pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4712
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 24, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Epic Escapes: Dark Seas
You among other passengers are trapped and to be able to escape you need to discover the secret of the Dark Seas!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
Epic Escapes: Dark Seas
PostedMay 3, 2015
pennmom36
fromI told you it wasn't a good idea to face your fears!
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
For the past seven years, you have had recurring nightmares that you are onboard a ship that gets hit by a tidal wave when a meteor strikes the sea. Friends and family convenience you to face your fears head on, so you buy a discounted ticket (first mistake) on the Atlantic Cruise Line and set sail. Low and behold, a tidal wave does indeed cause the ship to capsize and you must figure out a way to escape the upside down ship before it sinks and you nightmare becomes reality, you drown!
The graphics are pretty basic, but keep in mind this is an older game. There are 13 Lifebuoys scattered throughout the ship, and someone has left you notes warning you to escape as fast as you can. The notes are actually Hidden Object Lists that require you to find the items you will need to survive this ordeal.
I love the storyline, and the HOS are decent but super easy to find because of the basic graphics. Each scene has plenty of tasks to complete so it doesn't become boring, but on the other hand seasoned HO gamers will find this game way too easy.
Epic Adventures: La Jangada
Help Minha save her father from the gallows in this 19th century epic based on Jules Verne’s novel La Jangada.
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Epic Adventures: La Jangada
PostedMay 3, 2015
pennmom36
fromZzzzzz
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I had a hard time getting through the one hour demo on this game. At first I didn't mind the main character's narration of the story, but it just kept going on and on, followed by a Hidden Object Scene, and then more of the story being told, the other characters backgrounds, the way they acted what the were doing or even what she thought they were thinking, it was just too much information.
The Hidden Object Scenes were different each time, Find 12 Roses in the garden, pick up an item that matched the list description and place it within the same scene where it belongs, Find items that match a green dress, or finding several scraps of paper. I just found the tasks mundane, help Minha pack, help her shop, etc.
I don't recommend this game.
Cadenza: The Kiss of Death
Is your husband-to-be guilty of betrayal – or even worse?
Overall rating
5
/
5
83 of 95 found this review helpful
Pucker Power
PostedMay 3, 2015
pennmom36
fromVoodoo Lipstick
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Cadenza has raised the bar, once again! Phenomenal graphics, lifelike characters, and stunning soundtracks are the norm for this series. We revisit the Jazz Pepper Club, to enjoy beautiful jazz music featuring a special guest. Anthony's marriage proposal is quite romantic, but Ella will soon learn that he's no match for the "Black Widow" a seductive woman whose lips are responsible for the Kiss of Death. With pucker power like her's, no man is safe!
Some of the inventory items have Plus Sign's, that require some type of interaction, such as combining two items together, before that item can be used. The Collectors Edition has Hidden Golden Tickets in each scene, which are very well blended and added some entertainment factor to the game.
The Hidden Object Puzzles are crammed full of entertainment as well. Most of the HO's are listed items that you are simply moving aside to collect the fragments hidden behind that item, and the collected fragments will open something for the final item. My favorite HOP type requires you to find an item listed in a circle at the bottom right, which also exposes a musical note that gets added to the icon. The next item has to be placed into the scene, and then another listed item and so forth until all notes have been collected.
Some of the Mini Games were unique, when you are speaking to the detective, he hands you a paper with several items that you flip over two at a time to make matches. Then you make matches of related items, and finally put those items into the correct timeline of what occurred first. I liked the puzzle where you had to replicate the musical notes shown as an example, but the musical staff (bars) were twisted so you had to follow the bars figure out where each note actually went.
Some of the Mini Games were unique, when you are speaking to the detective, he hands you a paper with several items that you flip over two at a time to make matches. Then you make matches of related items, and finally put those items into the correct timeline of what occurred first. I liked the puzzle where you had to replicate the musical notes shown as an example, but the musical staff (bars) were twisted so you had to follow the bars figure out where each note actually went.
The Collectors Edition has Achievements, Concept Art, Wallpapers, Morphing Objects in the HOS, Videos, Soundtracks, re-playable HO's, Collectible Golden Tickets, Case Files, Match 3 games, Treasure Hunt, Ticket Hunt, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Epic Adventures: Cursed Onboard
Search the long lost ship, The Jangada. Undo the curse that plagues the ship and bring peace to Anna’s tormented soul.
