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:
Help a detective explore a rampant briar growth in Scotland, and discover the true tale of the real Sleeping Beauty!
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 23 found this review helpful
Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose CE
PostedJune 20, 2014
pennmom36
fromI think the Prince had broken lips!
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
1000 years ago, a Princess was born and the King celebrated with a huge festival of which everyone in the kingdom was invited. Everyone that is except one of the Godmothers, a sorceress known for her wickedness. Bad mistake, for when the Princess, Briar Rose grew older, she pricked herself on a spindle and everyone fell into a slumber never to awaken! Briars began to grow encasing the castle with a thorny entanglement which no one dared to untangle. Along comes a brave and handsome Prince who fought those thorny briars and freed the beautiful Princess and gently kissed her beautiful lips, awakening everyone but Briar Rose who continued to slumber eternally. Your detective skills are required to find a way to destroy the briars that have grown for a thousand years and will consume the entire town within seven days!
This Collectors Edition has all kinds of goodies, wallpapers, screensavers, music, concept art, 20 bonus puzzles, a bonus chapter, built in Strategy Guide and even Dark Parables novels! If you don't know where an inventory item belongs, you simply pick up the item and click on the hint button to see where it goes and what to use it for. There is an icon button that will show you pictures of the areas that have searchable items. This game in non-linear, you will need to backtrack several times because some actions will trigger actions in previous scenes, especially the 20 Morphing Objects which may not be triggered to morph until way later in the game, even if objects in more current scenes morphed! Briar Rose herself (ghostly) will lend a helping see-through hand as she tries to guide you to places of importance so you can free her soul.
The Hidden Object Scenes are unique to this series, no other game has been able to pull it off as well as Dark Parables in my opinion. These are FROG games where you find fragmented pieces of a single object in three sections that when found will complete an item for your inventory such as an axe. The mini games are just as fun such as a puzzle of three sections. First you need to search several tiles by clicking to open, to find a key. You use this key to open 3 picture tiles underneath a mouse head, a rabbit head and a monkey head. You click on the pictured tiles until you find the correct food item for each of those animals which will trigger a panel to open with several bells. You must figure out which bells light up the buttons under the animal heads and then click on the 3 bells starting with the bell for the mouse and ending with the monkey.
I can say without a doubt that Dark Parables is one of my favorite series and that Briar Rose is my favorite game in this series. The graphics are stunning, the story is a twisted version of Sleeping Beauty and it's a game that will grab your attention from start to finish, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Charles Dexter Ward summons you to the island of Pawtuxet to stop a revenant from murdering the townspeople.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 9 found this review helpful
Dark Mysteries: The Soul Keeper CE
PostedJune 20, 2014
pennmom36
fromUncle Joe....remember 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
This game is inspired by H.D. Lovecraft's novel "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward" written back in 1927, however the novel wasn't published until after Lovecraft's death in 1941 when it was published in Weird Tales magazine. In this Collectors Edition, you are able to download the original e-book on any e-book or computer!
Charles Dexter ward contacts you in a state of panic, claiming that the reverent murderer is real and is haunting Pawtuxet Island. Charles Dexter Ward claims he is responsible for resurrecting Joseph Curwen who claimed to know the secret to immortality. (if that were true why was he dead?) Joseph refused to help Charles and started killing everyone who got in his way, he needs to kill people in order to steal their souls to stay alive!
The Hidden Object scenes are list finds that are slightly interactive, where you might have to click on a cabinet or drawer to open and expose more items. There is an abundance of activities to do in each scene with plenty of inventory items to collect, repair and use. The mini games are rather easy such as using arrows to move a lockpick up, down, left or right in order to guide the lockpick correctly between the different cylinder openings. You find a grandfather clock and a red powder that when combined allows you to view and listen to events of the past.
This Collectors Edition has a Bonus Chapter, a built in Strategy Guide, Original e-book, concept art and an in depth Behind the Scenes video clip which was actually a really cool look at the employees responsible for this computer game. The video shows how the concept art is used to transform into what we actually see as the end result, and how they add voiceovers and music, really amazing to see how these talented people turn a computer program into a work of art, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Embark on an exciting expedition to crack the intriguing puzzles of the past, while developing new lands for the kingdom!
