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:
The evil witch Mortessa has destroyed the Elven Kingdom and it's up to princess Aerin to restore her homeland. Help her defeat the witch in this time management adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
117 of 135 found this review helpful
The Tree Of Life Has Been Bewitched!
PostedFebruary 3, 2016
pennmom36
fromWhere's my axe?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The only thing I didn't like about this Time Management game, was the constant interruptions of cutscenes, which are not only between levels, but within the levels themselves. At first I thought it was kinda cool that the story was unfolding as you were playing, giving meaning and explanation to the tasks you were accomplishing, but it did start to get old after a while and I found myself skipping through most of the cutscenes. On the other hand, this TM game has excellent graphics, really good layouts in each level with plenty of active areas to interact with. This isn't an easy breezy game however (unless you are playing in Relaxed mode which is untimed) and I will admit that I had to restart a few levels to "get it right" by slightly altering the order in which I queued my tasks, otherwise I had to waste time waiting for the necessary resources to be available because I used them on a different task that had more benefits. You can earn up to 3 stars in each level, but like I said, you will have to use strategy to earn all three stars. The Developer's score is shown on the map above each level, but beating the score of the person who designs the game and knows what should be done when and how seems impossible, so I didn't bother with that attempt.
The goal is to help Lady Aerin restore her Elven Kingdom from the enchanted roots of The Tree Of Life, which are attacking the villages, farms and even the Capital Building. Some of the levels contain Gold Petals which are gathered just like a resource, these petals can be used to rebuild the Capital Building (which you get to choose the name for) but this feature is optional from what I gathered.
There are the normal resources to collect, food, wood, stone etc. and the same tasks of clearing the roadways, repairing bridges and filling in pits along the way. Princess Aerin will do all the magic work, once she has enough magical crystals to charge her staff, but she gets a helping hand from a Healer who heals plants and animals, and her trusted Griffin has joined her once more to chase away the Trolls, once his house has been built of course. There are several Altars of Resources available in each level that will produce resources over a period of time and each level has a Bonus meter that recharges to give you temporary boosts such as faster workers, more resources, or extra workers. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Dark Asylum: Mystery Adventure
Strange things are happening at the local asylum and you've been tasked with the investigation. Do you have a rational mind and a strong heart? If so, you just might survive to the end...
Overall rating
4
/
5
104 of 117 found this review helpful
If You Don't Like Quest Driven Hidden Object Games Then Pass On This One
PostedFebruary 3, 2016
pennmom36
fromDid I really just give a knife to an asylum patient?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is purely a quest driven HO game requiring you to gain experience points by searching unlocked scenes several times in different modes. A fallen tree has prevented you from continuing your travel plans so you enter the nearby asylum to make a phone call and get side tracked by patients who ask for favors. In order to progress and unlock other rooms in the asylum, you need to accept a quest from the patients, locate the room where the item can be found, and then search the room for the items shown either as listed items or silhouetted shapes, some scenes are dark and require a flashlight to search with. After completing the timed HOS, you claim your reward from the patient who will give you coins or energy. Energy is basically food, and everything you do requires energy,
There are two different ways to roam the asylum, you can choose the map mode where you click on the unlocked room to be transported to, or you can choose to roam the asylum corridors and enter the rooms at will. The HOS, start out with just a few listed items to find and get progressively more difficult each time the same scene is revisited with less time and more items to locate. As I said before, you will have to search the same areas several times to gain the necessary experience points to unlock new rooms, so if you don't like repetitive HO's , this isn't the game for you.
You can purchase Tools in the shop to help you within the HO scenes such as an EYE to find an item for you, a Bomb which blows up three items from the list, a Clover which will successfully complete the HO, and a Clock to freeze time temporarily. You can purchase Potions that can increase the amount of coins you find, increase experience points, help you find necessary items, or increase your health temporarily. Weapons can be purchased or found and will defeat the Wandering enemies, ghosts, or maniacs that will wreak havoc in the Hidden Object Scenes by jumbling up the words or they will steal your coins or diminish your health.
