pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4721
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:June 22, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A scream in the night... a brutal crime... a mysterious figure with eyes red as blood. Can you get to the heart of this shocking murder?
Overall rating
4
/
5
64 of 82 found this review helpful
Mistaken Identity?
PostedDecember 13, 2015
pennmom36
fromIf you have to use a special key and code to get into the morgue, how'd the mortician get in?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell Tale Heart converts this classic story into a game, where you are the assistant to the ever so famous Detective Auguste Dupin. On September 5, 1851, a woman was brutally murdered and ritualistically hung on a tree for all to see. Detective Dupin (and you of course) must must piece together evidence of the crime. There's just one witness to the crime, Katrina, who was working that evening "due to her current financial situation" if you catch my drift. She remembers only one thing about the murderer...His Blood red eyes!
If you are a fan of Dark Tales games which are based from the Edgar Allan Poe classics, you might want to consider the Collector's Edition which has several Collectible Cards throughout the game. There are 6 cards for each game, Premature Burial, Gold Bug, The Black Cat, The Mystery of Marie Roget, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Mask of the Red Death, finding all cards in all the groups will unlock bonus Mini Games, when you unlock the crystal skulls.
You have packed your bags wisely, and throughout the game you will need to produce and use the items it contains, a good transport map (all the good detectives have one) your ID, a purse with money (how 'bout that, I don't have to look around for abandoned coins) and Examination Goggles with special lenses (of which the blue lens breaks but I'm fortunate to find a replacement of the exact color I need all wrapped up in a nice wooden box, what luck!) There are plenty of complex inventory items as well, which has become the norm in most HOPA games lately.
The Hidden Object Scenes are scarce, only 10 in the entire game. The first one involves interacting with things in the scene to find all the necessary items to pack your detective's bag. Most of the HOP's involve this same type of scene interactions, as you are tasked with finding clues to open items, and moving objects around so that you can piece together fragments to complete an item.
There are more Mini Games than HOP's but in my opinion some Mini Games could qualify for an HOP. Below are brief descriptions of some of the Mini Games you'll encounter, all of which are pretty easy to solve:
1) Find and select pairs of crime scene photos that correspond to the story being told.
2) Complete the image by selecting keys to rotate disks.
3) Select the correct lenses to examine a body to coincide with the notes shown.
4) Drag Mask halves to their matching half.
5) Assemble the picture using buttons to rotate groups of images.
1) Find and select pairs of crime scene photos that correspond to the story being told.
2) Complete the image by selecting keys to rotate disks.
3) Select the correct lenses to examine a body to coincide with the notes shown.
4) Drag Mask halves to their matching half.
5) Assemble the picture using buttons to rotate groups of images.
The Collector's Edition has 12 Movie Videos, 7 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art pictures, 4 Music Soundtracks, 36 Collectible Edgar Allan Poe game cards, 13 replayable Mini Games, 10 replayable Hidden Object Puzzles, 12 Achievements to earn, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Someone's out for revenge, and she'll stop at nothing to get it.
Overall rating
5
/
5
170 of 196 found this review helpful
Four Innocent Souls
PostedDecember 12, 2015
pennmom36
from"Tell me your name mortal"
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Four innocent children have disappeared from summer camp, one of those kids is the niece of parapsychologist Brenda Gale. The camp counselor Molly seems to be possessed, chanting "you can't have the children, they're mine now" Could there be something evil lurking within the gem mines of this town? Is history repeating the events that took place in 1931 when four children were kidnapped by their teacher Miss Cameron? Who's spirit is seeking revenge on the lives of four innocent children? Could there be a link between these children and the children from 1931?
A simple Ghost catching apparatus is all you need on this investigation, well, that and maybe some Morphing Objects to earn some extra hints too. You'll also have to search for the six original possessions belonging to Alex, Rebecca, Sullivan and Linda, that tuck neatly into their person storage boxes, and will hopefully set their innocent souls free. There are no Achievements to earn but there are complex inventory items and some screens allow you to pan up, down, right and left, but the lack of extras in this game allows you to fully concentrate on the storyline, which is awesome!
