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:
Let's celebrate Thanksgiving Day together! All the shades of autumn in 500 new photos!
Overall rating
4
/
5
47 of 50 found this review helpful
I JUST WISH THE PICTURES WERE MORE INTERESTING
PostedNovember 11, 2015
pennmom36
fromI lost the last piece!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've always been a jigsaw puzzle junkie, the bigger the better, and I have a hard time pulling myself away from a puzzle until they are completed. I prefer the good old fashioned physical jigsaw puzzles, but sometimes virtual puzzles are more practical. The puzzles offered in Thanksgiving Day however, just aren't that appealing to me, I like pictures of animals or beautiful sceneries, and most of these puzzles (not all) are staged pictures, with winter mittens and a cup of hot cocoa, or a fancy Thanksgiving Day dinner, they are okay, but I wouldn't choose these scenes if I were buying a physical puzzle.
There are 100 puzzles available in each of the 5 categories, Decorations, Autumn, Family, Food and Countryside. These are the same categories that are offered in the Halloween 3 edition with the exception of Costumes being replaced by Countryside, and btw, Countryside doesn't really have pictures of the countryside, it's mostly pictures of kids and farm animals such as bunnies and chicks. Any puzzle can be modified with the amount of pieces you want, the style of cut and whether or not you want the pieces to rotate. You can choose four different colored backgrounds, pink, blue, green and white, as well as choose your resolution.
There are several tools available, you can choose to ghost the image of the puzzle on the background, or have a real picture shown in three different sizes. There is a Magnifying glass and a Hint icon, you can use the Border only option or the Sort option, and you can store extra pieces in the box until you have more room. I just wish the pictures were more diversified, enjoy!
Artifacts are mysteriously disappearing from the museum exhibit. Thread your way through a maze of deceit in this epic Greek Drama!
Overall rating
5
/
5
204 of 229 found this review helpful
EVEN THE HARDY BOYS MAKE AN APPEARANCE IN THIS PRODUCTION
PostedNovember 11, 2015
pennmom36
fromNancy Drew's more like a master snoop than sleuth
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 not often that Nancy Drew has a trial demo available, which has it's benefits, but may also discourage many first timers because Nancy Drew adventures are so much different than HOG's. These games have nothing to do with Hidden Object Puzzle Games, and probably won't be a good match for those hardcore fans. If you have an open mind however, and are looking for an adventure game that doesn't hold your hand throughout the game, makes you think about your every move, and challenges you to think outside the box, you just might become a Nancy Drew fan too! Some Nancy Drew adventures are better than others, but I haven't played one that has disappointed me yet. They are not impossible games to figure out but they are different than a HO game, and navigation is probably the hardest feature to get used to, some will dig it, some will not. We Nancy Drew fans are hooked however, and we purchase them sight unseen, no trial necessary, and we look forward to the next one with great anticipation!
This Nancy Drew adventure takes us to Greece, when the curator of the museum hires your sleuthing skills to investigate the mysterious disappearances of several ancient artifacts. Could the production being held in the amphitheater have anything to do with this? There are two modes of difficulty, Amateur Sleuth which has regular puzzles, hints available and a detailed task list, and Master Sleuth which has more difficult puzzles, no hints available and a very basic tasklist. The biggest difference between the two modes are with the task list, there are several tasks to complete, more are added as you progress, and you are able to check the tasks off one by one when complete, and in Amateur mode you can click on most of the tasks to get a more in depth nudge in the right direction. Not detailed hints, it's more like putting an idea in your head as to how to find the answers you are seeking.
Your phone is used to make calls, as well as take pictures of clues, you will need to read directions, talk to the different characters you meet (several predetermined questions are available) and listen carefully. Everything means something so you will need to pay attention to the people you talk to and use your notes and task lists to guide you throughout the adventure.
I know it's hard to get "into" Nancy Drew games at first because you're used to picking up inventory items in every scene and playing the same old puzzles, as well as using a map to transport everywhere. Once you get used to navigating Nancy, you'll find yourself totally immersed in the adventure. This Large File game isn't going to knock off everybody's socks, but if you have to dip your toes in the water, this is one of the few ND games that has a demo available, and this is a fantastic series to get you used to large file games, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Help Angelo collect the resources he needs to build his palace of wonder in The Trials of Olympus!
