pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4712
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 24, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
When Leitan Keyes, a famous inventor, finishes his latest invention a sudden visit from the future will shatter his world.
Overall rating
5
/
5
217 of 247 found this review helpful
I HAVEN'T PLAYED A GAME WITH THIS GOOD OF A STORY SINCE JANUARY 2011!
PostedApril 18, 2020
pennmom36
fromIn 1926 Hugo Gemsback founded the 1st sci-fi magazine Amazing Stories, he tried to trademark the term sci-fi Wernher Von Braun, a German physicist and rocket engineer wrote space fiction and was an adviser to sci-fi movies such as Conquest of Space
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.5 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
28 Main Game Scene Locations +8 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate-Expert
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
28 Main Game Scene Locations +8 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate-Expert
I know I have complained a lot lately about games with the same old unimaginative cliche tasks, boring plots, Hidden Object Scenes without the "hidden object" aspect, repetitive mini-games and above all, ridiculous storylines told so many times in so many ways that you know what's going to happen when it will happen, and why. You know who the bad guy will be, where the HOS locations will be the second you enter a new location, and you know what inventory item you're going to need for every problem that arises. Thank you, Brave Giant, you made me think, you made me solve problems, you kept me guessing, you surprised me with the plot several times with "I didn't see that one coming" you entertained me with creative hidden object scenes, you confused me as to what I was supposed to do (that's a good thing, folks!) but mostly, you kept me engaged from beginning to end...you went back to the drawing board and created a masterpiece!
This game won't be everybody's cup of coffee, first of all, you'll have to be a sci-fi fan, or perhaps a computer geek to appreciate it. Yes, the story is similar to a popular Arnold movie series...but it's a great plot and to the best of my knowledge, it's a plot that hasn't been turned into a HOPA before. I haven't played a game with such an interesting plot since my Phavorite original Phantasmat! With the exception of a few logic fails (hey, that's just HOPA world) the story is credible. I loved that most of the tasks weren't obvious, that solutions had to be thought about versus clicking here, clicking there, always on auto-pilot because you've done it a thousand times. I will admit that it started out a little slow, but once the plot unfolded, they had me hook line and sinker. IF you are looking for a game with a great storyline and very creative Hidden Object Scenes, I think you will love this game. As I said, it starts out a little slow, so stick with it, the real fun begins at chapter two :)
웃G.A.D.G.E.T웃
I gotta tell ya, I was completely annoyed by a Watch Gadget that appeared in the first scene. This watch allows you remote access to A.R.N.O.L.D. but every time this feature becomes available it's I.C.O.N would start making the most incredibly annoying N.O.I.S.E. until you clicked on it to pick it up and clicked a second time on the screen to use his services. Within the first 3-4 scenes, it was used 7 times and I was ready to turn the sound completely off by this point, thankfully, the watch went M.I.A shortly after. There wasn't any game or HOP attached to its use so hang in there, it's only used 7 times and only in the beginning of the first chapter.
웃G.A.D.G.E.T웃
I gotta tell ya, I was completely annoyed by a Watch Gadget that appeared in the first scene. This watch allows you remote access to A.R.N.O.L.D. but every time this feature becomes available it's I.C.O.N would start making the most incredibly annoying N.O.I.S.E. until you clicked on it to pick it up and clicked a second time on the screen to use his services. Within the first 3-4 scenes, it was used 7 times and I was ready to turn the sound completely off by this point, thankfully, the watch went M.I.A shortly after. There wasn't any game or HOP attached to its use so hang in there, it's only used 7 times and only in the beginning of the first chapter.
☽☾Morphing Objects/Collectibles: (CE version only)☼
There is a Digital Article in each scene, some of which are very nicely hidden. There are only 14 Morphing Photo Fragments that morph at a great pace. I loved the collectibles but I HATE the fact that they don't allow you to return to the scenes to pick up any missed collectibles! I missed both collectibles in one scene when I exited out of the game for a bit, and when I returned, I simply forgot that I hadn't looked for the morph. So now I have no idea what the outcome of these two features are unless I replay the entire game again all because I missed a single digital article and a single morphing photo fragment :(
There is a Digital Article in each scene, some of which are very nicely hidden. There are only 14 Morphing Photo Fragments that morph at a great pace. I loved the collectibles but I HATE the fact that they don't allow you to return to the scenes to pick up any missed collectibles! I missed both collectibles in one scene when I exited out of the game for a bit, and when I returned, I simply forgot that I hadn't looked for the morph. So now I have no idea what the outcome of these two features are unless I replay the entire game again all because I missed a single digital article and a single morphing photo fragment :(
◔Hidden Object Scenes◕
There are 18 Hidden Object Scenes +3 in the CE Bonus Chapter. If you have read my reviews in the past, you'll know that HOP's don't ever challenge me. I can usually click on all the objects without looking at the list because they stick out like a sore thumb. Brave Giant just ruined my track record with some of the most creative, and challenging HO scenes I've ever seen! There are a few somewhat average scenes, but Boris put on his thinking cap for these HO scenes folks, every one of them is incredibly interactive, and/or Progressive, and include at least one object that morphs and can only be clicked on when it is in the correct object form. There are Interactive List Finds, Multiples of the Same Object Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, or Spot The Difference Finds. There were two in particular that I went bonkers over. The first type I fell in love with, was a bunch of symbols and icons located on a Honeycomb Grid, some icons morphed, some were cleverly blended between cell outlines, others required rotating 3 cells to recreate a particular symbol (another variation required swapping a single cell or group of cells for the same scenario) My absolute favorite (in HOPA history) were 2 different HOP's, both were located on a computer screen and required several not-so-obvious progressive interactions. They were very similar to a Rube Goldberg type of puzzle where you have to fiddle with several aspects and use discoveries to unlock the next interactions. Simply genius, Boris! I may be the only one who appreciates the thought process but you really thought outside the box with these! If you don't appreciate the huge entertainment factor of some of these HOP's, there is an alternate Associated Pair game available where you flip two tiles at a time and match objects that are similar such as a Horse & Car.
There are 18 Hidden Object Scenes +3 in the CE Bonus Chapter. If you have read my reviews in the past, you'll know that HOP's don't ever challenge me. I can usually click on all the objects without looking at the list because they stick out like a sore thumb. Brave Giant just ruined my track record with some of the most creative, and challenging HO scenes I've ever seen! There are a few somewhat average scenes, but Boris put on his thinking cap for these HO scenes folks, every one of them is incredibly interactive, and/or Progressive, and include at least one object that morphs and can only be clicked on when it is in the correct object form. There are Interactive List Finds, Multiples of the Same Object Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, or Spot The Difference Finds. There were two in particular that I went bonkers over. The first type I fell in love with, was a bunch of symbols and icons located on a Honeycomb Grid, some icons morphed, some were cleverly blended between cell outlines, others required rotating 3 cells to recreate a particular symbol (another variation required swapping a single cell or group of cells for the same scenario) My absolute favorite (in HOPA history) were 2 different HOP's, both were located on a computer screen and required several not-so-obvious progressive interactions. They were very similar to a Rube Goldberg type of puzzle where you have to fiddle with several aspects and use discoveries to unlock the next interactions. Simply genius, Boris! I may be the only one who appreciates the thought process but you really thought outside the box with these! If you don't appreciate the huge entertainment factor of some of these HOP's, there is an alternate Associated Pair game available where you flip two tiles at a time and match objects that are similar such as a Horse & Car.
♙Mini-Games♙
There are 32 Mini-Games +11 in the CE Bonus Chapter, most of which are mechanical, digital, or computer-related, and some of the most creative, and entertaining games I've played in a long time. That seems like a ton of games, but don't freak out if you aren't a mini-game fan, because a lot of the mini-games are 3-part puzzles that have a few different variations, they aren't brain-burners, but do require a bit of thought. The only ones I wasn't a fan of are the ones where clicking on one affects others because to me, they are annoying and frustrating (I want to solve a puzzle using logic not trying to guess the correct combination of moves a developer decided upon!) My only complaint with the mini-games is that out of 43 mini-games, only 8 can be replayed in the extras menu??!!?? Here's a list of a few of my personal favorites:
There are 32 Mini-Games +11 in the CE Bonus Chapter, most of which are mechanical, digital, or computer-related, and some of the most creative, and entertaining games I've played in a long time. That seems like a ton of games, but don't freak out if you aren't a mini-game fan, because a lot of the mini-games are 3-part puzzles that have a few different variations, they aren't brain-burners, but do require a bit of thought. The only ones I wasn't a fan of are the ones where clicking on one affects others because to me, they are annoying and frustrating (I want to solve a puzzle using logic not trying to guess the correct combination of moves a developer decided upon!) My only complaint with the mini-games is that out of 43 mini-games, only 8 can be replayed in the extras menu??!!?? Here's a list of a few of my personal favorites:
1-Several variations of connecting color-coded wires. (including connecting the left to the right via path connectors) ♡♡♡
2-Select directional arrows to move 3 nodes to their slots, using obstacles as bumpers. ♡♡
3-Assemble items in the correct sequence by solving various math equations (loved the clever use of equations, but up the ante next time with some real brain-burner math problems to solve!) ♡♡♡
4-Move to every spot along tracks without backtracking. ♡♡
5-Shoot several Drones moving at various speeds when the target is located within the "zone" and briefly turns green---harder and more fun than you'd expect! ♡♡♡
6-Select points on columns & rows according to clues in the descriptions. ♡
7-Move characters by selecting a chosen path at the correct time to avoid capture (3 different variations, one of which has drones that move 2 spaces each time you move 1 space) ♡♡♡
8-Untangle wires (a somewhat challenging version for once!) ♡♡
9-Rotate the central hub and select outer fragments to lock onto the central hub when they align. (I would love to have 2-3 outer layers to make this more challenging!!) ♡♡♡
2-Select directional arrows to move 3 nodes to their slots, using obstacles as bumpers. ♡♡
3-Assemble items in the correct sequence by solving various math equations (loved the clever use of equations, but up the ante next time with some real brain-burner math problems to solve!) ♡♡♡
4-Move to every spot along tracks without backtracking. ♡♡
5-Shoot several Drones moving at various speeds when the target is located within the "zone" and briefly turns green---harder and more fun than you'd expect! ♡♡♡
6-Select points on columns & rows according to clues in the descriptions. ♡
7-Move characters by selecting a chosen path at the correct time to avoid capture (3 different variations, one of which has drones that move 2 spaces each time you move 1 space) ♡♡♡
8-Untangle wires (a somewhat challenging version for once!) ♡♡
9-Rotate the central hub and select outer fragments to lock onto the central hub when they align. (I would love to have 2-3 outer layers to make this more challenging!!) ♡♡♡
✯Bonus Chapter (Collector's Edition version only)✯
I'm not going to say much about the storyline folks, to say anything would give away the awesome plot of the main game. The only thing I'll say is that the show continues and it's a good one at that. There are 8 Scene Locations in this decent-length bonus chapter with an additional 11 Mini-Games and 3 Hidden Object Scenes, however, there are no Collectibles or Morphing Objects.
