pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4711
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:March 30, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you stop the infamous Crows League before they strike again?
Overall rating
2
/
5
54 of 64 found this review helpful
I THINK DETECTIVE AUGUSTE DUPIN IS READY TO RETIRE
PostedAugust 11, 2017
pennmom36
fromDid I just use someone's urn as a water jug?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Amex has obviously tried to breathe new life into ERS' long running Dark Tales series. If I remember correctly, Puppet Show was the first series released by ERS, and then Dark Tales. Detective Dupin looks like he's tired, and is in need of a shave, I'm not sure if this was the look they were going for, but I think he may be getting ready to retire, which might be a good thing, because Dark Tales has been going downhill for quite some time now. There is one good thing with this latest Edgar Allan Poe rendition, Lenore, the collectibles in the CE version are better, and they've added Morphing Raven sketches. They have also revamped the inventory bar, for a cleaner look, and it appears that they have integrated CG graphics along with hand drawn graphics. With all this revamping, the storyline is just getting old, as old as Dupin himself, and to make matters worse, they continued with the same plot as the last game, which wasn't all that great.
Dupin receives a letter from Thomas Guillinger, the town Mayor, because he always receives a letter from the town Mayor. The Mayor suspects that the Crow League is responsible for the recent abductions of the town's children, including his own son. Doesn't it seem that the town Mayor only gets involved when something happens to his own family? As usual, this case has to be solved discretely, so the Mayor asks you to meet him on a specified date, just outside of town. When you arrive, our bright detective fears that the Mayor is a no show, but tells you to ask the seedy character wearing a burlap sack over his head, if he is the person your looking for. Because so many people wear a sack on their head, it could be your employer, it could be just an average Joe out for a stroll. The Mayor is a suspicious man, so he has sent his henchman, wearing a fashionable sack over his head, and he proceeds to tell me (me, not Dupin, because he doesn't seem to do any of the legwork) that I must pass a test before I get hired! That wasn't the deal, there was no mention of a test in the letter, but against my better judgement, I enquire about the test. Turns out he wants me to enter the Smuggler's Tavern, and if I make it out alive, I've got the job. SAY WHAT? They want me to go into a haunted tavern of which I may not make it out alive, just to be able to risk my life doing my detective thing for the Mayor? At this point, I'm thinking I should re-negotiate my fee, but Dupin gladly volunteered my services! Thanks a lot Dup! As you can guess, I make it out alive, and infiltrate the town on my quest to solve the case of the missing children, once again.
The Hidden Object Scenes are mostly Multiple finds and mostly consist of small Zoom Zone scenes where you are tasked with finding 4 objects of the same kind such as 4 crows, 4 buttons etc. All of these objects are in plain view and impossible not to find.
The Mini Games are basic and simple lacking creativity. Most games are available in a Casual or Hard difficulty mode. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Create a color coded path for each skull, using buttons to swap plate sections, then drag skulls to the other side.
2) Restore the mirror by placing the shards correctly.
3) Swap medal parts until they match the wax seal on the letter.
4) Click on the number code in the correct order according to the clue.
DARK TALES EDGAR ALLAN POE'S GAMES AVAILABLE:
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Lenore (August 10-17) n/a
-Metzengerstein (July 21-16) 3.4
-Murder's In The Rue Morgue (November 23-11) 3.7
-The Black Cat (November 17-11) 4.6
-The Fall Of The House Of Usher (March 20-14) 4.0
-The Gold Bug (January 10-13) 3.8
-The Masque Of The Red Death (April 25-13) 4.4
-The Premature Burial (November 13-11) 4.5
-The Raven (December 29-16) 3.2
-The Tell-Tale Heart (November 14-15) 2.7
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Lenore (August 10-17) n/a
-Metzengerstein (July 21-16) 3.4
-Murder's In The Rue Morgue (November 23-11) 3.7
-The Black Cat (November 17-11) 4.6
-The Fall Of The House Of Usher (March 20-14) 4.0
-The Gold Bug (January 10-13) 3.8
-The Masque Of The Red Death (April 25-13) 4.4
-The Premature Burial (November 13-11) 4.5
-The Raven (December 29-16) 3.2
-The Tell-Tale Heart (November 14-15) 2.7
This Collector's Edition has 9 Movie Videos, 10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art pictures, 5 Screensavers, 5 Music Soundtracks, 16 replayable Mini Games, 21 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 16 Achievements to earn, 32 Morphing Ravens, 66 Collectible Golden Feathers that convert to jigsaw puzzle pieces to assemble EAP's office,a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter.
