pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4728
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:July 31, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you stop an ancient darkness before it’s too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
50 of 65 found this review helpful
DON'T MIND ME, I'M JUST TAKING THIS THIEF TO THE VETS OFFICE!
PostedAugust 25, 2017
pennmom36
fromNot only is she a thief, but she's a blackmailer as well!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Alicia Cole is a museum curator who finds herself the victim of a botched robbery, while working late. Her daughter Maya, was in the wrong place at the wrong time, when the thief accidentally drops the Skull of Darkness. The hard shell casing cracks, exposing the dangerous artifact, and Maya is swept away through it's evil portal, to a world beyond light itself, where only the shadows dare come out to play!
Equipped with only a Mystical Lens, Alicia will have to find a way to thwart the thieves, and use the Skull of Darkness to enter a world where K'tal delved further than anyone ever dared, in his relentless pursuit of ultimate power. In the Collector's Edition version, there are 36 Collectible icons, and they are fantastically blended into each scene, unlike some games where you can't help but see them. There are also 17 Morphing Objects within each HOP.
The Hidden Object Scenes are by far the most creative and entertaining scenes I've ever seen! Although the concepts are the same, the scenes are not. My favorite's were finding Silhouetted Shapes on three different fossil walls in the museum during an interactive tour, and finding Listed items cleverly blended on three different movie posters. In the CE version, each HOP has a Morphing Object available.
The Mini Games are unusual, and very creative for the most part. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Move the Knights in an L formation to their color coded spots.
2) Create a platform for the yellow hexagon to exit, by crossing over the exact number of symbols as indicated on the clue.
3) Open the safe using the clue you find.
4) Use the mystical lens to destroy the evil shadows, align the circles over the target and click when the two circles overlap.
5) Lead the glowing orb from point A to B by clicking on points of the path until they create a path.
6) Recreate the picture by swapping tiles using the frame as a clue.
7) Steer the car by clicking on the correct moving directional arrow when it aligns with the arrow in the box.
8) Choose the correct item related to the riddle.
9) Move parts of the picture to match the painting.
10) Select the correct images according to the clue.
11) Move the tiles to the opposite sides of the board, tiles can jump one another.
SHADOWPLAY GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Shadowplay: Darkness Incarnate (August 20-16) 4.0
-Shadowplay: Whispers of the Past (July 27-17) 3.6
-Shadowplay: Whispers of the Past (July 27-17) 3.6
The Collector's Edition has wallpapers, Concept Art pictures, 17 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 11 Achievements to earn, 6 Music Soundtracks, 17 Morphing Objects within the HOP's, a Showcase, replayable Code Puzzles, 36 Collectible Hidden Icons, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Can you stop history from repeating itself?
Overall rating
4
/
5
38 of 48 found this review helpful
THIS WOULD BE A FANTASTIC NEW SERIES GAME BUT IT JUST DOESN'T WORK AS A PRINCESS GAME
PostedAugust 25, 2017
pennmom36
from"cough, cough, get me some water please"....okay, well first let me grab this smoker you' leaning on conquer some very angry bees, play a Hidden Object game, use a screwdriver to get a fisheye, play a mini game or two...you'll be fine, I'm a little busy!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm going to continue giving Amax kudos for the fantastic job they are doing. These guys are clearly putting on their thinking caps, to introduce fresh new ideas in a stale environment. Think about it, when is the last time you saw a different or unusual feature in a HOPA game? Amax has got mojo, and my prediction is these devs are going for the gold, I can't wait to see what's to come, I'm betting they have many more tricks up their sleeves, and perhaps a new series or two in store for us. They still need to correct the widescreen issue however, none of the Amax/ERS games automatically support widescreen, I have to either play their games in windowed mode, or adjust my screens resolution, otherwise, the game stretches out too far and cuts off everything on the sides, hopefully, they hear my pleas and fix this annoying issue.