This type of game is similar to Midnight Castle, Dark Manor and Found, it's not a game for everyone, but if you like quest driven games, this one isn't bad, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Grim Facade: Mystery of Venice SE
PostedFebruary 2, 2016
pennmom36
fromTechnically Redemption lives their lives in sin.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The plague ran rampant in Venice back in 1104, showing no mercy and no signs of subsiding. When the plague claimed the life of the Dage's eldest son and heir to the city, he blamed those of Venice's high society who lived sinfully and full of debauchery. He believed this lifestyle brought damnation upon the city so he gathered people together with similar beliefs, forming a secret society called "Redemption" who secretly kidnapped those who they felt personified the seven mortal sins. After the plague subsided, the citizens who lived in sin, remained fearful, and the plague has once again reared it's ugly head. The latest victims of Redemption are Karla and Lisa, two of Venice's bella donna's and you have been hired by Silvio, husband and father to the missing ladies.
Throughout the game you will collect gold Ducats which will be used at Giovanni's local merchant shop, to purchase a random assortment of needful things such as cheese blocks and oars. There is no map available, so you'll have to travel old school on this one, and there are only two modes of difficulty to choose from, Casual and Expert. Hints are limited but, you can earn extra hints by finding hidden fans within the Hidden Object Scenes.
The Hidden Object Scenes are all Listed item finds, some items require you to move an item or open up an item to expose the object you are looking for, but the interactions are easy to find because the cursor will change to a hand or gears if another item is required to be used on it. Most of the scenes are repeated a second time, so you'll have to check back often.
The Mini Games are fairly simple, such as rearranging gems so they match the smaller gem pattern on the outside, or rearranging letters to spell the word shown on the paper example, using right and left directional arrows and a take/ swap/flip button to position the letters.
This Standard Edition is a better value than the Collector's Edition, in my opinion, because the CE only has Screensavers, Wallpapers, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, and you cannot access any of the Extra features in the demo with the exception of the Strategy Guide.
I don't recommend this game.
Two young ladies have gone missing and it’s up to you to find them in Grim Façade: Mystery of Venice, a fun Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Grim Facade: Mystery of Venice CE
PostedFebruary 1, 2016
pennmom36
fromTwisted justice?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Venice suffered from the plague in 1104, and claimed the life of the Dage's eldest son, the city's heir. The Dage blamed those of Venice's high society because their lives were sinful and filled with debauchery which he believed brought damnation upon the city. The Dage gathered people together with similar beliefs and formed a secret society called "Redemption" who secretly kidnapped those who they felt personified the seven mortal sins. After the plague subsided, the citizens who lived in sin, remained fearful, and once again the plague has swept over the city, and the latest victims of Redemption are Karla and Lisa, two of Venice's bella donna's and you have been hired by Silvio, husband and father to the missing ladies.
Throughout the game you will collect gold Ducats which will be used at Giovanni's local merchant shop, to purchase a random assortment of needful things such as cheese blocks and oars. There is no map available, so you'll have to travel old school on this one, and there are only two modes of difficulty to choose from, Casual and Expert. Hints are limited but, you can earn extra hints by finding hidden fans within the Hidden Object Scenes.
The Hidden Object Scenes are all Listed item finds, some items require you to move an item or open up an item to expose the object you are looking for, but the interactions are easy to find because the cursor will change to a hand or gears if another item is required to be used on it. Most of the scenes are repeated a second time, so you'll have to check back often.
The Mini Games are fairly simple, such as rearranging gems so they match the smaller gem pattern on the outside, or rearranging letters to spell the word shown on the paper example, using right and left directional arrows and a take/ swap/flip button to position the letters.
This Collector's Edition has Screensavers, Wallpapers, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, however you cannot access any of the Extra features in the demo with the exception of the Strategy Guide.
I don't recommend this game.
The murders are escalating in the city! Follow the clues to crack the cases and arrest the killers!
Overall rating
5
/
5
144 of 210 found this review helpful
Nice Griddler With Cases To Solve
PostedFebruary 1, 2016
pennmom36
fromWhat a fantastic way to solve a mystery!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a detective themed mosaic game where you solve 10 different murder cases by finding 12 clues for each crime. The pictures the mosaics create aren't always perfect, but each puzzle has three different colors and you can choose between Casual (numbers are crossed off one by one) or Advanced (numbers crossed off when all numbers have been solved) The clues you discover will explain the victim's name, age and cause of death, as well as the murder weapon used, the killers gender, name and motive, how cool is that! To sum it all up, this is a really entertaining game with vibrant colors and a storyline that progresses with each puzzle clue found, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
As an agent of the Alliance, you’ve been given a mission to destroy an ancient artifact known as the Spear of Destiny. In the wrong hands, it could help conquer the world.