Overall rating
5
/
5
166 of 195 found this review helpful
Royally Envoyable
PostedJune 20, 2014
pennmom36
fromWhy did the Islanders forget how to build houses?
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
Previously unknown Islands have been discovered and they have an abundance of fish, pearls and GOLD! The Islanders are willing to become part of the Royal Union in exchange for building them real houses, naturally the King is more than willing to help out the fellow islanders and collect their taxes. You are given goals for each level and you need to collect berries and build markets in order to feed the workers. You will need wood to build houses and repair bridges by either cutting trees or building sawmills, the sawmills and markets require you to click on them and choose how many products you want to produce. Houses can be upgraded in order to collect more rent. Different buildings will be available to build as you progress and this Standard Edition still has available achievements but no built in Strategy Guide. Personally I don't think you'll need the SG because there is a very good tutorial that will take you step by step and show you exactly to play this game, envoy!
I recommend this game!
A series of unexplained deaths baffle authorities, and you’re called in to investigate.
Overall rating
5
/
5
173 of 359 found this review helpful
The Bar Just Got Raised A Little Higher
PostedJune 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromGhosts or Poison?
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 game certainly sets the bar a little higher for expectations of a Collectors Edition! First of all there are several modes of difficulty including a customizable setting. There are a ton of extras too, the making of, pictures, movies, music, a souvenir room (you can buy souvenirs with the booty you find) chest room (where you store your plundered chests full of booty) chest hunt (you have to find them all first) match 3, HO, puzzles. a bonus game and of course a built in strategy guide.
You are sent to an investigation in a cloak and dagger manner because a murder in town doesn't help those of political importance, so for now this death is on the down low. The victim is Rafael Ramirez and as you investigate you will learn that Rafael believed the ghost of Nemesis was after him, all that is clear is that someone was after some artifacts but who and why?
There are achievements to earn, such as using the map to jump quickly to another location, and there are 40 hidden chests full of booty to plunder and buy souvenirs with. You also have a fingerprint kit that will allow you to investigate certain areas a little more in depth. The Hidden Object Scenes are a variety of every different type available, interactive list finds, picture finds, silhouetted shapes, progressive silhouetted shapes where you use the items you find back into the scene to find other items, and even finding multiples such as 3 spoons and 3 forks. If you don't enjoy any of those you can opt for a game of match 3. The mini games are twists on older versions such as connecting pipes with stretchable tubes that have different shapes on them so they can only be used in specific places.
I must admit that I was disappointed that this game didn't have that nautical theme that was such a delight in the previous investigation, but this is still a very entertaining game. The developers have obviously spent a lot of time on this game, the graphics are well done, there are plenty of active areas in each scene and it has a nice mixture of HOS and mini games, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Find the clues to unlock each town's secret! Unravel the mystery as you build, buy and flip houses for big profits.
Overall rating
5
/
5
144 of 167 found this review helpful
Loving Build-A-Lot 2
PostedJune 18, 2014
pennmom36
fromI bet the people who own colonial houses aren't happy with the bright orange farmhouse next door!
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 loved the first edition so much that I bought the game, and this one is just as good although I don't see anything different other than the fact that the housing additions are in different locations with an Egyptian theme. I do suggest that you start with the tutorial even if you are a seasoned Time Management player simply because this game is a bit different that the usual house themed TM games. Naturally there are goals given for each level such as building 3 farmhouses or upgrading colonial houses. The goal here is actually to buy AND sell houses for a profit. Some of the houses are owned by other people and when they put them up for sale you can purchase that house for the asking price, if there are a lot of houses up for sale or several of the same kind of house for sale at the same time you can lowball the asking price as well. You also have to make sure that the neighborhood is appealing (as indicated by a smiley face) to achieve this you must paint the houses and you can choose the colors, green, blue, purple, red orange and pink. To make more money on rent you can upgrade the house to 1-3 upgrade. All of this construction requires materials which you have to buy frequently and employees will cost a salary as well. There are diners, cemeteries cabins, colonial houses farmhouses and more to choose from and you have to manage your cash flow by selling houses and knowing what houses to build and sometimes you need to demolish building and add different buildings in order to meet your goals. If you finish the level quickly enough, you will earn ribbons, any level can be restarted or re-played to finish the level faster or do things differently. I love the fact that the buildings are more realistic than most games and that you can paint the houses with bright colors for more of an appeal, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Find magician Andy Fox and his assistant, who vanished into thin air!