Why only four stars when I just sang praises of how Amax has raised the bar on HOPA games? Well, it's because in my opinion, they should have started an entirely new series with this game, it's anything but a Spirits of Mystery storyline! SOM games are supposed to be about the 5 kingdoms, and the 5 princesses who rule. It's about the evil sorcerer Isa, and the sorceress who pulls his strings, its supposed to be about Nanny the immortal mentor of princesses. Other than a brief appearance from Nanny at the start, everybody else is a no show, the black panther doesn't even make an appearance. The Moon Crystal should have ditched the princess, gave the heroine a rebellious tough girl attitude, and developed a brand new series, a series where the heroine's personality becomes more brazen and rebellious with each new adventure. (if I could only write these storylines...wouldn't it be cool if BF allowed each reviewer to submit a storyline plot, and comprised a game that featured our ideas?)(think about it, there are only a handful of top developers, and even fewer team members who write the storylines, and there are thousands of reviewers, with even more amazing ideas swirling around!)
Another reason I'm only giving this game 4 stars is because of the Collector's Edition extras, or lack thereof. Other than a dozen and a half Achievements to earn, there are only statues to collect. They completely ditched the collectible portraits that gave you insight into each character, and I actually liked the royal crown collection that was introduced in The Fifth Kingdom, so I'm not sure why they decided to abandon these features, again, if they are doing away with all key ingredients of its predecessors, they should have opted for an entirely new series. At the start of the game, Nanny gives you an Amulet that will protect you from harm, but for some reason, you need to whip up a freezing potion to either temporarily freeze several minions or destroy fewer. Throughout the game you'll be given several "choices" such as how you will use the limited amount of potions you have, but I'm not really sure how your decisions will effect the outcome, really the only way to find out, is to play the game twice, using different choices.
The Hidden Object Scenes are varied with Interactive List finds, Silhouetted Shape finds, and Interactive Progressive Silhouetted Shape finds where you must find an item that matches the silhouetted shape and then use that item interactively in the scene to expose the next item and so forth. Many of the HOP's are repeated in the same scene, another annoying feature I hope Amax decides to ditch, it's plain ole boring a second time around.
The Mini Games are fairly good, and there seems to be a ton of them, which is totally awesome. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Follow the beetle as it shuffles between other beatles.
2) Use your amulet to find and select runes on the door in numerical order.
3) Select no more than 3 lures to take, the player who takes the last lure wins.
4) Select the triangles when they are all in the green zone.
5) Connect all the dots in a continuous line only once.
6) Create the outfits shown in the mirror on the mannequin using arrows to move through the options.
7) Use your bracelet and a lever on the conveyor belt to free yourself.
8) Create the symbols shown using rune markings.
9) Rotate and swap disks to conduct the three rays of light from the colored crystals to the center, light rays can only pass through crystals of the same color.
SPIRITS OF MYSTERY GAMES AVAILABLE IN ORDER
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Amber Maiden (January 5-12) 4.2
-Song of the Phoenix (April 12-12) 4.7
-The Dark Minotaur (December 27-12) 4.4
-The Silver Arrow (December 12-13) 4.2
-Chains of Promise (August 13-15) 3.5
-Family Lies (March 24-16) 3.5
-The Fifth Kingdom (January 12-17) 4.2
-Illusions (June 15-17) 3.0
-The Moon Crystal (August 19-17) 3.3
-Song of the Phoenix (April 12-12) 4.7
-The Dark Minotaur (December 27-12) 4.4
-The Silver Arrow (December 12-13) 4.2
-Chains of Promise (August 13-15) 3.5
-Family Lies (March 24-16) 3.5
-The Fifth Kingdom (January 12-17) 4.2
-Illusions (June 15-17) 3.0
-The Moon Crystal (August 19-17) 3.3
This Collector's Edition has 18 Achievements to earn, Collectible Statues, 10 Wallpapers, 14 Concept Art pictures, 6 Screensavers, 4 Music Soundtracks, replayable Mini Games. Hidden Object Scenes, and Movie Videos, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Can you save a young heir from Saint Germain in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
147 of 175 found this review helpful
HOW DO WE THWART THE DWARF
PostedAugust 24, 2017
pennmom36
fromHow does mom miss an entire word completely such as "don't worry, someone will there to take care of you, love mom"?!?!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
That evil dwarf, Saint Germain, is at it again, and he's anything but a saint! SG has his sights set on Sebastian, an innocent little boy, a boy with a gift, or a curse, depending on how it's used. Sebastian has a unique ability, an ability that allows him to mediate between the living and the dead, an ability that SG so desperately desires, an ability that can grant the evil dwarf immortality. Evil that can never be eradicated is bad enough, but evil as annoying as SG is even more frightening! (wheres Lord Tyrion when you need him, am I right?)