I'm not going to say much about the storyline folks, to say anything would give away the awesome plot of the main game. The only thing I'll say is that the show continues and it's a good one at that. There are 8 Scene Locations in this decent-length bonus chapter with an additional 11 Mini-Games and 3 Hidden Object Scenes, however, there are no Collectibles or Morphing Objects.
♕Collector's Edition Extra's♕
16 Wallpapers (none of which have characters on them, whoo-hooo! 5 Music Soundtracks, 8 Cutscene Videos, 24 Achievements, 8 Replayable Mini-Games, 8 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 14 Morphing Photo Fragments, 28 Digital Articles, 4 Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-in Strategy Guide.
16 Wallpapers (none of which have characters on them, whoo-hooo! 5 Music Soundtracks, 8 Cutscene Videos, 24 Achievements, 8 Replayable Mini-Games, 8 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 14 Morphing Photo Fragments, 28 Digital Articles, 4 Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-in Strategy Guide.
FAMILY MYSTERIES SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Poisonous Promises (October 26-2019) 3.7
2-Echoes of Tomorrow (April 8-2020) n/a
2-Echoes of Tomorrow (April 8-2020) n/a
by: Brave Giant Studio
I recommend this game!
Can you clear an innocent man’s name in time?
Overall rating
1
/
5
52 of 68 found this review helpful
FATAL EVIDENCE: THERE'S A LOT "MISSING"
PostedApril 17, 2020
pennmom36
fromLooking for a game with an original plot? Try my Phavorite game Phantasmat
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Completed Game approximately 4.5 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & CE Bonus Chapter)
24 Main Game Scene Locations +8 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Ranges: Beginner
(including completion of all puzzles & CE Bonus Chapter)
24 Main Game Scene Locations +8 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Ranges: Beginner
I'm finding it very ironic that last week's game did an amazing job of abandoning nearly all cliche tasks and cookie-cutter features, while this game dove right in to take its place! It's ironic because last week's game was by a developer who had gotten so lazy that they became known as "The Emblem Motif" dev, while this developer was the polar opposite and always gave us a 100% effort. Now that developer is trying really hard to make their games more worthy, while this developer is losing their drive. I suppose when one rises, the other falls.
The tasks in this game (and most of their games lately )are so repetitive (and ridiculous) that I decided to skip taking notes on the storyline and start taking notes on just how repetitive the tasks were. Take a look at all these cliches, been there, done that, over and over, and over again. tasks Why do they stretch out a game to 5 chapters if they can't come up with new tasks for every chapter?????????
*These are tasks, not solutions!*
*move live wires...don't all police stations have bare wires laying on the floor?
*use lockpicks-discard lockpicks for the next guy, the one before you did the same!
*attach chain & hooks several x's...something suspicious is going on here?
*pry open doors and lockers because the Hulk recently passed thru town.
*saw branches and/or roots-discard saw...I'm sure the tree has survived worse?
*find keys-if you can't find the key, make one...yes I'm serious
*disperse smoke-discard smoke disperser
*remove nails--discard nail remover-doesn't anyone know how to hammer a nail w/o bending it over?
*feed animal-lots of animals-cuz you probably just destroyed their home (see above) it's the least you can do
*scare away animals-but only if you don't have food to feed them, I'm sure they still have homes
*bend rebar bars-several x's-where's Hulk when you need him?
*replace statues, figurines, toys & mannequin parts
*replace inlays & motif shaped items-all boxes require them
*replace batteries & bulbs-may as well take the gas can while you're out... it's coming, wait for it
*remove gooey substances from everything-this I have no response for
*use chisel-discard chisel-chisel while you work
*use awl-discard awl-repeat often-who decided upon this name an owl?
*tape wires-discard tape
*use tweezers-discard tweezers
*remove screws-discard screwdriver-use screwdriver & discard 6 more times
*use corkscrew 3-4 x's-discard after each use
*use magnet-discard-use magnet-discard-use magnet-discard
*replace buttons-ALL of them
*replace drawer knobs-ALL of them
*dig dirt pile, dig sandpile, dig another dirt pile & another sandpile-all with different tools
*use hairpin-4 of them in fact-use pushpins pins when hairpins aren't available, duh
*plug escaping steam-3 x's
*replace missing valves-I lost count!
*replace lots of missing wheels
*remove a ton of bricks-literally, move a ton of bricks!
*remove broken glass...cuz there's broken glass everywhere
*use oil-you know what for :)
*remove cobwebs, dust, dirt, ashes, even stylophone
*replace lots of ladder rungs-whata ya know, some are intact!
*cut rope, string, twine, and thread-just cut anything tied together
*saw anything and everything-don't forget to throw it away each time tho...this is important to remember!
*use pliers, bolt cutters, Allen wrenches, and wrenches, but only the disposable kind
*use and discard files-doesn't everyone?
*use hammer, if no hammer any heavy object works well
*replace every chain-seriously this town has a chain thief!
*bees-you know what to do!
*levers-the chain thief has moved on to bigger and better items!
*fuel-apparently when things run out of gas in this town they just walk away, no wonder they turn to a life of chain & lever crime
*gloves-multi-purpose, they may not be disposable gloves but that's easily remedied...toss them...just do it!
*move live wires...don't all police stations have bare wires laying on the floor?
*use lockpicks-discard lockpicks for the next guy, the one before you did the same!
*attach chain & hooks several x's...something suspicious is going on here?
*pry open doors and lockers because the Hulk recently passed thru town.
*saw branches and/or roots-discard saw...I'm sure the tree has survived worse?
*find keys-if you can't find the key, make one...yes I'm serious
*disperse smoke-discard smoke disperser
*remove nails--discard nail remover-doesn't anyone know how to hammer a nail w/o bending it over?
*feed animal-lots of animals-cuz you probably just destroyed their home (see above) it's the least you can do
*scare away animals-but only if you don't have food to feed them, I'm sure they still have homes
*bend rebar bars-several x's-where's Hulk when you need him?
*replace statues, figurines, toys & mannequin parts
*replace inlays & motif shaped items-all boxes require them
*replace batteries & bulbs-may as well take the gas can while you're out... it's coming, wait for it
*remove gooey substances from everything-this I have no response for
*use chisel-discard chisel-chisel while you work
*use awl-discard awl-repeat often-who decided upon this name an owl?
*tape wires-discard tape
*use tweezers-discard tweezers
*remove screws-discard screwdriver-use screwdriver & discard 6 more times
*use corkscrew 3-4 x's-discard after each use
*use magnet-discard-use magnet-discard-use magnet-discard
*replace buttons-ALL of them
*replace drawer knobs-ALL of them
*dig dirt pile, dig sandpile, dig another dirt pile & another sandpile-all with different tools
*use hairpin-4 of them in fact-use pushpins pins when hairpins aren't available, duh
*plug escaping steam-3 x's
*replace missing valves-I lost count!
*replace lots of missing wheels
*remove a ton of bricks-literally, move a ton of bricks!
*remove broken glass...cuz there's broken glass everywhere
*use oil-you know what for :)
*remove cobwebs, dust, dirt, ashes, even stylophone
*replace lots of ladder rungs-whata ya know, some are intact!
*cut rope, string, twine, and thread-just cut anything tied together
*saw anything and everything-don't forget to throw it away each time tho...this is important to remember!
*use pliers, bolt cutters, Allen wrenches, and wrenches, but only the disposable kind
*use and discard files-doesn't everyone?
*use hammer, if no hammer any heavy object works well
*replace every chain-seriously this town has a chain thief!
*bees-you know what to do!
*levers-the chain thief has moved on to bigger and better items!
*fuel-apparently when things run out of gas in this town they just walk away, no wonder they turn to a life of chain & lever crime
*gloves-multi-purpose, they may not be disposable gloves but that's easily remedied...toss them...just do it!
Collectibles & Morphing Objects (CE Version Only):
Domini always gives you plenty of CE Bling, but they are always the same, they never change and never will! You can enable/disable the Collectibles availability Tabs and choose whether or not to show them on the Map as well. There are 15 Morphing Statuettes that tell you about Dakota & Colin Wright (the same number of statuettes, the same morphing statuettes available in every game in every series by Domini) 15 Photographs (same number of photo, same photos-different pictures) and 40 Zoom Zone Coins that are used to purchase 15 Kitchen Items. (same Coins-different room to buy the items with) I love collectibles & morphs, that's why I pay the extra price for the CE version, but it gets pretty boring when they are the same collectibles every time!
Domini always gives you plenty of CE Bling, but they are always the same, they never change and never will! You can enable/disable the Collectibles availability Tabs and choose whether or not to show them on the Map as well. There are 15 Morphing Statuettes that tell you about Dakota & Colin Wright (the same number of statuettes, the same morphing statuettes available in every game in every series by Domini) 15 Photographs (same number of photo, same photos-different pictures) and 40 Zoom Zone Coins that are used to purchase 15 Kitchen Items. (same Coins-different room to buy the items with) I love collectibles & morphs, that's why I pay the extra price for the CE version, but it gets pretty boring when they are the same collectibles every time!
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available, which btw, doesn't allow you to make consecutive matches quickly. (you have to wait for all tiles to stop falling before you can make the next match) These are the same types of HO's they always offer, in fact, I think they are in the same order in all of their games) they are neither challenging, creative, or located in interesting scenes, The objects to find stick out like a sore thumb, the kind of HO scenes where you can click on 90% of the objects correctly, without even looking at the list! They include Interactive List Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds, Spot the Difference Finds, Multiples of the same Objects Finds. Replace Items into the Scene, and Combo Silhouettes (find items that match the description of two combined items) Sound familiar?
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available, which btw, doesn't allow you to make consecutive matches quickly. (you have to wait for all tiles to stop falling before you can make the next match) These are the same types of HO's they always offer, in fact, I think they are in the same order in all of their games) they are neither challenging, creative, or located in interesting scenes, The objects to find stick out like a sore thumb, the kind of HO scenes where you can click on 90% of the objects correctly, without even looking at the list! They include Interactive List Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds, Spot the Difference Finds, Multiples of the same Objects Finds. Replace Items into the Scene, and Combo Silhouettes (find items that match the description of two combined items) Sound familiar?
Mini-Games:
There are 17 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. You can choose to play them in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode and you can choose which mode to have them start out in the Custom Setting (you can still switch between modes for each individual game) These are the same games offered in their last game from another series, the only thing that changed was the graphics, See if any of these sound familiar?
1-Arrange tokens so they travel along paths to their matching-colored slots.
2-Navigate through rooms, collecting items to use to progress forward.
3-Swap buttons along paths to their color-coded slots & rotate to the positions shown.