I don't recommend this game.
Travel across eight locations while solving color and monochrome griddler puzzles. Earn stars to complete the challenges.
Overall rating
5
/
5
59 of 69 found this review helpful
I'M ON THE FENCE ABOUT PURCHASING THIS GAME
PostedAugust 11, 2017
pennmom36
fromThe white rabbit sure does have some long ears!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Crystal Mosaic has some of the most beautiful crystal tiles, and the music is very pleasing. Each picture is vibrant, and there are so many appealing colors, blues, oranges, reds, greens, even black! (you can however, opt for a traditional Monochrome color option) There are 5 different levels with 20 puzzles in each level, you can earn 3 stars per replayable level, and you can switch between colors in the Colored mode.
There are a couple of different options or features that I've never experienced in a griddler game before. For starters, there is a Measuring tool that allows you to measure how many cells are in a row or column, which can be helpful in an oddly shaped puzzle. I was amazed to discover that when I had to exit the game halfway through a puzzle, (to rescue my dog from the cat who thought it was funny to surprise attack him through the rungs of the stairs) (yes my dog needed rescuing from a cat lol) I thought I'd lose my progress and have to redo the puzzle, but the game saved my position!
Everything was going great, except for the bully cat incident, until I reached level 10. Perhaps I was having a rough morning, being too distracted, but at the end of the puzzle I had to either guess at the placement of two different single tiles which both had two empty cells, or use a hint, which would subtract a star. There were no more colors to switch to because those were the only two tiles left, leaving me wondering if the entire game would be like this, or just a few here and there?!? I may just wait to buy this until I get another coupon, because it really is a relaxing and beautiful Mosaic Griddler, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The birds and cats are back in an all-new puzzle adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
66 of 81 found this review helpful
THOSE DASTARDLY CATS HAVE STOWED THEMSELVES ABOARD THE SPACESHIP!
PostedAugust 9, 2017
pennmom36
fromIs it just me, or are the birds and cats a little less cute in this game?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Claws & Feathers is one of my favorite Match 3 games because it requires strategy, a lot of strategy. When Zombie Birds take over the world, our feathered friends decide to board a spaceship, destination, any planet that doesn't have Zombies! The problem is, those furry, cunning little cats have snuck onboard, and they're more annoying than ever!
The goal is to remove birds and cats that are blocking the path to various objects such as Digital Keys to open the Cryo Cages, or Energy Capsules that go into the Reactors. To make matches you need to drag a bird to the desired cell, to make a group of three or more identical colored birds. If you fail to make a Match on any given move, all eggs on the board will hatch into the same colored bird as the egg shown. Sometimes this is necessary if you don't have enough birds to make more matches. If you place a bird on an egg, that egg won't hatch, but you can set up your next move to include the egg, so that when it hatches, there will be a match and they will be removed. To remove a cat, which sometimes has an item you need hidden under them, you need to place an identical colored bird on either side of him, and he will drop the item when those two birds carry him off.
Clearing a path can be complicated, especially when eggs start hatching all over the place. There are usually two requirements to achieve Gold status. The first goal is to find either Capsules to place into Reactors, or Color Coded Digital Keys to unlock Cryo Cages that will free the chicks. (you will need to clear a path in order for one item to reach the other) Some birds have Chains on them which require you to make one match to break the chain, and then another to remove them if necessary. You will win the level if those goals are met, but to earn Gold status, you must complete the secondary goal which varies. The secondary goal may be to remove a certain percentage of birds, allow no more that 4 birds to fly away (don't make a match of 4 red birds or more and only once during the entire level) complete the level within a specific amount of moves, or free all chained birds. A Gold Coin will appear at the bottom of the board, with an alert tone, once you have met the secondary goal requirements.
