HO seeking, this is NOT the game for you!
I hope that whoever is responsible for choosing the genres of the games will be more strict on their qualifications in the future. I just wasted minutes of my life I cannot get back because this game was billed as a HO game...instead a got a whole lot of frustration, searching, clicking and finally giving up!
SKIP THIS ONE if you are looking for a HO game with some adventure facets to it--this is totally the opposite and I did not come across any traditional HO scenes in the time I played.
Yes, the graphics were of acceptable quality and yes, I thought the story line/premise of the game was intriguing, thus I downloaded the game (free download only). It was an exercise in frustration for me. I do not enjoy the But First games, they are usually Adventure games. Of the 75+ games I have downloaded/bought/played here on BF, I haven't come across another as frustrating as this one (thank goodness!).
IF you like adventure games that involve major amounts of searching, thinking, seeking and putting items together to make another, then this is a game for you.
IF you are expecting a lovely bit of HO seeking, this is NOT the game for you!
I hope that whoever is responsible for choosing the genres of the games will be more strict on their qualifications in the future. I just wasted minutes of my life I cannot get back because this game was billed as a HO game...instead a got a whole lot of frustration, searching, clicking and finally giving up!
SKIP THIS ONE if you are looking for a HO game with some adventure facets to it--this is totally the opposite and I did not come across any traditional HO scenes in the time I played.
I don't 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
5
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Visually Stunning, Great Ratio of HOS to Adventure
PostedFebruary 19, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Concept is similar to the Midnight Mysteries premise--except instead of solving a historical/literary figure's murder, this time you are attempting to solve and thwart a murder conspiracy. HOS and indeed, the entire game, is lush and lovely with beautiful graphics and well drawn items. Everything is fairly true to the period (16th C) with the exception of the items to find in the HOS. Good storyline, but fairly easy to ascertain who is involved in the conspiracy and who the actual murderer is.
Totally enjoyed the playing of this game. No walkthrough or helps needed, really. There were a couple of times it was tricky to figure out what to do or where to go next, but relatively easy to solve. Many kinds of puzzles, too; as well as varied on the HOS.
It took me about 3.5-4.5 hours to play completely. Well worth the price!
Totally enjoyed the playing of this game. No walkthrough or helps needed, really. There were a couple of times it was tricky to figure out what to do or where to go next, but relatively easy to solve. Many kinds of puzzles, too; as well as varied on the HOS.
It took me about 3.5-4.5 hours to play completely. Well worth the price!
I recommend this game!
A crime spree baffles Huntsville™ police! Can you help solve the crime?
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 10 found this review helpful
Boooring!
PostedJanuary 28, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
I expected so much more from this game as it was a MCF game and boy was I disappointed! Some of the 'crimes' were ridiculous while others were stupid. Same HO scenes over and over and over--the locations on the map (maybe 20 overall) were different with each case, but repeated over and over. Some objects on list were different, but the scenes themselves were not--so repetitive it quickly became boring.
On the plus side, the crimes were quickly solved and some were humorous/clever. No real challenges, just funny or witty names of criminals vs crimes. In each case, the last location/scene of HO would include a puzzle to put together that showed the culprit. Based on this 'solving' of the case, you were rewarded with an upgrade in your crime solving status. Like I said--NO CHALLENGE, no real mystery or crime, no whodunit, just HO.
Maybe your cup of tea, but was not mine! I do not want to be frustrated, but also don't want to be nodding off at my keyboard or memorizing the HO scenes!
On the plus side, the crimes were quickly solved and some were humorous/clever. No real challenges, just funny or witty names of criminals vs crimes. In each case, the last location/scene of HO would include a puzzle to put together that showed the culprit. Based on this 'solving' of the case, you were rewarded with an upgrade in your crime solving status. Like I said--NO CHALLENGE, no real mystery or crime, no whodunit, just HO.
Maybe your cup of tea, but was not mine! I do not want to be frustrated, but also don't want to be nodding off at my keyboard or memorizing the HO scenes!
I don't recommend this game.
Overall rating
5
/
5
77 of 81 found this review helpful
Old School Mystery HO Game!
PostedJanuary 28, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
No scary stuff here--no vampires, ghouls, or scares--just HO scenes and a mystery. Jack Macey is a PI on the trail of some mysterious relics. His daughter, Penny, arrives at his new office to find it's been tossed and her dad is missing! Playing as Penny, we follow the hints and clues her dad has left (& we find) to beat the bad guys/robbers to the relics. Nice HO scenes, some figuring out where something is hidden or what to do next (such as how to dust for fingerprints) is involved in each level.
Overall, I found this a nice, sort of 'Old School' HO game--no blood and guts, but a good mystery beat the bad guys to the relics and rescue your dad game. If you like mysteries, like HO games and are as tired as I of the scary/spookie/eerie and gross HO games that seem to be all the rage just now, then this is a game for you. Not too easy, not too hard, just plain old fashioned fun!
Overall, I found this a nice, sort of 'Old School' HO game--no blood and guts, but a good mystery beat the bad guys to the relics and rescue your dad game. If you like mysteries, like HO games and are as tired as I of the scary/spookie/eerie and gross HO games that seem to be all the rage just now, then this is a game for you. Not too easy, not too hard, just plain old fashioned fun!
I recommend this game!
When a casual fling turns steamy for a brilliant wedding photographer, Mackensie decides to try to capture the romance!
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 21 found this review helpful
Pretty, Serene, Romantic!
PostedJanuary 21, 2012
queenvon
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
This game, by a romance novelist, supposedly follows 1 of her novels in a series about brides. Having never read her novels nor being a fan of romance fiction, I was skeptical about this game--but shouldn't have worried. It was BEAUTIFUL, with lovely artwork and graphics--even winter scenes were beautiful & made you want to walk into them! There were plenty of HO scenes, with objects easy to moderate to find. The story line revolved around 3 women who banded together to make a wedding business--everything from planning to photos to catering and the place. The mini games were clever: match the cake (icing colors and decorations) to what the client ordered to cropping photos from the wedding.
Easy on the eye, nice story, sweet ending, well thought out and done. Nice HO scenes, plenty of play time. Well spent time and money for some gentle, romantic time for YOU! Good for Beginners & Intermediates; not much of a challenge but mostly pure HO game with several mini games. No adventure or strategy involved, no frustration or figuring out where to go or what to do next.
Easy on the eye, nice story, sweet ending, well thought out and done. Nice HO scenes, plenty of play time. Well spent time and money for some gentle, romantic time for YOU! Good for Beginners & Intermediates; not much of a challenge but mostly pure HO game with several mini games. No adventure or strategy involved, no frustration or figuring out where to go or what to do next.
I recommend this game!