I've gotta hand it to the new developers, Amax, (formerly ERS) they were somehow able to revamp a dying series. It's obvious that they have combined new forces with the old, to bring this series up to speed with fresh new ideas and features, while still keeping the original essence, inspired by the father of Russian literature, Alexander Pushkin. The graphics are stunning, the game mechanics are flawless, and the storyline flows well from beginning to end. I'm still disappointed however, in the fact that they continue to overlook the fact that none of their games automatically support widescreen. Their games always require me to either play in windowed mode, or adjust my screen resolution (which is a huge inconvenience, after the game, I have to go back into my screens resolution and readjust back to the original setting) If I don't opt for one of these solutions, the game plays in a stretched manner, and I lose the ability to see anything on either side, particularly during a Hidden Object Scene! If other devs are able to solve this issue, why can't they? The second feature I find annoying, is that the HOP's are always repeated in the same location at least once, which becomes boring a second time around, even though they usually change the type of HO's.
In this Collector's Edition version, each scene has one of three different valued hidden mechanical hearts. The Red Heart is worth 1 coin, the Silver Heart is worth 5 coins and the Gold Heart is worth 10 coins. You can use the coins to repair your humble abode, by removing boards covering the windows, replacing 5 different windows, repairing the front entrance, landscaping the gardens, bring trees back to life, new pavement and even somehow managing to replant an entire forest that sits behind the house! As far as CE value, I'm not so sure this one is worthy of the higher price tag.
The Hidden Object Scenes are decent, but nothing new is presented in the demo, and so far, there aren't any alternative games offered in lieu of the HOP. There are Keywords in Sentence finds, Multiples of the same item finds, Silhouetted Shape finds, uncovering Matching Pair finds, and several Zoom Zone HOP's with Fragmented item finds. As I stated earlier, several of the scenes are repeated in the same location, but usually with a different type of HOP.
The Mini Games are actually fairly entertaining for the most part, although they tend to be on the easier side of difficulty. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Move all the stones along the lines, to their matching colored slots. In the Hard mode, stones can only be moved when a hand isn't over it.
2) Open all "marked" crates to find matching pairs.
3) Swap tiles to complete the image.
4) Arrange pairs of symbols in the correct order at the bottom, matching symbols must be placed next to each other.
5) Repeat the sequence of stones that light up.
6) Place statue fragments correctly within highlighted areas.
7) Arrange the statues correctly according to color and symbol clues on the base.
8) Follow a recipe in the correct order.
9) Select and drag the circle through each pattern, without going outside of the lines.
HAUNTED LEGENDS GAMES AVAILABLE IN ORDER
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-The Queen of Spades (December 15-10) 4.2
2-The Bronze Horseman (September 11-11) 4.0
3-The Undertaker (November 15-12) 4.4
4-The Curse of the Vox (June 30-13) 4.0
5-Stone Guest (November 15-14) 4.0
6-The Dark Wishes (May 15-15) 3.7
7-The Secret of Life (November 5-15) 3.9
8-The Iron Mask (July 30-16) 4.1
9-Faulty Creatures (December 3-16) 3.1
10-The Black Hawk (March 9-17) 4.3
11-The Cursed Gift (August 24-17) 4.2
2-The Bronze Horseman (September 11-11) 4.0
3-The Undertaker (November 15-12) 4.4
4-The Curse of the Vox (June 30-13) 4.0
5-Stone Guest (November 15-14) 4.0
6-The Dark Wishes (May 15-15) 3.7
7-The Secret of Life (November 5-15) 3.9
8-The Iron Mask (July 30-16) 4.1
9-Faulty Creatures (December 3-16) 3.1
10-The Black Hawk (March 9-17) 4.3
11-The Cursed Gift (August 24-17) 4.2
This Collector's Edition has 5 Screensavers, 9 Concept Art pictures, 9 Wallpapers, 9 Movie Videos, 4 Music Soundtracks, 13 replayable Mini Games, 14 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 12 Achievements to earn, Collectible Red, Silver and Gold Hearts (worth 1-5-10 coins) Upgradable house with earned collectibles, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Mononino and the Treefruities are facing another disaster. With the leaves of their home tree once again scattered, your help is greatly needed.
