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:
Alabama Smith: Escape from Pompeii
Join Alabama Smith as he quests for the time-bending Amulet of Ages in this action-packed Adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
Time Travel
PostedFebruary 20, 2014
pennmom36
fromwindow, books, door, I didn't know what those were till they told me!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I actually thought this game was way more interesting than the last Alabama. You are the best student of archaeology at the University of Yale and the Dean sends you to the University of Naples for the summer. Your quest is to find an amulet that was believed to be used for time travel but was last seen before the volcanic eruption in Pompeii. It is also rumored that a secret society was in charge of protecting the amulet, this society just happens to be in a hidden room at the University of Naples! There are inventory items to find and use to progress throughout the game and several mini games such as spot the difference. I did like this game better because of the subject, but I'm still not crazy about either game.
I don't recommend this game.
Danse Macabre: The Last Adagio Collector's Edition
Your sister disappears the night of her star debut – and there are ghosts in the theater! Will this dance ever end?
Overall rating
5
/
5
178 of 196 found this review helpful
The Performance That Never Ends
PostedFebruary 20, 2014
pennmom36
fromThat guys kinda creeepeey!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Marie stole his heart, he the composer, she the performer who danced so beautifully and truly made his music come to life! But when he realizes that her heart belongs to another, it's more than he can bear. He burns the theater to the ground. If he can't have her, nobody else will either! As time passes by, everyone has long forgotten the tragedy, the horrible accident, or so everyone believes! Your sister performs this beautiful ballet wonderfully, but, she hasn't been seen since. You break into the theater to find her, something terrible must have happened to her. You soon find out the horrible truth when the souls of that tragic night plead for your help in breaking Gaspar's curse. Gaspar has another agenda, the never ending performance and everyone's invited including you and your sister! You will collect 44 flowers for Marie's bouquet and this edition has several "extras" such as unlimited mini games and HOS, a bonus game and even a souvenir shop. The hidden object games are a mixture of interactive list finds and finding items that match the silhouetted shapes. If you choose to customize the game play, you can opt for easy, medium or hard hidden object scenes! If you don't like the HOS you can switch to a game of bubble shoot instead. The mini games are for the most part easy. My favorite ones were recreating poses on several ballerina statues to recreate the picture and placing the ballet shoes on two shelves in the correct place with only a few torn up pictures to use for hints. This is a very professional quality game with exceptional graphics, and cut scenes. Whether you are a fan of the performing arts or not, I truly believe this game will be entertaining for almost any audience, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Aladin and the Wonderful Lamp: The 1001 Nights
Find out what the mysterious secret kept in the marvel’s cavern is in Aladin & the Enchanted Lamp, a fun Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Aladdin's Mischievous Adventures HdO Style
PostedFebruary 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromI need a genie with good eyes to find these items!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I would just like to point out that the title of the game shows the main character's name spelled Aladin but in the game they spell it Aladdin, just saying! I have played several of these Hdo games before and I have the same complaint with most of them. The objects are entirely too small and the graphics aren't very good. Some but not all of the scenes can be clicked and dragged to zoom into a particular part of the screen and you certainly need this feature or a magnifying glass. This game is centered around that mischievous orphan, Aladdin and the wonderful lamp (magical) with a wish granting genie. Some of the items keep flashing to indicate that the item will disappear if clicked on so you can find the item hidden behind. The game has a great adventure story but this type of hidden object game is outdated.
I don't recommend this game.
Alabama Smith in the Quest of Fate
Alabama Smith is back in an all-new time-twisting adventure involving powerful relics that could alter the destiny of mankind!
Overall rating
2
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
A Quest To Finish This Game
PostedFebruary 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromOh really, that's a water cooler, I didn't know that!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I can almost always find something I like with just about any genre of game. I say almost because quite simply I couldn't even finish the demo. I was so annoyed by the fact that every item I was looking for was itty bitty and if that wasn't bad enough, every single item from the light switch to the closet was labeled as I scanned the cursor over it. It is an unusual game where you have to go to several rooms to find all of the items such as 12 photo fragments or 10 Inca figurines. The mini games are part of your quest such as putting the photo fragments back together. I'm sure that some people enjoy this type of game but I really didn't like it.
I don't recommend this game.