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Epic Adventures: Cursed Onboard
PostedMay 2, 2015
pennmom36
fromWhy is there a matchbox and a knife on the toy shelf?
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 Jangada was a historical marvel the 19th century. In 1979 the Garral family set sail on the Amazon River to seek the adventure of a lifetime, but never returned. A rich media tycoon named Jonathan Brown has hired Melissa Alan to investigate what appears to be the Jangada, that appeared as quickly as it disappeared all those years ago!
The storyline really piqued my interest, who doesn't like Ghost ships right? The problem is, each scene contains one area of interest, either an occasional inventory item to pick up or use, a Mini Game or a Hidden Object scene. There is no Hint system other than in the HOS, so if you can't figure something out you're out of luck. The graphics are dark and creepy, but very basic. To access the inventory bar, you have to click on it every time to pull it up.
The Hidden Object Scenes are actually well done, the listed items can be quite difficult to find at times because the many of the items are blended either with the scenery or within another item that resembles the shape and size. Most of the HOS are repeated, so you will have to check the scenes to see if another HOS is available there. The Mini Games are decent, I liked the Phone Number Puzzle where you were given a few numbers as clues but had to guess at the rest of the numbers which would cause the indicator light to turn green when correct.
I recommend this game!
Rite of Passage: The Lost Tides Collector's Edition
Why has the Everlast returned after twenty years at sea?
Overall rating
5
/
5
174 of 200 found this review helpful
Mermaids Took My Mom And Dad!
PostedMay 2, 2015
pennmom36
fromUse my boat, oh but first you'll have to fix the giant hole in the bottom and it needs sails too, you're welcome.
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
A family vacation aboard the Timeless Cruise 20 years ago was unforgettable, because the ship vanished into thin air with your mother and father still aboard! You'll never forget that stormy night when you and your brother escaped the sinking ship on a lifeboat, as the storm clouds seemingly swallowed up the entire cruiseliner. Now after 20 years, the Timeless Cruise Ship has reappeared just as quickly as it vanished, and that strange storm has returned as well! (wouldn't it be funny if the cruise ship was the SS Virginia?) Have your parents returned as well? If they are still aboard the ship, will they look the same? The answer may surprise you....
The only feature I didn't like in this fourth installment of Rite of Passage was with the Compass that dad gave you to guide you toward the shore. It is used to dispel energy that surrounds random objects whenever the compass begins to shake wildly. I thought it was unnecessary with no entertainment value, if it doesn't add value to the game, why have it? Some of the inventory items have plus signs which indicate that some type of interaction is required before you can use the item, usually combining that item with another inventory item. There are 37 Collectible Seashells, some of which are well blended into the scenery, and there are Achievements to earn as well.
The Hidden Object Scenes contain one item that morphs, and there is an icon to the left of the inventory bar that will indicate whether or not the morphing object has been located. The first HOP was unique, you had to find matching cards and then place those cards correctly with the cards a statue was holding in her hands. There are also interactive list finds where the items from the list move aside to expose a fragment that will eventually complete a mosaic fish picture. There are actually a lot of Mini Games, swapping and rotating puzzle pieces, matching two exact symbols or placing wooden animals in their respective habitats. My favorite however, was a variation of "Blocks" where you had to rotate mirrors to capture a beam of light and direct it through the house until it reached a character sleeping to wake him up, BUT you also had to move furniture that blocked the light beam in a blocks type scenario.
This Collectors Edition has Achievements, Morphing Objects, Collectible Seashells, Wallpapers, Soundtracks, a Gallery, Collectible Hunt, Everlasting Voyage Bonus Game, replayable HO's (with trophies to earn when you beat a specific time) and a built in Strategy Guide, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Uncover a dark scheme in Entwined: Strings of Deception and solve an elaborate murder mystery!
Overall rating
3
/
5
33 of 34 found this review helpful
Entwined: Strings Of Deception
PostedMay 1, 2015
pennmom36
fromWhy do they always suspect the secretary?
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
I found this game to be on the edge of boring, there simply wasn't enough interactions to keep me engrossed in the storyline. You play the role of Karla Robbins, a homicide detective sent to investigate the murder of Christopher Edwards, a wealthy inventor. Equipped with only a jar of fingerprint powder, you are tasked with collecting 17 fingerprints and other various pieces of evidence such as 20 pieces of elegant jewelry, some of which might not belong to Mrs. Edwards if you catch my drift!