Overall rating
5
/
5
101 of 122 found this review helpful
EXCELLENT MATCH 3 BEGINNING TO AN EXCITING TRILOGY
PostedNovember 10, 2015
pennmom36
fromSunrise, Sunset......
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
Angelo was an archaeologist who built magnificent palaces for the Gods, his accomplishments were truly a work of art! All that changed when Angelo set his eyes upon Amara, a beautiful Princess on Earth. This angered the Gods, so they exiled Angelo to Earth.......as a mortal! He decided love is worth the struggles he will endure, but the Grecian King was not impressed. The King gave Angelo an impossible task, build a palace masterpiece in the uninhabitable corners of the kingdom, were only creatures dwell. Thus, you will help Angelo travel the kingdom searching for the most beautiful gems to to build the most beautiful palace Amara (and her father) have ever seen!
I love this game, the storyline is fantastic, the music is surprisingly relaxing, and the gameplay itself is fun, I look forward to the next two games of this Trilogy. The goal is to achieve 3 Stars per level, you must swap tiles to make matches of at least 3 identical tiles, and you must clear all gold cells and the required number of resources. As you match elements, the mana meter will fill and allow you to use the bonuses. An Axe clears a single tile, the Potion Bomb clears a 4 tile range, and the Magic Pendant collects all of the same tiles you choose.
Some tiles have chains or double chains that require matches of the same tile that the chains bind, once or twice for double chains, then again to clear the gold cell. Spiders need to be destroyed by making matches under them or they will build webs on several tiles. Some icons have bubbles around them and the image inside is constantly changing. You must click on the bubble to pop it before you can make a match, but you can wait for the desired image to appear before clicking which can help you win.
The challenges each level presents is really good, whenever I am playing a game and get so engrossed in the gameplay that I'm surprised when the trial ends, I know it's a good one, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Assemble patchwork mosaics while you travel with Alice and the famous characters of Wonderland and Looking-Glass Land!
Overall rating
5
/
5
117 of 175 found this review helpful
MOSAICS THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
PostedNovember 9, 2015
pennmom36
fromi'm late, i'm late, the clock is running out!
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
I love patchwork mosaic puzzles, but they can be very frustrating when you have a timer clicking away. You can opt for a relaxed game with no timer however, and there is a left handed option as well. This game claims to have special trophies and levels for gamers who are exceptional players, but I can barely complete a puzzle within the allotted time frame so I can't give you much information on that feature.
The mosaic puzzles will take you through the adventures of Alice in Wonderland as you meet all the familiar characters and solve puzzles such as the famous teapot. There are 6 worlds to visit and each world has 20 puzzles, in order to unlock the next world, yo have to earn enough keys. You will earn a key for completing the puzzle, a key for completing the puzzle with no mistakes, and a key for completing the puzzle within the allotted time given. Hints and extra time can be added for coins, and you can replay the level as often as you want to try for a better score enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Off the Record: The Final Interview
A man is dying, and you’re the prime suspect!
Overall rating
4
/
5
52 of 58 found this review helpful
A DEADLY CONFESSION
PostedNovember 8, 2015
pennmom36
fromOff the Record, 'cause nobody uses records anymore!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You have just regained consciousness, dazed and confused, you come to the realization that you have been in an automobile accident. However, it looks like this was no accident, the brake lines to your car have been cut, causing you to lose control and careen over the hillside, you're lucky to be alive! When the police arrive, their motive is unclear, rather than investigating the obvious attempt on your life, it seems as if they are blaming you for Calvin Reedley's sudden cardiac arrest! The police claim, you interviewed Calvin, a well respected horse breeder, just prior to his sudden illness. Amnesia is making it difficult for you to remember details, but slowly, bits and pieces of your memory are starting to return. Calvin may have given you information that was never intended to surface, information that may just be worth killing you to keep it secret!