The Hidden Object Scenes are really, really good, it's actually hard to figure out what's a Hidden Object puzzle and what's a Mini game Puzzle! You may have to find clues that match the kid's individual personalities (using clues given) then you have to put those item into their correct backpacks. Another scene has you matching pairs of words written by the same person, then you find pictures that match each child's interest on a poster board and place plaques that match the silhouetted shapes.
The Mini Games seem to be a little too easy, but lately all games seem to have simple puzzles. Below is a list of brief descriptions on some of the games you will encounter during the game:
1) Climb up a cliff by choosing sturdy rocks, limbs and crevices. (at least you don't have to match them)
2) Press buttons in the order shown on the note.
3) Enter the activation code on the device by pressing the button to choose the correct symbols as soon as they appear.
4) Arrange tiles so they match the wires on the frame with the correct number of connections.
5) Shoot a BB gun at the correct animal that matches a description given.
2) Press buttons in the order shown on the note.
3) Enter the activation code on the device by pressing the button to choose the correct symbols as soon as they appear.
4) Arrange tiles so they match the wires on the frame with the correct number of connections.
5) Shoot a BB gun at the correct animal that matches a description given.
This Collector's Edition has pictures of the VG team, 28 Morphing Objects, 6 collectible items for each of the four missing children, Wallpapers, Music, Concept Art, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Decades ago, a brutal crime occurred at the Lexington Hotel. Are you brave enough to uncover the truth about what happened there?
Overall rating
5
/
5
92 of 105 found this review helpful
XXXXXX No O's In This Game
PostedDecember 11, 2015
pennmom36
fromI'm more afraid of those red eyed squirrels than the Nanny!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Freddie Toppan and his wife revamped what was once a nursery, into the Lexington Hotel. Well, that's always a bad idea, and sure enough, Freddie was brutally murdered after his wife died mysteriously, and the Hotel was shut down and abandoned. Well, not entirely abandoned, because there are things that go bump in the night, a creepy little girl who doesn't seem to know she's dead, and then there's the Nanny, whom everyone fears. Naturally your sister Samantha, couldn't resist filming a documentary about the ghosts that haunt the Lexington Hotel, but these aren't your average ghosts, these ghosts are angry and quite deadly too. When Samantha fails to return home, you must enter the Hotel of Horrors and save sis before she becomes a permanent resident of the Lexington Hotel!
I love the creepy vibe the graphics instill upon you, every scene has something going on in the background, hands that burst through glass, ghosts that shouldn't be in reflections, and spiders that spew out of crevices, not to mention all the moaning, groaning, creaking and pleas for help, it's really cool. It's a good thing Samantha left a backup camera that allows you to playback footage she was filming for a timeline of events. As you find cassettes throughout the Hotel, you place them in the camera, press play to watch the footage, and then press the print button to receive a photo that will be used in the same area to find hidden niches, clues and instructions, when matched with the correct scene. The Collector's Edition has several Achievements to earn, 34 Collectible Flower Petals, 21 Morphing Objects and several Morphing Orphan Photographs, and in my opinion is the much better version.
The Hidden Object Scenes are mostly Silhouetted Shape finds, but some are interactive list finds and even scenes that task you with uncovering 6 identical items. There are also several Zoom Zone's with small HOP's where you find fragments or multiples of the same item.
The Mini Games are around every nook and cranny, the only complaint I have is that they are all super simple and can be done within seconds. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you will come across during the game:
1) Set 3 different knobs to the correct positions using diagrams.
2) Push down all buttons in the correct order by trial and error.
3) Paint a canvas using a color coded symbol method.
4) Swap puzzle pieces to create an image.
5) Lift four levers to the upright position, some levers affect others.