4-Select numbers 3-5-7 and arrows to move the dial clockwise or counterclockwise to land on the correct shapes.
5-Move sliders according to the clues of numbers that are <->-=.
6-Find the numbers that intersect on the row & column and enter on a lock.
7-Move blocks to free a path for the key block.
8-Adjust shapes hanging on chains to match the shadow silhouettes.
9-Connect colored wires to matching colored slots.
10-Use a forklift to move the crate using directional arrows.
11-Swap lock teeth until they align.
12-Click on Cubes to change the image to the correct sequents of events.
There are 17 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. You can choose to play them in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode and you can choose which mode to have them start out in the Custom Setting (you can still switch between modes for each individual game) These are the same games offered in their last game from another series, the only thing that changed was the graphics, See if any of these sound familiar?
1-Arrange tokens so they travel along paths to their matching-colored slots.
2-Navigate through rooms, collecting items to use to progress forward.
3-Swap buttons along paths to their color-coded slots & rotate to the positions shown.
4-Select numbers 3-5-7 and arrows to move the dial clockwise or counterclockwise to land on the correct shapes.
5-Move sliders according to the clues of numbers that are <->-=.
6-Find the numbers that intersect on the row & column and enter on a lock.
7-Move blocks to free a path for the key block.
8-Adjust shapes hanging on chains to match the shadow silhouettes.
9-Connect colored wires to matching colored slots.
10-Use a forklift to move the crate using directional arrows.
11-Swap lock teeth until they align.
12-Click on Cubes to change the image to the correct sequents of events.
Bonus Chapter (CE Version Only)
Let the games begin! After receiving a video message from an anonymous man (and of course cloaked & masked) you are rendered unconscious after being zapped by a taser. Apparently, this begrudged citizen isn't very fond of journalists, and you discover you have just one hour to escape, naturally, while reflecting on your morals. This is a slightly above average-length chapter spanning over 8 scene locations with 6 additional Mini-Games and 5 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue your search for the final 4 Morphing Character Statuettes, 4 Photographs, and 7 Zoom Zone Coins which allows you to purchase the final Kitchen item decorations. This chapter contains the same repetitive tasks as the main game, just in case you hadn't yet grown weary of finding a barrage of ropes, buried items, caches, exposed wires, missing knobs, chains, and padlocks.
Let the games begin! After receiving a video message from an anonymous man (and of course cloaked & masked) you are rendered unconscious after being zapped by a taser. Apparently, this begrudged citizen isn't very fond of journalists, and you discover you have just one hour to escape, naturally, while reflecting on your morals. This is a slightly above average-length chapter spanning over 8 scene locations with 6 additional Mini-Games and 5 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue your search for the final 4 Morphing Character Statuettes, 4 Photographs, and 7 Zoom Zone Coins which allows you to purchase the final Kitchen item decorations. This chapter contains the same repetitive tasks as the main game, just in case you hadn't yet grown weary of finding a barrage of ropes, buried items, caches, exposed wires, missing knobs, chains, and padlocks.
Collector's Edition Extra's: (CE version only)
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 27 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements (the same achievements offered in all of their games), 15 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Statuettes (learn about Colin & Dakota Wright's life) 15 Photographs, 40 Zoom Zone Coins, 14 Kitchen Items (purchase with the collectible Coins) 5 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 27 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements (the same achievements offered in all of their games), 15 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Statuettes (learn about Colin & Dakota Wright's life) 15 Photographs, 40 Zoom Zone Coins, 14 Kitchen Items (purchase with the collectible Coins) 5 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
FATAL EVIDENCE SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-The Cursed Island (June 14-2019) n/a
2-The Missing (April 17-2020) n/a
by: Domini Games
2-The Missing (April 17-2020) n/a
by: Domini Games
I don't recommend this game.
A mysterious birthday gift uncovers a sinister kidnapping plot!
Overall rating
3
/
5
151 of 173 found this review helpful
WELL THAT DIDN'T LAST LONG, LOOKS LIKE E̶L̶E̶P̶H̶A̶N̶T̶ EMBLEM GAMES HAS RETURNED :(
PostedApril 16, 2020
pennmom36
from“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” a quote misattributed to Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin & Mark Twain. The 1st time it appeared was in a Narcotics Anonymous pamphlet in 1981!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.0 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
18 Main Game Scene Locations +8 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
18 Main Game Scene Locations +8 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
I loved the last game in a different series by this developer because they had seemingly ditched their old cliche habits, in particular, the overly-used and definitely abused scenario of having to find and place an Emblem Motif on everything from drawers to doors. They're back...Emblem Games has returned with an emblem-placing fury! Need to make a phone call? Find an Emblem! Need to quickly access a fire extinguisher? Find and place an Emblem! (& then assemble the fire extinguisher once you find the life-saving pieces...safety first?)
I thought E̶l̶e̶p̶h̶a̶n̶t̶ Emblem Games was stepping in the right direction with their last game because they seemed to have caught onto the fact that people are sooo over the repetitive, cliche tasks. They're Back too, They're Back too! Remove objects encased in a Gooey substance, brush away Cobwebs, Oil away 30-years of rust and decay instantly, exchange food with a wild animal for an inventory item, everybody's purse has intricate locking mechanisms that are always missing, and coincidentally, found in an entirely different scene (including in the possession of a random character whom they never met) distract the kitty, spay insects guarding a cache, coin screwdrivers (who uses flat-head screws nowadays?) ALL doors, drawers, and cabinets are missing handles, an entire refrigerator encased in enough ice to fuel a new Ice Age, windows that have key locks...all of them, especially the ones without handles, padlocks to saw, items stuck in cracks & crevices (that's where I keep my valuable knick-knacks) items stuck in cushions, statues to repair and place on bases...all of them of course.
I mistakenly thought Emblem Games was putting the back and forth scenario in the rearview mirror. They're Back...& Forth! If you find an item in one scene, you can bet your bottom dollar that it will be needed in the previous scene to expose an item that's needed in the scene you just left! It's not just that you go back and forth constantly, it's the fact that you have nothing else to do in that scene between running to & fro, it's a one step forward, one step backward repetitive procedure that seems to be a distraction so you'll believe the game is longer than it actually is. IF they removed the back & forth scenario, this game would take less than two hours to complete, and I'm not exaggerating!
웃Helper/Gadget웃
Richard is both a Gadget and a Helper that makes an appearance 4 times in the main game and 3 times in the CE Bonus Chapter. He's one of the weirdest Gadget/Helpers in HOPA history, but Grim Tales would be nothing without him, lol. Just give Grandpa Ricky a little pat on the skull and, poof! he instantly appears with sarcastic words of encouragement! There's no repetitive game or hoops to jump through, but he always hands over the goods, aka an inventory item you usually don't yet know you need. PS: did anyone else think it was freaky-creepy (not in a good creepy way) that Alice was playing with Grandpa?
Richard is both a Gadget and a Helper that makes an appearance 4 times in the main game and 3 times in the CE Bonus Chapter. He's one of the weirdest Gadget/Helpers in HOPA history, but Grim Tales would be nothing without him, lol. Just give Grandpa Ricky a little pat on the skull and, poof! he instantly appears with sarcastic words of encouragement! There's no repetitive game or hoops to jump through, but he always hands over the goods, aka an inventory item you usually don't yet know you need. PS: did anyone else think it was freaky-creepy (not in a good creepy way) that Alice was playing with Grandpa?
☽☾Morphing Objects/Collectibles: (CE version only)☼
There are 26 Morphing Objects, one per scene. Although not super challenging to spot, they did a decent job with not-so-obvious object selection and size. It would be awesome if they could slow down the speed in which the object morphs to make them a little more challenging to spot and they need to change the objects that morph from game to game. For example, they always have a morphing window, bas-relief or a morphing picture. They never place them really high or really low, far left or far right, they are almost always at eye level and you quickly catch on to the pattern) It would be super-cool if they would go the extra mile to include authentic, non-linear morphs that don't morph the first time you visit a scene, they have to be triggered by an event or task in a completely different scene!
There are 26 Morphing Objects, one per scene. Although not super challenging to spot, they did a decent job with not-so-obvious object selection and size. It would be awesome if they could slow down the speed in which the object morphs to make them a little more challenging to spot and they need to change the objects that morph from game to game. For example, they always have a morphing window, bas-relief or a morphing picture. They never place them really high or really low, far left or far right, they are almost always at eye level and you quickly catch on to the pattern) It would be super-cool if they would go the extra mile to include authentic, non-linear morphs that don't morph the first time you visit a scene, they have to be triggered by an event or task in a completely different scene!
Each scene also has Zoom-Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces (36 in the main game +12 in the CE Bonus Chapter) that creates four Screensavers (12 puzzle pieces each) You don't get an option to assemble the puzzle!??! Some of the scenes also have Character Statuettes in an Alice In Wonderland character-theme. Emblem Games NEVER allows the player to return to previous scenes to pick up any missed Morphs, Collectibles, or more importantly, Puzzle Pieces which is required to complete the Screensavers....WHY? More to the point WHY NOT???
◔Hidden Object Scenes◕
There are 15 Hidden Object Scenes +7 in the CE Bonus Chapter, which includes several smaller Zoom-Zone HO's. The scenes are located in the same places Emblem Games always offers them (you'll know where the HO scene will be located the second you walk into a new scene!) The objects are easily spotted, often without even looking at the list! There isn't a lot of variety either, most are Interactive List Finds, but there are also a few Silhouetted Shape Finds, a single Keywords in Sentence Find, and a Match 2 Symbols Find HOS. There are no HO morphs or alternate game available.
There are 15 Hidden Object Scenes +7 in the CE Bonus Chapter, which includes several smaller Zoom-Zone HO's. The scenes are located in the same places Emblem Games always offers them (you'll know where the HO scene will be located the second you walk into a new scene!) The objects are easily spotted, often without even looking at the list! There isn't a lot of variety either, most are Interactive List Finds, but there are also a few Silhouetted Shape Finds, a single Keywords in Sentence Find, and a Match 2 Symbols Find HOS. There are no HO morphs or alternate game available.
♙Mini-Games♙
There are 13 Mini-Games +7 in the CE Bonus Chapter, some of which are multi-layered progressive puzzles. The games range from easy to medium difficulty, but all of the games are the same games Emblem Games offers in ever game in every series, some are really good, but they are getting kind of boring after playing the same ones over and over. I liked the game where you rotate disk sections and move balls in and out of those sections until all the balls are within their color-coded disks. My favorite game by far is a mechanical puzzle where you must adjust pulley levers in a specific combination to raise or lower bridges and ladders. I just wish Emblem Games would make this game lengthier or perhaps offer a hardcore progressive version as a CE Extra's feature!