Overall rating
4
/
5
97 of 202 found this review helpful
House Of Illusion
PostedJune 18, 2014
pennmom36
fromDo you believe in magic?
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
When magician Andy Fox and his assistant, Angela mysteriously vanish during their show featuring a time machine that Tesla himself invented, Detective John Perry returns to his hometown to investigate. Even the time machine itself has vanished, or has it? This IS the House of Illusion where the illusion of reality is paper thin, things aren't always as they seem! Detective Perry fears that Fox may have criminal intentions and Angela was the love of John's life before he left town, she always wanted to be on stage but as a dancer, not this, what has happened while he was gone all those years?
The time machine is a portal that will allow you to jump to different locations as you search for the missing magician and his lovely assistant. The Hidden Object Scenes are slightly interactive list finds where you may have to find a shoe and put it with an existing shoe to make a pair. I really liked the mini games, nothing really new but they were fun and entertaining. One of the games required you to move a red, blue and green lever on a rail to match the placement of the lights shown on a fuse box. The game I really liked was placing three cards around each triangle in order matching the symbols inside the triangle such as a king, a queen, a spade, club, heart and diamond. To move the cards you need to click on the triangles themselves.
This game has pretty good graphics although the characters movements are a bit stiff and jerky. There are a decent amount of HOS and games without being overbearing. In my opinion there could have been more to do in each scene and at times the areas of interest are predictable. It's not a bad game especially once you enter the time machine and go into the carnival, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Compete in a famous TV show and become a renowned chef! Help Juliana win the big Gourmet Chef Challenge: Around the World competition.
Overall rating
4
/
5
71 of 78 found this review helpful
Gourmet Chef Challenge
PostedJune 17, 2014
pennmom36
fromI bet Kyle wins!
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
Flipping burgers at the local diner isn't what Juliana had in mind when she went to cooking school, so naturally she entered the Gourmet Chef Challenge featuring Chef Morris This is a cute game, with nothing but hidden object scenes followed by a brief mini game. You will start out at the diner making hamburgers, first you find the ingredients needed in a list HOS, which is timed, the quicker you find items the higher the score. After finding the ingredients you will prepare the burgers on a grill and you must flip the burgers at the right time, if they are undercooked or overcooked points are deducted and if they are just right you get 10 points. You need to make pancakes to enter the contest and again you find the ingredients in a HOS and prepare the pancakes with a mini game where you flip all pancakes over but when you click on some pancakes others turn as well. Now you are officially in the World contest competing for the title with Kyle a very smug cook who thinks he deserves to win. You will complete dishes in the United states, Italy, France, Canada, India, and China such as pasta with pesto in Italy and Ratatouille in France. There are two separate trials in each country and the goal is to achieve 3 stars, you can replay the mini games as well as the HOS as often as you want to try and get a better score. If you like culinary arts, (personally I like culinary eating better) or just like simple games to relax with then you will like this game, if you need a game with more of a challenge then you might want to pass on this one. Start cooking around the world and enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Voyage through a wondrous match-3 adventure as Luna, a recent graduate of the Magic University. Search Varanah for the missing wizard, Ludovic!
Overall rating
5
/
5
394 of 437 found this review helpful
Jewel Match Magic
PostedJune 16, 2014
pennmom36
fromDo you believe in magic?
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
It's been a while since we've had a really good match 3 game, and this game doesn't disappoint. You can choose several modes of play, normal timed, relaxed and untimed, and lazyday with no timer and no limit on moves. You can also choose to play just the match 3 games with none of the mini games provided such as hidden object finds. This game has a unique feature where the board doesn't fit your screen, after all matches are made the board will automatically scroll or you can right click and drag the board to expose more of the board. Usually there are 3 separate rooms or boards more as you progress, when the first board has been cleared you click on the arrow to bring up the next board. Some gems are chained some under fog etc. and you can click on the portrait of one of the magicians which can help remove obstacles or clear the fog. You can purchase bonuses with the coins you earn at the shop as well. This is a really fun and unique match 3 game, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The runestone that has protected the town of Neverville for centuries has disappeared. Now, the evil necromancer Grimhall is threatening its people. Can you save them from this grim fate?
