pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4700
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 15, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Hoyle Illusions
There is malice afoot on the eve of the awaited Battle Royale between two famous illusionists. Will you get to the theater on time and save the day?
Overall rating
3
/
5
15 of 20 found this review helpful
Battle Royale
PostedAugust 14, 2014
pennmom36
fromAlakazam One Alakazam Two Alakazam Three and Poof, Sophies gone!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The battle for the greatest magician is on, Merlin the Amazing vs. Johanne the Great but there's just one problem....Merlin has just kidnapped Johannas' assistant Sophie in hopes that her fiance Peter will work for Merlin as his engineer. If you can't win, cheat (sounds a little familiar here at the bakery)
There are 52 Mysterious Hoyle cards to collect which will unlock mini card games such as Klondike solitaire, 3 card Monte, Spider, and golf solitaire and Capture the Ace. When you see a top hat you can use your magic wand to create a useful inventory item such as matches to light the stage lights. Each scene has a Hidden Object Scene and these are simple but not so easy to find listed items. There are no voiceovers, so you will have to read a lot of dialog boxes as you take on dual roles of both Sophie and Peter with different goals and objectives for each character.
Personally, I didn't think this game was all that bad, it doesn't have the wow factor that we have grown so accustomed to in the BF Collectors Editions, but it's a simple game with simple tasks that was a refreshing change. I wasn't so thrilled with the music that seemed so loud even at the lowest settings, and turning off the sound was way too quiet, but other than that, you may want to try this game out for yourself especially if you like solitaire games, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Was Veronica West's death an accident... or a cold-blooded murder?
Overall rating
5
/
5
66 of 90 found this review helpful
The Final Performance of Veronica West
PostedAugust 10, 2014
pennmom36
fromIf my partner can't figure out how to open the door to the engine, how's he going to be able to fix the engine?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
A birthday celebration turns deadly when Veronica's body washes ashore. This troubled young actress had apparently jumped to her death from Silvermoon Isle's beautiful lighthouse, ending her career and her life, but something's just not right here, did someone push Veronica? Epix has gifted us with another wonderful Who-dun-it mystery which allows the player to take on the role of a detective (better than the victim right?) interrogating the suspects in the form of Dialog Deduction . As you question family members, maids and attorneys that attended the birthday gala, you must scrutinize their account of the events leading up to Veronica's death. If they state that they are distraught and have been crying all night, you look for clues that they are truthful, do they appear as if they were crying, click on signs that they were such as mascara smeared, was money a motive, by the looks of the expensive jewelry, probably not. There is an icon to access your evidence board where important information and observations are kept. Images of the suspects you interrogate is in this folder which allows you to click and drag the picture to the correct location of relationship to the victim such as Veronica's sister, fiance, attorney etc. and when you click on the photo, a brief summary and bio will be available. Just an example of how small changes in a game can make a huge difference!
The Hidden Object Scenes are are very well done, each HOS has a mixture of different styles to search for items such as the typical and slightly interactive list finds which is followed by silhouetted shape finds and then the final item which you need for inventory, is a brief description of the item. There is an option to play a Bubble Shooting game instead, which I thought was extremely fun. The goal is to shoot bubbles of different colors out of a cannon at the bottom of the screen to make matches with the bubbles at the top of the screen of at least 3 alike colors, each golden symbol that drops, represents an item on the Hidden Object list. In my opinion, it didn't seem that there was much thought put into the mini games, most were very short, simple and not very challenging, not bad, just not complex enough for my taste. There are picture pieces to drag into places already outlined for matching the shape, locks to pick by turning the outside disc until the pick drops into the middle disc opening, then into the inside disc, some of the mini games were a tad bit longer but most were easy. Some of the inventory items will have a plus sign indicator, unless you opted out of the + indicator in either the custom difficulty setting or the hardcore setting, and if you try to use the map to find out which scene has an area of interest, it will not be indicated until you complete the tasks required on the plus sign items.