Overall rating
5
/
5
142 of 188 found this review helpful
He Who Wields The Spear Of Destiny Shall Rule The World
PostedJanuary 31, 2016
pennmom36
fromThe truth is out there, contact customer service for the real truth
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Spear of Destiny, the Holy Spear, the Lance of Longinus (named after the soldier who used the spear on Christ while staked at the cross), The spear with powers many leaders sought to possess in order to rule the world. It's no secret that Hitler ordered his men to find the Spear which he believed would end the war, in Germany's favor. Many conspiracies formed around the belief that Hitler did find the Spear of Destiny, but shipped the artifact to Antarctica along with other masterpieces when he knew the war was lost. The Spear is believed to have been in possession of General Patton as well, but the Spear is thought to be cursed, anyone who loses the Spear will die an untimely death, and of course both men were victims of an untimely death. Many churches and museums around the world claim to have the original Spear of Destiny, none of them however, will allow carbon dating to be performed, which means that the gems from the true Spear of Destiny could very well still be guarded by Colossus as interpreted in this fantastic WWII era game.
The graphics are absolutely fantastic, the characters are extremely lifelike, and the story is so cool (obviously I'm into this topic) My favorite feature is the variety of Collectibles, starting with Uniforms for the Army, Navy and Marines, Collectible Tanks, Bombardiers, Weapons, Ships and Submarines, and 17 Achievements to earn along the way. There's nothing boring about this game, and a must have addition to almost everyone's collection.
The Hidden Object Scenes are very interactive, with listed items as well as silhouetted shape finds, replacing items into the scene as well as progressive interactive scenes where you find the first item that matches the silhouetted shape and use that item in the scene interactively to expose the next item. You can opt for a Match Many game where you click on groups of matching tiles.
The Mini Games are really good, but not really anything new. The following are brief description of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Use levers to adjust the mirrors so that the light reflects from all of them and create a beam that will hit the flowers, one lever affects others.
2) Choose the correct spike in order to climb out of the pit, choosing the wrong spike will take you back to the previous spike.
3) Click on the round spots to determine the path the cart takes, without intersecting the line path.
This game has the following extras: 8 Wallpapers, 5 Music Soundtracks, 8 Concept Art pictures, replayable Mini Games and HOP's 17 Achievements, Collectible Uniforms, Collectible Ships, Tanks, Bombardiers, Subs, and Weapons, collectible figures, and a war room headquarters, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Travel around the world alongside Jill and Mike and help them become international TV superstars!
Overall rating
5
/
5
156 of 210 found this review helpful
Reality TV Superstars
PostedJanuary 30, 2016
pennmom36
fromShould Jill be hang gliding in her condition?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Jill and Mike are on their way to becoming international reality TV gardening superstars! They are filming a TV show around the world as they create beautiful gardens for all to enjoy. Jill and Mike are about to become parents, so the money they earn will help them create the perfect room for their much anticipated bundle of joy. Being a TV star however has made them a target, and during an interview on the Very Late Show, someone as managed to nab the parents to be! It's a little difficult for the show to go on without these gardening superstars, who would do such a thing and why?
Gardens Inc. never disappoints, and this fourth episode has many new features as well as the features that make this game fantastic, building beautiful gardens and choosing which flowers to plant. Each level has a Bonus Goal such as building two identical gardens, making adjacent garden different or planting as many different flowers as you can. Each level has a chest, some of which are hidden, which contain extra coins, and you can earn 500 extra coins for each Mole you click on that pops up in random areas. You can earn trophies in Gold, Silver or Bronze in Timed and Expert modes, Relaxed mode rewards you with only Gold trophies, but you earn less coins, and the Expert mode is more difficult to obtain level goals. If you beat the Developer's Score you earn more coins as well, and eventually you will receive Bonus Star Icons that will make the workers Run Faster, make them work faster or produce resources quicker.
The Coins you earn are used to remodel the baby's room, with new flooring, wallpaper, cribs, rugs and toys, but in my opinion, the choices are all ugly and unappealing. The feature that make this game unique are the fact that you can switch some buildings to produce an alternate type of resource, such as stones, tools, or seeds, and when you plant gardens, you get to choose from several different types and colors of plants, and you can change them at anytime,
This Collector's Edition offers Wallpapers, 35 Coin Chests, 60 Achievement Trophies, Pop up Moles to catch (if you catch at least one mole in each level, you will earn a Trophy) 10 Bonus Episodes (45 Regular episodes) and a built in Walkthrough Strategy Guide. Personally I see no need for the "extras" in a TM Strategy game, so for me personally I will wait for the Standard Edition to be released, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Track down the truth about your brother’s disappearance!
