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:
Gather ingredients and manage your budget while preparing gourmet meals in this Hidden Object sizzler.
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Cooking Quest
PostedMay 16, 2014
pennmom36
fromI could feed my whole family for the same price as that one meal!
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
This is an unusual kind of Hidden Object Game and I will admit that I am not that thrilled with the gourmet cooking scene, after several years of cooking for a large family, I would much rather dine at a restaurant,(gourmet or not) and let someone else do the cooking and definitely the cleaning up. So if you enjoy cooking, this would be an excellent game for you. Foodville (a lot of thought went into the name of this town) is holding their annual Restaurant Row Chef's Challenge. You must gather the ingredients, in the form of hidden object scenes, manage your budget, in the form of deciding how much you are willing to pay for each ingredients from free to imported products, and you must create a multi-course gourmet meal in each of Foodville's best restaurants. You start in one of the restaurants offered such as the steak house or the Italian restaurant. Inside the establishment you choose which area to search for that item until you have the ingredients for all 4 courses. First is wine, and there will be a HOS to search for 15 different listed items. The objects are random and most have nothing to do with cooking, flashlights, traffic lights, footballs etc. which doesn't make sense to me. The items are also out of proportion, the traffic light is the size of mouse and the actual mouse is the size of a traffic light, some items are so tiny that you cannot recognize the item and there is a timer penalty if you random click. At the end of each scene you get a choice of several items in that category (wine for example) with the cheapest being free and the last item the most expensive import which you purchase with the money you have earned from the HOS. After all 4 items of that meal have been purchased you will play a mini game of preparing that meal to be judged. You have to prepare the meal by combining some items in the inventory bar by dragging a corkscrew to the wine bottle, dragging the knife to the lettuce and adding chocolate to the cake mix. Then you drag the completed items to either the glass, or the plates, drag the steak and cake to the oven and grill, and watch for the heat meter to reach the green level and drag the cooked items to the proper plates. Then the meal is judged and a dialog box will tell you how many stars you earned and what the judge's opinion was for this meal. Then of course you visit the next restaurant and repeat this process, bon appetit!
I recommend this game!
Track down the wily Fox before he slips away into the beauty of Venice!
Overall rating
5
/
5
161 of 183 found this review helpful
Who's Telling The Truth?
PostedMay 16, 2014
pennmom36
fromNegativity only thrives with negativity!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
My vacation has been aborted, LaVolpe the art thief has struck again in Venice and the boss is sending me there to investigate the Robin Hood of the art world otherwise known as "The Fox"! LaVolpe has been retired for over 5 years, he steals from the wealthy and corrupt to give back to their victims, but why now? Things get even more complicated when a cloaked woman warns that you are being played just as she had been played by the Fox. LaVolpe claims that this woman Gabrielle, was his partner and that she is trying to frame him. can either person be trusted? Are you just a pawn in their latest scheme?
You're going to love this game, even though I liked the Collectors Edition better because of the extras such as 10 travel guide pages to collect, 16 alphabet letters and 52 fox figurines to collect and my favorite, 17 morphs to find. You will store all your important papers and business cards in slots at the top of the inventory bar, and you will eventually find a tape recorder that is used for listening to various tapes that you come across. You will also find a police camera that will be used throughout the game as well as different lenses, to use the camera for clues you place the lens on the camera, turn the dial to the correct setting and adjust the top and bottom sliders then press the button to take the picture.
The mini games are really well done, some easy such as following directions to make a specific ice cream cone or choosing the correct sequence of bells by matching the notes on the bell with the notes on the music sheet. Others are more time consuming such as stamping a bell tower ticket by recreating 3 stamps on the ticket to validate, you have to press red buttons to change the filter in order to line up 2 filters that match the stamp image. This game is best known for the variety of Hidden Object Games. There are progressive silhouettes where you find the first item that matches the silhouetted shape and use that item in the scene to find the next item, there are HOS that progress through 3 different scenes, some that require you to find items that look like the pictures and they also have several zoom in areas that have mini HOS list finds and some of those require you to use in inventory item from the original HOS in order to find all items on the list. There has to be a HOS that will please just about everyone!