6) Enter the code shown in diagram.
7) Recreate an image from torn photo pieces.
8) Place all weights onto the scales so that they are all even.
2) Push down all buttons in the correct order by trial and error.
3) Paint a canvas using a color coded symbol method.
4) Swap puzzle pieces to create an image.
5) Lift four levers to the upright position, some levers affect others.
6) Enter the code shown in diagram.
7) Recreate an image from torn photo pieces.
8) Place all weights onto the scales so that they are all even.
The Collector's Edition has 10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art pictures, 4 Music Soundtracks, Achievements, Morphing Orphan Photographs, 24 Collectible Flower Petals, 21 Morphing Objects, 12 replayable Mini Games, 15 replayable HOP's, a Secret Room, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Turn back time to save your true love!
Overall rating
5
/
5
222 of 252 found this review helpful
A Curse Of Immortal Proportions
PostedDecember 10, 2015
pennmom36
fromEvery time someone says they can help me remember, they end up dead!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Jacques Perrault has been in prison for nearly two months now, his crime, kidnapping the future Countess, Angelica! Jacques has no clue why he would attempt such a crime, he doesn't even know this woman! In fact, he doesn't remember anything! All that's about to change, and he soon realizes that he's the victim of a curse that has wiped away all his memories, D'Morten's curse! Turn's out Angela and Jacques share a love that runs deep, an Immortal love, a love that Count D'Morten cannot allow because he wants Angelica to be his wife, wife number 20!
I'm usually not a fan of love stories, the storyline has to be really good to capture my attention. Not only does this game have an intriguing and immersive storyline, it isn't a sappy mushy soap opera! Quite the opposite, there's a jailbreak for starters, along with murder, deceit, treachery, greed and of course, an immortal love. There are lots of inventory items to find and apply to appropriate tasks, some of which are Plus Items requiring some type of interaction or puzzle to solve before the items can be used. There are also Conversation choices to make, and a whole slew of Achievements to earn. Eventually you will receive an Amulet that can slow down and rewind time to help you correct minor or even major mistakes made. You will find D'Morten's Secret Chest which stores the portraits of all 20 previous wives as well as the 21 Morphing Objects you come across during the adventure. The chest will reveal his secrets when all have been found.
The Hidden Object Scenes are not bad, with a clear attempt at making the normal a little more interesting, searching for arrest documents, photographs and other prison related material including verifying handprints. There are still the typical listed item finds and silhouetted shape finds included.
The Mini Games tend to be a bit too easy, not necessarily bad, but nothing to write home about either. Below is a list of brief descriptions on some of the Mini Games you will play during the demo:
1) Swap image fragments to complete 4 photographs.
2) Select cylinders in the correct order to pick a lock by trial and error.
3) Slide color coded skulls to their matching slots, in two different puzzles, the first very easy, the second, slightly more difficult.
4) Swap tiles to complete the image.
5) Match identical Masks.
6) Place flags with two cutouts to match the correct set of tokens.
7) Drag circles until they form the correct numbers.
8) Flip over two mosaic tiles to match associated pairs, if the selection is wrong the tiles will shuffle.
9) Select fragments in the correct order based on clues given.
This Collector's Edition has 4 Screensavers, 18 Concept Art pictures, 6 Music Soundtracks, 12 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 14 replayable Mini Games, 7 Wallpapers, 15 Movie Cutscenes, 20 Collectible Portraits, 21 Morphing Objects, 20 Achievements, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Doodle God
Experience an all new spin on hidden object games with Doodle God. Combine elements to create your own universe!