The Agency of Anomalies: Cinderstone Orphanage Collector's Edition
Save the souls of prodigy children and their caretaker who disappeared during the fire in The Agency of Anomalies: Cinderstone Orphanage!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 4 found this review helpful
Cinderstone Orphanage For The Paranormally Gifted!
PostedFebruary 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromIf I make the wall super small, I won't need the ability to see through it!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
An explosion at the Cinderstone Orphanage on Christmas Eve. needs the special investigative skills that only the Agency of Anomalies can provide. These children aren't just orphans, they are children with fantastic abilities, paranormal abilities! The founder of the orphanage has a special ability as well, she can change the size of any object, but she and the children have vanished! When you arrive at the orphanage you soon find out that the residents are trapped between this world and the world beyond. Could the device designed to enhance paranormal activity be responsible? Not only do you have to find and fix parts blown away by the explosion, but you learn that the paranormal abilities are linked to earthly possessions which are also scattered about by the explosion. Once you find an individual's favorite earthly possession such as musical instruments or books, that person will give you their ability or power to "see" through walls or enlarge a useful item. This edition has a built in strategy guide, a bonus game, 33 hidden collectible teddy bear postcards and you can replay the mini games. There are also achievements to earn such as "eagle eye" or "pathfinder". The hidden object scenes are mostly interactive list finds with a riddle to solve and find for the last item. There are also scenes where you have to put items from the inventory back into a scene such as placing a third Teddy Bear with the other two already in the scene. There are some really good mini games. The one I enjoyed the most was several keyholes that required you to place a silver key shape on the left and a gold key shape on the right to match the shape of the keyhole, and there were more key shapes than needed. The only complaint I have is with the fact that there is no map and you had to either remember what and where the rooms were or use the hint button which would only say nothing to do here. A great game with an interesting plot, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Al Emmo's Postcards from Anozira
Help Al Emmo and the locals bring tourists to Anozira! Explore the town and learn about the local stops and interesting areas!
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
This Is Not How The West Was Won!
PostedFebruary 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromThat's putting a lot of thought into a state, Anozira!?!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I try to find something good in all the games I play and review, so this is it in a nutshell. You get to choose from 5 different characters as your avatar, anything from the Mayor to the bartender and each character comes with a brief description. Each level has a timer, there are hidden tokens in each scene not listed, some are extra time, some extra points, as well as extra hints. You collect 29 postcards which allows you to travel to different destinations, so I'm guessing there are only 29 hidden object scenes total. After each HOS there are simple puzzles to complete such as jigsaw and sliding puzzles. The problem with this game is that the hidden objects are out of proportion either too small or too large, the items are spewn about the scene and they aren't even items that would have been around in that time period. This game has a good concept but poor delivery.
I don't recommend this game.
Agency of Anomalies: Cinderstone Orphanage
Save the souls of prodigy children and their caretaker who disappeared during the fire in The Agency of Anomalies: Cinderstone Orphanage!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
An Orphanage For Children With Paranormal Abilities!
PostedFebruary 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromI have super powers too!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
An explosion at the Cinderstone Orphanage on Christmas Eve. needs the special investigative skills that only the Agency of Anomalies can provide. These children aren't just orphans, they are children with fantastic abilities, paranormal abilities! The founder of the orphanage has a special ability as well, she can change the size of any object, but she and the children have vanished! When you arrive at the orphanage you soon find out that the residents are trapped between this world and the world beyond. Could the device designed to enhance paranormal activity be responsible? Not only do you have to find and fix parts blown away by the explosion, but you learn that the paranormal abilities are linked to earthly possessions which are also scattered about by the explosion. Once you find an individual's favorite earthly possessions such as musical instruments or books, that person will give you their ability or power to "see" through walls or enlarge a useful item. The hidden object scenes are mostly interactive list finds with a riddle to solve and find for the last item. There are also scenes where you have to put items from the inventory back into a scene such as placing a third Teddy Bear with the other two already in the scene. There are some really good mini games. The one I enjoyed the most was several keyholes that required you to place a silver key shape on the left and a gold key shape on the right to match the shape of the keyhole, and there were more key shapes than needed. The only complaint I have is with the fact that there is no map and you had to either remember what and where the rooms were or use the hint button which would only say nothing to do here. However, there might be a map feature in the CE version. Did anybody else notice that all of the other games in this series, including the CE, are listed as "The Agency of Anomalies", and this one is listed under the a's. simply "Agency of Anomalies?" Anyway this is an excellent game, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Mystery Expedition: Prisoners of Ice
Your grandfather disappeared while searching for Inuits' legendary treasure. Travel to the Arctic to find your missing grandfather and solve the Inuit mystery.
