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:
Cassandra's Journey 2: The Fifth Sun of Nostradamus
Cassandra finally has her magical ring back, and must now find and banish a mysterious demon that has come to our world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 22 found this review helpful
Cassandra's Journey 2 : The Fifth Sun of Nostradamus
PostedApril 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromWhy can't Nostradamus just tell us where Violet's brother is?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
New York Mysteries: Secrets of the Mafia Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
There's been a whole lot of upgrading done on this game which is the second version of Cassandra's Journey. To start with the graphics are slightly clearer, there are over 1500 items in 35 locations, there is a fortune telling room that has a Fairway card game, Pyramid card came, Paris and Mahjong games as well. As you progress in the game you unlock mini games and Nostradamus tricks, Mahjong, match 3, puzzle swaps and those power of deduction psychic games too. Some of the listed items to find are in blue which indicates that a task needs to be done with that item to complete the level such as finding a certain number of books and then placing those books on a bookshelf, or finding 10 candles, placing those candles into existing candleholders and then lighting the candles after finding matches. You will need to toggle between the inventory list and the task of listed items to find. There are several types of hints, as you find items or complete tasks the hint potion will refill. The Pointer spell hint will show you the exact location of an item but will cost you 90% of your hint potion, the Area Spell will show you a small area which contains the item and costs 50% of the hint potion, the Magic Wand potion causes the crystal ball to glow brighter when you are near the object and costs 80% of the hint potion. The Object Photo Spell is new, it will show a photo of the object in the crystal ball and costs 60% of the hint potion, the hint will refill naturally but at a very slow rate so try to find items quickly to refill the hint potion faster. The crystal ball will show the number of tasks completed against the amount needed to complete. I love the new features added to this hidden object game which was good to start with, Cassandra's Journey: Nostradamus, and I like how they continue along with the story from her first journey, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Cassandra's Journey: The Legacy of Nostradamus
Help Cassandra find her missing ring and unearth the strange secrets of her family`s heritage with magic tricks and fortune-telling wisdom!
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 20 found this review helpful
Cassandra's Journey: The Legacy of Nostradamus
PostedApril 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromAre you sure you want Cassandra and a ghost to find your brother?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
New York Mysteries: Secrets of the Mafia Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The only complaint I have with this game is the fact that there is a ton of dialog boxes to read, but if you don't care about the story you can always use the skip all button. This is a really well done hidden object game, Cassandra is plunged into the psychic world alone after the death of her Aunt. Her first case is to find a missing person whom nobody else can including the police. She is only an apprentice so she types help into the search engine and voila, the spirit of Nostradamus comes to her aid! To prove his psychic powers he shows us a group of card and tells us to choose any card without clicking on it and our card will be gone when he shuffles the deck. Sure enough whatever card you chose will indeed disappear as well as all the other cards because they have all been replaced with a different suit! There are listed items to find as well as silhouetted shapes. Each level has several gems to collect which can be used to purchase extra hints or time. There are 3 different types of hints, 1-Exact location of the item, this will cost you 6 gems to replace. 2-Highlight of a small area surrounding the item, this will cost you 2 gems to replace. 3-The cursor will radiate brighter as the cursor gets closer to the item, this will cost you 3 gems to replace. You can purchase additional time to add to the timer and this will cost you 12 gems each time. You do have the option of playing this game in timed or untimed modes. Between each HOS is a clever mini game such as a game of solitaire which you need to click on the exact card values, king and king two and two it doesn't matter what the suit is. Nice and relaxing with or without a timer, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The Ultimate Easter Puzzler
Fabulous Easter-themed entertainment with over 100 beautiful springtime puzzles that the whole family will love!