There are 13 Mini-Games +7 in the CE Bonus Chapter, some of which are multi-layered progressive puzzles. The games range from easy to medium difficulty, but all of the games are the same games Emblem Games offers in ever game in every series, some are really good, but they are getting kind of boring after playing the same ones over and over. I liked the game where you rotate disk sections and move balls in and out of those sections until all the balls are within their color-coded disks. My favorite game by far is a mechanical puzzle where you must adjust pulley levers in a specific combination to raise or lower bridges and ladders. I just wish Emblem Games would make this game lengthier or perhaps offer a hardcore progressive version as a CE Extra's feature!
✯Bonus Chapter (Collector's Edition version only)✯
Anna and Dorian are on a train traveling with Louisa and John Gray, to visit Dorian's parents. Time suddenly freezes when a stranger appears and disappears out of thin air, leaving Anna struggling to find the culprit so she can get on with her vacation plans. There are 8 Scene Locations in this average-length chapter with 7 Mini-Games and 7 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue to search for the remaining 3 Character Statuettes, 8 Morphing Objects, and 12 Zoom-Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces to complete the final 12-piece Jigsaw Puzzle Screensaver. After completing this Bonus Chapter, you can access the Archives tab to replay 13 mini-games and 13 hidden object scenes from the game, and a timed Morphing Object hunt in the Secret Room.
Anna and Dorian are on a train traveling with Louisa and John Gray, to visit Dorian's parents. Time suddenly freezes when a stranger appears and disappears out of thin air, leaving Anna struggling to find the culprit so she can get on with her vacation plans. There are 8 Scene Locations in this average-length chapter with 7 Mini-Games and 7 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue to search for the remaining 3 Character Statuettes, 8 Morphing Objects, and 12 Zoom-Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces to complete the final 12-piece Jigsaw Puzzle Screensaver. After completing this Bonus Chapter, you can access the Archives tab to replay 13 mini-games and 13 hidden object scenes from the game, and a timed Morphing Object hunt in the Secret Room.
♕Collector's Edition Extra's♕
8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 23 Achievements, Archives with 13 Replayable Mini-Games and 13 Hidden Object Scenes 12 Alice In Wonderland Character Statuettes, 26 Morphing Objects, 48 Zoom-Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces, 4 Screensavers (12 piece Jigsaw screensaver that you don't even get to assemble!) a Secret Room (return to the scenes to search for Morphing Objects while being Timed) 3 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 23 Achievements, Archives with 13 Replayable Mini-Games and 13 Hidden Object Scenes 12 Alice In Wonderland Character Statuettes, 26 Morphing Objects, 48 Zoom-Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces, 4 Screensavers (12 piece Jigsaw screensaver that you don't even get to assemble!) a Secret Room (return to the scenes to search for Morphing Objects while being Timed) 3 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
GRIM TALES SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-The Bride (August 4-2011) 3.9
2-The Legacy (January 5-2012) 4.6
3-The Wishes (July 12-2012) 4.5
4-The Stone Queen (January 3-2013) 3.9
5-Bloody Mary (August 1-2013) 4.3
6-The Vengeance (May 15-2014) 4.5
7-Color of Fright (November 6-2014) 3.7
8-The Final Suspect (May 16-2015) 4.0
9-Threads of Destiny (October 7-2015) 3.9
10-The Heir (February 25-2016) 4.3
11-Crimson Hollow (August 25-2016) 4.1
12-Graywitch (February 2-2017) 4.0
13-The White Lady (August 3-2017) 4.0
14-The Time Traveler (January 25-2018) 3.5
15-The Hunger (July 19-2018) 3.6
16-The Nomad (March 28-2019) 3.8
17-Guest From The Future (August 29-2019) 3.4
18-The Generous Gift (April 16-2020) n/a
by: Elephant Games
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-The Bride (August 4-2011) 3.9
2-The Legacy (January 5-2012) 4.6
3-The Wishes (July 12-2012) 4.5
4-The Stone Queen (January 3-2013) 3.9
5-Bloody Mary (August 1-2013) 4.3
6-The Vengeance (May 15-2014) 4.5
7-Color of Fright (November 6-2014) 3.7
8-The Final Suspect (May 16-2015) 4.0
9-Threads of Destiny (October 7-2015) 3.9
10-The Heir (February 25-2016) 4.3
11-Crimson Hollow (August 25-2016) 4.1
12-Graywitch (February 2-2017) 4.0
13-The White Lady (August 3-2017) 4.0
14-The Time Traveler (January 25-2018) 3.5
15-The Hunger (July 19-2018) 3.6
16-The Nomad (March 28-2019) 3.8
17-Guest From The Future (August 29-2019) 3.4
18-The Generous Gift (April 16-2020) n/a
by: Elephant Games
I don't recommend this game.
Join the Dwarf and on his quest to explore the depths of the forest, solve tricky puzzles, free the fairies and help break the evil curse.
Overall rating
4
/
5
42 of 49 found this review helpful
WELL DONE J-DAWG!
PostedApril 15, 2020
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
What's better than helping the Dwarf find 14 Crystals that have imprisoned 14 Fairies? A Mosaic game with lots of customizable features, AND...no bouncy, gummy-bear looking tiles! Yup, this game has a good fantasy-themed story to bring the Mosaics to life, and a Gem-collection feature that creates an incentive to complete each level without mistakes. Well done JD's you've earned my thumbs-up ;)
I can't imagine anyone would be disappointed with the abundance of Tile Selection choices, there are 12 different ones, including my favorite Lego-style! Hold on to your computer chair folks, there's also 12 Crossed-off (X's) designs to choose from and a Dark Background option! (love the JD paw prints) There is an example grid shown below the tile selections which allows you to see what each tile selection or combination you chose will look like in the game...absolutely genius!
The choices continue with Difficulty Mode options, you can play in an Easy Mode which automatically chooses the color for you, a Normal Mode which crosses off the numbers one by one, a Difficult Mode that crosses off numbers once an entire row or column has been completed, and an Intuitive Mode which is a Zen mode that doesn't count mistakes and allows you to work out the puzzle by changing selections.
You earn Crystals for completing the mosaics, a Blue Crystal for making no mistakes, a Green Crystal for making one mistake, and a Yellow Crystal for making 2 mistakes. At the end of each chapter, you must earn a minimum yellow status to progress to the next chapter, and you must earn a green or blue crystal status to access the 4 Bonus Levels per chapter. To earn a Blue Crystal Status on a Chapter as a whole, you must earn a Blue status on all mosaics within the level.
On the Mosaic Grids themselves, there is an Eye that hides the grid, a Color Palette to choose the color bubbles, a Finger or X tab to color or cross-off cells (right & left-clicking works too) and a Heart with the number of Lives or Mistakes available (you can earn more lives by correctly filling in cells) There is a tab to access the tile selections as well which allows you to switch choices easily. There are only 2 Power-ups available, a Sun icon that fills in a single cell, or a Hammer which fills in a 5-cell (outlined) radius. The power-up refill by uncovering hammers and suns on the mosaics.
My only suggestion would be to change the instructions to remove the words "guess-guessing" The instructions tell you to try to guess the correct squares or fill in the squares by guessing...from what I can tell so far (beginning of Chapter 2) these are puzzled based upon logic and GUESSING is taboo, a huge no-no when it comes to solving mosaics, guessing is never an option on a logic-based nonogram. Mosaics are solved by narrowing down the playing field and selecting cells you know MUST contain either a color or an X. If they aren't all logic-based then saying "guess" or "guessing" would be appropriate for a Guesser-Griddler, if these truly ARE Logic-based, then there's never a reason to guess and that word(s) definitely needs to be obliterated!
I'm going to go ahead and start a Legendary Mosaics Series List because I predict this will be a new, continuing series :)
LEGENDARY MOSAICS SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-The Dwarf and the Terrible Cat (April 15-2020) n/a
2-???
2-???
by: Jet Dog Studios
I recommend this game!
Join the penguin family on their mission to rescue Robby and encounter a new collection of colorful mosaic puzzles!
Overall rating
4
/
5
34 of 41 found this review helpful
I'M NOT SAYING THEY WERE ALIENS...BUT...
PostedApril 13, 2020
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I haven't purchased the last couple of games, but who's Robby? Fantasy Mosaics are good mosaics games that always seem to be based upon logic, but they rarely offer new features and the storylines are practically non-existent. This used to be my favorite mosaic series but quite frankly, there have been some fantastic Mosaic games lately with amazing storylines and features that are just blowing these guys out of the galactic park. I still recommend Fantasy Mosaics games, they are still really good mosaic puzzles, but, in my opinion, they are no longer the King of Mosaics. Match Gems needs to come up with something more creative than the current, weak Penguin Family sagas, and ridiculous peek-a-boo rooms. After 40 releases, you can literally replay 20-30 previous releases and still feel like you're playing a new game!
There are NO new features in Alien Abduction, the only features that have been added, over the past 40 games, besides upgrading the color graphics, is a multi-color feature (added in game # 4) a Sun power-up (added on game #6) the addition of earning/deducting stars for using hints (on game # 15) two additional color bubbles offering 6 colors vs 4 (on game # 16) an Eye feature to view the background w/out the grid (on game # 18) an interactive garden feature (on game # 21) locked colors (on game # 27) different tile choices (on game # 28) an interactive workshop w/ mini-games (on game # 33) and Zen mode (on game # 34)
The Zen Mode has returned for those who prefer to solve the griddlers without all the hand/flipper holding. In Zen Mode, the numbers aren't crossed off but Mistakes aren't counted against you either, because chances are, you'll have to edit some of the cells as you switch between colors. You can delete filled-in or crossed-off cells by right-clicking the cell in Zen Mode, and you'll know you have completed a particular color correctly because a checkmark will appear on the color bubble.
You can play in a Casual Mode which crosses off the cells one by one, or the Advanced Mode, which only crosses off the remaining cells once the entire row and column have been filled in. You will earn a Gold trophy if you make no mistakes, a Silver trophy if you make one mistake and a Bronze trophy if you make two mistakes. You will also earn up to three gold Stars if you don't use any hints, one star is deducted each time you use a hint. Therefore, it is possible to make a mistake or two but still earn 3 stars as long as you don't use any available hints.
There are 20 locations, and each location has 5 Griddlers and an additional mini-game. You can choose from 7 different tile sets, ranging in color vibrancy and styles. Locked Colors can be disabled in the Settings menu, otherwise, some of the colors are locked and unavailable until you uncover color-specific keys that are hidden beneath some of the filled-in cells The Eye feature allows you to hide the grid to get a look at the puzzle without all the grid lines, and there is a reset icon that makes it much easier to restart the level if you make a mistake.
There are groups of numbers located on each column and row of the grid, each group of numbers must be separated by at least one blank or crossed off cell. Sometimes it's easier to cross-off cells that can't possibly contain a filled-in cell, which will reduce the number of cells and narrow the playing field down a bit, when you get stuck, you can switch colors and work back and forth until it's solved.