Overall rating
4
/
5
67 of 73 found this review helpful
This Game Makes You Think
PostedDecember 9, 2015
pennmom36
fromI was hoping that combining a dinosaur and plasma or energy would create godzilla!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I totally get this game, but it's not really a Hidden Object game as stated It does have Hidden Object games to unlock, one type in particular I thought was very unique, challenging and entertaining. There are the usual listed items to find as well as silhouetted shape finds, the third type is something I have never seen done before. Two icons are shown that require you to either find the object of which the two pictures would produce if combined ( such as fire and a bird=a phoenix) or the missing object could be one of the two elements before the equation ( Blank and seeds=a tree) The HO's however are unlocked during the main game which has nothing to do with Hidden Objects.
There are three different categories, the Stone age, the Middle Ages and the Modern age. To advance you must combine different Elements starting with the basics, Earth, Water, Fire and Air, to evolve and make 197 different elements. If you combine Earth with Fire you will get a Volcano as a sub-category, those sub-categories can then be combined with other elements to make even more elements. Eventually you will create dust, swamps, steam, stone, metal, glass, bricks, weather elements, tools, plasma, electricity and eventually life itself, with bacteria, eggs, lizards, dinosaurs and humans. You are given special quests as you progress to challenge you such as making grass, bricks, or clay, for which you will receive bonus points when you do.
You can use the points earned to purchase three different types of hints-one that shows you elements that could be used-one that shows you two groups where elements will react-and one that will automatically perform 1 random reaction. You can also earn bonuses that will help you such as a bonus that will eliminate all unnecessary elements. You can earn up to 15 Achievements or awards, and eventually unlock Quests or mini games along with the Hidden Object puzzles.
This is a simple game, but I enjoyed the challenge of figuring out which two elements to combine, especially when trying to discover a specific element to complete a task. There's no penalty for combining incorrectly, and sometimes you are plain old surprised when two random elements produce a new element, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Can you find the key to Ravenhearst's resurrection?
Overall rating
5
/
5
367 of 403 found this review helpful
The Story Of Ravenhearst/In Case You Aren't Familiar With The Ravenhearst Story Or Have Forgotten
PostedDecember 9, 2015
pennmom36
fromIf history repeats itself, does this mean a third installment of Ravenhearst is on it's way?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
For those of you who haven't played the previous Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst games, Ravenhearst, Return To Ravenhearst, and Escape From Ravenhearst, or if you have forgotten the storyline (after all, they were released in 2011) I have put together a timeline of the story, and how the characters relate to each other. This is how Ravenhearst Manor came to fruition, but if you plan on going back to the beginning, skip the next paragraph so there won't be any spoiler moments.
SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH TO AVOID SPOILER ALERTS FROM THE PREVIOUS 2011 RAVENHEARST GAMES:
Charles Dalimar was head over heels, desperately in love with Emma Ravenhearst. He proposed to her but was rejected, so he built the Ravenhearst Manor (The House That Love Built) in a second attempt to win her over, again she turned him down. This second rejection drove Charles to madness, his mother died when he was young, his adoptive mother abused him, he was displayed as a freak at Madame Fate's Carnival, and eventually he was imprisoned at the same mental institution his father Alister was once committed to. Slowly over time, Charles poisoned Emma to death, and kidnapped her nursemaid Rose Somerset as well as her twin girls, Gwendolyn and Charlotte! He used their souls to power the machine he devised, the Antechamber, to keep himself and dear Emma immortal In a twist of fate, Charles fathered a child with Rose who had no choice in the matter, but apples don't fall far from the tree and Victor would spend nearly a century putting back the pieces of his father's demented puzzles and reconstructing the Antechamber. Victor can be seen dancing for joy after successfully restoring the lives of daddy dearest, his mother Rose and his half sister's Gwendolyn and Charlotte! In the Key To Ravenhearst, the twin's Charlotte and Gwendolyn Somerset are attempting to resurrect their Grandfather Alister Dalimar.....and the saga continues!