CLAWS 7 FETHER GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
-Claws & Feathers 1 (September 17-14) 4.2
-Claws & Feathers 2 (July 20-15) 4.4
-Claws & Feathers 3 (August 9-17) n/a
-Claws & Feathers 2 (July 20-15) 4.4
-Claws & Feathers 3 (August 9-17) n/a
This is a very challenging and at times frustrating game. It reminds me of an older game I play all the time, called Da Vinci's Secret, that has similar features using orbs or balls instead of birds. This is a definite purchase for me, give it a try, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
204 of 234 found this review helpful
WELCOME SUBJECT 13 HOW DO YOU FEEL?
PostedAugust 8, 2017
pennmom36
fromI've included a clue of my own in my review, when you play the game, you might put two and two together :)
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm betting this game will be hated by many gamers, and loved by hardcore gamers looking for a challenge. This game isn't going to hold your hand, and it's not going to have any sparkling HO's, the puzzles you need to solve in order to escape, will require you to solve it using neurons and logic, there's no Strategy Guide safety net. The graphics are basic and honestly ugly, but that's because you aren't locked up in an elegant mansion filled with colorful butterflies. The mechanics will drive you just as mad as the Professor of research, but the storyline will intrigue you so much, you'll put up with all the madness, and frustration!
To navigate your way through this old school sci-fi adventure, you need to click and hold the right mouse button, and scan the area, this isn't a point and click game, and you can look all around you, up, down, left, right and even behind objects. When a gear icon appears when you scan the area, you'll need to left click and hold, which prompts 3 categories, an eye which prompts your character, Frank Fargo,to say something, if there's anything to say, the hand icon allows you to pick up an item, some items will go into your inventory on the bottom left, and if you choose the magnifying glass, it will zoom into the area.
Most of the areas of importance require you to figure out what to do with it, or how to open it, you may need to push buttons, lift latches, turn a key, or place items correctly, move all around the object in a 2 or 3D manner, to search for an "aha" moment or clue to how it works. You may want to write down numbers, or anything that might be important in the future. Some areas will give you somewhat of a clue or step in the right direction, when the Question Mark lights up.
Most rooms or areas have 2 Testimonies to discover. These are yellow, and are voice recordings from various researchers, these are important, and they paint a picture of what is going on, it's they only way you'll learn the storyline! You will be asked if you want to stay and find the missing Testimonies or leave the area, once you find a way out that is.
This game won't be a game for everyone, it's by no means an easy game, and the features and game mechanics are difficult to say the least, to navigate. Please play the demo first to see if this game will be your cup of tea, enjoy your escape!
I recommend this game!
Help the young hotel manager create a 5 star luxury hotel and turn it into the holiday resort of your dreams.
Overall rating
5
/
5
94 of 108 found this review helpful
THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT RIO.....
PostedAugust 7, 2017
pennmom36
fromI think Mr. Rich would be difficult to work for even if he wasn't Lucy's father!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Cradle of Rome
(33)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I usually don't like Limited Moves Match 3 games, but there's just something about Rio, that piqued my interest. This is a swap type Match 3 game, that can be played in a Normal or Casual Mode which gives you 25% more moves to complete each level. You can actually switch back and forth on any level because there is an option box at the bottom of the screen. The tiles are colorful and the music is nice, but I did find it to be repetitive after several levels.Any level can be replayed, and there is a meter at the top of the screen to show you when you will lose a star, according to how many moves remain.
Lucy Rich has been given the responsibility of building a luxury Hotel in Rio, by her father who hopes she will one day take over the business. Lucy has a tight budget, and must figure out a way to bring in customers to earn more money, so that she can reinvest the earnings to upgrade the Hotel. After building the Hotel, you will play Match 3 Games to earn more money, to build amenities such as a Bar, Pavilion, a swimming Pool and of course a Janitorial Maintenance Building. Some of the buildings will award you with a Bonus, such as a Hammer to destroy a tile of choice, from the Janitor's building, but it must be recharge after each use by collecting Hammer tiles. Once you build a new building, you get to play a game of Higher/Lower Solitaire game to earn coins. You can purchase new deck cards and backgrounds with the coins earned.
