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:
Fill and Cross Pirate Riddles 3
To sail or not to sail? What kind of question is that! While others mull it over, you can be the first to find the treasure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
77 of 84 found this review helpful
Needs More Color
PostedFebruary 23, 2015
pennmom36
fromSwashbuckling fun
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I love Pirate Riddles, but the colors are just to blah and unimpressive. If you haven't played a Fill & Cross, Griddler, Mosaic or Pic & Cross game before (all the same they just go by different names) here's how they work. The good news is that you don't have to be good at math, just deduction. Images are encrypted with numbers located to the left of the lines and above the columns. The numbers show how many groups are filled in the cells. All groups must have at least one empty cell between them. An example would be the numbers 1 1 1, on a 5x5 grid the first cell would be filled, followed by an empty cell, followed by a filled cell and another empty cell and the last cell would also be filled. Naturally the grids become larger and the numbers usually smaller, which means that you have to figure out which cells would be logically empty. To fill a cell you simply left click the cell, an empty cell would be an X by right clicking, or you can use the available icons and switch back and forth. You can click and drag large numbered cells both empty and filled as well.
Some of the cells contain coins that can be used to purchase bonuses such as getting two starting hints, the right to make three mistakes (you will have to replay that grid if you make a third mistake normally) or a bonus that will refill the hints on that level only. There are 17 different achievements or trophies to earn, and the grids are played on 6 different Pirate themed Islands which have 20 levels each for a total of 120 swashbuckling games. Aaarr, there's no time to walk the plank mates, tis time to solve a griddler, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Frozen Patchworks
The Frozen Kingdom awaits you! Help the Frozen Queen assemble 120 Christmas-themed patchwork mosaics!
Overall rating
4
/
5
62 of 72 found this review helpful
Fun Mosaic Puzzle With A Christmas Theme?
PostedFebruary 21, 2015
pennmom36
fromI'm frozen too!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Even if this puzzle game hadn't been released late, I still wouldn't have given it 5 stars because the pictures weren't colorful enough for my taste. The goal of this game is to drag puzzle shapes from the ribbon to the picture and place the piece correctly. You will earn up to three keys, which are used to open up other worlds. You get a key if you complete the puzzle, a key if you complete the puzzle without making a mistake, and a third key if you complete the puzzle within the allotted time. You can purchase extra hints and extra time, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Twilight Phenomena: The Incredible Show
Underneath the big top, people aren't always what they seem.
Overall rating
4
/
5
77 of 86 found this review helpful
Welcome To Strauss Circus...It Will Change Your Life
PostedFebruary 18, 2015
pennmom36
fromThe Bearded Lady is nothing compared to these carneys!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
It has been an annual family tradition for you and Judith, to visit the Strauss Circus. Even though your parents have passed, this family tradition will live on, under the big tent! Judith can hardly contain her excitement when Strauss picks her out of the audience (did anyone notice that all the seats were empty?) to assist him with his last act...the disappearing act! This magical finale is a top notch trick, but isn't Strauss supposed to finish this act with the famous reappearing trick?
The first thing you get equipped with is a camera, whenever the camera icon appears, you can take a picture. When the photo appears, you will click on 3-4 listed items within the photo, to hear a small story about Strauss, and how his unusual animal experimentations changed the circus forever. You can access the pictures you have taken anytime in your scrapbook, which also serves as a journal for notes. You will come across an arcade game that allows you to win different amounts of coins. This game can be played three times every 30 seconds by accessing the pull down tab at the top of the screen. The coins can be used to help injured animals you come across in Strauss' zoo, but I don't think it's pertinent to the game itself.
The Hidden Object Scenes are interactive list finds, and I really liked the fact that all HOS were circus themed, but some scenes are repeated. The Mini Games are available in Casual or Hard, and they were all entertaining. One of my favorite mini games required you to turn a carousel right or left, as you swapped the dresses on several mannequins until their dress matched their different colored hats. Another clever game was matching carnivorous plants to their matching icons, but, the plants would disappear and the pots would do a major shuffle game and you had to remember which plant you were looking for each time.