Charles Dalimar was head over heels, desperately in love with Emma Ravenhearst. He proposed to her but was rejected, so he built the Ravenhearst Manor (The House That Love Built) in a second attempt to win her over, again she turned him down. This second rejection drove Charles to madness, his mother died when he was young, his adoptive mother abused him, he was displayed as a freak at Madame Fate's Carnival, and eventually he was imprisoned at the same mental institution his father Alister was once committed to. Slowly over time, Charles poisoned Emma to death, and kidnapped her nursemaid Rose Somerset as well as her twin girls, Gwendolyn and Charlotte! He used their souls to power the machine he devised, the Antechamber, to keep himself and dear Emma immortal In a twist of fate, Charles fathered a child with Rose who had no choice in the matter, but apples don't fall far from the tree and Victor would spend nearly a century putting back the pieces of his father's demented puzzles and reconstructing the Antechamber. Victor can be seen dancing for joy after successfully restoring the lives of daddy dearest, his mother Rose and his half sister's Gwendolyn and Charlotte! In the Key To Ravenhearst, the twin's Charlotte and Gwendolyn Somerset are attempting to resurrect their Grandfather Alister Dalimar.....and the saga continues!
In the Collector's Edition, there are 34 very well hidden Raven Dark Omens to search for, several Achievements to earn, as well as 16 Morphing Objects within the HOP's. this was a wee bit disappointing for me because MCF always had very well done morphs throughout the game which is one of the reasons I love this series.
The Hidden Object Scenes are very entertaining, some of which aren't that easy to complete. There are interactive list finds and even progressive interactive silhouettes where you find items and use the items in the scene to expose the next item that matches the silhouetted shapes. Each HOP has some type of puzzle to solve and even have zoom zone puzzles with combo pictures to search for associations. Most of the HOP's have a Morphing Object as indicated by a morphing icon.
The Mini Games are always fantastic, and known for the ultimate puzzle boxes which have several puzzles within that you need to tinker with to solve. Other puzzles include Connecting water pipes with specific shaped connectors, Lining up horizontal and vertical crosshairs, and another MCF favorite, a board filled with dominos that requires you to click on the dominoes that match the ones displayed surrounding the board.
The Collector's Edition has 14 Achievements, a Souvenir Room, 34 Dark Omens, 16 Morphing Objects, 11 Music Soundtracks, 16 replayable HOP's, 23 replayable Puzzles, 13 Movies, 8 Concept Art pictures, 8 Wallpapers, Behind the Scenes pictures, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Have fun helping Santa make the best Christmas ever. Put up decorations, visit Santa's North Pole workshops and open fabulous presents.
Overall rating
5
/
5
370 of 419 found this review helpful
Six Years Of Christmas Wonderful!
PostedDecember 8, 2015
pennmom36
fromDo those kids ever age?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Christmas Wonderland is a family tradition that just keeps getting better and better. The thing I love the most about these games is the fact that ithey're designed to entertain the family as a whole, it's meant to be played with the kids, and even grandkids! This game's all about family traditions, and this game has become a family tradition in my household as well!
Each scene has beautiful Christmas themed graphics and several listed items to search for within the scene. You will also need to find hidden Gold Reindeer, and bonus coins in each scene. Each scene also contains lost and found items, which are shown as silhouetted shapes inside an icon on the left of the screen, the door will close when all items have been found. Some of the items to find are listed in red which means that the item is hidden in or behind something, such as a backpack, which can be clicked on to expose a sandwich. Items in blue text require some type of interaction such as dragging Santa to his sleigh.
After each seek and find game, there will be a mini game available such as rotating puzzle pieces, putting together a puzzle one piece at a time, flipping over two ornaments at a time in search of matching pairs and even my personal favorite, spot the difference.
Your score will be tallied at the end of each scene and you will earn a bronze star if you complete the level, a silver star if you complete the level and find all of the reindeer and a gold star if you complete the level and find all reindeer and all silhouetted lost and found items. You can replay any level at any time in order to find items you didn't find the first time. There are achievements to earn and you can visit the shop to buy Christmas presents to display on a shelf. There is a regular Hint as well as a Mega hint which highlights all items for a brief period of time, but you will earn Eagle Eye points for not using any hints. Make this game one of your family traditions and enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Do you love HOGs as much as we do? Do you count yourself an expert? Test your speed with non-stop, round-based hidden object scenes!