Large matches over 4 will earn you an Orange Juice Bomb on the board, that will explode to remove adjacent tiles and blockages when clicked on, without counting as a turn. I did notice however, that this feature doesn't always seem to give you the OJ bomb, but I couldn't figure out why. At one point I thought it had to be matches OVER 4, but even with matches of 5, 6 or even 3 vertically and 3 horizontally in a single move, wouldn't always trigger the feature, so I'm not sure if it is a glitch, or I didn't understand the requirements.
There are some unusual features like Chocolate blockades, where the chocolate begins to melt and spread all over the other tiles, and the usual blockades of Chains that require a specific tile match, or Crates and Ice Cubes that require matches to be made next to them, to destroy them. You will need to match specific tiles that are shown around each customer's profile picture, and make matches over all Sand filled cells. Some Sand filled cells are covered with Grass, and you'll have to make two matche on top of them, the first match will destroy the grass, the second match will destroy the sand filled cell.
I think one of the features I enjoyed the most, was the fact that the level layouts are so unique. The first several levels are fairly easy, but they quickly become more challenging, and I loved how well the storyline fits the tasks at hand, such as receiving a Hammer from the janitor, and playing Solitaire with him, or making matches yo fulfil the customer's desires. It isn't easy tying a storyline to a Match 3 game! If you don't mind a Limited Moves Match 3 game, this is a fantastic Match 3 game that's definitely worth considering, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Your brother gets in trouble during the filming of his ghost hunting show!
Overall rating
3
/
5
37 of 47 found this review helpful
ANOTHER GAME THAT GOES SOUTH AFTER THE DEMO
PostedAugust 7, 2017
pennmom36
fromI need those sunglasses to protect my eyes from all the purple graphics!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I buy the Collector's Edition versions of these HOPA games, that have an interesting demo, and sometimes games in a series that have always been good even if the demo was less than stellar, during BOGO sales. It's funny that some of the less stellar games improve vastly after the demo, yet some of the more interesting game demos, fizzle and head south. I wait to finish playing the game until the Standard Edition version is released, and usually play the SE demo version first, and then finish playing the CE version (or at least try to finish) I really liked the demo, but I had no desire to keep playing this game in its entirety. I made it through Chapter 3, and almost all of chapter 4, but it just became stagnant, adding very little new factors to the story. Really the only meat of the story happens within the demo, all the rest are just bits and pieces that cinch the fact that good ole dad was just a[n] __________ (fill in the blank) I also think Mystery Tales should ditch the color scheme, the over abundance of blue and purple hues, make the game less credible, I keep expecting a Unicorn to walk across the screen, leaving a trail of glitter bombs behind him! Anyway, here's a recap of my review to help you decide which version, if any, is right for you:
You see dead people. This is your gift, this is also your curse, and this time it's personal. You've been contacted by your brother Patrick, and this can only mean one thing, he's probably dead! Ghost hunting runs in the family, and Patrick was the host of the popular Ghost Riders show. His latest show took place in the Arden Manor, home to Count Valack Arden, an infamous serial killer. No one knows why this once kind and gentle father, turned into a vicious killer, but it's probably safe to assume it has something to do with the death of his baby girl Helen.
No credible ghost chaser would be caught "dead" without their Astral Glasses that allow you to see past events as well as interact with the astral plane and it's objects. In the Collector's Edition version, there are 44 Hidden Butterflies (and apparently moths are included) that allow you to use them as currency to purchase 14 different Cursed Items. There are also 15 hidden Morphing Figurines, 16 collectible Tarot Cards and Collectible Notes, which always seem to blow away from your hands as soon as you arrive, happens every time!