Overall rating
5
/
5
100 of 109 found this review helpful
THESE TREEFRUITIES ARE HIGH MAINTENANCE!
PostedAugust 23, 2017
pennmom36
fromFYI- press escape (esc) for menu options and exit and save
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Return to the most frustrating, mind bending realm of Mononino, where those adorable Treefruities are once again in trouble. The gust of wind was nothing compared to a tree cold, and when a tree sneezes, poof! The leaves have scattered once again, so you must search for clues, find useful inventory items, and solve tricky puzzles, to earn your leaves back.
If you don't enjoy solving puzzles without guidance, you won't enjoy this game, there is no hand holding, no how to's, no tutorial, no hints. However, there are plenty of clues, you just have to figure out how to apply those clues. I'll give you an example, so here's fair warning of a SPOILER ALERT in case you want to discover it for yourself (just a clue, not the answer)
-pull down the inventory map, click to get a clue, open the statues head, figure out how to place the keys, figure out what happens when you are correct! END SPOILER ALERT.
-pull down the inventory map, click to get a clue, open the statues head, figure out how to place the keys, figure out what happens when you are correct! END SPOILER ALERT.
Not so easy to figure out the puzzles, certainly not so easy to navigate, but if you're patient, and willing to use neurons, then just go ahead and purchase the game, because the demo isn't long enough to explore all the options, and there's so many leaves to find, enjoy the journey!
I recommend this game!
Become the hero of your own chapter in Tiny Tales: Heart of the Forest.
Overall rating
4
/
5
107 of 123 found this review helpful
I'M NEVER MOWING MY GRASS AGAIN!
PostedAugust 23, 2017
pennmom36
frombravo, brave giant!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Look closely, no, look really closely, because under your feet exists an entire Kingdom of teeny tiny people! These tiny little people are having some very large problems, the rivers are drying up! The Kingdom of Brie was once a luscious and beautiful kingdom, but when the river began to dry up, its citizens began to get nervous, without water, no one can survive. King Oliver decided to hold a tournament that would allow a hero to rise, a hero that could set off on a journey to find the cause of the drought, and hopefully solve the issues. Of course, that tiny Hero, is you!
I love the creative graphics, ladders made of matchsticks, spoons and forks as decorations, and even an axe made from a pop top soda can! These people are so tiny, they make little creatures of the forest seem huge. In the Collector's Edition version, there are 16 Collectible Coins to find (even these tiny people have to pay taxes) and 20 Collectible Dolls as well as the usual CE extras, but Brave Giant devs never let you access most of the extras until after you complete the game.
The Hidden Object Scenes were average, neither good nor bad. Most of the HOP's require you to find Multiples of items such as tokens or coins, but there are also Fragmented item finds and Silhouetted Shape finds (with silhouetted shapes that are just as tiny as the citizens) In the CE you can play an alternate Monaco Card game which seems to be available in most of Brave Giants games, just like their previous game Ghost Files.
The Mini Games are fairly easy to solve, and nothing really new is presented. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Answer the questions by locating the items that the rat is wearing.
2) Select the tiles floating around the rat to reveal the colors and then find its match in order to charge the spell.
3) Slide tiles to create an opening.
4) Find the symbols shown in each scene, covered by acorns.
5) Click on the target to stop the balls when they are in the red circle.
6) Cross the path using a balancing rod by adjusting the direction with the mouse.
7) Pass through all of the points only once.
8) Rearrange tokens so that adjacent tiles have something in common.