Overall rating
5
/
5
76 of 82 found this review helpful
Ultimate Family Easter Puzzles
PostedApril 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromIt must be Easter, my chickens laid chocolate eggs this morning, and the rabbit is missing an ear!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
New York Mysteries: Secrets of the Mafia Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Happy Easter to me and my fellow puzzle freaks, my whole family enjoyed this game! Although some of the puzzles are intended for the youngsters, there are plenty of perplexing puzzles to please every age group. There are so many different types of puzzles. There are several regular jigsaw puzzles with Easter themes and these puzzles can be set for Easy, Medium, Hard and my personal favorite, Extreme. I was working on an Extreme puzzle filled with nothing but white bunny peeps on a grey background when my time ran out so I'm definitely going to get back to that one! There are also puzzles that rotate, again with the settings of easy to extreme. This type of puzzle is a picture with several blocks that need to be flipped or rotated and on some of the harder ones there are pieces that when rotated, also rotate other pieces so that can make the puzzle quite frustrating. Then there is the "other" puzzle selection which has a bunch of kid friendly mini games. I will admit that I enjoyed playing most of these games as well, and the "spot the difference" puzzles are fun to play with more than one person. There are chocolate eggs to flip over with the hopes of finding 2 identical items, decorated eggs and passports to find matches with also. Some of the games were a tangled mess of ropes which you had to follow from the chick on the right to the correct eggshell on the right, if you make a mistake you have to start all over! There were flowered hats to match to the correct dresses and a scenes where you had to find the correct bunch of flowers that matched silhouetted shapes at the bottom, again if you make a mistake you must start all over. There are a ton more to play so surely this game can entertain you for several hours. Grab the kids, grab the grandkids or grab a cup of coffee and relax for a little while, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
New York Mysteries: Secrets of the Mafia Collector's Edition
Discover a story of mysterious kidnappings of both children and mafiosi.
Overall rating
5
/
5
329 of 381 found this review helpful
FINALLY! A Mystery Game With A Backbone
PostedApril 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromMaybe it was the mothman?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
New York Mysteries: Secrets of the Mafia Collector's Edition
(100)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Not only does this game have backbone, it has the whole package including the kitchen sink, you get the cake and you get to eat it too! I will say in all honesty that I haven't been this enchanted with a story since the original Phantasmat. The year, 1955, and mob bosses are vanishing mysteriously,,, a green cloud of smoke appears, and poof, nothing left but some green goo and a butterfly. But wait, children are vanishing too, the connection? They have a drawing of a butterfly, the same butterfly found next to the mob bosses! Now the only logical explanation is that the butterfly is responsible! (that was a joke) You are investigating the latest kidnapping at the Natural History Museum when you meet Lucas for the first time to learn why he is interested in your service. I'm treading on thin ice at this point, I don't want to spoil the "whoa, what's this" moment for you so I'll simply say that things are never as they seem and the story take's a major twist.
The graphics are extremely well done, the characters are as close to reality as it gets and I must say they have done a fantastic job of fading the cinematics into the game seamlessly. There are achievements to earn and all kinds of extras. There are several different collectibles, 9 briefcases, 9 ties, 9 statue of liberties, and 9 poker chips. There are 35 phantom morphing objects, and I must say they have done a nice job of concealing the morphs with a slower morph rate.
Most of the mini games involve clues that you have seen during your investigation. You find clues for the placement of several masks in a display case ( convenient or strategic?) and you refer to your journal for placement of the masks which of course leads to the next location. One thing I liked about this game was that just because you find an inventory item in that scene it doesn't mean that you turn around and use that item right beside the find. There are a lot of mini games that need a few parts before playing and it seem some of them are far and few between. I liked the game where you have to balance a set of scales with a second set of scales hanging off of the first set (both sides) The hidden object scenes are mostly progressive silhouettes. You find objects that match the silhouettes and use some of those objects in the scene such as a corkscrew on a wine cork and that has the next item inside. Each HOS has a mini game which require you to find all the items necessary such as a water pitcher a beaker, and the directions which in this case is to fill wine glasses with a specific amount of water in order to play a tune on the glasses for the final item. I.m going to be busy all day with this gem, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Cases Of Stolen Beauty
The talented journalist, Eva Sanders, witnesses strange events while working on a story and soon finds herself implicated in the most incredible plot of the millennium!