Some of the cells contain bonuses such as extra hints, extra mistakes allowed or an extra pickax which allows you to choose which cell you want a hint on, and some cells contain keys to unlock colors (unless you disable this feature in settings) There is a Sun icon as well that when fully charged, will give you a mega-hint, filling in or crossing off a 3x3 area of your choice.
FANTASY MOSAICS SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Fantasy Mosaics (May 6-2014) 4.0
2-Fantasy Mosaics (May 27-2014) 4.1
3-Fantasy Mosaics (July 2-2014) 4.2
4-Fantasy Mosaics: Art Of Color (September 2-2014) 4.2
5-Fantasy Mosaics (December 1-2014) 4.1
6-Fantasy Mosaics: Into The Unknown (January 19-2015) 3.9
7-Fantasy Mosaics: Our Home (March 3-2015) 4.1
8-Fantasy Mosaics: New Adventure (April 21-2015) 3.7
9-Fantasy Mosaics: Portal In The Woods (July 8-2015) 4.0
10-Fantasy Mosaics: Time Travel (October 7-2015) 4.8
11-Fantasy Mosaics: Fleeing From Dinosaurs (October 7-2015) 4.0
12-Fantasy Mosaics: Parallel Universe (January 6-2016) 4.3
13-Fantasy Mosaics: Unexpected Visitor (February 16-2016) 4.5
14-Fantasy Mosaics: Fourth Color (March 29-2016) 4.6
15-Fantasy Mosaics: Ancient Land (May 17-2016) 4.3
16-Fantasy Mosaics: Six Colors (July 6-2016) 4.0
17-Fantasy Mosaics: New Palette (August 31-2016) 4.5
18-Fantasy Mosaics: Explore New Colors (December 5-2016) 4.1
19-Fantasy Mosaics: Edge Of The World (January 19-2017) 3.8
20-Fantasy Mosaics: Castle Of Puzzles (March 20-2017) 4.7
21-Fantasy Mosaics: On The Movie Set (May 8-2017) 4.6
22-Fantasy Mosaics: Summer Vacation (June 12-2017) 4.4
23-Fantasy Mosaics: Magic Forest (July 24-2017) 4.7
24- Fantasy Mosaics: Deserted Island (September 18-2017) 4.2
25-Fantasy Mosaics: Wedding Ceremony (November 13-2017) 3.8
26-Fantasy Mosaics: Fairytale Garden (January 22-2018) 4.0
27-Fantasy Mosaics: Secret Colors (March 5-2018) 3.6
28-Fantasy Mosaics: Treasure Map (April 23-2018) 4.1
29-Fantasy Mosaics: Alien Planet (June 11-2018) 3.7
30-Fantasy Mosaics: Camping Trip (August 13-2018) 3.9
31-Fantasy Mosaics: First Date (October 15-2018) 4.1
32-Fantasy Mosaics: Santa's Hut (December 24-2018) 4.4
33-Fantasy Mosaics: Inventor's Workshop (February 25-2019) 4.3
34-Fantasy Mosaics: Zen Garden (April 15-2019) 3.5
35-Fantasy Mosaics: Day At The Museum (June 10-2019) 4.0
36-Fantasy Mosaics: Medieval Quest (August 5-2019) 4.4
37-Fantasy Mosaics: Spooky Night (October 7-2019) 4.5
38-Fantasy Mosaics: Underwater Adventure (December 9-2019) 4.8
39-Fantasy Mosaics: Behind the Mirror (February 11-2020) 4.0
40-Fantasy Mosaics: Alien Abduction (April 13-2020) n/a
by Match Gems
2-Fantasy Mosaics (May 27-2014) 4.1
3-Fantasy Mosaics (July 2-2014) 4.2
4-Fantasy Mosaics: Art Of Color (September 2-2014) 4.2
5-Fantasy Mosaics (December 1-2014) 4.1
6-Fantasy Mosaics: Into The Unknown (January 19-2015) 3.9
7-Fantasy Mosaics: Our Home (March 3-2015) 4.1
8-Fantasy Mosaics: New Adventure (April 21-2015) 3.7
9-Fantasy Mosaics: Portal In The Woods (July 8-2015) 4.0
10-Fantasy Mosaics: Time Travel (October 7-2015) 4.8
11-Fantasy Mosaics: Fleeing From Dinosaurs (October 7-2015) 4.0
12-Fantasy Mosaics: Parallel Universe (January 6-2016) 4.3
13-Fantasy Mosaics: Unexpected Visitor (February 16-2016) 4.5
14-Fantasy Mosaics: Fourth Color (March 29-2016) 4.6
15-Fantasy Mosaics: Ancient Land (May 17-2016) 4.3
16-Fantasy Mosaics: Six Colors (July 6-2016) 4.0
17-Fantasy Mosaics: New Palette (August 31-2016) 4.5
18-Fantasy Mosaics: Explore New Colors (December 5-2016) 4.1
19-Fantasy Mosaics: Edge Of The World (January 19-2017) 3.8
20-Fantasy Mosaics: Castle Of Puzzles (March 20-2017) 4.7
21-Fantasy Mosaics: On The Movie Set (May 8-2017) 4.6
22-Fantasy Mosaics: Summer Vacation (June 12-2017) 4.4
23-Fantasy Mosaics: Magic Forest (July 24-2017) 4.7
24- Fantasy Mosaics: Deserted Island (September 18-2017) 4.2
25-Fantasy Mosaics: Wedding Ceremony (November 13-2017) 3.8
26-Fantasy Mosaics: Fairytale Garden (January 22-2018) 4.0
27-Fantasy Mosaics: Secret Colors (March 5-2018) 3.6
28-Fantasy Mosaics: Treasure Map (April 23-2018) 4.1
29-Fantasy Mosaics: Alien Planet (June 11-2018) 3.7
30-Fantasy Mosaics: Camping Trip (August 13-2018) 3.9
31-Fantasy Mosaics: First Date (October 15-2018) 4.1
32-Fantasy Mosaics: Santa's Hut (December 24-2018) 4.4
33-Fantasy Mosaics: Inventor's Workshop (February 25-2019) 4.3
34-Fantasy Mosaics: Zen Garden (April 15-2019) 3.5
35-Fantasy Mosaics: Day At The Museum (June 10-2019) 4.0
36-Fantasy Mosaics: Medieval Quest (August 5-2019) 4.4
37-Fantasy Mosaics: Spooky Night (October 7-2019) 4.5
38-Fantasy Mosaics: Underwater Adventure (December 9-2019) 4.8
39-Fantasy Mosaics: Behind the Mirror (February 11-2020) 4.0
40-Fantasy Mosaics: Alien Abduction (April 13-2020) n/a
by Match Gems
ps: we're out of Ink
A recent expedition uncovered unique, priceless artifacts, but at what cost?
Overall rating
4
/
5
42 of 47 found this review helpful
PARANORMAL FILES HASN'T BEEN THIS GOOD SINCE THE FIRST GAME!
PostedApril 12, 2020
pennmom36
fromTrials of Worth has brought back the Hope in HOPA games!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.5 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
19 Main Game Scene Locations +7 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
19 Main Game Scene Locations +7 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
I loved the first Paranormal Files game but the following three were hit or miss games because somewhere along the beaten path these guys took a wrong turn. This developer was once the King of HOPA's, a Master Craftsman of their trade with graphics second to none. They had incredible storylines for every game they crafted and you knew instantly that you were playing an Elephant Game because of their signature "look & vibe"
Somewhere along that gravely, pot-holed, wrong turn road, they lost more than just their direction, they lost sight of what mattered to the people who carved out the road in the first place. They recklessly cut corners at a high rate of speed until they broke an axel when they veered into a seemingly innocent-looking pothole. Rather than fixing the broken axel, they slapped a patch on the pothole and kept on driving. (probably used duck tape they received in exchange for feeding a raccoon the food that was locked inside a cabinet surrounded by a swarm of bees, which incidentally required a key that a skeleton refused to hand over until a crown was donned upon his royal head, of course) Elephant Games became known as "Emblem Games", not a single task could be fulfilled until you found and replaced a motif-shaped emblem, only to discover you needed another emblem. The tasks became utterly ridiculous and predictable!...admit it, you knew exactly what I was referring to with the above duct tape scenario, didn't you?!
This game was different, Trials of Worth was actually worthy even though there were still a few of those familiar scenarios, it felt like the old Elephant had returned! Unlike recent game releases, I wasn't bored from beginning to end, in fact, I wanted to keep playing to learn where the whole Sandman plot was taking me. I wanted to find out the Worthiness of my Trials, and I was even surprised with a few plot twists that I didn't see coming. This game makes me hopeful that this developer has gotten back on the main road and is heading North to once again become King of the HOPA mountains!!???!!!
웃Helper/Gadget웃
Surprisingly, the infamous Rick Rogers Tattoo Gadget is only used one time...sort of. There's a reasonable explanation for this but to indulge more would be a huge spoiler and one that I didn't see coming! Honestly, I think Elephant may be trying to phase out this whole Tattoo-Gadget scenario, not necessarily the "powers" associated with it, just the cheesy gadget part? There is a decent Hidden Object Scene associated with the tattoo Gadget use that pieces together the series of events that took place prior to Rick's arrival, and I must say that one of the items to find briefly stumped me, which rarely happens on a Hidden Object scene!
Surprisingly, the infamous Rick Rogers Tattoo Gadget is only used one time...sort of. There's a reasonable explanation for this but to indulge more would be a huge spoiler and one that I didn't see coming! Honestly, I think Elephant may be trying to phase out this whole Tattoo-Gadget scenario, not necessarily the "powers" associated with it, just the cheesy gadget part? There is a decent Hidden Object Scene associated with the tattoo Gadget use that pieces together the series of events that took place prior to Rick's arrival, and I must say that one of the items to find briefly stumped me, which rarely happens on a Hidden Object scene!
☽☾Morphing Objects/Collectibles: (CE version only)☼
There are 26 Morphing Objects, one per scene. Although not super challenging to spot, they did a great job with not-so-obvious object selection, but I still think they should slow down the speed in which the object morphs to make them a little more challenging to spot...even better would be the inclusion of {authentic} non-linear morphs, I happen to think that this particular developer is one of the few who has the skills required to pull this feature off!!! :) Each scene also has a Paranormal Eye Icon that converts each eye into a Jigsaw Puzzle Piece that allows you to assemble a 26 Piece Puzzle in the Secret Room. Some of the scenes also have Character Globes that give a bio-background about each of the story's 12 characters. The Eyes are actually less obvious to spot than one would think in some of the scenes, but it's pretty difficult to miss a large round white globe, other than just forgetting to look, but it's kind of a staple Elephant feature to include collectible characters and there's only so many ways you can present them.