The Collector's Edition has 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, Movie Video Cutscenes, replayable Hidden Object Scenes, replayable Mini Games, Achievements to earn, 20 Collectible Coins, 20 Collectible Dolls, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Can you find the Wise Dragon and save your people?
Overall rating
4
/
5
44 of 52 found this review helpful
WISE DRAGON SAYS.........DITCH THE CARTOON STYLE GRAPHICS....and the raccoon!!!!
PostedAugust 22, 2017
pennmom36
fromGood ole WD indeed!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm a fan of the castle journeys, although none of the Midnight Calling games come close to the never ending journey of the original cult classic Midnight Castle. The reason I have been giving the last couple of games in this series only a four star rating, is because of the graphics. Obviously the storylines are enchanting, and I don't expect realistic graphics in a fantasy based game, but these graphics aren't good at all, and way too cartoonish in nature to take seriously, which is a shame, because with better graphics, this series would be a force to reckon with!
Diana's father Benedict is a well known magician, who has apparently discovered the secrets of the Wise Dragon, but may not be alive to talk about it! After the entire town was obliterated by a dragon, Diana learns that her father suspected foul play, and left behind clues so that she could continue the journey her father began. Only the worthy, who pass the Wise Dragon's test, are able to see the elusive and of course wise dragon. Could the Wise Dragon be responsible for the town's demise, or are more sinister forces at play here?
This Collector's Edition version has some good "frill" extra's, such as Morphing Objects, Achievements, Fresco Fragments and Collectible Dragons. I was a little disappointed however, that the cursor changes to a hand whenever you come across one of the CE bling offerings, and even more disappointed by the raccoon helper!
The Hidden Object Scenes are varied with Interactive List finds, Silhouetted Shape finds and Multiple finds. One HOP in particular, I actually found to be entertaining, and rarely offered, which required you to find the exact areas shown inside square tiles. It would be nice to see more of this type.
The Mini Games are fairly easy, and some are multi-layered. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Rotate disks to complete the image.
2) Select tokens from the top and bottom that create the symbol shown in the center.
3) Swap disks and select the bottom symbol to change which disks are available.
4) Select and drag circles to rotate and select again to lock into place.
5) Select the outer symbols that make up the symbols in the center.
6) Drag 3 or more identical tiles in several Match 3 games.
7) Move animal tokens along the lines to their matching spaces.
8) Destroy all but one chip by selecting a chip located between two matching chips.
MIDNIGHT CALLING GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Anabel (February 17-15) 3.9
-Jeronimo (June 11-16) 4.1
-Valeria (January 19-17) 3.6
-Wise Dragon (August 17-17) 4.5
-Jeronimo (June 11-16) 4.1
-Valeria (January 19-17) 3.6
-Wise Dragon (August 17-17) 4.5
This Collector's Edition has 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 4 Music Soundtracks, 24 Achievements to earn, a Secret Room, Collectible Dragons, Fresco Puzzle Fragments, Morphing Objects, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy the castle journey!
I recommend this game!
Powerful magic is at your fingertips as you protect your island home!
Overall rating
5
/
5
122 of 150 found this review helpful
MOAI V IS CRAZY CHALLENGING, AND I LOVE IT!
PostedAugust 22, 2017
pennmom36
fromThis comet related TM game would have been a great Solar Eclipse day release!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It has been several hundred years since the comet has passed over the lost island of Tapa-Tui. During this rare celestial event, the high priests hold a ceremony to honor the spirits of the elements, and ask for their protection. When Fimi-Am, the High Priest becomes ill, the Chief's twin children, Hika-Ri and Kao-Ri volunteer to perform the traditional rituals. Before performing the ritual, they must find four ancient constructions, known as the Elemental Gates, and learn to use mana and negotiate with the spirits of the elements. And so the saga continues......
Moai has always been one of my favorite Time Management game series, because it's not just a point and click here and there game, you actually have to use strategy! Moai V is crazy busy, and crazy challenging, right from the get go! (don't worry, there's an easy untimed mode) I actually thought about playing each level in the easy mode first, and then creating a second profile to replay the level in the timed mode, because if you don't do things just right, it's hard to finish the level with all 3 stars! These levels are certainly some of the busiest levels I've seen, and it's easy to overlook some minute tasks, not to mention making the right trading decisions to allow you to reach level goals.