The Collectors Edition has Achievements, Music, Screensavers, Wallpapers, Concept Art, Movies, replayable Mini Games and Hidden Object Scenes, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter. In my opinion, this edition is the better value, I'm not impressed with the CE extras, or lack there of, but the game itself is decent, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Set sail from Port Royal on a ship called the Golden Hind and head for Hard Luck Island. Legend has it that untold treasures are hidden there!
Overall rating
4
/
5
78 of 84 found this review helpful
AAArrr....Mahjong Worth It's Weight In Gold
PostedFebruary 17, 2015
pennmom36
fromWhere's Pirate Island? Thought I was on a ship!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I love pirate themed games and I love Mahjong, so I'm working my way through the ranks on this here pirate ship! You begin the game as a Cabin Boy and eventually get promoted all the way to Admiral, mates. The goal of this game is to match pirate themed tiles to earn points, the quicker you remove tiles, the more points you'll earn. Silver tiles will restore the shuffle bonus with each match, and all Gold tiles must be matched to win the level. Each level has at least three goals to achieve such as: Removing tiles within a specific amount of moves, Completing the level within a designated amount of time, Scoring a specific amount of points and Removing a specific number of Gold tiles. There is an available Light Bulb icon which will shade all tiles that are blocked and unavailable, and the shuffle bonus is automatically used when there are no available moves left, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Venture beyond time and space in this classic adventure game that will take you out of this world!
Overall rating
2
/
5
77 of 91 found this review helpful
A Classic Adventure Game? By Who's Standards?
PostedFebruary 16, 2015
pennmom36
fromOh Nick, do you really think I'm pretty??
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
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'd rather be stranded on a deserted island (with no internet) for the rest of my life, than to be stranded in this time warp of a game any longer! The graphics are as basic as it gets, I don't mind cartoonish graphics, but these graphics are stranded in time, Atari time! Thankfully there aren't any voiceovers because I'm sure that wouldn't be up to par either. There are a ton of dialog boxes to read, which are mostly useless conversations, to make matters worse, there are several grammar mistakes. The story has been done, re-done, reheated, flipped over, boiled and recycled. Olivia has joined her eccentric Uncle Peter and his partner, Nick, on an expedition to prove that citizens from Atlantis had actually lived on this planet. Uncle Peter is an avid Conspirologist who believes that the pyramids were built by aliens from Andromeda, Olivia and Nick are more level headed however, they are too busy flirting with each other to form any opinions.
You can consider yourself lucky if you find more than one inventory item per scene, although almost every item shown in the scenes will have a finger icon, tricking you into believing that the item is of some importance. To use an inventory item you have to click on your backpack every time to access the items and to use the items you have to drag them to the area. When you come across an area that you are acquiring inventory items, you have to re-click on that area after every item collected because each time you click ok, it zaps you out of that area even if more items need to be collected!
I really didn't come across any Hidden Object Scenes, the closest thing to a HOP, was clicking on several items to move them in order to find 10 torn map pieces. There were several simplistic Mini Games or puzzles such as repairing a torn map, or swapping sides of black and white checkers. I will give credit to one game, using a slider bar to tilt a maze as you guide a ball through the maze that only partially showed the maze, as the ball progressed downward, more of the maze would be revealed.
This game is getting mixed reviews so take my advice and play the demo before buying this game OR using a credit.
I don't recommend this game.
Dangerous Games: Illusionist Collector's Edition
You've been asked to cover a highly anticipated competition in New York City when something goes terribly wrong. Can you escape the world of illusions?
Overall rating
5
/
5
158 of 184 found this review helpful
Illusionists Play Very Dangerous Games
PostedFebruary 14, 2015
pennmom36
fromAgain with the heels, are they made of titanium?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Tonight is the grand re-opening of the Taylor Hotel and hopefully history doesn't repeat itself as it hosts the Second Illusionist Championship. You remember that fateful night very well, because you are the journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize for the coverage of the First Illusionist Championship. Naturally things don't go well this time either, because that wouldn't be very "dangerous" now you must play a wicked game with an Illusionist who has some pretty deadly tricks up his sleeve. Can you survive this terrifying ordeal and separate what is real from illusion?