The Hidden Object Scenes are varied and for the most part, are entertaining, although they aren't very creative. In the CE version, you can also opt to play a Match 3 game alternate. There are Interactive List finds, Silhouetted Shape finds, Keyword finds, and even Zoom Zone finds. My favorite however, are the "Spot the Difference" scenes.
The Mini Games are decent, but even on the "Hard" setting, they seem fairly easy to solve. I played almost to the end of chapter 4, and was able to complete all of the puzzles, in Hard Mode, on the first or second attempt. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Rotate the circles to create the symbols shown around the border, rotating one circle may affect others.
2) Swap the black and white tokens, they can only move forward and can only jump opposite colors.
3) Clear all ghosts by moving to a space next to them.
4) Select arrows to mold the lockpick to fit the lock.
5) Click on 4 different colored light filtering options to scan for the ghost in each scene.
6) Use directional arrows to move the planchette and flip over all tiles to create an image.
7) Swap books to create an image on the book spines, wrong selections will cause the books to shuffle.
8) Pick the correct card that matches the description given in the crystal ball.
9) Color the painting according to the numbers, some colors require mixing paints that equal larger sums.
10) Arrange arrows on the board to create a path that will cross all symbols.
MYSTERY TALES GAMES AVAILABLE:
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Alaskan Wild (August 24-15) 3.8
Eye of the Fire (September 29-16) 3.4
Her Own Eyes (February 18-16) 4.1
The Hangman Returns (January 26-17) 3.7
The House of Others (June 29-17) 3.8
The Lost Hope (January 25-14) 4.0
The Twilight World (January 29-15) 3.5
Eye of the Fire (September 29-16) 3.4
Her Own Eyes (February 18-16) 4.1
The Hangman Returns (January 26-17) 3.7
The House of Others (June 29-17) 3.8
The Lost Hope (January 25-14) 4.0
The Twilight World (January 29-15) 3.5
The Collector's Edition version has 15 Collectible Figurines, 16 Collectible Tarot Cards, Missing Dossier Notes to find, 15 Morphing Objects, 44 Hidden Butterflies to purchase Cursed Items, 11 Concept Art pictures, 13 Wallpapers, 5 Music Soundtracks, 18 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 34 Achievements to earn, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
Become the hero of your own chapter in Tiny Tales: Heart of the Forest.
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 20 found this review helpful
I NEVER KNEW THESE PEOPLE EXISTED! I'VE GOT TO WALK MORE CAREFULLY!
PostedAugust 6, 2017
pennmom36
fromOh no, it appears I have a manbun!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)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 this 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) 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.
This 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 uncover the truth behind a string of strange thefts?
Overall rating
4
/
5
118 of 145 found this review helpful
POOR CHOICE OF CHARACTER NAMES BUT SOME OF THE BEST GRAPHICS I'VE SEEN
PostedAugust 5, 2017
pennmom36
fromWhat exactly is that statue doing on the second shelf of the first HOP?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I for one, love this newer series, and the demo was able to hold my attention, however, the storyline isn't quite as good as the previous two games in the series. Vermillion Watch doesn't disappoint when it comes to graphics, this game has some of the best graphics I've ever seen! I knew the graphics were going to be good when the opening scene showed a close-up of the raven blinking. Far too often, the animals portrayed in these games have jilted movements, and walk without moving their limbs, as they glide across the ground. The Giant Schnauzer in this game actually moves realistically and even runs out of the room like an actual dog would at that pace. The only grief I have with this episode, is with the lame character names, based upon the Wizard of Oz. I get it, the game is all about the introduction of the American, Order Zero or OZ, team, but SG is spot on, with this assessment. It seems to me, that this game loosely represents Jules Verne, the Father of Science Fiction, and even Captain Nemo is mentioned, so why did they use characters from the Wizard of Oz?
The Red Queen is at it again, always calling the shots from behind the scenes, always one step ahead of Young Hawkes (who will soon be referred to as Old Hawkes) and Phileas Fogg! During the last investigation, there was an unusual amount of robberies, and the Vermillion Watch has been asked to accompany Charles Marlow, the Verne museum curator, as he delivers an Egyptian treasure to its unveiling party hosted by the wealthy Lord Kingsbury. Hawkes discovers that the Watch isn't the only secret organization interested in this organized crime ring, when he meets Dorothy and her undercover cohorts.