The Final Interview is bittersweet, this is a well known series that captivates its audience and provides us with solid entertainment from beginning to end. We've traveled all corners of the globe, from Paris to Devonshire, and uncovered thieves of every kind imaginable, Off The Record of course. We can only hope that Final Interview is the end because there's something epic in store for the beginning of a brand new adventure, perhaps On The Record next time!
I'm partial to the Collector's Edition because they threw everything they had into the game. It's jam packed with all kinds of goodies (I even think I saw the kitchen sink) Complex inventory items, Achievements, Morphing Objects, Hidden Alphabet Letters, Collectible Hats (finding 6 Hats will unlock bonus HOP's & Mini Games) and 43 Hidden Teapots. Let me tell you, they are cleverly blended into the scenery, some are only partially visible, which make them more of a challenge and way more entertaining to find.
The Hidden Object Scenes are incredible, most of them are just plain ole fun. There are several types of HOP's and in the Collector's Edition, there is at least one Morphing Item in each HOS (there is an icon that will indicate if a morph is present) Most of the HOP's have more than one type, text listed items, finding icons to match text, descriptions of items, multiples of a single item, Fragmented pieces, silhouetted shape finds and even sketches of 2 items that give you clues of an item when combined or associated with. There's a Hidden Object Puzzle to please just about everyone.
The Mini Games are a bit on the easy side, but I have played a lot of games, and maybe it's just that I'm too familiar with them. If you don't want to know what puzzles are in store for you, skip the next section, I'll list brief descriptions of a few memorable puzzles:
1) Climb a rope by matching identical pairs (this makes no sense to me)
2) Recreate symbols combining different shapes.
3) Use directional arrows to guide a knob from top to bottom through paths that can be manipulated open and closed.
4) Steer a scooter using directional arrows.
5) Arrange different obstacles around a horse racetrack so that all horses arrive at the finish line at the same time.
The Collector'd Edition has a Souvenir Room, 17 Hidden Object Scenes, 20 Mini Game Puzzles, 9 Music Soundtracks (which are recordable) 7 replayable Videos, 11 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art pictures, 6 Collectible Hats (which unlock bonus HOP's & Puzzles) Morphing Objects within the HOP's (one of which has multiples) 43 Hidden Teapots (very fun to find because they are cleverly hidden) a built in Strategy Guide, a Bonus Chapter and a must see Tribute Video......farewell, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Track the treasure and solve the riddles of the past with Golden Trails 3: The Guardian’s Creed game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 16 found this review helpful
Golden Trails 3: The Guardian's Creed
PostedNovember 8, 2015
pennmom36
fromLove the bandits that "pop" out of nowhere, the anticipation is the worse part.
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
Jacques wakes up in a tavern with no recollection on how he got there, (not uncommon) to add to his confusion, there is a strange seal branded on his arm! Jacques is determined to put the pieces back together to find out what happened the night before. All Golden Trails games are unique, different than any other HO game, but all three games have the same features.
You choose different locations to search for some very well concealed or blended items, some of those items will go into your inventory list to be used at some point in the game. Items outlined in blue require the use of an inventory item, and you may have to visit another location to find or use that inventory item. Items outlined in yellow usually just require a click to expose the item inside or behind, and items that sparkle usually have a really fun mini game to solve to proceed such as finding 16 beads to repair a necklace or a Hidden Object Scene where you can move items around to find items underneath.
Bandits will pop up throughout the game and your cursor will turn into a gun so you can shoot the bandits for extra hints! There are several Achievements or Trophies to earn for accomplishments such as collecting a specific number of items, completing levels without using hints and accuracy clicking from 5-30 items without misclicks. Each scene contains a lost or missing item that will twinkle when your cursor hovers over the item (there's an achievement for finding all 21 lost items, and each scene contains several hidden Fleur-de-lis symbols (250 total) if you find 150, a secret mission is unlocked.
I recommend all 3 Golden Trails games, but I must say I'm partial to Golden Trails 2: The Lost Legacy mostly because I liked the storyline, but the hidden items are very challenging to find, and the hidden Clovers were sometimes even harder to find. I wish these devs would consider a fourth edition, the game never gets old, I have replayed all three games several times, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
You're the last hope to stop the ancient curse!
Overall rating
5
/
5
334 of 391 found this review helpful
IT'S HAPPENED AGAIN!
