pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4709
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:March 15, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you escape the mysterious musician’s melody?
Overall rating
3
/
5
173 of 201 found this review helpful
Sadly, This Cadenza Falls Flat
PostedMarch 19, 2016
pennmom36
fromI couldn't set up the ladder in the restaurant until I distracted the waitress, where was the ladder when I was ordering, behind my back?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Normally I love this series, but for me, I found this game to be on the edge of boring. I'm sure many gamers will adore Havana Nights, but this game doesn't have the mojo of Cadenza's past. The storyline is decent, Ernesto Ceres has asked his brother to join him in expanding his night club Diamante, but his past is catching up with him when his friend Raul Sanchez returns from the dead to seek revenge. Somehow Raul is able to hypnotize anyone in ears range of his guitar, and the police are not only blaming you, they're trying to kill you! Could these strange events have anything to do with the "red box" Ernesto has kept under lock and key?
This certainly is an easy game to play, there's no challenge to speak of, even the Collectible Diamonds are large and hard to miss! I felt that the graphics were subpar, the neon lights and bedazzle of New Orleans coming to life at night were so impressive you could almost smell the jambalaya, red beans and rice. Havana Nights doesn't do that, it's just another game, there's nothing to draw you in and make you feel as if you were there. There are a few newer features available, Conversation options, the ability to slide items or interact with items as you would do if it was real, Sliding, panning or even flipping zoom zone scenes, and an Awareness Mode designed to make you feel a sense of urgency.
The Hidden Object Scenes are varied, but again, lacks the creativeness normally found in this series. There are 16 HOP's and each one has a single Morphing Object to find, not my favorite, I prefer Morphs to be in the main game, especially when they are nonlinear and require a particular action in another scene to activate them (I miss the good ol' days...) There are interactive list finds, progressive finds, items in bold print during a tape recording, and even one that switches back and forth between finding an item and placing the item into the scene, which is a feature this series created if I'm not mistaken. Most of them have fragments left behind after finding the items that form a code of some sort to solve a small puzzle.
The Mini Games weren't bad, but they also lack creativity and most are very easy to solve. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Select the ball when it is inside the yellow area, the yellow area moves as well as the ball.
2) Select and move buttons to spaces with the same shape, creating highlighted lines that don't intersect.
3) Select and place horizontal picture tiles to form pictures, as well as a sliding puzzle using one empty space.
4) Press the corresponding trumpet buttons when the bubbles cross into the colored circles. As you progress, pressing the bottom buttons of the correct color mixture will allow you to "play" two notes.
This Collector's Edition has 20 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art pictures, 9 Music Soundtracks, Trumpet Lessons, Character Bios, 40 Collectible Diamonds, 10 Achievements, 16 Morphing Objects within the HOP's, 16 replayable HOP's, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter.
I don't recommend this game.
There's a thin line between the living and the dead.
Overall rating
5
/
5
118 of 139 found this review helpful
These Baby Blues Have Seen It All
PostedMarch 18, 2016
pennmom36
fromI see it all so clear
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Your crystalline eye-lens transplant is a complete success, you can finally see the world in a whole new light! Dr. James warns that you may have a few odd visions while your eyes adjust, but he never mentioned you'd be seeing a ghost, let alone the ghost of Freya Ekkert, the lens donor! Freya is trying to reach out from beyond, pleading for help, her death was apparently no accident. You feel compelled to investigate this mystery, after all, she did give you the gift of sight, and the bond between yourself and Freya might be the edge you need to solve this case where others have failed.
Even though this storyline is similar to a few really good movies of the past, I think it's a first for the gaming world and very refreshing. I'm not sure why, but you will find Freya's special glasses that help you see past events anytime you come across a misty phenomenon, which helps you piece together the events. If Freya had seeing abilities that makes sense, but why the glasses, it's supposed to be because of the eye's themselves, right? There are Plus Sign inventory items to tinker with and throughout the adventure, you will collect notes that for some reason are scattered about Freya's hometown. The Collector's Edition has the addition of several Achievements to earn, Morphing Objects, and even photos of Stupid Deaths that give a brief description about some really odd deaths that have occurred because they didn't use common sense.