The Hidden Object Scenes aren't all that creative, but I will give them kudos on the fact that they were able to stump me a few times, because some of the objects are either well hidden or cleverly blended into another object. There are Multiple finds of Objects pertaining to a Riddle, Keywords in Sentences, and Listed item finds, and most of the HOP's have a Morphing Object. I love Morphing Objects, but I hate it when the Morphs are only offered within the HOP's. One of my must have features in a game used to be Morphs, but lately I've had to give up on this feature because Morphs that are available in each scene, seem to be a thing of the past. If you love Morphs, and you love a challenge, you should try some of the earlier Dark Parables, which have non-linear Morphs that don't morph in the scene until it has been triggered by an action in a completely different scene, now that's creativity!
Some of the Mini Games are awesome, but there are far too many Target games where you click when the target is in the green zone. (these are just too easy and not really fun) Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Select and rotate the rings to uncover the correct number of each symbol, as indicated on the clue.
2) Stop the moving circle when it turns a ring green.
3) Select and drag a continuous line between all of the dots without crossing over any flowers.
4) Stop the blue lines when they are on the artifact.
5) Create your disguise by selecting the correct mask pieces based on the photo.
6) Guide the token through the maze using directional arrows. The token will glow green the closer you get.
VERMILLION WATCH GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Fleshbound (December 31-16) 3.7
-Moorgate Accord (June 23-16) 3.8
-Order Zero (August 5-17) n/a
-Moorgate Accord (June 23-16) 3.8
-Order Zero (August 5-17) n/a
This Collector's Edition has 15 Achievements to earn, 9 Concept Art pictures, 9 Wallpapers, 9 Dev pictures, 13 Movie Videos, 12 Music Soundtracks, 14 Morphing Objects within the HOP's, replayable Hidden Object Scenes, a Souvenir Room, 31 replayable Mini Games, 42 Hidden Stars, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Can you free Prometheus from Zeus's eternal punishment?
Overall rating
3
/
5
54 of 74 found this review helpful
NOTHING WORSE THAN WAKING UP IN THE UNDERWORLD
PostedAugust 4, 2017
pennmom36
fromWho'd've thunk that the Underworld has a bright side!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game certainly has its ups and downs, like a roller coaster. My favorite chapter was when I woke up to find that I was a "guest" of Hades in the underworld! This is the worse possible scenario, because once in the underworld, there's no going back, unless you're willing to take drastic measures that is, which has to have dire consequences eventually! Honestly, I loved the demo, it piqued my interest of Greek mythology, but after the demo, for the most part, the game was just another game, because there was very little mythology story telling added. The Collector's Edition version doesn't offer a whole lot, other than the usual flare, the only extra's offered are hidden Omega Signs, and they aren't very hidden at that. Here's a recap of my review to help you decide which version, if any, is right for you.
I love Greek Mythology, and one of my favorite is the story about Prometheus, the Titan god who was tasked with creating mankind. Although there are several versions of this particular myth, the most common version is that Prometheus molded humans from clay and Athena breathed life into them on Earth. Epimetheus was tasked with endowing humans with gifts that would help them survive, and he liberally spread around gifts of wings and even fur. When the gifts were depleted, Prometheus felt sorry for his beloved mortals, and he raided the workshop of Hephaistos and Athena, stealing their fire, which he then gave to the humans. This was considered treason by Zeus, who sentenced Prometheus for all of eternity (fear not, because Hercules just so happens to owe Prometheus a favor!) Prometheus was chained to a rock near a giant Eagle's nest, and she fed upon his liver, but his immortal body would heal each day, and each day, the eagle would return!