Overall rating
5
/
5
71 of 89 found this review helpful
We Have Arrived Hope You Survive!
PostedJanuary 29, 2016
pennmom36
fromBe you dead or be you alive, you still gotta pay!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It's been 20 years since young Darren vanished from Sullivan River Summer Camp and Darren has been trying to reach out to his brother Aaron through his dreams. Aaron must return to Sullivan's River and enter the Maze to the underworld to help his brother, but someone doesn't want him there and the spirits are restless. The only way out of the Maze is through the gate in the Tree of Life, found at the center of the Maze, but, can Aaron make it through the maze alive, or will he join his brother in the underworld for the rest of eternity?
It seems like Sable Maze is getting creepier with each new release, but none of them seem to compare with the original.....until now! This game has some of the most clever Puzzles I've ever seen. Let's face it, the mini games can either make or break the game, and this one should earn an award for creativity! The Collector's Edition has Morphing Jigsaw pieces, one in each scene, to collect and assemble to create 4 different Screensavers, as well as the usual Achievements to earn, and 10 Collectible Character Figures located throughout the game. Many of the inventory items have Plus Signs indicating some type of interaction is required before using the item, some of which have puzzles to tinker with as well.
The Hidden Object Scenes are just average, one of which is repeated in the same scene which really bothers me every time. There are only a few available in the demo itself, the first requires you to find 5 alike items on the left of the bar, and 5 different items on the right. When all 10 items have been found they will unlock two separate list columns. The next HOP is a progressive interactive list find followed by finding several Fragments in the same scene.You can opt to play a Match 3 game instead of the HOP's.
The Mini Games are either new or have a whole new twist on an older version, they are refreshing and entertaining, by far some of the best puzzles I can remember playing in a long time. Below are brief descriptions of some of the Mini Games you will encounter during the demo:
1) Restore the image by rotating the tiles but one tile affects other tiles.
2) Restore the map by choosing one of the three tiles on the left that fit into the next puzzle space and then choosing what column it belongs in.
3) Rotate the 3D image until it comes into focus then place the pieces correctly.
4) Slide the tokens into the slots matching the same color as the outlines.
5) Swap the skulls to complete the design behind them.
6) Raise all tiles to illuminate all tiles, one affects others.
7) Repair a net using thread of three different lengths.
8) Remove roses by jumping one another until only one remains.
9) Drag the Chain lock through a maze landing on buttons to open various gates blocking the paths.
10) Complete the center medallion by maneuvering the four jeweled tokens.
2) Restore the map by choosing one of the three tiles on the left that fit into the next puzzle space and then choosing what column it belongs in.
3) Rotate the 3D image until it comes into focus then place the pieces correctly.
4) Slide the tokens into the slots matching the same color as the outlines.
5) Swap the skulls to complete the design behind them.
6) Raise all tiles to illuminate all tiles, one affects others.
7) Repair a net using thread of three different lengths.
8) Remove roses by jumping one another until only one remains.
9) Drag the Chain lock through a maze landing on buttons to open various gates blocking the paths.
10) Complete the center medallion by maneuvering the four jeweled tokens.
The Collector's Edition has 15 Developer's Diary pictures, 11 Concept Art pictures, 8 Wallpapers, 10 Collectible Character Figures, 6 Match 3 levels, 6 Music Soundtracks, 37 Achievements, Collectible Morphing Puzzle pieces which will create 4 different Screensavers, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy
I recommend this game!
Someone's made it their personal vendetta to bring down the Mystery Trackers.
Overall rating
5
/
5
203 of 276 found this review helpful
The Ghost Of A Vengeful Opera Singer......Sic 'Em Elf!
PostedJanuary 28, 2016
pennmom36
fromYou can't escape retribution!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Paxton Creek Avenger is seeking revenge against the Mystery Trackers Organization, who he believes is responsible for all of the world's sins. This self proclaimed avenger has kidnapped the Commander's daughter, Ann Freeman (guess she's not so free now) and had the audacity to taunt the agents with a boastful video of his intentions to make the son's and daughter's of the Mystery Trackers agent's pay for their sins. Has the ghost of the Opera singer arisen from the dead to seek revenge, or is this just a parlor trick to throw Elf off his scent?