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Cases Of Stolen Beauty
PostedApril 18, 2014
pennmom36
fromJust hand him a bottle of whisky and tell him to chill.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Cadenza: Music, Betrayal and Death Collector's Edition
(237)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I found this game to be sluggish, the tasks are boring, and most of the items you are searching for are extremely small and difficult to identify. You are a journalist for Sparkle Magazine on assignment to Rio de Janeiro to interview the star dancer of the Carnival. Before any interview takes place you are tasked with mundane chores such as finding ingredients to make one of the cafe's employee a drink because he's grumpy! The items you are searching for are listed as words but if you place your mouse cursor on the word a picture of the item will be revealed. Some items you find will be stored as inventory to be used to help you progress in the game such as finding and using lipstick to write down your phone number on a nearby napkin. I think some will enjoy this style of seek and find game but for the most part I think most people will get bored with this game quickly.
I don't recommend this game.
Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher
Can you and Detective Dupin uncover the dark secrets of this mysterious estate?
Overall rating
5
/
5
148 of 173 found this review helpful
The House That Makes You Homesick!
PostedApril 18, 2014
pennmom36
fromIs Dr. Morris going to stand by that tree my whole investigation?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Cadenza: Music, Betrayal and Death Collector's Edition
(237)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I don't like to brag, but Detective Dupin has once again asked for my services to help solve the case of the Usher Twins! Madeleine Usher is nowhere to be found and because of this, Roderick is becoming ill. Dr. Morris has filled us in a bit, it would seem that the Usher twins, Madelein and Roderick, share a physical bond, when one of the twins is injured the other will feel this same pain, to the point of physical impossibility, if one is given a vaccination they both bleed! As we investigate further we learn that both twins have a rare illness, even stranger is the fact that whenever they leave the estate they become deathly ill, and must return immediately. Estelle has been caring for the twins since their mother died giving birth, but she doesn't even seem upset that Madeleine is missing so for now we must keep a suspicious eye on this mysterious lady.
A few things have changed with this latest edition of Dark Tales, the graphics are still beautiful, but it seems a bit on the cartoonish side to me, it's not bad just different. There is a new addition of a rat on a perch to the left of the screen. I must admit I found it entertaining when he fell off the perch or drug a huge sunflower seed up to nibble on, but, the purpose of this rat is an unsolved mystery to both Detective Dupin and myself Detective pennmom36! The journal and map are located just behind the rat so perhaps he is standing guard. Roderick has given us a code handed down from his Grandfather and naturally we know how to solve this ancient riddle and find "the Reborn One" who is able to turn anything made of stone into reality. I'm pretty sure the reborn one isn't in Edgars version, and again why didn't anyone freak out when the stone crows came to life and took over the foyer?
The hidden object games were fantastic and genuinely fun. The first HOS was actually in riddle form. Every item to be found was put in the form of a riddle one at a time such as what has several arms and only one leg with the answer being a fork. There were also regular list items, slightly interactive such as putting a sugar cube into a cup of tea to make sweet tea, and there were HOS that required you to find 12 feathers for example. The mini games are very easy such as matching up alike doves on a gate but the one I liked the best was training the mouse in a series of mazes. The first maze was simple just guiding the mouse from the starting point to the end and the second maze added keys of different colors so you had to guide the mouse to the green key and through the green door then get the blue key and exit out of the blue door and the third and final maze added some swinging doors that would trap you into a gridlock with the key behind a shut door. You have to tinker with it a bit by opening certain paths that would allow you to keep the door to the key open. There is also a series of photos that you discover with a partial message on the back and you need to place these photos into their natural place to reveal something not seen before. This is a great Edgar Allen Poe adaptation into a great Hidden Object Adventure, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Cajun Cop: The French Quarter Caper
Join the famous Inspector Jacques Lamont as he pursues a gang of jewel thieves through the streets of the Big Easy!
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 18 found this review helpful
Cajun Cop: The French Quarter Caper
PostedApril 17, 2014
pennmom36
fromSpicy!
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
This is a well done seek and find game. I don't classify this kind of game as a hidden object game because items aren't hidden, they are in plain sight, simply scattered about the room or yard etc. There is a list of items to find, some are multiples such as 3 bullets. There is one item in each scene that require you to click on and drag to reveal the final listed item. There are sparkles that indicate another room can be searched, each room however has it's own separate list, you won't need to search elsewhere for items on that current list. There are a few items that need to be interacted with by using a set of keys on a locked filing cabinet for example. I really don't know what cajun has to do with this game, but it's really a decent seek and find game, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Brunhilda and the Dark Crystal
Help Brunhilda explore a mystical world blooming with magic and humor in this fun and exciting Hidden Object Adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Brunhilda and the Dark Crystal
PostedApril 17, 2014
pennmom36
fromNinja Rat!