Overall rating
5
/
5
149 of 162 found this review helpful
Why This Isn't A Collectors Edition Is The Only Mystery Here!
PostedFebruary 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromI just spent 5 minutes walking around the ship tinkering with puzzles and passing by several ropes whilst a shipmate is trying not to drown in icy waters
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Grandpa Umberto was one of the few survivors of an Arctic Expedition in the 1920's. The Inuit tribe that rescued him told him of a hidden treasure, the price you pay for this legendary gold is your soul! Umberto wanted the gold so badly that he returned to the Arctic, this time never to return. You have always wondered what happened to your Grandfather, so you close your medical practice, pack your bags, kiss the wife and kids goodbye and off you go! Now I will say that some of the characters are a bit zealous with their roles, but this game is pretty good. You get to find 18 beyond objects and 10 ancient relics. You will find coins throughout the game that will allow you to purchase items for your pet penguin such as basketballs and kiddie pools. All of your relics and beyond objects are displayed in your Igloo as well as any achievements you earn. The hidden object games are interactive list finds and there is an option to select a jigsaw puzzle instead. Most of the mini games were easy, a couple of the games were one's I haven't seen before. The puzzle I liked the best was trying to isolate several viruses darting around, by double clicking drops of vaccine to trap the virus and kill it. It sounds easy when you write about it but those nasty viruses are quick, and sneaky! This game has an interesting story, good graphics and with the exception of a bonus game and a strategy guide, has everything the big boys have with a super value, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Age Of Oracles: Tara`s Journey
Meet the difficult challenges set before Tara by a magical peacock, and explore a mysterious realm to fulfill her destiny!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
A Talking Peacock!
PostedFebruary 18, 2014
pennmom36
fromHow did Tara know the peacock could talk?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Tara suddenly appears out of a giant card and begins asking a beautiful peacock where she's at. I wasn't blown away by this strange little game but it does have some entertainment. The peeve I had the most with this game was the cluttered junk piles of hidden object scenes. It's as if someone was moving to a new house and all the random items they were moving fell out of the truck! Some of the scenes require you to take items from the inventory bar and place them back into the scene. The items are already there, just grey in color and you just locate the same item and place it onto the item in the scene. There are list finds as well, again just random items spewn about. There are different portals into other worlds that are unlocked as you progress. There are interactive scenes where you scan your cursor over the scene and when an item begins to sparkle, there is an interaction required and it will tell you what needs to be done such as a chest and you need to find a key to open it. In my opinion, younger kids will really like this game filled with talking animals, wizards and easy tasks to complete, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Agatha Christie: Peril at End House
Hercule Poirot is at it again Mon dieu! - in another Hidden Object mystery of murderous proportions.
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
Who's Trying To Kill Mademoiselle Buckley?
PostedFebruary 18, 2014
pennmom36
fromNick may be named after Grandpa but she's a bit dense!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition
(115)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Apparently the only thing that will take Hercule Poirot out of retirement is a beautiful woman. Unfortunately someone is trying to murder her! I love the Agatha Christie murder mystery hidden object games, but in my opinion, this one didn't have as much flair as the other editions. I just recently began playing this series so in all fairness, this might be one of the earlier editions. You search several different rooms indoors and outdoors, searching for clues. There might also be several pieces of torn newspaper to find as well. There is some interactions available such as waiting for the mouse to walk across the floor to "catch" him. In several of the rooms you will come across clue cards which tell you the background of certain characters and you can visit the evidence room to examine the clues you find and the timer is paused as long as you need. I liked the mini games such as putting the pieces of newspaper back together by clicking on the piece and right clicking the piece to rotate it, and putting a letter together that is missing several words. You need to find the correct word listed at the bottom of the letter and place it in the empty space so that the letter makes sense. I really liked this game, I just wasn't over the top with it like I was the other Agatha Christie Hidden Object Games, enjoy!
I recommend this game!