The Hidden Object Scenes are creative and varied with Silhouetted Shape finds, progressive interactive silhouetted shapes, interactive list finds and even associations where you must figure out what item relates to drawings of two different items. You can play a game of Match 3 if you're not into HOP's.
The Mini Games are in abundance, but nothing too difficult to figure out. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Select tokens in the correct sequence.
2) Choose the right country and city on a computer.
3) Arrange brass rings in the center, moving one affects others.
4) Navigate through a labyrinth avoiding cameras.
5) Use a magnet to unlock a door latch,
6) Drag sliders to the correct position, moving one affects others.
7) Arrange tokens according to the clue given.
8) Recreate a picture by moving sliders so they stop on the necessary runes, moving one affects others.
9) Enter the correct letters according to the clues.
10) Don't let the beaver leave the garden by pressing on grass clumps to dry them up.
2) Choose the right country and city on a computer.
3) Arrange brass rings in the center, moving one affects others.
4) Navigate through a labyrinth avoiding cameras.
5) Use a magnet to unlock a door latch,
6) Drag sliders to the correct position, moving one affects others.
7) Arrange tokens according to the clue given.
8) Recreate a picture by moving sliders so they stop on the necessary runes, moving one affects others.
9) Enter the correct letters according to the clues.
10) Don't let the beaver leave the garden by pressing on grass clumps to dry them up.
The Collector's Edition has 13 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 35 Achievements, 23 Mini Games, 13 HOP's, 18 Morphing Collectibles, 6 Character photos, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Adventure, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
Grim Tales: The Legacy
PostedMarch 17, 2016
pennmom36
fromLook on the bright side Luisa, you can have a husband and a pet!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Anna arrives at the Gray Castle with time to spare before her nephew Brandon's christening, but nobody's home! When she finally makes it inside the castle, she's horrified to find the castle has been ransacked by some type of beast! Even more horrifying, it seems quite clear that someone was doing research on werewolves! Has a werewolf attacked the Gray family, or is a member of the Gray family a werewolf?
This is one of my favorite Grim Tales, I love how the story has evolved over the years. The graphics are so much better than The Bride, and the HOP's and Mini Games are evolving as well. There's a map for traveling, but there's still no inventory lock available, which is really annoying. I do have a complaint about the music, or lack of, because many scenes are awkwardly silent, but that too evolves with time.
The Hidden Object Scenes are still simple Listed item finds with no interactions, but the scenes are very clear. Keep in mind that this is an older game and this is the type of HOP that gamers sought back in the day.
The Mini Games are a bit more abundant in this episode, but still simplistic. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Place picture fragments in the right places to form a complete image.
2) Move the tiles so that there are 3 complete images on the top block by sliding tiles to empty slots.
3) Rotate the shield in the right directions and the correct degrees of turns, as shown on the clue you found.
2) Move the tiles so that there are 3 complete images on the top block by sliding tiles to empty slots.
3) Rotate the shield in the right directions and the correct degrees of turns, as shown on the clue you found.
The Collector's Edition has 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Adventure, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Is fear the price or the reward?
Overall rating
5
/
5
274 of 308 found this review helpful
This House Has A Lot Of Fearful Baggage!
PostedMarch 17, 2016
pennmom36
fromGood thing Emma wasn't born a day earlier!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Emma Roberts is on assignment at The House on Black River, to investigate the disappearance of Jack Neilson a freelance journalist, whose last known whereabouts was at this house of horrors. This house has had it's fair share of drama, it's original owner Martin Spencer was thought to be a sorcerer responsible for several deaths that occurred, and a frightened mob burned down the house, killing Martin and his entire family. One year ago, Alex Dean moved into the house, which would allow him the freedom to work on his paintings in seclusion, bad idea! He watched helplessly as a ghostly figure appeared through a doorway that wasn't there before, kidnap his daughter, and return through the door that vanished into thin air! His grief stricken wife, Sarah passed away shortly afterwards leaving Alex alone and desperate. The further Emma delves into the investigation, the more she fears that Alex may be planning some sort of ritual, a ritual that allows ghosts to possess the bodies of living souls who share something in common!