Some people are dog lovers, others apparently aren't, but Mystery Trackers just wouldn't be the same without our little MinPin, Elf would it? This four legged detective is always ready, willing and absolutely able to take on tough cases like this at a barks notice, bravely going where no two legged agent could possibly fit. After all, someone has to retrieve the evidence that somehow manages to make it to the top of a tree, nestled deep inside a hole that's pitch black. Naturally, you are equipped with the latest gadget the department has invented, a Thermal Scope that locates heat sources and helps you track down the bad guy. (Hey, I thought he was a ghost, do they produce a heat source?) The Thermal Scope will allow you to pinpoint the PCA's (Paxton Creek Avenger) point of origin as well as the point of departure and you'll have to play a Mini Game that becomes increasingly more difficult each time you use it. There are 26 Morphing Objects and Morphing Collectible Orchestra members, hidden Photo pieces, and 21 Achievements to earn.
The Hidden Object Scenes are varied with Silhouetted Shape finds, Silhouetted hidden Musical Notes, finding 18 hidden notes within a painting and of course the typical interactive list finds that are the norm for most MT games.
The Mini Games have become way too easy in the MT series, some of them offer the puzzle in Casual or Hard, but even on Hard, the game was super simple. The following are brief descriptions of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Rotate disks to restore the image.
2) Rotate the circles so that the notes match the code.
3) Thermal Scope games, connect the symbols so they don't intersect or the line doesn't directly connect an identical symbol.
4) Move circles to the correct spot on the strings, Red means wrong placement, yellow means close and green is correct.
5) Press the piano keys in the right order.
6) Select bricks in the correct order.
7) arrange music tokens so they match the center token using arrows to rotate and buttons to swap.
8) Rotate the safe handle left and right to find the correct combination.
9) A Super Puzzle where you use clues to solve and progress through each mini game until complete.
This Collector's Edition has 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 21 Achievements, an Archive, 6 Music Soundtracks, 26 Morphing Objects, Collectible morphing Orchestra members, hidden Photo pieces, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Lost Bounty: A Pirate's Quest
Follow Anne and the Harpie's Song around Skull Island and discover pirates, treasure and adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
108 of 123 found this review helpful
What Be Yerr Name Pirate?
PostedJanuary 27, 2016
pennmom36
fromArrr, tis a brave woman!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Arrr, tis a pirate themed Match 3 game mates. Captain Anne Rackham and her crew have just anchored her ship, Harpie's Song, safely in the harbor of Skull Island, but is the island and treasure buried there cursed?
The story is really interesting, (though similar to Seven Seas Solitaire) but the Match 3 game itself lacks a "wow" factor, and has nothing new to offer. The tiles are all pirate themed with pirate hats and boots, telescopes, compases, ships wheels, shells and even macaw parrots, arrrr! There are the usual obstacles to overcome, tiles covered with sand, stone, crates etc. and as you progress, the obstacles require two or three matches to remove them. Each level requires you to make a specific number of matches of specific tiles, as shown at the top of the screen.
Gold coins will appear randomly, that need to be clicked on to collect before they disappear forever. The collected coins allow yo to unlock Bonuses in the Cove such as:
-The Ships Hull which unlocks the Mine Booster
-Cannons which shoots cannonballs at the selected target.
-Junior Alchemist lab which unlocks dynamite.
-Gunpowder which unlocks the TNT Barrel.
-Tool Shop which unlocks the Shovel.
-Junior Blacksmith which forges pointy daggers.
-Single Sail which increases the amount of Gold you find.
-Junior Blacksmith which unlocks Pistols.
-Cannons which shoots cannonballs at the selected target.
-Junior Alchemist lab which unlocks dynamite.
-Gunpowder which unlocks the TNT Barrel.
-Tool Shop which unlocks the Shovel.
-Junior Blacksmith which forges pointy daggers.
-Single Sail which increases the amount of Gold you find.
-Junior Blacksmith which unlocks Pistols.
The tiles are really large and not very colorful, you can choose Timed or Relaxed modes, and when the score is tallied, it tells you the number of Match 3,4's and 5's you made as a total. I really like the storyline, I just wish the Match 3 game itself was more exciting, enjoy!
I recommend this game!