This is a very professional game with beautiful graphics and an intriguing story that will captivate you from beginning to end. They have done a wonderful job trying to create new and exciting features into this game. Hop on a gondola and check out the beautiful sights Venice has to offer, ciao!
I recommend this game!
Help Laura travel the world solving culinary puzzles and become the most renowned chef of the modern age!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Continental Cafe
PostedMay 15, 2014
pennmom36
fromSure, let me try one of those lottery tickets
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
After winning the lottery, Laura decides to open up her own restaurant. (little does she know that her competition plans on shutting her down just as he did the owner before) She travels around the world to learn from the best culinary chefs available starting in France. The first HOS warns that you can stop at any time after finding the cockpit pass or you could be forced to stop and lose everything and I'm not sure if that means the game would be over or you just replay the HOS. Basically you agree to run errands for the chefs in exchange for a recipe in the form of 5 mini games such as a griddler game with white and dark chocolates or passing by tables with the exact number of passes as indicated. You can play the mini game in normal or hard levels and when you complete a game you are awarded with a recipe and a raincheck which will allow you to skip a mini game, up to 2 per level. The game itself is just okay, the story is simply a lot of dialog boxes to read, this isn't a hidden object game although there are a few HOS this is mostly a variety of puzzles and games that I personally could take it or leave it because there is no wow factor to keep my interest.
I don't recommend this game.
When his sister is murdered, you must prove your nephew’s innocence!
Overall rating
5
/
5
281 of 342 found this review helpful
Did James Kill His Sister For The Family's Inheritance?
PostedMay 15, 2014
pennmom36
fromHow can I possibly be unbiased?
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
Who doesn't love a Grim Tale? You received a frantic call from your nephew James McGray stating he has been accused of murdering his sister Elizabeth! The Judge has subpoenaed you to assist in the trial because of your unique ability to to move to the past simply by touching an item. When you travel back in time to the family manor you realize right away that something's wrong, time should be frozen, but a dark entity is clearly able to manipulate time and is trying desperately to halt this investigation. This edition of Grim Tales is a bit different. There are still morphing objects to collect, but you also need to collect several key items of evidence as shown on a separate inventory bar to the right of the screen. After finding one of these pieces of evidence, a short video will play filling you in on bits of the story of James and Elizabeth. Another feature I truly enjoyed was the collectible McGray family statues each with a short bio of that member of the family and they all seem to have a sordid past! The graphics are crystal clear, typical of this series and the characters are very lifelike. Every scene is full of doors to find locks for, boxes that need special tools, and lot's of inventory items to collect. Some items require you to fix them before using that item such as a broken ruler that needs taped. The hidden object scenes are interactive list finds, and very well done. This game in my opinion is all about the puzzles, very entertaining stained glass pieces to put together and my personal favorite game was the Domino game. You have to place all dominoes end to end so that they form a figure eight around a board with several picture discs of different animals. The dominoes must match images where they touch as well as the glowing animal discs. Not a hard game but super fun. You have a journal that contains your map, your Collectibles, and your achievements. This is a very professional game with exciting new features, a must have for Grim Tale fans like myself, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Escape from Shady Pines and save the other patients! Explore the mysterious hospital and stop the psychotic doctor!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
Committed: Mystery at Shady Pines
PostedMay 14, 2014
pennmom36
fromWelcome to Shady Pines, rest for a while, or 3 years!