There are 26 Morphing Objects, one per scene. Although not super challenging to spot, they did a great job with not-so-obvious object selection, but I still think they should slow down the speed in which the object morphs to make them a little more challenging to spot...even better would be the inclusion of {authentic} non-linear morphs, I happen to think that this particular developer is one of the few who has the skills required to pull this feature off!!! :) Each scene also has a Paranormal Eye Icon that converts each eye into a Jigsaw Puzzle Piece that allows you to assemble a 26 Piece Puzzle in the Secret Room. Some of the scenes also have Character Globes that give a bio-background about each of the story's 12 characters. The Eyes are actually less obvious to spot than one would think in some of the scenes, but it's pretty difficult to miss a large round white globe, other than just forgetting to look, but it's kind of a staple Elephant feature to include collectible characters and there's only so many ways you can present them.
◔Hidden Object Scenes◕
There are 23 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter, including a few smaller Zoom Zone HOP's. I rarely impressed with any of the HO Scenes by Elephant but this time they were much more creative and did a fantastic job with many of the scenes! They are mostly Interactive List Finds, but they did break up the monotony with Finding 10 Corresponding Object Finds, x2 Pairs of Items Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds and Matching Crystal Finds. I loved the scenes where you panned through 3 different scenes to find pairs of Hyrogliph drawings on stone walls, another similar scene finding Symbolic Symbols in a ritual drawing, and one where you are tasked with finding Icons on a Map that match the corresponding directions given. There are no alternate games available.
There are 23 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter, including a few smaller Zoom Zone HOP's. I rarely impressed with any of the HO Scenes by Elephant but this time they were much more creative and did a fantastic job with many of the scenes! They are mostly Interactive List Finds, but they did break up the monotony with Finding 10 Corresponding Object Finds, x2 Pairs of Items Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds and Matching Crystal Finds. I loved the scenes where you panned through 3 different scenes to find pairs of Hyrogliph drawings on stone walls, another similar scene finding Symbolic Symbols in a ritual drawing, and one where you are tasked with finding Icons on a Map that match the corresponding directions given. There are no alternate games available.
♙Mini-Games♙
There are 18 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter, some of which are 3-part progressive puzzles. The games range from easy to medium difficulty, and most are mechanical in nature which I happen to enjoy the most. Some examples are, Rotating Circuits or Dials, Aligning discs w/corresponding Numbers or Connecting various-shaped Nodes. Although they weren't brain-burners, they do require at least a little bit of thought, unlike Thursday's super easy game!
There are 18 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter, some of which are 3-part progressive puzzles. The games range from easy to medium difficulty, and most are mechanical in nature which I happen to enjoy the most. Some examples are, Rotating Circuits or Dials, Aligning discs w/corresponding Numbers or Connecting various-shaped Nodes. Although they weren't brain-burners, they do require at least a little bit of thought, unlike Thursday's super easy game!
✯Bonus Chapter (Collector's Edition version only)✯
Walk a mile in someone else's shoes, better yet, in high heels as you revisit the Trials of Worth from a different perspective, playing as Rachael Cowell. There are 7 Scene Locations in this average-length chapter with 6 Mini-Games and 5 Hidden Object Scenes +2 Mini HOP's. You will continue to search for the remaining 3 Character Globes, 7 Paranormal Eyes, and 7 Morphing Objects. The Paranormal Eyes convert to Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces that unlock a 26 piece puzzle in the Secret Room (note: the puzzle pieces can be assembled as you find individual eyes but cannot be completed until the BC has been completed)
Walk a mile in someone else's shoes, better yet, in high heels as you revisit the Trials of Worth from a different perspective, playing as Rachael Cowell. There are 7 Scene Locations in this average-length chapter with 6 Mini-Games and 5 Hidden Object Scenes +2 Mini HOP's. You will continue to search for the remaining 3 Character Globes, 7 Paranormal Eyes, and 7 Morphing Objects. The Paranormal Eyes convert to Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces that unlock a 26 piece puzzle in the Secret Room (note: the puzzle pieces can be assembled as you find individual eyes but cannot be completed until the BC has been completed)
♕Collector's Edition Extra's♕
12 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 10 Achievements (some available in 3-5 categories) 13 Replayable Mini-Games, 15 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes 12 Character Globes with Bio's, 26 Morphing Objects, 26 Paranormal Eyes (converts to puzzle pieces for a 26 pcs. Jigsaw Puzzle in the Secret Room) a Secret Room Jigsaw Puzzle, 3 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
12 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 10 Achievements (some available in 3-5 categories) 13 Replayable Mini-Games, 15 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes 12 Character Globes with Bio's, 26 Morphing Objects, 26 Paranormal Eyes (converts to puzzle pieces for a 26 pcs. Jigsaw Puzzle in the Secret Room) a Secret Room Jigsaw Puzzle, 3 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
PARANORMAL FILES SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Fellow Traveler (June 29-2018) 4.4
2-The Tall Man (December 14-2018) 3.3
3-Enjoy The Shopping (May 19-2019) 3.2
4-The Hook Man's Legend (October 25-2019) 4.0
5-Trials of Worth (April 12-2020) n/a
2-The Tall Man (December 14-2018) 3.3
3-Enjoy The Shopping (May 19-2019) 3.2
4-The Hook Man's Legend (October 25-2019) 4.0
5-Trials of Worth (April 12-2020) n/a
by: Elephant Games
I recommend this game!
Alice heads off on a new time management adventure to face a new foe and save her friends!
Overall rating
5
/
5
100 of 113 found this review helpful
OH TWEEDLES, THE QUEEN OF SPADES HAS ME ON PINS & NEEDLES!
PostedApril 11, 2020
pennmom36
fromLewis Carroll was partially deaf & suffered from a rare neurological disorder that causes hallucinations & made objects appear larger or smaller than they were, it was named Alice in Wonderland Syndrome!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
♠ Tweedle Two Looks Like Tweedle One, As For The White Rabbit, He's Gone, I Have None!
♠ The Mad Hatter Simply Can't Be Found, Which Leads Me To Suspect Foul Play Is Abound!
♠ The Queen of Spades, Now She's A Dandy, Wish I Could Feed Her Some Tainted Candy!
♠ Alice Fell Asleep While Reading A Book. She Woke Up In Wonderland, It's True, Take A Look!
♠ Hurry, Hurry, Don't Be Late, Join Me In Wonderland, Her Fate Awaits!
♠ The Mad Hatter Simply Can't Be Found, Which Leads Me To Suspect Foul Play Is Abound!
♠ The Queen of Spades, Now She's A Dandy, Wish I Could Feed Her Some Tainted Candy!
♠ Alice Fell Asleep While Reading A Book. She Woke Up In Wonderland, It's True, Take A Look!
♠ Hurry, Hurry, Don't Be Late, Join Me In Wonderland, Her Fate Awaits!
♠ I wasn't a fan of the first game it's true, the colors were ugly in shades of gold hues. Now they are beautiful with purples, pinks, and blues! The developer surely listened, tho I tried not to be rude! If we could replace the peppermint candy that tastes really gross, how 'bout some chocolate and wine for a toast?
There are 40 Main Levels +12 CE Bonus Levels, that can be played in a Relaxed, Normal or Challenge difficulty mode, and 29 Trophy Achievements to earn. In this CE version, each level has a Teacup that the Cheshire Cat has hidden to create a Mad Tea Party Puzzle. (one section says there are 36 Hidden Teacups, another says there are 40???) Each scene also has a hidden Art Palette that allows you to "paint" 3 Concept Art pictures...sort of. You don't actually get to paint the pictures in with beautiful colors, it simply completes the sketches in three sections for each concept art picture. This could have been a really cool paint by numbers feature, instead, it was just a big letdown disappointment! (but at least you can still have fun searching for the palettes) The CE version also has 2 extra mini-games, concept art, wallpapers, soundtracks, bonus quests, additional character dialog, and 4 additional achievements. Once again, there is no Strategy Guide, at least not that I could find? In my opinion, a built-in SG is what makes a Collector's Edition worthy, especially when a game is based on strategy and wrong decisions can be made!
Although the concept is the same, the features are clever. Alice must collect "Imagination" and read books before she can cast spells, the Tweedle workers need to collect Candy as their food source. There are still the usual TM tasks of building restoring Sawmills for wood, Mints for gold, Candy Factories for food supplies, repairing bridges, repairing potholes and cracks along the paths, removing stone and boulders, clearing debris, opening Treasure Chests, and gathering renewable resources from various Altars. Each level has a specified quest to complete for characters you meet along the journey, such as trimming trees, etc.
Although the concept is the same, the features are clever. Alice must collect "Imagination" and read books before she can cast spells, the Tweedle workers need to collect Candy as their food source. There are still the usual TM tasks of building restoring Sawmills for wood, Mints for gold, Candy Factories for food supplies, repairing bridges, repairing potholes and cracks along the paths, removing stone and boulders, clearing debris, opening Treasure Chests, and gathering renewable resources from various Altars. Each level has a specified quest to complete for characters you meet along the journey, such as trimming trees, etc.
The Bonuses are Magic Spells that last for about 20 seconds each, and each level usually has 3 different Spells available:
♠-Collect More Resources
♠-Run Faster
♠-Bargain Trade (resources traded at a better rate of 3-4)
♠-Get Candy Pile (generated on altars)
♠-Get Gold (generated on altars)
♠-Fill Altars
♠-Speed Up Workers
♠-Freeze Time
♠-Speed Up Production
♠-Endless Candy (obstacles are temporarily disabled-max 3 objects)
♠-Endless Gold (obstacles are temporarily disabled-max 3 objects)
♠-Run Faster
♠-Bargain Trade (resources traded at a better rate of 3-4)
♠-Get Candy Pile (generated on altars)
♠-Get Gold (generated on altars)
♠-Fill Altars
♠-Speed Up Workers
♠-Freeze Time
♠-Speed Up Production
♠-Endless Candy (obstacles are temporarily disabled-max 3 objects)
♠-Endless Gold (obstacles are temporarily disabled-max 3 objects)
ALICE'S WONDERLAND SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Cast in Shadow (September 24-2019) 4.2
2-Stolen Souls (April 11-2020) n/a
3-Coming soon!
2-Stolen Souls (April 11-2020) n/a
3-Coming soon!
by: Big City Lab LLC.
I recommend this game!
Can you catch a magical culprit behind a string of strange robberies?
Overall rating
3
/
5
57 of 66 found this review helpful
SOLVING A CRIME ONE SCENE AT A TIME!