Each level has treasure chests available which contain valuable artifacts and bonuses such as the Sandals of Speed which give the Moai a little more speed to get the job done. There are several different Artifacts to earn that will help you progress by increasing resources by a specific percentage, and other perks such as that. The Artifacts are kept in your backpack and you can choose a handful to apply before each level if you choose. Because you are playing this episode as the twins, both characters backpacks can be equipped.
Each level has treasure chests available which contain valuable artifacts and bonuses such as the Sandals of Speed which give the Moai a little more speed to get the job done. There are several different Artifacts to earn that will help you progress by increasing resources by a specific percentage, and other perks such as that. The Artifacts are kept in your backpack and you can choose a handful to apply before each level if you choose. Because you are playing this episode as the twins, both characters backpacks can be equipped.
There are the usual Time Management tasks to remove obstructions from pathways, plant crops for food, build sawmills for wood, quarries to produce stone, gold mines to build, repair destroyed property, fix broken bridges, collect resources, trade goods at the market and from merchants. Some of the building sites give you the choice of which building to construct, and you'll have to build them strategically in order to complete level goals. Trading items with merchants also have several options as well as quantities, which are super exciting, especially when playing in a Timed mode, it truly get the adrenaline flowing!
I can't say that I'm thrilled with the Collector's Edition version, because for me personally, I don't see the need for a few wallpapers and music soundtracks, especially for twice as much money, but I will say that if you don't mind the price, you won't be disappointed in this TM game.
MOAI GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
-Moai I: Build Your Dream (June 24-13) 4.3
-Moai II: Path To Another World (May 5-15) 3.7
-Moai III: Trade Mission (December 26-15) 4.2
-Moai IV: Terra Incognito (July 2-16) 4.6
-Moai V: Generation (August 22-17) n/a
-Moai II: Path To Another World (May 5-15) 3.7
-Moai III: Trade Mission (December 26-15) 4.2
-Moai IV: Terra Incognito (July 2-16) 4.6
-Moai V: Generation (August 22-17) n/a
This Collector's Edition has 9 Wallpapers (which are actually vivid and colorful for a change) 9 Music Soundtracks, 10 Character Biographies, 69 Achievements to earn, Bonus Levels, and a Strategy Guide, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Set off on a captivating solitaire adventure and uncover the secrets hidden on a mystical island.
Overall rating
3
/
5
76 of 85 found this review helpful
EVER SO PROMISING BUT ULTIMATELY A LET DOWN
PostedAugust 21, 2017
pennmom36
fromThere's a difference between challenging and frustratingly impossible!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Magic Cards Solitaire
(28)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
First of all, where's the "tri peaks" part? This is a normal Higher/Lower Solitaire game, that has some really cool features. I thought this was going to be a really fun solitaire game, but it doesn't give you enough deck cards to give you a fair chance of winning. The first 7 levels are doable, after that, you're going to spend the rest of the demo trying to beat the next 2 or 3 levels with about 20 deck cards available. Even if you somehow manage to beat the level, the best you can hope for is a one star rating!
You begin with a tutorial you cannot disengage, to make matters worse, the tutorial forces you to use a joker, even though you could clearly continue a chain without wasting one of only 2 given jokers. You start out with 2 undo's, 2 add five cards, 2 reveal all face down cards, and 2 remove all face up cards. You could in theory, use all the bonuses to beat the level, but having to use these features from the get go is ridiculous. You can buy more of these bonuses, but unless you have at least 20 stars, you will be caught in a catch 22, because it's impossible to earn more than one star.
I do however, like the obstacles offered. Cards that are Chained require two plays per chained card, Locked cards require finding and playing the Key card, Rotating cards change value with every turn, and cards with Timers require you to play that card before the timer runs out, or you will lose. Again the problem is, how can you possible beat those more difficult levels if you cannot beat the first few levels?
I don't recommend this game.
Can you unlock the secrets of the mysterious meteor?