After a few shaky releases, it would appear that Fear For Sale has gotten back on track with excellent visual effects and an equally as impressive storyline. Just about everything in the game can be interacted with, animals react when clicked upon, candles lit, fireplaces ramped up, and paintings that transform into a paranormal freak show. There are complex inventory items to interact with, and several Achievements to earn throughout your investigation. There are 34 Beyond Objects and 5 different Collectibles for 5 different categories. As with all of the Fear For Sale games, finding these extras will earn you points and allow you to Rank up your Journalistic skills.
The Hidden Object Scenes are varied with Interactive List Finds that give you props to open up secret niches, leave behind fragments or puzzle pieces with puzzles to solve, Silhouetted Shapes and Multiple finds of a single object. There are several smaller HOP's that require you to find 5 items belonging to items such as a doll, newspaper or a phone, scattered about the room. There is an alternate Jigsaw Puzzle available if you're not into HOP's.
The Mini Games aren't bad, but tend to be on the easy side. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Join the halves of Dean's portraits by moving blocks out of the way.
2) Drag the three portraits to the house of matching color without letting their paths cross.
3) Assemble torn photo fragments.
4) Restore the painting of Dean's house by clicking on panels until the correct sections are displayed.
5) Rotate the tiles to form a continuous path leading from the mob at the bottom to the manor at the top using all tiles.
6) Restore the picture by locating all missing objects and placing them where they belong.
This Collector's Edition has 9 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art pictures, 3 Screensavers, 3 Music Soundtracks, 25 Collectible items, 9 Achievements, 34 Beyond Objects, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
After being invited to the Christening of your sister’s son, you arrive to find a deserted estate! Save your sister before it’s too late!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Grim Tales: The Legacy CE
PostedMarch 16, 2016
pennmom36
fromHe seems like a nice werewolf.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Anna can hardly wait to see Brandon, her new nephew. She arrives at the Gray castle in plenty of time to attend his christening, but nobody's home! When she finally makes it inside the castle, she's horrified to find the castle has been ransacked by some type of beast! Even more horrifying, it seems quite clear that someone was doing research on werewolves! Has a werewolf attacked the Gray family, or is a member of the Gray family a werewolf!
This is one of my favorite Grim Tales, I love how the story has evolved over the years. The graphics are so much better than The Bride, and the HOP's and Mini Games are evolving as well. There's a map for traveling, but there's still no inventory lock available, which is really annoying. I do have a complaint about the music, or lack of, because many scenes are awkwardly silent, but that too evolves with time.
The Hidden Object Scenes are still simple Listed item finds with no interactions, but the scenes are very clear. Keep in mind that this is an older game and this is the type of HOP that gamers sought back in the day.
The Mini Games are a bit more abundant in this episode, but still simplistic. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Place picture fragments in the right places to form a complete image.
2) Move the tiles so that there are 3 complete images on the top block by sliding tiles to empty slots.
3) Rotate the shield in the right directions and the correct degrees of turns, as shown on the clue you found.
This Collector's Edition has 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Adventure, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Be careful what you wish for... A deadly bargain has been made, and it's up to you to set things right before your nephew pays the terrible price!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Grim Tales: The Wishes SE
PostedMarch 16, 2016
pennmom36
fromBrandon should've thought harder on his one wish.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Luisa Gray has asked big sister to help her out once again when she becomes concerned about Brandon's odd behavior. Not only is he behaving oddly, but he's losing weight and he looks older, but insists he's okay. Turns out he's not okay, he's been cursed by a witch! When a mean black dog grabbed his favorite toy, a wooden puppet, and took off through the woods, trouble soon followed. The dog just happened to belong to a sinister witch who apologized to Brandon on behalf of her dog, and offers to grant him a wish. Brandon thinks this is his mess, and his responsibility to fix, it's a good thing Aunt Anna's here to help her favorite nephew, but can she defeat an evil witch in her own?