In this episode of Myths of the World: Fire of Olympus, Zeus rendered Prometheus' daughter Lysandra mortal, as part of his punishment. The former goddess of Eternal Frost, uses a portal to the mortal world, in search of a way to restore her powers, because without immortal powers, she's helpless to defeat Zeus and save her father. Fire of Olympus is one hundred percent better than the last game offered in this series, The Black Sun! The only complaint I have is that in the Collector's Edition version, it lacks a wow factor, because it only offers 38 Hidden Omega Symbol Signs, which is more than a little disappointing.
The Hidden Object Scenes are varied with several different types. There are Interactive List finds, Multiple Object finds, Riddle Description finds, Keywords in a Sentence finds, Symbols to find with a pedestal that can be turned, and scenes where you must find 5 identical items of two types to receive a tool to uncover the listed items. There are also smaller Zoom Zone scenes, and an optional Skipping Stones game to play.
The Mini Games are pretty good, most of which are of medium difficulty but very doable. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Drag the symbols until all sections align.
2) Place all tokens inside the grid so that the number of tokens match the numbers located on the rows and columns.
3) Grab the correct stones to descent the cliff.
4) Create a path so that all of the blue triangles on the tokens are connected.
5) Move the ball to the hole by rotating paddles and interacting with obstacles.
6) Rotate tiles to restore the picture.
7) Play the proper melody on the Lyre strings using the clues shown.
MYTHS OF THE WORLD GAMES AVAILABLE
Title****Collector's Edition release date****Average rating
-Black Rose (CE 10-25-14) 4.3
-Born of Clay and Fire (CE 3-10-16) 4.1
-Bound By The Stone (CE 12-17-16) 3.0
-Chinese Healer (CE 1-29-13) 4.3
-Fire of Olympus (CE 7-6-17) 2.9
-Island of Forgotten Evil (CE 8-18-16) 3.4
-Of Friends And Fairies (CE 6-7-14)
-Spirit Wolf (CE 1-23-14) 4.2
-Stolen Spring (CE 11-6-13) 3.6
-The Black Sun (CE 3-18-17) 3.2
-The Heart Of Desolation (CE 4-11-15) 4.2
-The Whispering Marsh (CE 9-3-15)
Title****Collector's Edition release date****Average rating
-Black Rose (CE 10-25-14) 4.3
-Born of Clay and Fire (CE 3-10-16) 4.1
-Bound By The Stone (CE 12-17-16) 3.0
-Chinese Healer (CE 1-29-13) 4.3
-Fire of Olympus (CE 7-6-17) 2.9
-Island of Forgotten Evil (CE 8-18-16) 3.4
-Of Friends And Fairies (CE 6-7-14)
-Spirit Wolf (CE 1-23-14) 4.2
-Stolen Spring (CE 11-6-13) 3.6
-The Black Sun (CE 3-18-17) 3.2
-The Heart Of Desolation (CE 4-11-15) 4.2
-The Whispering Marsh (CE 9-3-15)
The Collector's Edition version has 38 Hidden Omega Signs, Skipping Stones games, a Souvenir Room, 7 Videos, 9 Music Soundtracks, 8 Wallpapers, 6 Concept Art pictures, 20 replayable Mini Games, 9 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save your young nephew from an unimaginable fate?
Overall rating
5
/
5
241 of 300 found this review helpful
ELEGANT LADY DRESSED IN WHITE SHOW YOURSELF TO US TONIGHT
PostedAugust 3, 2017
pennmom36
fromWhy is there a giant book next to the lamp post in the second scene (when Anna travels back in time)
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Looks like little Billy has gone missing again! Even though this family has seen its fair share of ghostly encounters and paranormal troubles, Brandon chooses to send his son Billy, to a Boarding School that had experienced some questionable paranormal activity. The Evergreen Mansion was completely burned to the ground just five years ago, killing the entire Mansfield family. Rumors spread through the school even faster than the flames did, rumors of a ghostly apparition, rumors of the Lady in White, rumors that Laura Mansfield has returned! Is it a coincidence that a fire broke out at the Boarding School that once was the Mansfield Mansion, the same mansion that burned to the ground? Is it a coincidence that Billy and his best friend Sarah, disappeared on the night of the fire? One thing's for sure, the Lady in White has a message that's clear, "Don't touch the children!"