Your Case File is a journal that contains all the information you uncover during the investigation such as the Case Summary, the Postmortem Report, Observations, Active Tasks, and bios on all the Suspects. The Hint System doesn't show you where to go, but a list will pop up with the current tasks and you can click on the specific task for more information or where to obtain items to complete the task.
The Hidden Object Scenes are clear and bright with no interactions available, just the usual listed item finds. The Mini Games are simple and somewhat mundane, such as turning cylinder sections to complete an image.
If there were more areas of interest in each scene, this would have been a decent game, instead there is only one area of interest per scene, either an inventory item to collect, a Mini Game OR a HOP, and an occasional fingerprint or collectible.
I don't recommend this game.
Fear for Sale: Endless Voyage
In this ghostly continuation of the Fear for Sale series, you've discovered a luxury ocean liner bears an eerie resemblance to a ship that vanished years ago.
Overall rating
5
/
5
66 of 85 found this review helpful
Permission Granted To Board The S.S Virginia, Destination....1930!
PostedMay 1, 2015
pennmom36
fromIf the Authorities were unable to track the ships course, how did Emma figure it out within seconds?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Recently there have been reports of several passengers who have boarded a mysterious cruiseliner that simply disappears into thin air. As an investigative Journalist, Emma Roberts knows she must board this Ghost Ship if she wants the story of a lifetime, hopefully she won't have to spend her lifetime on an Endless Voyage! This ship appears to be a replica of the S.S. Virginia, in Miami Florida, but this is no replica, this IS the S.S Virginia, the ship that went missing in the 1930's! One minute the ship looks pristine, the next a bucket of rust, beautiful flowers wilt within seconds, seagulls fly right through the ships walls, as if it weren't even there! To complicate matters, there has been a murder on board, Now may be the perfect time to "jump ship" because this cruise may be deadly!
Personally, I liked the Collectors Edition better because you begin the game as a simple Reporter, and advance up the ranks from Investigative Journalist to Special Correspondent. Every inventory item you find, every collection found and Morphing "seer" objects you spot, will net you points, you will even receive points for completing Hidden Object Puzzles and Mini Games. As the points add up, so does your ranking, you can even replay the game to get a better score, or challenge a friend. The Collectors Edition also has 34 Morphing Objects to spot, and several Collections available within different categories, such as Lady Collectibles, Captain and Musician Collectibles and Postcards. The map will indicate that all Collectible and Morphs have been found in each location, with a gold star above that area. Either Edition has Plus Sign Inventory items requiring further interaction before that item can be used such as combining two inventory items together or repairing the item.
The Hidden Object Scenes are very interactive and extremely well done. Some are progressive, silhouettes, requiring you to find the first item that matches the silhouetted shape shown, and then using that item in the scene to collect the next item and so forth. There are also interactive list finds, and smaller HOP's within zoomed in areas where you are tasked with finding 4 or 5 fragments. There is an optional Jigsaw Puzzle available in place of the HOP, which sounds appealing because all of the hidden object scenes are repeated at least once. The Mini Games seem fairly easy, at least within the demo, lighting the correct lights to duplicate the astrological sign as shown, or swapping tiles to their correct position to complete an image, by using arrows to rotate three different sets of tiles.
The Collectors Edition has Wallpapers, Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Achievements, Collectibles, Morphing Objects, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Enlightenus II: The Timeless Tower
Clarence Flatt, an expert clockmaker, has asked for your help and has offered you the chance to explore the Timeless Tower!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Enlightenus II: The Timeless Tower
PostedApril 30, 2015
pennmom36
fromHope the clocks keep good time or this could take forever!
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
Another fantastic trip to Enlightenus! Clarence Flatt is a well respected Clock Maker, whose nearing the end of his life and has asked you to find the legendary Timeless Tower. Clarence has been working on a broken perpetual timepiece that collapsed and scattered throughout pivotal times of his life and your journalistic skills are needed to enter several clock portals to recover key fragments to enter Enlightenus and restore his life achievements!
I was so happy that this edition continued with the Hidden Object Scenes requiring you to replace items back into the scene. This isn't an easy task by any means because the scenes are jammed packed full of random items, the only way to find out what the items are is to pick up the item from the inventory bar and drag the item to each object in the scene which is labeled and the tag will only appear when you have the item picked up. They aren't normal labels, they may say thirsty gorilla or one eyed statue or dirty mirror, so you have to figure out what the item is called in order to place the inventory item correctly. You can collect hidden Enlightenus Cards within the HOP's that can be used to speed up the Hint system recharge time.