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
What a gem of a game, I absolutely loved playing this whimsical hidden object game! There is a legend that a heroin from another world will save the the magic before it's all gone, that legend is Brunhilda. A cute demon with a lot of attitude will help Brunhilda during her journey to the magic world, but before she can enter the portal she will have to get the magic stone back from the rats who claimed it. To do this she has to learn to use a magic wand, of course and prepare a shrinking potion that will allow her to fit into the tiny hole and into the rat world. Naturally she needs to do favors for everyone in exchange for items she needs. You are given different tasks which involves finding several of one item such as 10 matches or 4 geckos, cicadias, gears, cockroaches, potions etc. The only thing that was slightly annoying was having to travel back and forth between the small rat world and different rooms of the apartment. There are also mini games such as catching only blue drops of potion in a bottle instead of red drops. There is a magnifying glass you can use at anytime and it is helpful but not really necessary, some items are a bit small and hard to recognize, but still easy enough to find if you don't use it. This is a very relaxing and enjoyable game with cartoon graphics, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Off the Record: The Italian Affair Collector's Edition
Track down the wily Fox’ before he slips away into the beauty of Venice!
Overall rating
5
/
5
244 of 280 found this review helpful
Robin Hood Of The Art World
PostedApril 17, 2014
pennmom36
fromCiao
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Cadenza: Music, Betrayal and Death Collector's Edition
(237)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Fantastic! You're in for a treat today, this is a very entertaining game, off the Record, of course. The extras seem to keep coming as the game progresses, there are 10 travel guide pages to collect, 16 letters of the alphabet, 17 morphs, and 52 collectible fox figurines, I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg. You are investigating a story about an art thief dubbed the Fox, who has come out of retirement, but wait, there's a crazy lady following you! She claims it's the Fox, the Fox claims it's the crazy ex-lover framing him! This game has a real quality about it, everything is so realistic, from the people all the way down to the pigeons. You will earn achievements, for not using the hint button or even finishing a mini game quickly. You will have slots in the panel for different business cards, press cards etc. to allow you to access them quickly and there are slots for fox collectibles, maps and even a camera which is a mini game in itself. When you use the camera, you need to put buttons on the correct setting, then focus the picture using a top and bottom button and once in focus you click the button to take the picture. There are a lot of mini games, some quite simple, some take some tinkering. Simple puzzles like following directions to make an Italian ice cream, or ringing bells in the correct order as shown on a music sheet, these are easy and fun. Other puzzles such as turning 2 different discs with partial pictures in three sections, this takes a few minutes to figure out how many frames are turning per click and adjusting both sections so they synchronize up. The HOS are mostly progressive interactive silhouettes where you find the first item that matches the silhouetted shape and use that item in the scene, for example finding a letter opener and using that letter opener to open an envelope which exposes the next object and so forth. I was thoroughly entertained by this game, go ahead and check this one out, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Arcanika
Travel to a storybook world and bring life back to the glade.
Overall rating
4
/
5
106 of 113 found this review helpful
Match 3 For Kids
PostedApril 16, 2014
pennmom36
fromOf course you can pet the bear!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Cradle of Egypt
(92)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This isn't a very exciting match 3 game but in all fairness the targeted genre is the youngsters. The goal is to drop gems off the board as well as locks and keys to open up more of the board. The tiles are colorful berries and when the bear pops in with his empty basket you need to fill it with the specific number of berries he wants. If you make a match several tiles, you will receive bombs and bolts that when double clicked will destroy tiles. There are mini games such as collecting fragments of an item and then using that item in the scene such as a key on a locked chest. With the coins you earn you can buy items to restore the glade in the magical world of Arcanika. It's not a bad match 3, it's just a predictable and fairly easy game with no wow factor. I do however think the kids, especially girls will love this fairy tale, with magical flowers and cuddly bears, enjoy!
I recommend this game!