Grim Tales is one of my favorite storylines, I own and have played all 12 previous games. Although The White Lady isn't one of the best games in the series, it's still an awesome game. The storyline in this game is just a little too familiar, and the HOP's are a bit dull, but the puzzles are in abundance to help even out the game. I'm not sure why they chose to have Brandon's oldest son Billy, as the victim again, but perhaps the two storylines intertwine after the demo. In this Collector's Edition, there are Collectible Emblems, Morphing Objects and Portraits that give a background history about various areas of the Mansfield Mansion.
Anna Gray is a Private Detective with a unique ability to travel back in time. All she needs is a personal item from the victim, and she's whisked away, back in time,before the tragedy occurred. This part is never fully explained and I have sooo many questions! Does Anna actually disappear when she time travels, or does she just stand there looking all weird? How does Anna always manage to time travel to the perfect time frame, does she ever go back too far or not far enough? If all she has to do is touch a personal item to initiate the time travel, how does she keep from time traveling when she touches other items, does she wear gloves? A trip to the museum could be a nightmare for poor Anna! All questions aside, well, there is another unanswered question, does Anna take Daddy Richard's skull with her everywhere she goes, or does she just pop his skull into her purse, only when there's an investigation?
As I stated earlier, the Hidden Object Scenes aren't very creative, but honestly, this is a feature that needs to either be phased out, or reverted back to the good ole days when objects were actually "hidden" Nowadays, the HO's are just huge junkpiles, or cluttered items. The objects are all in plain sight, not cleverly blended into a normal scene. The HO's in this demo are mostly Interactive List finds, but there are also Silhouetted Shape finds, and uncovering Pairs of identical objects.
The Mini Games are entertaining, ranging from super simple to medium difficulty. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Assemble a puzzle by correctly placing torn fragments.
2) Move all dowels through their corresponding holes using directional arrows on the dowels.
3) Use clue to enter the code on the panel.
4) Place sliders next to their corresponding images, sliders can only move clockwise along the tracks.
5) Complete the photo album pictures by placing the correct piece from the left and place on the right.
6) Hit the apple target by clicking when the sliders are within the green zone.
7) Light all the circles around the board by matching 3 or more identical tiles in a column to remove them.
8) Reconstruct a diary page by selecting a piece of the page and placing it in an adjacent empty space, pieces can't move over each other.
9) Use the clue shown to land on the correct symbols using left and right directional buttons to look through the different symbols.
10) Select directional arrows to move the character through the maze, searching for levers to open other parts of the maze.
GRIM TALES GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Bloody Mary (8-1-13) 4.3
-Color of Fright (11-6-14) 3.8
-Crimson Hollow (8-25-16) 4.1
-Graywitch (2-2-17) 4.0
-The Bride (11-19-11) 3.8
-The Final Suspect (5-16-15) 3.8
-The Heir (2-25-16) 4.3
-The Legacy (1-5-12) 4.6
-The Stone Queen (1-3-13) 3.9
-The Vengeance (5-15-14) 4.5
-The White Lady (8-3-17) n/a
-The Wishes (7-12-12) 4.5
-Threads of Destiny (10-7-15) 3.9
-Color of Fright (11-6-14) 3.8
-Crimson Hollow (8-25-16) 4.1
-Graywitch (2-2-17) 4.0
-The Bride (11-19-11) 3.8
-The Final Suspect (5-16-15) 3.8
-The Heir (2-25-16) 4.3
-The Legacy (1-5-12) 4.6
-The Stone Queen (1-3-13) 3.9
-The Vengeance (5-15-14) 4.5
-The White Lady (8-3-17) n/a
-The Wishes (7-12-12) 4.5
-Threads of Destiny (10-7-15) 3.9
This Collector's Edition has 1 Screensaver, 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks 20 Achievements to earn, Archives, 36 Collectible Emblem pieces, Morphing Objects, 14 Portraits, a Secret Room, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!