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
A 32 year old patient wakes up strapped to a bed in what seems to be an abandoned Mental Hospital. Her chart reveals little other than the fact that she has been in a coma for over three years with no hope of recovering, she is only known as patient number 100! Your first task is to find a way out of the locked room and escape from this asylum, problem is that there is a psychotic doctor calling the shots, and other patients that need help escaping as well.The graphics on this game are grainy and greenish on purpose, it really sets the stage for creepy, psychotic, unorthodox abandonment. There is a map that shows locations that have a mini game or HOS but cannon transport you there, you must old school click and walk, and there is a lot of back and forthing which can be a huge turnoff for some gamers. There is no hint system in the game itself, only available in the hidden object scenes. The hidden object scenes can be difficult because of the grainy dark graphics and some of the items are partially hidden behind other items. There are mini games where you try to enter the other patients minds through a monitor by adjusting the wavelengths in yellow with the wavelengths in green by turning dials. When the wavelengths turn blue you enter their minds dreamworld and solve the riddle of why they are there. You receive audio tapes throughout the game which tells you the story of Shady Pines and the patients, a little at a time. If you are a fan of the demented, abandoned asylums then this is the game for you, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The village of Lumina is in trouble! Defeat your challengers with the help of powerful spells, and find treasures in more than 10 hidden object scenes.
Overall rating
5
/
5
227 of 251 found this review helpful
Only A Powerful Mage Can Restore The Sanctuary
PostedMay 14, 2014
pennmom36
fromHow do I restore the spirit tree?
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
Fantastic Match 3 game available in Timed or Untimed modes. Rikou the spirit tree has been struck by lightning and you must help the mage, Alrick restore the sanctuary. The only complaint I have is with a few misspelled words such as lezard. This game has some really unique features in the form of challenges. Some challenges include completing the match 3 by removing yellow tiles within 35 moves, Making matches around 4 chains holding 2 cages to free the cages, making matches to "dig" through the earth and recover statues and my favorite, strategically making matches until all tiles have been matched and fall off the board. The goal of the game is to make matches over all yellow, blocked, frozen and chained cells. You earn coins for matches and if you match the coins themselves you get extra coins which is used to restore the sanctuary with upgrades you purchase. If you make matches of 5 or more you will get bonuses on the board such as potions, bombs, lightning and directional rockets pointed either left, right, up or down. There are also a handful (10) of hidden object games which will also earn you money for each find. I found this game to be on the easy side, relaxing even on timed mode, and with 200 levels this is sure to be a long game worthy of a purchase, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Column of the Maya
Solve an ancient mystery and explore Mayan ruins, perilous jungles, and perilous burial chambers in The Column of the Maya!
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
Column of the Maya
PostedMay 13, 2014
pennmom36
fromSure is big
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 couldn't even finish the demo. This is a very boring game, although I thought it would be different because of the opening introduction which portraits a sarcastic archeologist named Sarah who is being held at gunpoint by Miguel. Then you are taken back to how this situation came about by searching hidden object scenes in her office. The HOS are cartoonish sketches with tiny unrecognizable objects, and little detail. I am an expert at this type of game, I am able to find all hidden objects on a list in a matter of seconds, yet I found myself clicking the hint button and randomly clicking on anything with the hope of getting lucky. If I can't recognize hidden object items what is the point of the game?
I don't recommend this game.
For adventurer Helen Stone, the biggest adventure is yet to come!
Overall rating
4
/
5
140 of 167 found this review helpful
The Chosen One
PostedMay 13, 2014
pennmom36
fromWho is the person in charge of choosing?