I really noticed a remarkable difference in the graphics since Grim Tales: The Bride, although I'm not real crazy about the storyline. This is an older game, but it's not dated or out of style, however, there's not a lot of frills that's associated with Collector's Editions of late. The inventory bar still has no locking mechanism but at least this game has a map with quick transportation to other areas.
The Hidden Object Scenes are still old school, interactive list finds, and many of the items are difficult to find because the items are small and some unrecognizable.
The Mini Games are mostly puzzle types, and all are fairly doable. There doesn't seem to be many in this game, at least not in the demo. One was a stained glass puzzle which requires you to use arrows to rotate the frame instead of the puzzle pieces, and the other requires you to guide the bee around the honeycomb until all cells are filled in. The bee doesn't stop moving until it hits an obstacle, and you cannot cross filled cells.
The Collector's Edition has 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 4 Music Soundtracks, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Learn about the most interesting places in the world as you play through colorful and unique mosaics puzzles!
Overall rating
5
/
5
156 of 183 found this review helpful
Mr. Penguin Is Gonna Be Upset Today!
PostedMarch 16, 2016
pennmom36
fromShhhh, he doesn't know yet.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Somebody put on their thinking cap and created one of the most unusual griddler games I've ever seen. I love it when devs think outside the box, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, this time it really works! You even get to choose the difficulty of the puzzles with Casual which has no timer, numbers are crossed off one by one and the hint timer recharges quickly. Normal mode has a timer with plenty of time, numbers are still crossed off one by one, and the hint recharges slowly. Expert mode gives you limited time, numbers are crossed off when an entire row is complete and the hint recharges very slowly. Wait! There's a custom mode which allows you to choose a timer, how long the hint takes to recharge from 10-120 seconds, how many mistakes you are allowed from 1-5, whether you want the numbers crossed off one by one or when an entire row is completed, and whether you want a time bonus.
Not only do you get to create beautiful and colorful pictures, but you get to create pictures with depth. There are the normal one color grids, and the three color grids where you change the colors by clicking on the color bubble which helps you solve the puzzle when you get stumped. Then the grids get really exciting with the introduction of shapes. This puzzle allows you to not only click three color options, but shapes as well! There's also a swap type grid and a bomb type grid where you figure out where the explosives are hidden and avoid them. The coolest part is that you can choose the order you want to play the grids in a level, if you want to play the last game first, you can!
It's a good thing Mrs. Penguin is busy redecorating her house for Uncle Aaron, because I feel a little guilty enjoying this unique griddler game. This game is very challenging, some of the grids seemed impossible to complete without using a hint or two, but perhaps I just need to put on my thinking cap as well, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Discover clues, collect items and use them in your quest to find the Lost Tomb.
Overall rating
2
/
5
51 of 55 found this review helpful
The Lost Tomb Isn't Worth Finding
PostedMarch 16, 2016
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I really thought this was going to be an exceptional Match 3 game, but unfortunately, it ended up being a mediocre, take it or leave it kind of game. There are three different types of games available, none of which are timed from what I can tell/ The first type requires you to make matches of three or more tiles on top of all gold tiles on the board, the second type requires you to collect specific amounts of specific jewels, and the third type requires you to click on groups of two or more identical tiles under the "clue tiles"
There are three different types of Bonuses available to use, the Cross Slash Power bonus will clear a row or column, wherever you choose to use the bonus. The Whirlwind Power bonus will clear a 3x3 section, and the Color Bomb Power bonus will remove all tiles of the same color as shown in the action block. Other directional arrow bonuses are given to you on the board whenever you make large matches, and will destroy all tiles either horizontally of vertically.