The Collectors Edition has 44 Hidden Collectible Stars, Achievements, Pictures, a Souvenir Room, Music Tracks, re-playable Movies, the Making Of, re-playable HOP, more Bubble Shoot games, a built in Strategy Guide and of course a Bonus Chapter. I'm usually a real fan of the CE because I love all the bells and whistles, but in this case I think this SE is an excellent choice unless you want achievements and star collections. The graphics are beautiful, the game is easy enough to figure out without a SG and you still get the benefit of the dialog detection, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Solve the mystery that spooked a young girl into silence!
Overall rating
5
/
5
54 of 158 found this review helpful
The Family Curse
PostedAugust 9, 2014
pennmom36
from"Things are not always as they seem", She seems like a ghost to me!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
No doubt, this is the way a game should be, with hauntings, curses, creepy dolls, red eyed houndbeasts, and a dab of possessions. I knew this game would be special right from the get go when a mysterious voice commanded me to tell him my name, I panicked a wee bit and quickly typed in my name hoping it would be sufficient! The Flatsbury family has had it's share of tragedies starting with the castles original owner, Francis who died in the castle along with 3 of his wives (poor fella) Agnes fell to her death, Catherine took her own life, Mary died in a fire, Elizabeth succumbed to fever, Robert was lost in the swamps after being chased by hounds, Eugene fell to his death and his wife Laura vanished after her husbands death, and Stuart drowned! You play the role of Brenda Gale, investigating the disappearance of Lord and Lady Flatsbury, little Jessie is the only person left and she's not talking, she just wants her momma. Has the family curse claimed more victims?
There are some really good Hidden Object Scenes and they are in abundance, at least one in every scene so if you aren't a fan of HOS you may want to steer clear of this game. There are interactive list finds, progressive interactive silhouetted shapes, where you find the first item that matches the silhouetted shape shown and then use that item somewhere in the scene such as replacing the battery in a camera, and that will reveal the next item, there are also HOS where you replace items into the scene in it's proper place. I really enjoyed the HOS where you first placed parts of a lamp together in the correct order, then you turned the lamp on to reveal shapes that the lamp projected and once you found all the shapes you had to use the key under the lamp to open a chest for the final item. Every HOS has a small puzzle such as finding codes within the scene and using that code to open a box or drawer. The mini games weren't really new, but they were good, ranging from simple tile swapping to create a picture to more complex games such as replicating two puppet dancers by moving arms and legs into the correct positions. My favorite game was building a model of the castle, one section at a time, you use arrows to scroll through the different selections until you found the correct match and eventually replicated the castle to match the picture.
This Collectors Edition has collectible picture pieces (jigsaw style) and when you find all of the pieces of a portrait, you can visit the gallery and assemble the portrait (several different portraits) which will give you insight of the Flatsbury family. There are wallpapers, concept art, music, mini games, portraits of the devs, a built in strategy guide and of course a Bonus chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Pyro, the little flame, is burning with love for the princess! Leap from one wheel to another and try to catch Princess Paper!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
Jump!
PostedAugust 8, 2014
pennmom36
fromI would run from the little flame ball too if I were made of paper!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I passed on playing this game when it was first released because it didn't look interesting or challenging. I decided to give it a chance and it's not a bad little game. The goal in each level is to "jump" the little fireball from one wheel to the next, with various obstacles, to try and catch Princess Paper (this relationship is destined to fail) You can replay the level as often as you want to try and win the gold time. There are four separate worlds to visit and 70 locations not including the bonus levels available to unlock. It's certainly worth a credit to pass away some time, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Dear Witch Apprentice, are you ready to meet your fate? Win the magical ingredients needed to save your world!
Overall rating
2
/
5
12 of 27 found this review helpful
Spiders And Snakes Ain't Got What It Takes....
