pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4713
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:May 8, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga Collector's Edition
Rescue your daughter, Hannah, from the clutches of an evil witch before it's too late in this chilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga CE
PostedOctober 21, 2015
pennmom36
fromGuess you'll be moving back to New York now.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You just moved from the bustling city of New York to the quiet outskirts of Blengar, England to escape the rat race. Your daughter has chosen several schools to attend, so naturally you hop on a bus to check out her first choice, a private school that seems more like a castle than a school. The bus driver neglected to inform you and Hannah that this school has been closed and sealed for over 40 years! Things go from bad to worse when an evil witch takes Hannah, claiming that the last child is finally hers and that if you interfere you will die a miserable death.
This game has a creep factor of 10, everything is creepy crawly, the cursor is a gnarled hand with an eyeball and even the inventory bar is decorated with a gothic style fence. There are NO Hidden Object Scenes in this game, just a pure creepy adventure with lots of puzzles to solve. The actors are real and the graphics are wonderfully hand drawn, while the cinematics are either real, or computer generated. This game has a ton of mini games, some of which are very creative and unusual
This Collector's Edition has Wallpapers, Screensavers, Concept Art Pictures, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy......if you dare!
I recommend this game!
Alison Ester, insurance investigator, is responsible for leading the investigation in a dilapidated asylum with a grave and mysterious past.
Overall rating
2
/
5
75 of 86 found this review helpful
It's Designed To Be Retro And It's Not That Bad
PostedOctober 21, 2015
pennmom36
fromNo not that brush, no not this brush, ohhh, that third brush is the one you mean?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
First of all this is an old school "click and drag" game. After reading the reviews it sound as though reviewers weren't aware of this feature which allows you to scroll your mouse to zoom into any area and then click and drag the scene around. With this feature, the items to find aren't tiny. Another feature not mentioned is that whenever you click on a "ghostly apparition" a pop up window appears to tell you a factoid about other haunted facilities , many of which have been featured on a popular ghost show, some debunked, some with no explanations. (yes I love the paranormal) Contrary to what the others have stated, the graphics are lifelike and decent. In fact, I bet the devs devoted much of their budget to the graphics.
I do agree however, that the feet and eye bubbles are unnecessary and bothersome. Whenever you click on the scene, bubbles will appear to show you which directions are available, where there is an available puzzle, or a HOS. There are no voiceovers, and you will have to read dialog boxes to understand the plot, but there isn't a ton of reading, just a few sentences at a time. Basically, Alison Carter has been sent by the insurance company to investigate the Medford Asylum. Workers restoring the asylum that had a deadly fire 15 years ago, have refused to work there because they believe the building is haunted.
There are an overabundance of Hidden Object Scenes, and almost every time you revisit a location, there will be another available HOP in the same place. This is a feature I do not like because it's too easy a second time and too boring. Again, the scenes can be scrolled into to zoom and you can then drag the scene around to search for smaller items, and the factoid ghosts.
The Mini Games are far and few between, and they are a bit lame, such as putting together a torn stencil or changing all the lights from white to blue. This game is mostly about searching for the needed items in a HOP and then using that item to progress. I'm not saying this game is great, but some gamers will enjoy this type of adventure.
I don't recommend this game.
Join Prince Jack in his journey to the edge of the world to rescue the stolen bride and save the world from an ancient curse!
Overall rating
5
/
5
121 of 130 found this review helpful
One Of The Most Entertaining Mahjong Games In A Long Time!
PostedOctober 20, 2015
pennmom36
fromJack vs. Jack-O-Lantern!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Usually mahjong games are boring with very little challenge, but I really liked playing this game. There's somewhat of a story at the beginning when Jack and Adele are about to be wed and a portal opens and Adele is sucked in by a pumpkin? Jack sets off on an adventure to find her while the elders search their reference book of magic to find out more about this unforeseen entity. I'm sure more of the story will emerge as you progress, but to me, it doesn't matter as long as the game itself is entertaining. You can choose from 9 different themed mahjong tiles, many of which are Halloween themed. Freestyle modes are unlocked one by one as you finish them in adventure mode.