I loved the props used in this game, every puzzle and hidden object scene kept true to the genre with plenty of magic tricks and illusions. There are even 20 Morphing Magic Trick Cards hidden throughout the game, and you can earn Achievements that'll have you feeling like an illusionist champion! You will find a pair of Truth Goggles that will reveal hidden doors, passageways and hidden props, before using them you will have to recreate images shown by combining several shapes.
The Hidden Object Scenes range from interactive list finds, finding multiples of a single item, to progressive silhouetted shape finds. Each HOP has codes to decipher and small puzzles within to add more interactive features. The mini games were all based upon illusionist tricks and very creative. One such game required you to synchronize two clocks to show the life cycle of a bird. The left clock shows changing images of a birds life, and you drag tiles to the clock on the right to create a matching life cycle.
This Collectors Edition has 20 Morphing Trick Cards, Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Videos, replayable Mini Games, Achievements, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Lost Lands: The Four Horsemen
The Lost Lands are in danger again... There's only one brave soul who can face the four evil horsemen to save it – you!
Overall rating
5
/
5
111 of 126 found this review helpful
Here We Go Again
PostedFebruary 14, 2015
pennmom36
fromMaaron, next time just call me!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Jimmy's mom has once again been whisked off to the Lost Lands, this time she has been summoned by Maaron, a powerful alchemist. He has foreseen the coming of the Black Horseman of Fire and asked the gods to send him the Chosen one, and you're the right man, er woman for the job! You must travel through an interdimensional corridor which links the Forgotten Lands with parallel worlds, to find the Compass of the Worlds, before the Horseman of Fire locates the compass. The Black Horseman of fire is an envoy of evil, if he is able to open the portal, who knows what evil will flood through the portal!
The Collectors Edition is jammed pack with goodies. There are 35 Morphing Objects to find and let me tell you these morphs are tiny, and very slow to morph. You must also locate 35 missing parts of Maarons' Magic Machine, he's supposed to be a hermit but those parts certainly made their way around the Forgotten Lands! Both versions have 20 missing manuscript pages to find which gives you insight upon all the different creatures you may encounter from Halflings to Mermaids.
The Hidden Object Scenes are mostly interactive, progressive silhouetted shapes where you find one item that matches the silhouette and use that item in the scene to expose the next item and so forth. You're going to love the fact that most HOS have puzzles and mini games to complete as well. The Mini Games outside of the HOS were fairly easy such as arranging monks so that their hands form a closed energy chain. Another familiar favorite was rotating two circles to rotate picture tokens to the correct place, using the background images as clues.
The Collectors Edition has Wallpapers, Concept Art, Cutscenes, Music, Mini Games, Puzzles, 20 Missing Manuscripts, 35 missing Magic Machine parts, 35 Morphing Objects, Achievements, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Dream Inn: Driftwood
Restore the Driftwood! Seaside's top resort has fallen into disrepair. Fix up the rooms, the inn, and renew the garden!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Dream Inn: Driftwood
PostedFebruary 12, 2015
pennmom36
fromHiggledy-piggledy?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
When the Driftwood Inn went up for auction, you just knew it was the perfect fit. Your family spent many summers there when you were a child, the Inn was beautiful and set right on the shores of the ocean. Problem is, you bought this place sight unseen and it's not as beautiful as you had remember. No worries, you can sell items lingering around the Inn to earn enough cash to restore her to her former glory. There's only one key to one room when you first arrive, but Emma Gray, the Inn's manager will help you find the others. Each room has several listed items to find and sell, and some items that belong in other rooms. There are several hidden coins to find that aren't on the list, and bonuses to find such as magnifying glasses for extra hints, and party poppers that will temporarily show you the location of several items. You also have to replace the items you found in other rooms by clicking and dragging those items to their logical destination. You can purchase upgrades with the money earned (and found) such as retaining walls, grass, flowers, new paint etc. The only complaint I had was Emma became a bit annoying and had way too much to say. You have the choice to play this game in a timed mode or a relaxing no pressure untimed mode, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Dark Dimensions: Homecoming Collector's Edition
For years, Barton Mansion sat abandoned, a haunting reminder of an obsession gone wrong. But something sinister still lurked there...and it's stirring.
Overall rating
5
/
5
244 of 274 found this review helpful
Call Me Crazy But I Love This Game!