Overall rating
5
/
5
101 of 123 found this review helpful
People Say There Is An Evil Presence Lurking In The Fog
PostedJune 15, 2014
pennmom36
fromI think using acid on the scarecrows hand was a bit much!
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
The runestone of life has disappeared from the tower, and with the runestone missing there is nothing to protect the people of Neverville from the evil northern fog! Valerie and Roland are the Guardians of Neverville, sworn to protect the citizens of the town and she is searching for her father Cygnus Rastlin, hoping that he will have a solution to finding the runestone, but he seems to be missing as well. To make matters worse, Grimhall, a necromancer with a bad reputation and evil intentions has found a way to escape his stone chamber prison.
This isn't a bad little game, the graphics are simple, but sharp and well defined. The characters are very lifelike, although there are no lip movements, and there are a lot of dialog boxes to read.
This is mostly an adventure game with a lot of mini games and puzzles. None of the mini games are hard, in fact most are puzzles that can be done quickly such as moving metal plates of different sizes and directions to expose the keyhole in the middle of the board similar to a game of blocks. There are games where you need to turn over cards two at a time trying to match two similar cards such as a feather quill and an ink bottle. The mini game I liked the best was swapping gnomes of different colors so that no two gnomes with the same color are sitting on the same path. There is a good amount of Hidden Object Scenes, the scenes are well lit and the objects are easily identifiable. and they are list finds.
This is mostly an adventure game with a lot of mini games and puzzles. None of the mini games are hard, in fact most are puzzles that can be done quickly such as moving metal plates of different sizes and directions to expose the keyhole in the middle of the board similar to a game of blocks. There are games where you need to turn over cards two at a time trying to match two similar cards such as a feather quill and an ink bottle. The mini game I liked the best was swapping gnomes of different colors so that no two gnomes with the same color are sitting on the same path. There is a good amount of Hidden Object Scenes, the scenes are well lit and the objects are easily identifiable. and they are list finds.
This isn't an over the top game with all the bells and whistles, but it is a really entertaining game with lots of puzzles to keep you busy, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Find your sister and escape from a terrifying haunted house!
Overall rating
5
/
5
121 of 238 found this review helpful
What Are You Afraid Of?
PostedJune 15, 2014
pennmom36
fromWhy does everyone sew items into their chairs?
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
You haven't seen your sister, Hope since college and she loves the paranormal, so a haunted house tour sounds like the perfect gift, right? Wrong, everything about this house is so very wrong, so very haunted! You soon find out that the house has it's own agenda, this house grows in size and power as it feeds upon your fears, can you control your fears long enough to rescue your sister who has been trapped, along with the rest of the haunted house tourists?
Even without the bells and whistles of the Collectors Edition, this is still an over the top game about a house with attitude that feeds upon it's unsuspecting victims phobias. You begin to realize that this haunted house has been morphing for centuries, and somehow manages to show up in different locations all over the world! The house can't work alone, a strange cloaked figure with red eyes is the entity responsible for delivering these tasty frightened meals such as Sam who thought the person he was meeting was a legitimate realtor. Now Sam is being tormented by evil carnivorous plants preying on his fear of plants, and even the tour guide, Mr. Peterson is fueling the fire with his claustrophobia and panic attacks!
There aren't a lot of Hidden Object Scenes in this game, they are interactive and they do repeat in the same scene. The first HOS has listed items and when you click on the item it doesn't disappear, it just moves over to reveal a pie shaped piece of a token. When all the items are found and the token is completed, the token will fit into a slot to open up a secret compartment. The repeated HOS just has listed items that vanish when clicked on with slight interactions and a creepy one eyed boy doll who keeps watching your every cursor move! The mini games are pretty easy, definitely not frustration such as completing a painting by using the clues given on a patterned picture. One of the mini games I enjoyed the most was moving a token with a key from left to right without touching any other token by using directional arrows, but, some tokens were stationary and other tokens would move either up or down with each move your token made.
The graphics are well done, with a dash of creepy and a whole lot of moaning and ghostly chatter in the background. This game will touch upon just about every phobia out there, so beware, there are going to be spiders and snakes, fire and brimstone! Let's overcome our fears and starve this evil house, enjoy!
I recommend this game!