There are three goals given at the beginning of each level (60 levels total) which will give you up to three gold stars if you achieve the goals. You must remove all tiles, and the other two goals are of specific earnings of coins within a specific number of moves, for example, earn 300 coins within 10 moves. The Jewels are worth 50 points, the Gold tiles are worth are worth 20 coins, the Silver tiles worth 15 coins and regular tiles are worth 10 coins each when matched with their identical tile (gold-gold, silver-silver etc.)
There are levels that require you to match all identical tiles in typical mahjong fashion, some levels allow you to collect specific tiles as shown at the bottom, and my favorite game allows you to make chain matches according to the number value. In the chain mode you can play up to 10 chains of either the same number value or one higher. If you are trying to earn all three stars, you can take your time and think about your matches so that you can match higher values at the beginning if possible.
There is a Hint feature, an Undo feature and a Reshuffle feature. Each new level gives you three more reshuffles and you can hold on to them for a total of 10 reshuffles, because you will earn more, you should use them to help you achieve goals. You can always purchase more in the Contraptions Shop with your earned coins. You can also purchase a Lucky Swap which allows you to swap two tiles, a Golden Hammer which unlocks a single blocked tile, a Riding Boot which increases the turn counter by one, and a Smart Trash Bin which removes all accessible pairs. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The case of an unusual death in a zoo leads detective Ashley Clark into the mysterious world.
Overall rating
5
/
5
102 of 135 found this review helpful
There's Something Strange Going On At The Zoo!
PostedOctober 20, 2015
pennmom36
fromIf the manager knew the veterinarian died at the zoo, how'd he get chained up, did he forget to tell us he disappeared too?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Ashley Clark is a detective sent to investigate the death of a security guard at the zoo. (in high heels no less) The security guard isn't the first person to die here, in fact, the zoo has been closed and most of the animals have been transferred to other zoos because nobody wants to be anywhere near this creepy zoo! What Ashley discovers hidden beneath the zoo could explain everything, but can she escape? Can evil be stopped?
I love the computer generated graphics, and the whole vibe of the closed zoo. There are are ton of Hidden Object Scenes and even more puzzles to solve, but this game has an unusual plot and plenty of inventory items to find. My only complaint would be the fact that you have to do a lot of back and forthing, and to access the map, you have to click on your journal and then the map tab which can get annoying when you are constantly having to change locations. There are Hidden Batteries throughout the game that you can collect for extra hints but they are super easy to find because they are so large, and the cursor changes to a hand.
The Hidden Object Scenes are repeated twice in each location. The first time the HOP is a very interactive list find, the next time you return, it will be a silhouetted shape find. The scenes tend to be dark and a bit grainy, but items are still recognizable.
The Mini Games range from super simple to medium difficulty, but they can be skipped if you prefer. The following is a list of some of the Mini Games, as brief descriptions, that you will encounter during the demo:
1) Rotate knobs on a microscope to create an image.
2) Play a card game in two moves scoring more points than opponent.
3) Pick a lock using two lockpicks.
4) Connect Pipes to complete a circuit.
5) Find the right combination using clues shown.
6) Play a Match 3 game.
7) Repeat a series of numbers demonstrated.
8) Swap images so no two identical images are in the same row or column.
2) Play a card game in two moves scoring more points than opponent.
3) Pick a lock using two lockpicks.
4) Connect Pipes to complete a circuit.
5) Find the right combination using clues shown.
6) Play a Match 3 game.
7) Repeat a series of numbers demonstrated.
8) Swap images so no two identical images are in the same row or column.
There aren't a lot of frills in this game, but the graphics are really good and the story is fresh, you really should give this game a try, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
A criminal organization searching for an ancient treasure shot your partner!
Overall rating
4
/
5
56 of 66 found this review helpful
Awesome Storyline
PostedOctober 19, 2015
pennmom36
fromLook's like everyone is bailing on ya, run!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is another one of those games that had great potential and could have been a superior game, but it fell a little flat. The lip syncing is really bad, and the characters look lifelike and cartoonish at the same time, but the camera angles annoyed me more than anything, the game looks like it was filmed with a camcorder. If you can overlook those minor details, and keep in mind that the game starts out cheesy and slow moving, it does improve, and the storyline is awesome.