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'm on the fence with this game. I usually rate games with 5 stars if I finish the demo, and I would purchase the game, 4 stars if I finished the demo and would use a credit or take advantage of a sale, 3 stars if I finished the demo but would not purchase the game, 2 stars if I couldn't finish the demo therefore no need to consider purchasing the game and I really haven't played a game that I despise so much that I give it 1 star. I did finish the demo, the game does have a fun factor, no HOS but I enjoyed most of the mini games. The graphics aren't the best out there but I have seen worse. The opening scene begins with a sacrifice about to occur when a giant black evil cloud interrupts the ceremony and the main character, Helen must evacuate her home which has been set ablaze by flaming arrows. Her journey takes her deep into the jungle where she learns that she is the chosen one who will be the victor over evil (naturally) There is a feature in this game which can be turned off, that shows icons of feet of all the possible travel locations, there is also a map that can transport you to any location you have visited. Some of the inventory items require several items to retrieve it, an icon will pop up and show silhouettes of all items needed and as you find those items you simply click and drag them to the correct silhouette. There are also 21 hidden skulls to find throughout the game and there are trophies or achievements to earn, I suggest you read through them before starting the game if you want to achieve all awards. As I said before there aren't any hidden object scenes per say but there are a lot of inventory items to find, some hidden in brush or even in zoomed in areas, I did have a hard time finding a couple of things because I wasn't looking up or in unusual places. There are a lot of mini games and I was able to solve most quickly although there are a couple of those really annoying puzzles that seem to have no logic and a lot of frustration, but they are all doable. There was a tiki safe that had three gems that lit up in different sequences that you had to repeat, piano keys that would progressively play more notes each time that you repeat, an Indian Chiefs head dress with brightly colored gems representing the rainbow that required gems be selected the same as a rainbow, sword levers that had to be retracted in pairs in the correct sequence. My favorite was a series of three masks, one large one to start with, you had to light up three buttons on this mask at the same time some of the buttons stayed on longer than others. Once you solved that, the large mask opened up to reveal a medium sized mask with three buttons. Now it get's tricky because not only do you have to light up all three buttons on the medium mask, but you also have to light up all three buttons on the larger mask so that all six buttons are lit at the same time. Just when you get that figured out (you guessed it) a third smaller mask would be revealed with 3 buttons as well, and now you have the challenge of lighting all 9 buttons at the same time starting with the slowest to turn off to the fastest! I think I'm going to stick to my 4 star rating because I enjoyed the story, the theme and the mini games, I'm sure this will be a game with ratings split down the middle, with a love it or hate it vibe but I think at the very least it's worth a credit, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
After crashing his ship, Columbus sees a beautiful apparition. Now, he must explore a mysterious island and battle for survival!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Columbus: Ghost of the Mystery Stone
PostedMay 12, 2014
pennmom36
fromWhat happened to the crew?
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
An oldie but goodie, the graphics are even pretty decent considering this game was first released in 2011! There are two modes of difficulty, casual and expert. This is the untold story of Columbus' first discovery. Columbus has been sent on a voyage by the Queen of Spain to find a shorter trade route to India when he encounters a storm of the century. For days the Pinta was brutally tossed about in the ocean until she crashed ashore on some rocks, hurling Columbus overboard to almost certain death. As he was sinking to the bottom he caught a glimpse of a beautiful phantom who brought him to shore, was he dreaming this apparition or could she be real? Now he finds himself alone on an island that was recently inhabited, but strangely abandoned! The tasks are pretty easy to figure out and there are a bunch of hidden object scenes that are surprisingly well done. There are mini games as well such as flipping over stones two at a time in order to find identical pictures. This is a nice HOG with a nautical theme, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Try the new King Size Jigsaw! Choose from 1000 high quality images, play with unlimited time, and earn achievements and trophies.
Overall rating
5
/
5
130 of 139 found this review helpful
Jigsaw Puzzles Fit For a King!
PostedMay 12, 2014
pennmom36
fromDoes this qualify me as Royal?
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
Another great Royal Jigsaw, with 4 boxes containing 250 puzzles each for a total of 1000 puzzles ranging from 12-280 pieces! These are gorgeous pictures of castles from around the world, knights in shining armor, antiques, jewelry, landscapes, horses, swans, and royal people, a puzzle to please just about every puzzle geek out there! These puzzles have a unique option that allows you to "modify" any puzzle, you can choose the cut of the puzzle from straight pieces to slanted, you can choose how many pieces from 12-280 and whether the pieces can be rotated or not. There are 7 different categories for trophies (multiple awards in each category) Each puzzle has a box in the top left which allows you to store some of the puzzle pieces to give you more room, Each puzzle has options such as showing the image of the picture at x1, x2, or x3, or you can ghost the image on the background which also has the option of pale green, blue, pink or yellow backgrounds. You can choose the border pieces only and when the border is complete, the rest of the pieces will automatically appear and those pieces can be sorted automatically. There is also a hint button and a magnifying glass feature so get your Royal Geek on and put together a virtual puzzle, enjoy!
I recommend this game!