The Mini Games are all the same, interactive drawings where you have to select the correct additions to be added to the drawings to achieve the final description. For example the caption may say "Don't get Electrocuted" with just a drawing of a boy on a blank page. First you have to click on a tree which appears on the page next to the boy, then you click on the cloud, then rain which makes the boy run under the tree to keep from getting wet, and finally the lightning which will strike the boy if you choose the options in any other order!
Enlightenus is one of the most unusual and entertaining games I have played in a very long time. If you don't like games with a ton of HOP's, then pass this series by, because every location has a Hidden Object game within the Clock Portals such as the Forbidden City 1850 A.D, Medieval Castle A.D, Ancient Egypt 1000 B.C and even the Ancient Mayan, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Amaranthine Voyage: The Obsidian Book Collector's Edition
Enter the role of Eve Glover, one of the best CCPP's agents, sent to investigate the lack of radio communication from your scientific team on Iceland, researching harmonium radiation.
Overall rating
5
/
5
156 of 188 found this review helpful
The Obsidian Book
PostedApril 30, 2015
pennmom36
fromThat was unnecessary don't you think doc?
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
Professor Samantha Bennett has made a wonderful discovery, she has found a Harmonium Extractor and a portal to another world. Harmonium is a powerful and rare element, it's energy binds the entire universe, an energy that can destroy the universe in the hands of the wrong person. That wrong person just so happens to be Dr. Schroder, who will stop at nothing to obtain possession of the Book of Obsidian, and she will need to use the unstable energy of Harmonium to enter the portal.
I was a little disappointed with this Amaranthine Voyage, not surprising because in my opinion, the original is a hard act to follow. You will find the Harmonium Collector that Professor Bennett was studying, and as you collect chunks of Harmonium radiation, this wonderful device will give you powers of mind bending, Phasing and Cleansing which will be a necessity in our world as well as other worlds you visit. Some of the items have plus signs indicating further interaction is required before you can use that item. There are 40 Collectible Books to discover, and a bunch of Achievements available to earn as well. There are also Morphing Objects to collect.
The Hidden Object Scenes were very well done, some requiring you to find several of the same kind of item before you can access the listed item finds. There are even clues given on stone tablets such as a Caterpillar and a Clock which translates to a butterfly! There is an alternate Bubble Shoot game, AND if you want to earn all achievements, you will have to play at least one Bubble Shoot Game. The Mini Games are pretty simple, click on matching symbols and pictures, or shoot an arrow when the rolling ball enters the bullseye. The puzzle I enjoyed the most was placing different colored and shaped wire connectors onto the board so that none of the wires crossed paths, and then swapping the circuits until they lined up, but even that game was super simple.
This Collectors Edition has 21 different Achievements, replayable Mini Games and HOP's, 40 Collectible Books, Morphing Objects, Bubble Shoot Game, a Souvenir Room, Making Of, Movies, Music, Pictures, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Enlightenus
Travel to the mysterious world of Enlightenus and use your detective skills to track down Edgar Lee`s missing novels!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 11 found this review helpful
Enlightenus
PostedApril 29, 2015
pennmom36
fromIf you're sweater frizzles up every time you transport, wear something else!
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
This game has some of the most entertaining Hidden Objects Scenes I have played in a long time! Actually all of the HO's require you to place items from the inventory bar back into the scene where they logically belong. Most games with this feature are so simple it's boring, place the bird with it's mate, place the cheese on the mousetrap etc. With this game you have to pick up the item and then scan the entire scene, this way all of the items in the scene have labels or tags, without knowing what every little item is that is crammed into a scene, it would be difficult because your eyes wouldn't focus on the little things.
A famous artist, Edgar Lee, has asked you to use the Enlightenus machine to transport to the magical world of Enlightenus to recover the missing and scrambled pages of his novels. Naturally you don't hesitate (or ask any questions). Throughout the adventure you will come across Enlightenus Cards, most are in the Hidden Object Scenes, and the cards collected will speed up the time it takes to recharge the Hint Orb. If you're looking for a game that's a little bit different, look no further, enjoy!
I recommend this game!