This is a Detective game that delves deep into secret societies and underground criminal organizations, the Knight's Templar want's to protect the legendary Blue Veil chest, which supposedly contains a map of great importance, and the elusive Shadows want to possess the Blue Veil for it's wealth. When your partner Jason Palmer becomes "unavailable" you are thrust into this investigation not knowing who to trust, and with good reason!
The Hidden Object Puzzles are all the same, and just about every scene has one. They are listed item finds with several of the items requiring an interaction that progresses. For example, you pick up a knife and zoom into a teddy bear that has something sewn inside, you use the knife to open up the threads and expose an item that is used on another item which exposes another item and so forth. They are entertaining but not very challenging. You can opt for a game of Mahjong instead, but Mahjong is too boring.
The Mini Games are not bad, some are old standards, others are either newer or have a new take on an old standard. Below are brief descriptions of some of the Mini Games available.
1) Swap square sections of a circuit board so that all the color coded current lines match up.
2) Use arrows to rotate tumblers to find the correct combination of images that has been written in your journal.
3) Turn on a series of lights in order from top to bottom by following the wires from the light to the correct switch.
4) Locate 5 Diamonds, 5 Fleur-de-lis, 5 Spears, 5 Stars, 5 Flowers and 5 Crescent Moons hidden within several sketched drawings. (one of my favorites)
5) Follow steps to create a library card, such as taking a photo with a camera, cropping the picture and using items in a specific order.
6) Connect each Node to as many nodes as indicated on the individual nodes themselves.
7) Swap Gems in the correct order so that they reach their matching slots when you click to activate the machine.
The Collector's Edition has Concept Art, Wallpapers, Original Score, Bonus Movies, a built in Strategy Guide, and a Bonus Adventure, which really isn't enough to constitute the extra price in my opinion, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Your morning omelette still churns in your stomach. What dangers await hidden in the darkness? Will this Halloween night ever end?
Overall rating
5
/
5
77 of 89 found this review helpful
Time For Some Chicken Soup!
PostedOctober 19, 2015
pennmom36
fromWhere do the burgers come from?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Have you ever played one of those games that are so frustrating you cannot stop playing it? This is one of those games, 5 starting lives isn't enough, so you find yourself starting over and over, learning from your mistakes as you progress just a little further each time.
Just like the original space invaders, you must defend your planet from space invaders, which in this case are vicious Chickens! (some are dressed in Halloween costumes)The Chicken invaders have unique weapons and defenses, the hens lay eggs that will completely obliterate your spaceship should you take a direct hit or even if you mistakenly broadside a falling egg. When you blast the full grown chickens, they will reward you with delicious chicken legs and even whole roasted chickens, which can only be collected when your spaceship runs over them, which isn't always easy when the egg bombs are everywhere! There are also keys to collect, burgers, presents and weapon upgrades to snag. There are several achievements available and a high score leader board that will list all of your top scores (and the scores of other players on your computer)
The options are vast, starting with the fact that you can choose the method you want to use to control your spaceship and weapons, your keyboard, your mouse, and even TOUCHSCREEN! The best feature in my opinion, is that you get to customize your spaceship with the keys you collect during the game, as well as backgrounds from previous versions. For starters, you will choose the base color of the spaceship, the color of the cockpit, and the color of the engine flames both inner and outer. There are several colors and shades to choose from and you will unlock paint options for the fuselage, the weapons pod, the tail wing, and even the density and shininess of the spaceship!
In my opinion, this is a very addicting game that would be awesome on your phone as well. The graphics have come a long way since the days of Space Invaders, not to mention the fact that the mouse has greatly improved our ability to control the spaceship. Give it a try, but be warned, you're gonna get hooked on this comical chicken invading game, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
After falling asleep in the cinema, you wake up in the movie. Solve the mystery of the missing film crew and finish the movie.
Overall rating
2
/
5
106 of 137 found this review helpful
I Can't Even Figure Out The Plot
PostedOctober 19, 2015
pennmom36
fromNate should ask for a refund
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This game has huge potential, but failed miserably because the plot isn't clear, the Hidden Object Scenes have non existant items, and don't even get me started on the clarity of instructions for the puzzles. I don't mind a game that is difficult, but I had to use the hint button several times because I had no idea what to do next, and some of the mini games were so poorly explained that I ended up skipping two of them because I had no idea what I was supposed to do! There are several puzzles where, in order to get the inventory item you just found, you have to position the item inside a silhouette shape exactly using rotational arrows. The first couple of times I thought it was a pretty cool feature, then it became annoying and frustrating.