Overall rating
4
/
5
86 of 96 found this review helpful
I Actually Enjoyed The Challenge
PostedDecember 7, 2015
pennmom36
fromDoes anyone know what a Toy Araguma Rascal is?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is one of those Seek-And-Find games (not really a hidden object game) that players will either love it or hate it. There are 66 different levels or scenes to choose from in any order, some of the items are small and difficult to recognize, some items I had no clue what they were such as a toy Araiguma Rascal or a Battledore, and most of the scenes are dark. (I simply adjusted the brightness to solve this problem which really helped) You will have to select the mode of difficulty each and every time, either Hardcore or Relaxed. I would choose the Relaxed mode first which has no timer, and the entire list of items to search for are displayed. This way I would become familiar with the scene and have knowledge of most of the items listed. Then I would replay the same level in Hardcore mode, and see how many rounds I could achieve. In the Hardcore mode, you are given 39 seconds on the timer and a few listed items to find (items to find are different each time you play the level) When those items have been found, Round 1 is completed and another set of listed items is added, with the completion of each round, a few more items are listed than the round before. If all rounds are completed, more time is added to the timer and you continue finding speed round listed items to achieve up to 5 tokens per level. That's really all there is to it, but I liked the fact that I could choose any level at any time, choose a timed or untimed mode for each game and replay the level as often as I wanted to try for a better score. It's a nice change of pace and has a good level of challenge if you play in the hardcore mode. If you play in relaxed mode however, it's not very fun, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
You're the last hope to stop the ancient curse!
Overall rating
5
/
5
102 of 126 found this review helpful
The Last Hope For The Lost Lands
PostedDecember 6, 2015
pennmom36
fromIf Susan is their last hope, how many other people did the portal zap?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Susan has once again been thrust through a time portal, to the Lost Lands of the Druids. With the issues of the Four Horsemen behind her, she learns that Maaron, (no longer a hermit) needs Susan's help dealing with petrified demons that are somehow reviving, causing his village and his people a great deal of suffering, now that he has become the Druid Guild Elder. A half bird, half human Harpy demon has just attacked the village, inflicting massive poisonous wounds with its razor sharp talons, but why? Maaron's granddaughter teams up with Susan on this Lost Lands adventure, a curious and defiant girl, with a knowledge of the land, proves to be invaluable because she knows these forbidden lands better than anyone. Susan must travel to the forbidden Mount Bashear to discover the truth behind the attacks by the petrified demons. She must also find the strength to resist touching any of the cursed gold, or risk being petrified, never to return home from the Lost Lands!
I have always loved this up and coming series, that's quickly finding its place as one of the favorites with many gamers. The graphics are always top notch, the storyline is always interesting, and the characters are very realistic and likeable. Although there's no custom difficulty mode in The Golden Curse, you can adjust most of the settings within the Easy, Normal or Hard modes. Many of the inventory items are complex items requiring some type of interaction before the items can be used such as combining that item with another inventory item, or solving a quick puzzle of some sort. There are 28 Manuscript pages to discover throughout the game that will be added to your journal that gives us insight to some of the inhabitants or cultures of the Lost Lands. The Collector's Edition has features available that this Standard Edition doesn't have such as, 22 available Achievements to earn, and a ton of Collectibles, which will unlock mini games and puzzles in the CE extras. Besides the 28 Manuscript Pages, there are 24 Figurines,14 Satchels, 22 Gold orbs, 20 Dice, 22 Coins, to find and 35 Morphing Objects. There is also a section within the "extras" to take a quiz on the knowledge you've retained of the game.