PostedApril 10, 2020
pennmom36
fromOther great older games: Beyond The Invisible, Alice in Shadowland, Dorian Gray Syndrome, Wax Beauty, House of 1000 Doors, Hallowed Legends, Sacra Terra & my personal favorite, the original Phantasmat.. just to name a few!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Mystery Case Files®: Dire Grove™ Collector's Edition
(141)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.0 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
19 Scene Locations +8 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
19 Scene Locations +8 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
I just don't get it! Just a few years ago, HOPA games were amazing, they were challenging, they were fun! If you don't believe me, download one of your older HOPA games that you haven't played for a few years, even better, try the game I've listed as my "current favorite" under my profile name & location to the left. That game makes you think! That game lets you travel to several locations in each chapter, which is one of the reasons it makes it more challenging!
Nowadays, the graphics are much better but the games themselves have become foolproof! It's like herding cattle through a chute, they can't go to the left, they can't go to the right, they can't go backward, they can only move in a straight line forward. Dark City: Dublin is a cattle chute kind of game, you move one scene at a time, you don't move left, you don't move right, you don't go back to the next scene until you find 2-3 items, solve a couple of tasks, and/or play a mini-game or HO scene. Push forward to the next scene, same scenario, push through the herd, next scene, next chapter, push another cow or two, shuffle forward a few more feet, repeat the process. Your brain goes on auto-pilot, you can't make a mistake, you can't do anything wrong, you can't even go in the wrong direction because the game won't let you move outside the cattle chute!
The reason the games of yesteryear were so cool was that you weren't confined to just one or two scenes, some games didn't lock any of the scenes and you would search scene after scene, searching for something you needed but missed the first time around. You had to figure things out on your own, solve complex or tricky puzzles, remember codes and clues you discovered (and try to figure out if something was a clue that would eventually be required down the road a scene or two) Morphing Objects were challenging to find because oftentimes they didn't morph the first time you stumbled upon them, collectibles weren't large and impossible to miss, (it's easy to spot collectibles when there are only a few items in every scene) and Hidden Objects were the basis of the game...they were called Hidden Object Scenes because the Objects were just that...HIDDEN or at the very least, they were blended into the scenery to trick the mind's eye!
I haven't become burned out on HOPA games, THEY have fizzled and burned out all the features that made them exciting to play. I can download an older game from my vast library (yes, I own every CE version of every HOPA game BF offers!) and still thoroughly enjoy playing them to this day! I don't want to see this genre disappear, but if the developers continue to create games that are this foolproof, fans will (and have) walk away. It's okay to offer some games for beginners, but that's such a small percentage of gamers, why wouldn't you want to cater to those who have been playing for a long time, those of us who made this genre a commodity in the first place...at least occasionally? I urge the remaining developers to go back to their roots, to play the games of yesteryear to refresh your memories of how & why this genre exploded in popularity, back to the day when developers of HOPA's were rolling in the dough$$$!!!
✩Collectibles/Morphing Objects: (CE version only)★
There are 27 Collectible Shamrock Coins and 27 Morphing Green Leprechaun Hats that are too large and easily spotted because they look so out of place in the scenes. The second you "walk" into a new scene, your eye automatically focuses on the huge, shiny gold coin with a green shamrock, the coin is always high, the hat is always low, they are impossible to miss!
There are 27 Collectible Shamrock Coins and 27 Morphing Green Leprechaun Hats that are too large and easily spotted because they look so out of place in the scenes. The second you "walk" into a new scene, your eye automatically focuses on the huge, shiny gold coin with a green shamrock, the coin is always high, the hat is always low, they are impossible to miss!
⚙️Gadget/Helper⚙️
There are two Gadgets with Icons located on the Right and Left side of the Inventory Bar. The Evidence Folder on the left is used 6 times during the Main Game and 3 times during the CE Bonus Chapter. After collecting evidence, you open this folder and place each of the 4 available Character Cameos onto the correct Paragraphs located below. The photos turn into Names that fill in the blanks of the sentences...because real investigators use this method?
There are two Gadgets with Icons located on the Right and Left side of the Inventory Bar. The Evidence Folder on the left is used 6 times during the Main Game and 3 times during the CE Bonus Chapter. After collecting evidence, you open this folder and place each of the 4 available Character Cameos onto the correct Paragraphs located below. The photos turn into Names that fill in the blanks of the sentences...because real investigators use this method?
The second Gadget is an "all-seeing eye" Deduction, located on the right side, and is used 6 times during the Main Game and twice during the CE Bonus Chapter. Before making a deduction, you are tasked with playing a Hidden Object Scene by finding a few Listed Items in the room to either piece together a series of events that took place, and occasionally a series of events that will help you escape a situation. Neither Gadget seemed realistic or necessary for that matter and took all credibility away from the plot premise of a detective trying to solve actual crimes.
❏Hidden Object Scenes❏
There are 18 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter, including a repetitive Deduction Gadget hidden object variation of finding 3-4 Listed Items in the room that either helps you piece together a series of events or helps you concoct an escape plan. The scenes are clear but not located in interesting locations and certainly not "hidden." In the event that the original scene didn't bore you to tears, they decided to make you repeat the scene for a second shot at putting you to sleep! Clearly, the developers were bored too because, by the time the third chapter rolled around, nearly all of the HO scenes were repeated a second time. The HO scenes are mostly Listed Item Finds (1-3 items may require a slight interaction, such as opening a drawer) but they also include Silhouetted Shape Finds, Finding Listed Items in Pairs, Reverse Finds (take items from the inventory & place them into the scene) Multiples of a Single Object Find, and one scene where you are tasked with finding 6 Items a squirrel eats. Unfortunately, there are no alternate puzzles offered.
There are 18 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter, including a repetitive Deduction Gadget hidden object variation of finding 3-4 Listed Items in the room that either helps you piece together a series of events or helps you concoct an escape plan. The scenes are clear but not located in interesting locations and certainly not "hidden." In the event that the original scene didn't bore you to tears, they decided to make you repeat the scene for a second shot at putting you to sleep! Clearly, the developers were bored too because, by the time the third chapter rolled around, nearly all of the HO scenes were repeated a second time. The HO scenes are mostly Listed Item Finds (1-3 items may require a slight interaction, such as opening a drawer) but they also include Silhouetted Shape Finds, Finding Listed Items in Pairs, Reverse Finds (take items from the inventory & place them into the scene) Multiples of a Single Object Find, and one scene where you are tasked with finding 6 Items a squirrel eats. Unfortunately, there are no alternate puzzles offered.
♙Mini-Games♙
There are 29 Mini-Games +9 in the CE Bonus Chapter, including a repetitive Folder Clue mini-game where you drag 4 photos onto the correct paragraph clues. I gotta tell you, these are some of the most boring, simplistic puzzles ever offered in one game! The majority of puzzles are no-brainers, swap 4 books to the matching colored slots? Place 6 torn fragments into the highlighted slots? Paint with 4 colors, is the sky blue? Move screws to their matching colored slots along a given path? Rotate pipe sections? Use a magnifying glass to find 9 specified items...which btw are the only items that are highlighted in blue? Really??? I kid you not, several of the puzzles could be completed in ONE SINGLE MOVE!
There are 29 Mini-Games +9 in the CE Bonus Chapter, including a repetitive Folder Clue mini-game where you drag 4 photos onto the correct paragraph clues. I gotta tell you, these are some of the most boring, simplistic puzzles ever offered in one game! The majority of puzzles are no-brainers, swap 4 books to the matching colored slots? Place 6 torn fragments into the highlighted slots? Paint with 4 colors, is the sky blue? Move screws to their matching colored slots along a given path? Rotate pipe sections? Use a magnifying glass to find 9 specified items...which btw are the only items that are highlighted in blue? Really??? I kid you not, several of the puzzles could be completed in ONE SINGLE MOVE!
✯Bonus Chapter: (CE version only)✯
Constable McDonnell has asked you to return to Dublin when a mysterious Banshee wreaks havoc throughout town. Her victims are rendered comatose and nothing seems to arouse them in this average-length, 8 scene Bonus Chapter. You will use your Folder Icon 3 times to Review Clues via a repetitive Mini-Game of dragging 4 photos to the correct paragraphs to complete the sentence, and your Deductive Icon twice to draw conclusions via a Hidden Object Scene. There are 5 Hidden Object Scenes and 9 Mini-Games (including those associated with the Gadgets mentioned above) and each scene have 1 Morphing Object and 1 Collectible. Once all morphs & collectibles have been found, they will unlock a board game to play. I'm not sure if you can return to the scene to collect any missing coins or morphing hats because I didn't miss any and you probably won't either because they are so large and look so out of place that they are easily spotted.
Constable McDonnell has asked you to return to Dublin when a mysterious Banshee wreaks havoc throughout town. Her victims are rendered comatose and nothing seems to arouse them in this average-length, 8 scene Bonus Chapter. You will use your Folder Icon 3 times to Review Clues via a repetitive Mini-Game of dragging 4 photos to the correct paragraphs to complete the sentence, and your Deductive Icon twice to draw conclusions via a Hidden Object Scene. There are 5 Hidden Object Scenes and 9 Mini-Games (including those associated with the Gadgets mentioned above) and each scene have 1 Morphing Object and 1 Collectible. Once all morphs & collectibles have been found, they will unlock a board game to play. I'm not sure if you can return to the scene to collect any missing coins or morphing hats because I didn't miss any and you probably won't either because they are so large and look so out of place that they are easily spotted.
✺Collector's Edition Version Extra's✺
7 Wallpapers, 18 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Screensavers, 5 Music Soundtracks, 47 Movie Video Cutscenes, 24 Achievements (12 achievements are available in 3 category progressions) 10 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 11 Replayable Mini-Games, 27 Morphing Green Leprechaun Hats, 27 Collectible Shamrock Coins, 5 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
7 Wallpapers, 18 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Screensavers, 5 Music Soundtracks, 47 Movie Video Cutscenes, 24 Achievements (12 achievements are available in 3 category progressions) 10 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 11 Replayable Mini-Games, 27 Morphing Green Leprechaun Hats, 27 Collectible Shamrock Coins, 5 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
DARK CITY SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-London (December 29-2017) 4.4
2-Munich (December 7-2018) 4.4
3-Vienna (October 11-2019) 3.5
4-Dublin (April 10-2020) n/a
by: Friendly Fox Studio (4Friends Games)
2-Munich (December 7-2018) 4.4
3-Vienna (October 11-2019) 3.5
4-Dublin (April 10-2020) n/a
by: Friendly Fox Studio (4Friends Games)
I don't recommend this game.
Can you live up to your family’s legacy in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
91 of 112 found this review helpful
BEAUTIFUL GRAPHICS, DULL STORYLINE...EXCITING?