The storyline? Well, Nate seems to be a loner who loves to see the same movie over and over again, but somehow today, he is hypnotized by the music and ends up in the movie scene. A woman approaches him to explain a few rules, disappears, and then somehow shows up again when he's figured out how to start the car, what? Oh, I missed the part where a tree with glowing eyes becomes human and thanks Nate for saving her. She's apparently one of the several missing film crew, but where did she disappear to? Is she in the back seat of the car too? Did I just ditch her at the portapotties? Does she still want the job?
I actually Beta tested this game several months ago, but was unable to finish the demo because of glitches, it's obviously been fixed but perhaps they should have just scrapped the game and started over. This game just doesn't make sense.
I don't recommend this game.
Your wedding day goes dark... and your fiancée has no idea who's behind it all.
Overall rating
3
/
5
83 of 100 found this review helpful
Bought The Game Thinking It Would Surely Improve.......
PostedOctober 18, 2015
pennmom36
fromIt's a good thing they let me keep my rake, and rope when they imprisoned me!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The game does improve, it does become slightly more entertaining, but it really isn't that great of a game. The storyline is predictable because it's the same story, the prince has been deceived by his court magician who will stop at nothing to keep him from marrying a common garden assistant. I loved the original Dark Romance, which was about vampires, the second game was still good, but not as interesting, this game is just not that interesting.
The best feature in all Dark Romance games is that you play the game as both main characters, in this case, the handsome prince, Siegfried, and his beautiful wife to be, Odette. This gives you different perspectives, and a whole new set of tasks, and it is done in such a way that it isn't confusing. Some of the characters you have conversations with give you the option to choose which questions to ask, but why? If you have to eventually ask all of the questions, and it doesn't affect the outcome, what difference does it make what order I ask the questions in? There are plus signs on some of the inventory items items indicating that some type of interaction is required before the item can be used. There are several "extras" available in this Collector's Edition, the usual Achievements to earn, Dossier notes to discover, Collectible Character Figurines, Stained Glass pieces and Collectible Feathers. The Feathers are used like coins that will allow you purchase items for the honeymoon Boudoir, such as flowers, harps, rocking chairs and other decorations. In my opinion this feature is lame, the items to purchase are boring, and it's a feature I believe few gamers will get excited about.
The Hidden Object Scenes are mostly Silhouetted Shape finds of different types. Some are progressive interactive finds where you find the first item and use that item in the scene interactively to expose the next item. Some require you to find several items matching the silhouettes to "fill them up" and there are also multiples of one item, and typical listed item finds and fragmented finds where you find several pieces of items scattered about the scene. You can play a Match 3 game instead of the Hidden Object Puzzles.
The Mini games range from simple to frustrating, below is a list of some of the games you'll encounter so skip the numbered section if you don't want to know what's in store for you:
1) A Lock and Key puzzle where you figure out the correct sequences.
2) A three part game where you first uncover objects to match identical animals, then free a caged animal by untangling ropes and following the freed animals path.
3) Position pictures correctly by looking at fragmented clues.
4) Swap heads to the correct body.
5) Pop bubbles that contain skulls.
6) Move tokens to the correct matching slots according to a pattern.
7) Swap pie shaped pieces to create an image.
2) A three part game where you first uncover objects to match identical animals, then free a caged animal by untangling ropes and following the freed animals path.
3) Position pictures correctly by looking at fragmented clues.
4) Swap heads to the correct body.
5) Pop bubbles that contain skulls.
6) Move tokens to the correct matching slots according to a pattern.
7) Swap pie shaped pieces to create an image.
This Collector's Edition has 20 Stained Glass pieces to collect, 5 Music Soundtracks, 15 Concept Art pictures, 13 Wallpapers, 19 Free Search HOP's, 23 replayable Mini Games, 15 Achievements, 15 Collectible Character Figurines, Collectible Feathers, a Boudoir to decorate, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Return to your hometown to save your father and uncover Midnight Castle's secrets!