Overall rating
1
/
5
86 of 108 found this review helpful
WHERE'S THE PUPPET REAPER WHEN YOU NEED HIM?
PostedAugust 20, 2017
pennmom36
fromda da da dunt ta dunt ta dunt ta da...
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
It appears that AMAX Interactive games has merged with ERS (which actually happened with Redemption Cemetery EOE) and they aren't off to a good start. Puppet Show has run it's course, and it's time to call it quits, I can appreciate all the hard work the team has put into this game, but surely they realize the "wow" factor is gone, long gone! I thought this demo would never end, too bad it wasn't as short as Danse Macabre's demo, because this game flatlined from the get go, and went downhill from there.
This game has all kinds of crazy going on, first they have me choose my avatar character. There are 3 men and 3 women to choose from, I chose the brunette, yet near the end of the demo, I was challenged to a fist fight by a rather large male character! Moving right along, I'm introduced to my little puppet doll with a really annoying fake voice, all she needed was a heart and a name. Well actually she also needed a large overstuffed pillow, so am I seriously going to investigate this meteorite case while carrying around a tiny doll on a huge pillow? I carry my large pillow to the local Hotel to check the two of us in. On the staircase is a huge pile of random items, including a human skull, but this doesn't deter me in the least bit. Then I peek into the keyhole of my room, and see that I'm about to be cosby'd and now I start to worry. The clincher is when I pick up a sticky note to do list at the front desk that the clerk apparently wrote to help him remember to "off" me and the photographer. At least in the Collector's Edition version, I can always watch my nameless doll dance, once I collect the TWO single Collector's Edition not so hidden musical Notes. I'm so glad there weren't THREE musical notes to find in the demo because I would be exhausted, I already have to lug around a giant pillow!
The Hidden Object Scenes are just as boring as the game, offering Interactive list finds, Silhouetted Shape finds, and Multiple finds, there are also smaller Zoom Zone scenes where you find 5 pieces of tape, exciting right?
The Mini Games are even more boring, below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Analyze special information from the chief, in the preschool manner of placing meteorite parts correctly.
2) Complete the lava puzzle by placing puzzle pieces into their correct highlighted shapes.
3) Recreate the shapes from the doorframe by using 4 different rotational buttons.
4) Hook the emblem when both indicators are in the target zone.
5) Repair the Hotel key by selecting parts from other keys.
6) Lead the key to the center by clicking on the key when a break occurs in the maze.
7) Defeat your opponent in a Match 3 battle type game.
8) Drag the water emblem through the shape without touching the parameter.
9) Connect all dots in a continuous line crossing each line once.
PUPPET SHOW GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Arrogance Effect (July 22-17) 2.9
-Bloody Rosie (November 17-16) 3.7
-Destiny Undone (March 28-13) 4.2
-Her Cruel Collections (September 15-16) 3.3
-Lightning Strikes ( August 21-14) 3.3
-Lost Town (November 15-11) 4.1
-Mystery of Joyville (November 19-11) 4.3
-Return to Joyville ( April 19-12) 4.3
-Souls of the Innocent (November 11-11) 4.5
-The Face of Humanity (January 21-16) 3.7
-The Price of Immortality (March 19-15) 4.4
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Arrogance Effect (July 22-17) 2.9
-Bloody Rosie (November 17-16) 3.7
-Destiny Undone (March 28-13) 4.2
-Her Cruel Collections (September 15-16) 3.3
-Lightning Strikes ( August 21-14) 3.3
-Lost Town (November 15-11) 4.1
-Mystery of Joyville (November 19-11) 4.3
-Return to Joyville ( April 19-12) 4.3
-Souls of the Innocent (November 11-11) 4.5
-The Face of Humanity (January 21-16) 3.7
-The Price of Immortality (March 19-15) 4.4
The Collector's Edition demo has 2 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 4 replayable Mini Games, 9 Concept Art pictures, 10 Wallpapers, 6 Screensavers, 4 Music Soundtracks, 5 replayable Video Movies, 15 Achievements to earn, Collectible Music Notes to make the doll dance on stage, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover who’s after your dance troupe?