PostedApril 9, 2020
pennmom36
fromEsquire-originally knights apprentice aspiring a noble rank-is a title given to a licensed practicing attorney vs a JD-Juris Doctor-one who hasn't yet passed the bar exam. With more than 1.3 million attorney's in the US, a ratio of 1 lawyer to 240 people!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.0 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter
21 Scene Locations +7 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter
21 Scene Locations +7 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
The most exciting part of this game is the beauty of Taleworld, a world created entirely by human imagination. The storyline is the same Nevertales scenario with different characters...Grandma falls ill, grandson discovers a well-kept family secret (via letter, naturally) and gets whisked to Taleworld where he meets an evil, cloaked and masked man, surrounded by black mist, boy saves both worlds, everyone lives happily ever after, The End...sound familiar? Where's the earth-shattering excitement in that? I just don't get the desperate desire to hunt down addresses so one early bird can get the first worm when clearly nobody's competing for this kind of excitement.
Gadget/Helper:
Granny's Family Heirloom Amulet is technically a gadget but it's only used to find hidden symbols in the room in the first scene, and then to find hidden caches in the final chapter. Because it's basically unobtrusive, I'll give this gadget a pass, but one has to wonder why MHG can't let go of the "gadget" feature altogether?
Granny's Family Heirloom Amulet is technically a gadget but it's only used to find hidden symbols in the room in the first scene, and then to find hidden caches in the final chapter. Because it's basically unobtrusive, I'll give this gadget a pass, but one has to wonder why MHG can't let go of the "gadget" feature altogether?
Morphing Objects/Collectibles (CE version only)
Each of the 28 Scenes, throughout the Main Game and Bonus Chapter, has a Morphing Object and Collectible Mask/MHG Swirl Symbol. There is also a Morphing Object in all of the Hidden Object Scenes, and surprisingly, they have done a great job blending the collectibles and morphs into the scenery, a few of which were quite challenging to spot! Any missed Hidden Object Scene Morphs can be picked up by playing replaying the HO's in the extra's menu, which also allows you to better your star or accuracy score. After finding all the Collectibles, there is a Jigsaw Puzzle available as well as a tab that allows you to return to each Location to find a hidden object.
Each of the 28 Scenes, throughout the Main Game and Bonus Chapter, has a Morphing Object and Collectible Mask/MHG Swirl Symbol. There is also a Morphing Object in all of the Hidden Object Scenes, and surprisingly, they have done a great job blending the collectibles and morphs into the scenery, a few of which were quite challenging to spot! Any missed Hidden Object Scene Morphs can be picked up by playing replaying the HO's in the extra's menu, which also allows you to better your star or accuracy score. After finding all the Collectibles, there is a Jigsaw Puzzle available as well as a tab that allows you to return to each Location to find a hidden object.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes, 5 Zoom Zone HOP's, +4 Main & 2 Zoom Zone HOP's in the CE Bonus Chapter. This is the one area that MHG's shined, the HO scenes were colorful and located in interesting locations. I found some of the objects to be challenging to spot because objects weren't blatantly obvious, they did a wonderful job blending items into the scenery. Most of the scenes are Silhouetted Shape find variations but there are Matching Pairs Finds, Interactive & Listed Item Finds, Symbol Finds (MHG loves their symbols!) Swatches Finds, Multiples Finds and Find & Replace as well. Each of the Main HO Scenes has a Morphing Object that can be picked up within the CE Extra's menus as well. There is no alternate puzzle offered.
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes, 5 Zoom Zone HOP's, +4 Main & 2 Zoom Zone HOP's in the CE Bonus Chapter. This is the one area that MHG's shined, the HO scenes were colorful and located in interesting locations. I found some of the objects to be challenging to spot because objects weren't blatantly obvious, they did a wonderful job blending items into the scenery. Most of the scenes are Silhouetted Shape find variations but there are Matching Pairs Finds, Interactive & Listed Item Finds, Symbol Finds (MHG loves their symbols!) Swatches Finds, Multiples Finds and Find & Replace as well. Each of the Main HO Scenes has a Morphing Object that can be picked up within the CE Extra's menus as well. There is no alternate puzzle offered.
Mini-Games:
There are 25 Mini-Games +7 in the CE Bonus Chapter. The puzzles are easily solved, some of which can be solved in just a few moves. These are basically the same games offered in all MH games, absolutely nothing new, and certainly nothing challenging. I don't mind easily solved puzzles, but I do appreciate a little bit of originality, otherwise, they are just another boring task.
There are 25 Mini-Games +7 in the CE Bonus Chapter. The puzzles are easily solved, some of which can be solved in just a few moves. These are basically the same games offered in all MH games, absolutely nothing new, and certainly nothing challenging. I don't mind easily solved puzzles, but I do appreciate a little bit of originality, otherwise, they are just another boring task.
Bonus Chapter: (CE version only)
Step into the shoes of Grandma's attorney, Milton Harris as he struggles to maintain a normal life in the real world. This is a somewhat short Chapter taking place over 7 additional scene locations with 4 Hidden Object Scenes + 2 Zoom Zone HOP's and 7 Mini-Games available. There are 4 Hidden Object Scene Morphs, 7 Scene Morphing Objects, and 7 Collectible Masks remaining. After completing the CE Collectibles you can access a Jigsaw Puzzle, and after completing this Bonus Chapter you can access a Treasure Hunt to search for 16 Souvenirs.
Step into the shoes of Grandma's attorney, Milton Harris as he struggles to maintain a normal life in the real world. This is a somewhat short Chapter taking place over 7 additional scene locations with 4 Hidden Object Scenes + 2 Zoom Zone HOP's and 7 Mini-Games available. There are 4 Hidden Object Scene Morphs, 7 Scene Morphing Objects, and 7 Collectible Masks remaining. After completing the CE Collectibles you can access a Jigsaw Puzzle, and after completing this Bonus Chapter you can access a Treasure Hunt to search for 16 Souvenirs.
Collector's Edition Extra's:
12 Wallpapers, 3 Concept Art Pictures, 10 Music Soundtracks, 17 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 28 Collectible Mask/Spiral Symbols, 28 Scene Morphing Objects, 17 HOP Morphing Objects, Treasure Hunt (return to the scene to search for Souvenirs) a Jigsaw Puzzle, 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
12 Wallpapers, 3 Concept Art Pictures, 10 Music Soundtracks, 17 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 28 Collectible Mask/Spiral Symbols, 28 Scene Morphing Objects, 17 HOP Morphing Objects, Treasure Hunt (return to the scene to search for Souvenirs) a Jigsaw Puzzle, 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
NEVERTALES SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-The Beauty Within (October 24-2013) 4.8
2-Shattered Images (July 19-2014) 4.1
3-Smoke And Mirrors (November 8-2014) 4.1
4-Legends (September 12-2015) 4.4
5-Hidden Doorway (September 24-2016) 4.4
6-Forgotten Pages (June 24-2017) 3.9
7-Creator's Spark (March 10-2018) 3.2
8-The Abomination (February 28-2019) 3.6
9-Hearthbridge Cabinets (April 9-2020) n/a
2-Shattered Images (July 19-2014) 4.1
3-Smoke And Mirrors (November 8-2014) 4.1
4-Legends (September 12-2015) 4.4
5-Hidden Doorway (September 24-2016) 4.4
6-Forgotten Pages (June 24-2017) 3.9
7-Creator's Spark (March 10-2018) 3.2
8-The Abomination (February 28-2019) 3.6
9-Hearthbridge Cabinets (April 9-2020) n/a
by: Mad Head Games
Help Carol find clues to solve a dark mystery and locate her missing husband!
Overall rating
1
/
5
64 of 78 found this review helpful
I'M NOT LYCAN THE REPETITIVENESS, REPETITIVENESS, REPETITIVENESS
PostedApril 8, 2020
pennmom36
fromDid you know that a Lycan can change their form at will while a werewolf transforms unwillingly during a full moon?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Since Big Fish decided to give us back to back, nearly identical Match 3 games by the same developer, who btw continues to spew out Match 3 games where only the names have been changed, I may as well just repeat my review, right? The Enthralling Realms, The Chronicles of, The Legend of Eratus, and today's game, all have one thing in common...everything! The only thing that changes is the Title, and the storyline, not cool, it makes me howling mad, I am not Lycan this one bit!
Once again, this is a Swap type of Match 3 game, where you swap tiles to make matches of at least 3 identical elements, this time, howl-ever, the tiles are unappealing and cartoonish-looking. The tile selections don't seem very story-related either, and they didn't do their homework because everyone knows that Lycans or werewolves can only be killed by Silver bullets yet they chose Gold bullets as one of the tiles?? You must make matches over all of the Gold Cells, and make the required number of matches of each Element shown at the top of the screen. Elements inside of Bubbles, Morph (I think they appear when you make large matches, but I'm not positive) which allows you to pop the bubble when the desired element appears inside the bubble.
There are the usual Obstructions of Chained or Double Chained Tiles that require one or two matches of whichever element is chained, and those infamous pesky Spiders (which has nothing to do with murder mysteries, werewolves, or missing people?) have returned to spin Webs over random tiles if they aren't removed by making matches under them. The webs can be removed by making matches with the tiles covered in webs. Some levels require you to drop items off the board by making matches under them as well.
Large Matches of 4 or more tile, fills the Mana Meter, the larger the match, the faster the Mana Meter fills. Filling the Mana Meter charges the Power-ups, and any of the Power-ups can be chosen, but the Mana Meter must refill before using another Power-up.
TOOLS (power-ups):
*Axe: clears a 3 x 3 area of tiles and/or chains.
*Flashlight: destroys all ties of the chose tile.
*Taser destroys an entire horizontal line including chains.
*Stun Gun: destroys an entire vertical line including chains.
*Dynamite: destroys a large group of tiles and/or chains.
*Magnifying Glass: destroys a single tile of choice.
There are 5 Chapters and each chapter has 4 story progression upgrades (20 Upgrade Totals), and each story supposedly helps solve the "Missing Person" mystery by adding Evidence to a bulletin board. The Evidence is actually found by playing a Hidden Object Scene, not during the Match 3 game???
*Axe: clears a 3 x 3 area of tiles and/or chains.
*Flashlight: destroys all ties of the chose tile.
*Taser destroys an entire horizontal line including chains.
*Stun Gun: destroys an entire vertical line including chains.
*Dynamite: destroys a large group of tiles and/or chains.
*Magnifying Glass: destroys a single tile of choice.
There are 5 Chapters and each chapter has 4 story progression upgrades (20 Upgrade Totals), and each story supposedly helps solve the "Missing Person" mystery by adding Evidence to a bulletin board. The Evidence is actually found by playing a Hidden Object Scene, not during the Match 3 game???
I was more impressed with yesterday's Match 3 game by this same developer, probably because I like stories about Dragons. I do enjoy solving mysteries, but this didn't actually involve solving anything, and the plot is very predictable. I disliked the characters, I hated the repetitive music, the tiles were about as unappealing as tile graphics get. As I stated yesterday, I purchased 3 of their Match 3 games and realized they have the same features, down to the same board layouts and I don't approve of developers who spew out one identical game after the next hoping to "catch" an unsuspecting player who hasn't yet caught onto their tactics!
I don't recommend this game.