As you progress, you will receive inventory items that are used to help you solve the puzzles available between sets such as: solving a mathematical puzzle using codes that can be referenced in your journal, or clicking on weights, and mixing them to change their color. I actually enjoyed the puzzles more than the Match 3 game.
The Group type Match 3 game was my least favorite, and on several of the levels, I ran out of all possible group matches. leaving me no choice but to use a bonus to end the level and collect the necessary tiles. This game lacks a wow factor, the graphics are decent the storyline is okay, but the game itself is rather droll, in my opinion.
I don't recommend this game.
In the continuation of the exciting Mountain Trap series, you are called to help the town of Wilshere, which has been afflicted by a series of mysterious disappearances.
Overall rating
4
/
5
105 of 118 found this review helpful
When The Sheriff Is Stumped You Know It's Going To Be A Tough Case To Crack
PostedMarch 15, 2016
pennmom36
fromIt was probably a bad idea that I left a glass of antifreeze on the beverage cart in the hotel lobby!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Fifteen young women have vanished mysteriously (because the disappearance of 15 old women isn't that interesting) from Wilshere Idenburg. There's no evidence, none, nada, zilch, and the local sheriff, Aiden Wood, is stumped. He has asked for help from a well known Private Investigator, Joan Veiburn, to help him find some type of lead to stop this madness.
This is a really good game for the price, the graphics are decent, not phenomenal, and it is a fairly easy game to play. You are equipped with a Mini Lab that allows you to collect ingredients with your dropper, as well as analyze substances and make chemical compounds to help you with your investigation. Altogether, you will collect 14 different ingredients as well as the necessary formula recipes. Each recipe requires you to choose the symbol coded vials and mix them in the correct order to produce compounds such as solvent or antifreeze.
The Hidden Object Scenes are a little "old school" all of them are simple Interactive List Finds, but the scenes are not repeated, and some objects are pretty well hidden.
The Mini Games are doable, and uncomplicated, below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Drag numbered disks to line them in ascending order using a turntable to switch the tokens.
2) Move the tokens to form horizontal rows of identical symbols where indicated.
3) Click hexagons to rotate them to form a complete image relevant to the center hexagon.
4) Take the ball from the stand and put it on top of one of 3 different color coded flasks to line up the correct color coded balls into each flask.
I thought the storyline was a little better in the first Mountain Trap game, but this is an entertaining game, especially for the price offered, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Be careful what you wish for... A deadly bargain has been made, and it's up to you to set things right before your nephew pays the terrible price!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
Grim Tales: The Wishes CE
PostedMarch 14, 2016
pennmom36
fromI don't think it's a good idea to knock down the wasp nest with a stick!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Young Brandon Gray has gotten himself into a little bit of a pickle. A mean black dog grabbed his favorite toy, a wooden puppet, and took off through the woods. The dog just happened to belong to a sinister witch who apologized to Brandon on behalf of her dog, and offers to grant him a wish. His wish is a binding contract, and Brandon is changing, he's losing weight and growing older and his mom Lusia, is getting worried. Brandon thinks this is his mess, and his responsibility to fix, it's a good thing Aunt Anna's here to help her favorite nephew, but can she defeat an evil witch in her own?
I really noticed a remarkable difference in the graphics since Grim Tales: The Bride, although I'm not real crazy about the storyline. This is an older game, but it's not dated or out of style, however, there's not a lot of frills that's associated with Collector's Editions of late. The inventory bar still has no locking mechanism but at least this game has a map with quick transportation to other areas.
The Hidden Object Scenes are still old school, interactive list finds, and many of the items are difficult to find because the items are small and some unrecognizable.
The Mini Games are mostly puzzle types, and all are fairly doable. There doesn't seem to be many in this game, at least not in the demo. One was a stained glass puzzle which requires you to use arrows to rotate the frame instead of the puzzle pieces, and the other requires you to guide the bee around the honeycomb until all cells are filled in. The bee doesn't stop moving until it hits an obstacle, and you cannot cross filled cells.
This Collector's Edition has 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 4 Music Soundtracks, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!