The Hidden Object Scenes are decent, although they are a bit scarce with only seven HOP's total throughout all five chapters and bonus chapter! The HOP's available in the demo, however are very entertaining, with not so easy puzzles. You have to find items that match the silhouetted shape shown, and then use those items within several zoom zone areas as you are tasked with mixing up a special recipe, and there is even a zoom zone puzzle where you find identical matches.
At least there are plenty of Mini Games, which in my opinion is what makes or breaks a game. There are 25 Mini Games in total. Below is a list of brief descriptions of the games you will come across during the demo:
1) Play a xylophone in the correct order using a diagram.
2) Place different shaped brackets to guide a ball to several different chutes.
3) Restore the image on a wall by placing broken pieces.
2) Place different shaped brackets to guide a ball to several different chutes.
3) Restore the image on a wall by placing broken pieces.
The Collector's Edition has 8 Wallpapers, 33 Concept Art Pictures, 23 Movie Videos, 8 Music Soundtracks, 25 replayable Mini Games, 7 replayable Hidden Object Games, 22 Achievements, Several Collectibles that unlock features, 35 Morphing Objects, 24 hidden Figurines, a game Quiz, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The rivalry between two movie studios escalates into deception and murder!
Overall rating
4
/
5
103 of 143 found this review helpful
Who's Who? Who knows Whose Studio Is Doing What? Whom Can We Trust?(or is it who lol)
PostedDecember 5, 2015
pennmom36
fromI can't stop laughing at the drawing made of the position of the safe handles, give that a second look!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This may be a final Final Cut with a mind boggling Who-dun-it mystery as you are landed smack dab in the middle of Detective Bernard's ongoing investigation. Bernard got his hands upon the famous projector that has practically ruined the dysfunctional Wolf family, only this one's small and portable and is capable of changes anyone's appearance! What a perfect way to ruin your competition, Horizon Studios!
This edition of Final Cut isn't spectacular, perhaps it's just time to lay the story to rest and move on. I know many gamers love the golden hues with slightly grainy graphics to give the game a touch of reality and make it seem as if it were an older film. They have even attempted to use this to their advantage with some of the cutscenes with a deliberate film reel effect, but I prefer the crisp virtual reality of computer generated graphics. Many of the inventory items you collect will have plus signs indicating the need for further investigation, like combining that item with another. You are equipped with the Projector Camera that can be used to change your appearance temporarily to look like another person, which requires a simple mini game of focusing the camera and then outlining key focal points. (can I change my appearance to look like thing other than people?) There are 41 Collectible Signs that actually look like a face, Several Achievements to earn, and even collectible Candy Canes and Christmas Stockings which unlock HOP's and Puzzles from Final Cut: Homage CE and Final Cut: Fame Fatale CE.
The Hidden Object Scenes are fairly decent, some of which have a Morphing Object to find within. There are Multiple's of objects, Silhouetted Shape finds, Interactive List finds, and items to find that will give you an item that is used to unlock the texted list finds, there are even HOP's where you find items that match the descriptive riddles given. You can switch to a Match 3 game if you're not into Hidden Object Puzzles.
The Mini Games were simple, and easy to solve, below is a list with brief descriptions of some of the puzzles you will come across in the demo:
1) Arrange cards so they match the photos shown on an evidence board, using the color coded pins as a reference.
2) Focusing a camera lens and outlining a face in a single line that doesn't overlap.
3) Press directional arrows to move a ball from one magnet to another until it reaches the indicated hole.
This Collector's Edition has 16 Morphing Objects within the HOP's, 18 replayable Puzzles, Collectible Christmas Stockings that unlock additional Puzzles from Fame Fatale CE, a Souvenir Room, 17 replayable HOP's, Collectible Candy Canes that unlock additional HOP's from Homage CE, 41 Collectible hidden Signs, 5 Music Soundtracks, 12 Concept Art pictures, 8 Wallpapers, 16 Videos, a Tribute Video, 15 Achievements, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!