PostedNovember 7, 2015
pennmom36
fromSusan doesn't look like Sarah Palin anymore!
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
Susan has been summoned to the Lost Lands once again, one minute enjoying the day in the here and now, the next solving the problems of the Lost Lands (btw, where's Jimmy at?) The Four Horsemen may have been stopped, but Maaron the hermit has new issues now that he has become the Druid Guild Elder. The Harpy statue has somehow come to life, half human, half avian, this abomination is deadly, and capable of inflicting massive poisonous wounds with its razor sharp talons! The Druids have been nearly wiped out, the only person left to help is Maaron's granddaughter, but at least her curiosity is helpful because she knows these forbidden lands better than anyone. In order for Susan to return home, she's going to have to find a way to stop this cursed beast, and find the strength to resist touching the gold that has turned the weak into stone!
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 likeable. Although there's no custom difficulty mode, you can adjust the settings within the Easy, Normal or Hard modes, and 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. There are 22 different Achievements to earn, and a ton of Collectibles, which will unlock mini games and puzzles in the CE extras. There are 28 Manuscript Pages to find, 24 Figurines,14 Satchels, 22 Gold orbs, 20 Dice, 22 Coins, to find throughout the Lost Lands, and 35 Morphing Objects to find. Unfortunately, the cursor changes to a hand when you come across a collectible or morph, so I usually don't move my mouse when entering a new scene until I find all the extras so I don't let my mouse do the searching. There is also a section in the extras to take a quiz about the game itself, to test your knowledge of, ar how much you have retained about 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 available in the demo, was however a very entertaining and not so easy puzzle. 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.
This 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!
Grim Tales: Threads of Destiny
Can you free Jackie's parents from their deadly fates?
Overall rating
5
/
5
77 of 92 found this review helpful
THE FINAL DESTINATION-ONE WAY OR ANOTHER
PostedNovember 6, 2015
pennmom36
fromI can lug around a set of lowpro tires and a tire jack, but I can't hold on to a lockpick the size of a paperclip?
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
The police have finally found the remains of Jackie's parents, Natalia and Alexander Gray who have been missing for 20 years. They were victims of a notorious serial killer Greg Duffy, who hunted people as if they were animals! Jackie pleads with you to use your gift to travel to the past and stop Greg Duffy before he kills her parents, after all, they wouldn't be in that situation had they not missed the maiden flight of a luxury airliner that crashed at takeoff, killing 158 people. Does Fate have other plans for the Gray's? Were they meant to perish on that flight, was that supposed to be their final destination? Are Fate and Destiny connected by the same thread?
The Gray family certainly has had their fair share of family drama, and Grim Tales does an excellent job connecting you emotionally to the characters who have become very familiar to us. You won't need any magical props on this time traveling adventure, it's just you, Aunt Gray, and a handful of people stuck in time, unable to move forward until your work is done. There are plus sign inventory items to tinker with, both in the past and the present, and the Collector's Edition has the addition of collectible Family Medallions (with family bios) several Morphing Objects, and plenty of Achievements to earn. The graphics and voiceovers are as good as they get, they just seem to get better with every new Grim Tales episode.
The Hidden Object Scenes offer a mixture to please just about everyone, finding the item in green text as a story is being told, finding multiples of a single item, silhouetted shape finds and good old fashioned list finds. In my opinion, the so called hidden objects, aren't very hidden, and some of the items are large and obvious, in fact I could probably find the correct items without looking at the list!
The Mini Games, however are what makes or breaks a decent game, too easy and it's boring, too difficult, and you just want to throw in the towel out of sheer frustration. Below is a list of some of the more prominent mini games, if this will SPOIL it for you, skip this section of game descriptions (NOT solutions):
1) Guide an airplane to it's destination through obstacles
2) Zoom Zone games where you identify similarities.
3) Clicking to shoot an arrow when in specific ranges.
4) Selecting directional arrows to allow a crane to pick up specific boxes (really creative)
5) Matching identical items and placing them correctly on the shelves.