Overall rating
3
/
5
28 of 35 found this review helpful
CURSE OF THE SERIES
PostedAugust 20, 2017
pennmom36
fromIt's time for a whole new game series!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game is a screaming banshee no for me for several reasons. First of all, I had a hard time making it through the demo because it has no challenge whatsoever. Secondly, this demo hit a record for being the shortest demo ever, I took my time and still had 45 minutes left of the 90 minute trial!
Thirdly, (is there such a word?) the game had some incredible feats, by incredible, I mean ridiculous impossible feats. At one point I actually threw a rope across the ravine, and as luck would have it my teeny tiny carabiner landed on the teeny tiny hook, on my first attempt! This is the same hook that I had to find a saw to cut the carabiner from a swing, it's a carabiner, why didn't I just push the clasp and remove it from the rope?
Thirdly, (is there such a word?) the game had some incredible feats, by incredible, I mean ridiculous impossible feats. At one point I actually threw a rope across the ravine, and as luck would have it my teeny tiny carabiner landed on the teeny tiny hook, on my first attempt! This is the same hook that I had to find a saw to cut the carabiner from a swing, it's a carabiner, why didn't I just push the clasp and remove it from the rope?
Well, we have yet another screaming Banshee, the Irish harbinger of impending doom, whose presence means a family member will soon perish. She seems more like a Piroshedevil to me,, she can light fires pretty well, but not once did she scream, not even, FIRE! Anyway, it looks like daddy O'Connor has some splaining to do, where was he hanging up his tap shoes back in the day?
The Hidden Object Scenes are super simple and super boring. We start out with finding items that match keywords of newspaper articles about the rise and fall of the Irish Step-dance King who joined forces with his brother, otherwise known as Uncle Pat (but I'm starting to suspect my last name is Banshee) Eventually you'll work your way through several piles of junk to find Silhouetted Shapes, some of which look nothing like their silhouette, the old familiar task of finding 5 of two different identical items which will give you a tool to open up the List, and a small Zoom Zone HOP where you must find Multiples of the same items. In the Collector's Edition version, there is a Morphing Object to find in most of the HOP's, and there is an alternate Match 3 game to play.
The Mini Games are super easy, and most can be solved on the first attempt, just like the rope throwing thingy. (thingy is a real word I'm pretty sure) Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during this very brief demo:
1) Move the feet along the lines, using extra spaces, so they line up in their matching numbered slots.
2) Press start and click on corresponding dance move buttons when the dropping dance moves are within the green zone.
3) Recreate the tiles image so it consists of a continuous straight line.
4) Arrange notes by dragging them according to the music sheet, clicking on the notes will rotate them.
5) Attach the rope hooks to the tent stakes on the ground by selecting circles to move them either up or down with the specified amount of moves shown.
6) Lead the rope across the pattern in a continuous line, selecting the X button to attach the rope, which cannot cross more than once.
DANSE MACABRE GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Crimson Cabaret (September 25-14) 4.4
-Curse of the Banshee (July 20-17) 3.0
-Deadly Deception (February 28-15) 4.1
-Florentine Elegy (April 1-17) 3.5
-Lethal Letters (February 11-16) 4.2
-Ominous Obsession (April 10-16) 3.9
-The Last Adagio (February 20-14) 4.4
-Thin Ice (June 11-15) 4.1
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Crimson Cabaret (September 25-14) 4.4
-Curse of the Banshee (July 20-17) 3.0
-Deadly Deception (February 28-15) 4.1
-Florentine Elegy (April 1-17) 3.5
-Lethal Letters (February 11-16) 4.2
-Ominous Obsession (April 10-16) 3.9
-The Last Adagio (February 20-14) 4.4
-Thin Ice (June 11-15) 4.1
The Collector's Edition has 9 Music Soundtracks, 6 Movie Videos, 8 Concept Art pictures, 8 Wallpapers, a Souvenir Room, 14 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 19 replayable Mini Games, replayable Match 3 games, 14 Achievements to earn, 14 Morphing Objects within the HOP's, 38 Hidden Signs, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter.
I don't recommend this game.