PostedFebruary 12, 2015
pennmom36
fromPerhaps Rocky can find Robert Barton while he's at it!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm truly at a loss as to why this game is receiving such poor reviews. I admit that the vines are a bit cheesy, but the story is fantastic, the graphics are superb, and the game is crammed full of entertainment with interactive Hidden Object Scenes, clever puzzles and Mini Games! Why on earth would you be upset with an abundance of HOP's when they are in a Hidden Object game?
This story reminds me of the Winchester Mansion, which is supposedly a true story. (Rose Winchester?) This house was under constant construction, staircases that lead to nowhere, twists and turns that shouldn't be there, and even hidden rooms, all because of one woman's obsession to continue building, because that's what the house wanted! Dark Dimensions has put their own twist on the Winchester Mansion, with the Barton Manor located in Whispering Hollows, a house that continues to grow, because the voices have commanded Martha Barton to do so! Your parents were Dark Dimension investigators who disappeared while investigating this possessed house, which has just claimed your sister as it's latest victim! Can you and your partner, Rocky, rescue her from this evil Manor before it's too late?
Who's Rocky? Your best friend, a Siberian Husky who seems to have enough energy for this case and a few other haunted houses. (bet James wishes he had Rocky by his side) DD has done a remarkable job with this character, very realistic, fluid movement, and just the right amount of puppy charastics to make you fall in love, and want a Rocky of your own. As a 30 year dog grooming veteran, I can appreciate the realistic movements, it annoys me when games can't quite pull it off and the animal walks sideways, or have jilted movements. Throughout the game you will collect Paw Print Coins that can be used to improve Rocky's Room with toys, beds, food and other creature comforts. This part I thought was unnecessary, but some people love the extra perk. (making Rocky dance totally ruined this feature for me) There are also Morphing Objects to collect which will be used to help Barton Manor grow, a little at a time. There are Plus indicators for some of the inventory items requiring you to interact with the item or combine the item with another inventory item, as well as an abundance of well thought out Achievements to earn. Your smartphone is where you will access all your notes, objectives and achievements, and you can access the map which is located on your phone as well.
The Hidden Object Scenes, yes there are a bunch, and yes, some of the scenes are repeated, but they are extremely interactive list finds, with lot's of puzzles and clues held within. You can opt for a Match 3 game. The Mini Games are also in abundance, and range from simple puzzles, such as turning disks to complete a picture, to elaborate more in depth thinking games. I enjoyed most of the games but if I have to choose my favorite, it would be re-creating pictures by using various paints and stencils, in the correct order. I also liked the game that required you to use directional arrows to move a flame, which would move until it hit something in that direction, making sure that the flame touched several symbols within 6 moves. I only wish that game had several more sections that became increasingly more difficult.
This Collectors Edition has Achievements, Match 3, Wallpapers, Concept Art, a Developers Diary, Rocky's Room and Collectible Paw Print Coins, Morphing Objects, Music, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Explore the kingdom of Silverdale in this innovative new match-3 adventure.
Overall rating
5
/
5
256 of 280 found this review helpful
What A Complex Match 3!
PostedFebruary 11, 2015
pennmom36
fromThe king seems a bit greedy!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
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're in for a treat with this Match 3 game, the complexity offered makes this top notch entertainment folks. The storyline is fantastic, and beautifully narrated, this is the first Match 3 that made me want to hear more about the story! This is a story about Rivermoor, in it's heyday it was a bustling village that attracted traders from all over, since the war however, it's nothing more than a town left to ruin with a mere three citizens...until you came along to help!
The goal with this M3 game is to collect ancient artifacts to give to the King in exchange for much needed funds, ironically you need to send money back to the King. The board moves around as you make matches in different areas, and you collect inventory items hidden within hay and grass covered tiles, that are used to plow your way through obstacles. Some tiles are blocked with stone and wood, and the artifacts themselves are blocked by stone requiring you to make at least one match next to them. There is a jump map that recharges with each shield you collect and there are even mines to collect resources whenever you make matches next to them. Large matches will give you a glowing tile to explode when matched and there are also treasure chests to open once you find the key. Each upgrade you make to the village will give you a weapon such as a bomb, the bomb is recharged quickly when you match the potion bottles. This is only the beginning, and yes, you can opt to play this game in an Untimed mode, enjoy!
I recommend this game!