The Collector's Edition has 8 Concept Art pictures, 8 Wallpapers, 18 Achievements, 5 Music Soundtracks, an Archive Room, a Secret Room, 16 Family Medallion Collectibles, Morphing Objects, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Haunted Legends: The Secret of Life Collector's Edition
You've traveled the world in search of a cure for your deadly illness, and you've finally found it! But it won't be easy to get – are you up to the task?
Overall rating
5
/
5
380 of 479 found this review helpful
THAT CREEPY HAUNTED LEGENDS HOUSE CONTAINS THE SECRET OF LIFE BUT NOBODY'S EVER SURVIVED!
PostedNovember 5, 2015
pennmom36
fromGo for it! They are watching
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
Saint Germain searched the world for a cure, but nobody could cure him. Depressed, he wandered through the desert where he met a man dying of thirst. St. Germain gave the man his water, in return the grateful man told him of a house that could cure him, the house that contains The Secret of Life, the house that has made Haunted Legends famous, THE haunted house where nobody comes back from, the Haunted House made of Legends! RUN FOR IT!
You of course aren't the only one interested in this house, when you arrive, there are three other healers that have been hired to perform a Purification Ritual, and everyone thinks you are one of those healers. To find the Secret of Life, you will have to spend three nights in this legendary haunted house, and survive! Throughout the game you will Collect Symbols, once they are all found you will be able to use them during the purification process. There are plenty of Achievements available as well as Morphing Objects (my favorite feature of all time) and Collectible pieces of Cake.
The Hidden Object Scenes are varied, there are scenes where you find items that match the keywords in each paragraph, as well as listed item finds, There aren't many HOP, but there are a ton of Mini Games to make up for it.
Below are brief descriptions of some of the Mini Games you will encounter:
1) Pull all levers down, some effect others.
2) Match identical patterns on butterflies.
3) Swap gems to match color combo sample.
4) Complete the image by rotating parts correctly.
5) Complete the image by sliding chips to the correct slots.
1) Pull all levers down, some effect others.
2) Match identical patterns on butterflies.
3) Swap gems to match color combo sample.
4) Complete the image by rotating parts correctly.
5) Complete the image by sliding chips to the correct slots.
This Collector's Edition has 10 replayable Mini Games, Endless HO's, 20 replayable HO's and Bonus HO's, 17 Movies, Morphing Objects, Collectibles, Wallpapers, Concept Art, Photos, Random Facts, Haunted Legends Facts, 6 Screensavers, Match Cats, Music, St. Germains Weekly Planner, Grandma's Recipes, Achievements, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Win a tournament, defeat a dragon... What other deed should a knight perform? Save a princess in Knight Solitaire 3!
Overall rating
3
/
5
39 of 42 found this review helpful
I DEFEATED NO DRAGONS AND I SAVED NO PRINCESSES
PostedNovember 4, 2015
pennmom36
fromDoes the princess need saved from the dragon or does the dragon need saved from the princess?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
To be quite honest, I never even saw a dragon and I didn't know a princess needed saving. Perhaps it's time for this knight to retire from the tournament, hang up his armor and put his horse out to pasture because all three of these games are mediocre at best, and none of them have a "wow" factor. My favorite Solitaire game of all time is The Chronicles of Emerland, it has a really captivating story, and really good features that make the game entertaining from beginning to end, this game offers no features other than a Jackpot meter, a Shuffle feature, an Undo feature and the availability of purchasing unlimited Jokers. There are 9 different card themes to choose from as well as 3 different face card styles. There are two modes of difficulty, Squire mode which allows you to replay any level, or Knight mode which only allows you to replay the entire pack.
This is a Higher/Lower Solitaire game where you play either one card higher or one card lower than the deck card shown, regardless of suit. Gold cards are worth 1 point each and if you remove all of the Gold cards, you win that level even if other cards remain. In the event of a perfect score the points of the current level will be added to the next level. To unlock the next pack, you must collect the necessary points over all the levels of the current pack, but you can replay levels that you did poorly on to try to score more points. The Jackpot meter will begin to fill with each card removed, and fills more quickly when you make Combos which begin at 6 consecutive cards, but that's about it for features, there aren't any locked or blocked cards requiring you to find special cards to unlock them, or any other unique types for that matter.
I don't recommend this game.