PostedAugust 8, 2014
pennmom36
fromDo I get to graduate or not?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I didn't find anything in this game that held my interest, let alone make we want to waste a coupon on it. The story is loosely about a Witch Apprentice about to take an exam and somehow save the world. The game promises beautiful hand painted items, and they are nice, but hidden behind the dark atmosphere to add a creep factor to the game, which has lot's of spiders and snakes and things that go bump in the night! I found too many items that were unrecognizable in the HOS which made for some frustrating gameplay. The game is basic with no map, no difficulty setting, and slow hint recharge times. I'm not a hard person to entertain, I can usually find entertainment value in just about any type or genre of game, but I just couldn't find much entertainment value in this game. Perhaps you will.
I don't recommend this game.
Beyond the Unknown: A Matter of Time
It’s time to solve the secret of this mysterious island!
Overall rating
5
/
5
88 of 129 found this review helpful
The Golden Sarcophagus
PostedAugust 8, 2014
pennmom36
fromWhat happens if I meet my younger self?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is certainly a difficult story to wrap your head around. Grandpa found an ancient sarcophagus adorned with 4 golden eagles belonging to the Lord of Time, unfortunately their ship ran into a giant rock formation that unleashed a massive time warp when the eagles became dislodged! Now you must go back to your childhood home on this very island where time of past has clashed with time of present, and search for the missing eagles to stop this tragedy or you will never exist!
Your faithful Jack Russell Terrier is at your side and you get to name him as well. Any inventory item that has pawprints above them indicate that you can click and drag that item to him for his expertise in sniffing out the related items, and you can click on him and drag him onto different places in the scene. Some of the scenes will have a camera icon indicating that you can use your camera to take a picture of that scene for your gallery. You will come across sketches occasionally and you will need to match that sketch to the original item to reveal a clue.
There aren't a whole lot of Hidden Object Scenes, they are interactive list finds and you have the option to switch to a Match 3 game instead. My favorite mini game was selecting different fuses to rotate until the correctly colored fuse was in direct contact with its matching colored slot and it would automatically engage once in the correct slot. There is also a mini game that requires your dog to travel a labyrinth (with your guidence of course) until he reaches the end, but there is just a wee bit of light so you can't see the entire maze.
This is a really entertaining game with a fantastic story and great graphics, you don't want to pass this one up folks, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 9 found this review helpful
Dark Tales: Edgar allan Poe's Murders in the Rue Morgue SE
PostedAugust 7, 2014
pennmom36
fromWhat happened to Dupin's top hat?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Dark Tales are certainly one of the best series of adventure games out there, and Edgar would be proud of the wonderful transformation from novel to game. As with all of the Poe games, this is an adventure where Detective Dupin must solve the who-dun-it crime of murder, and things are never as they seem at first glance.
I hope you love Hidden Object Scenes because there are a ton of em, one in every scene, and they are slightly interactive list finds. The mini games are fairly simple, most are entertaining and I haven't come across any that make you want to pull your hair out of frustration. Because this is an older game, there are no voiceovers and no hint button outside of the HOS. There is a map feature that allows you to click and drag the map and choose which locations to search for clues.
I recommend the Collectors Edition mostly because of the Strategy Guide feature, but there are also 4 extra scenes in the Bonus chapter, 3 new mini games and 3 new HOS, lock and key puzzles, the original EAP novella, artwork, soundtracks, wallpapers, and a sneak peak at the next game in the series, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Use your Hidden Object and Adventure game talent to solve a dreadful Murder in the Rue Morgue!
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 20 found this review helpful
Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's Murders in the Rue Morgue CE
PostedAugust 7, 2014
pennmom36
fromWas Madam L' Espanaye holding a black cat?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I have fallen in love with Dark Tales all over again, I decided to re-play the Dark Tales series one by one and was really surprised that even the first few games, though basic, have stood up to the test of time. My favorite so far is the Black cat, and Murders in the Rue Morgue is really an entertaining game. Because this is an older game, the adventure part revolves mostly around the Hidden Object Scenes, there is at least one HOS in every scene and some have two different scenes!
One feature that is missing in this game as well as some of the other older Dark Tales games is a hint button, there is a hint button in the hidden object scenes but none in the adventure part of the game. You should probably consider this Collectors Edition over the Standard edition because of the available Strategy Guide, which is accessed through the menu button, my how games have changed!