Overall rating
5
/
5
100 of 120 found this review helpful
I'm Coming Home!
PostedOctober 16, 2015
pennmom36
fromThat poor butterfly, that's horrifying!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
MIDNIGHT CASTLE FANS UNITE! Midnight Castle has become a cult classic, it's a journey to fulfil a prophecy and this game has loyal followers like no other game. After recurring dreams of her father pleading with her to come home, Anabel buys a one way ticket to her home town of Rocksville, and home to the Midnight Castle. Anabel's father Henry was (or is?) a famous explorer and archaeologist who entered the Midnight Castle 10 years ago and hasn't been heard from since. A prophecy has been foretold by the queen upon her deathbed that when she dies, so shall the magic. She also foretold that every decade at the stroke of Midnight, dragons would awaken and spirits would return, and the last living heir would return to fulfil her prophecy!
Henry was suspicious of danger and began hiding everything of importance behind Midnight Castle symbols. This is where your journey begins, finding the symbols which hide the devices you need to get to and enter the castle. A very cute Bat will eventually join you on this journey and help you retrieve items just out of reach. The Collector's Edition has Morphing Objects, collectible Stained Glass pieces and even hidden Fairies to find, an abundance of Achievements to earn and even Plus Sign Inventory items to tinker with before using, some of which have small puzzles to figure out.
The Hidden Object Scenes are decent but nothing out of the ordinary such as Silhouetted Shape finds, finding Matching Pairs of items hidden underneath a few select items and even finding items that relate to the word in Red text as a story is told about the prophecy of Midnight Castle.
The Mini Games however are everywhere and anywhere, and very entertaining. There are games where you move symbols to their surrounding images and then rotate rings to allow figures to follow paths to their matching silhouettes. Next up is selecting arrows to rotate circles and swap elements in order to place letters and numbers as shown above the elements. Swapping books so that all the shelves hang on the same level. Moving colored disks to a matching ring using empty slots to slide the disks into to solve the puzzle. and even a series of puzzles where you tinker with several devices moving gems to the center of the chain, connecting colored heads together without overlapping lines etc. and using the items each puzzle gives you to move on to the next puzzle until the entire mechanism is working.
The Collector's Edition has 9 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art pictures, 4 Music Soundtracks, 27 Achievements, Morphing Objects, 32 Stained Glass puzzle pieces, 12 Collectible Fairies, a Secret Room, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter. Don't forget to give Midnight Castle a try as well, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Join Manuel in this incredible adventure through the land of the dead and help him to rescue his beloved bride.
Overall rating
5
/
5
96 of 104 found this review helpful
Getting Married On The Day Of The Dead Was Not A Good Idea
PostedOctober 16, 2015
pennmom36
fromDia de los Muertos
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Manuel and Maria thought it would be a good idea to get married on the Day Of The Dead so that all their dead relatives could attend the wedding. Turns out, they were wrong!
What a fantastic solitaire game, it even has a fantastic story to go along with it. This is a Higher/Lower game of solitaire where you play cards either one number higher or one number lower than the deck card. You start out with 25 cards in the deck, and you receive 3 extra cards when you finish the first round, and another two cards when you finish the second round. At first the game is super easy, but don't worry, it gets more challenging as you progress, and you will have fewer cards by the end of the rounds. If you lose the final round due to lack of cards, you will have to restart from the beginning round.
There are Bomb Cards that can be clicked on to destroy other cards around them, and directional Rocket cards as well. Combos fill up the Gold Skull meter, each skull the meter fills to will give you 100 Golden Coins. Some of the cards require finding the key to unlock the padlock, some are on fire requiring you to play all water cards to put out the fire.
There are Bonus Cards to uncover, Extra Cards which allows you to receive 5 additional cards, Coin Cards gives you extra coins, an Undo Card gives you extra undo options, the Sword of Justice allows you to choose a card to be destroyed, the Joker is a Wild Card, and you can even unlock an extra Slot on the draw card with an increased chance of matches.
I loved the features, the graphics, and the Solitaire game, but most of all, it has a very interesting story, enjoy!
I recommend this game!