The Collectors Edition has Concept art, wallpapers, artwork, soundtracks, a Bonus chapter, a sneak peak at the next game in the series, and the original Edgar Allan Poe novella, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
A Mayan god is turning people into jaguars! Can you stop him before the world falls into chaos?
Overall rating
5
/
5
80 of 149 found this review helpful
Mayan Prophecies Are Back With A Vengeance!
PostedAugust 7, 2014
pennmom36
fromI wonder what HR's going to do about Gregory?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I absolutely loved the original Mayan Prophecies, not so much for the sequel, but this game so far is fantastic! Alexis and Gregory are United States Coast Guards responsible for capturing the man responsible for stealing the Mayan treasures, unfortunately he managed to escape once again. Two years later the entire town has been invaded by a pack of vicious jaguars, led by a mysterious cloaked figure who plans to revive the Jaguar God, Xalan, unless the Moon Goddess can stop him.
The graphics are very well done and this adventure has both land and underwater scenes which is a nice breakup of scenery. The HIDDEN OBJECT SCENES are interactive list finds and you have the option of switching to a game of MAHJONG instead. The MINI GAMES are entertaining, such as fitting several different shapes of different colors into a cross section without placing two alike colors next to each other. The Moon Goddess will give you a medallion that will allow you to control your very own Jaguar (don't want to spoil anything here) and there are 25 TOTEMS to find which releases a bird for you to capture. There are also 36 MORPHING OBJECTS to find as well as a bunch of achievements that you can access anytime by clicking the PRESS PASS icon on the top left corner.
This collectors edition has WALLPAPERS, SCREENSAVERS, CONCEPT ART, MUSIC, a built in STRATEGY GUIDE, and of course a BONUS CHAPTER. This game also has a unique feature, a MAYAN HOROSCOPE, which is really interesting so get your game on and enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Relic Rescue
Help Buck and Wanda retrieve priceless relics! Grab all the keys you can to enter exciting temples!
Overall rating
5
/
5
263 of 325 found this review helpful
Bubble Shoot F2P
PostedAugust 6, 2014
pennmom36
fromGotta go, my biscuits are burning!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love bubble shoot games and this one is surprisingly good, and surprisingly doesn't seem to require the player to purchase coins and gems just to advance as most of the other Free to Play games of late! The goal is simple, aim the cannon where you want to shoot the colored cannonball to match at least 3 of the same colored balls. You can also cause the ball to ricochet off of walls, but the balls will stick to any other ball it comes in contact with. The goal is the same on all levels, and that is to free the golden key, but you also want to free the 3 stars if possible on each level which will earn bonuses when you collect enough stars, but sometimes it isn't possible before freeing the key. There are relics to free which contain gems that explode and give extra points. There are gold and silver coins to free, and as every coin, relic, star and key fall, they will bounce off of toucans and parrots flying around for 2 and 3 times the points every time it hits a bird before falling into one of three different bowls worth 100 and 250 points.
There are several bonuses to earn such as, a JOKER which will match any colored ball, BINOCULARS which will allow you to scroll up to the top of the board before you start so you can figure out where all of the relics, stars, coins and key are, PRECISION AIM, which improves the cannon site line, or BOLTS which destroys a whole line of bubbles. Some of the bubbles are black and cannot be matched so you will need to free them by making matches above them so that the black bubble falls. At the end of each level, you will get an explosion bubbles and you need to quickly aim the cannon so that you can shoot as many bubbles as possible through a halo that moves back and forth at the top, those bubbles turn into coins. Every 10th level gives you a mini game such as a group of three or four rings with different colored sections that will break like glass exposing gaps that will allow you to shoot the relic in the center for coins and bonuses, but you have a limited number of bubbles to shoot as shown on the cannon. If you run out of bubbles before the key has been retrieved you will have to purchase the desired number of each colored ball. I really enjoyed playing this bubble shoot game, enjoy!
I recommend this game!