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:
It’s trouble in paradise when Mia Faircroft visits Italy!
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 14 found this review helpful
TOO MUCH TALK & GAME INTERRUPTION
PostedDecember 19, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
It would be a fantastic HOG if they would just stop interrupting the HO scenes mid-stream with more dialog, it's way too much dialog before every scene as it is but when it brings back memories of..."We Interrupt the Regularly Scheduled Program to Bring You this Important Message" it's pretty annoying! It's just a HOG, not a visual novel?
While I'm at it I would also love to see more appropriate, non-stock hidden objects. The chapel is filled with dartboards, bats, ducks, etc. why not make the game more authentic by adding items that you may expect to see in each scene. The Ladybug was larger than the guinea pig so if you really want to impress fans, adjust the sizes as well or choose different objects in each scene that are size proportionate.
I'm very happy with the mini-games because for the first time they actually work! The one where you match antique coins was pretty fun because you could only match coins that were not covered by another coin.
This CE version only seems to offer 5 extra levels and a few more mini-games so I do recommend the SE version over the CE version.
Come join me at my new forum, just in time to give and receive Rudolph's Presents! thewoodsforum.boards.net
I recommend this game!
It’s trouble in paradise when Mia Faircroft visits Italy!
Overall rating
3
/
5
59 of 76 found this review helpful
TOO MUCH TALK & GAME INTERRUPTION
PostedDecember 19, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
It would be a fantastic HOG if they would just stop interrupting the HO scenes mid-stream with more dialog, it's way too much dialog before every scene as it is but when it brings back memories of..."We Interrupt the Regularly Scheduled Program to Bring You this Important Message" it's pretty annoying! It's just a HOG, not a visual novel?
While I'm at it I would also love to see more appropriate, non-stock hidden objects. The chapel is filled with dartboards, bats, ducks, etc. why not make the game more authentic by adding items that you may expect to see in each scene. The Ladybug was larger than the guinea pig so if you really want to impress fans, adjust the sizes as well or choose different objects in each scene that are size proportionate.
I'm very happy with the mini-games because for the first time they actually work! The one where you match antique coins was pretty fun because you could only match coins that were not covered by another coin.
The CE version only seems to offer 5 extra levels and a few more mini-games so I do recommend this SE version over the CE version.
Come join me at my new forum, just in time to give and receive Rudolph's Presents! thewoodsforum.boards.net
I recommend this game!
Discover this cheerful Christmas-themed match-3 puzzler and escape into a winter wonderland while you decorate a beautiful Victorian home for the holidays!
Overall rating
1
/
5
93 of 107 found this review helpful
SOMEONE CREATED THIS GAME IN A RUSH
PostedDecember 15, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
First of all, the screen was out of proportion, and only the top section of the tabs to access the gameplay were visible so I had to guess at what they actually did. There were no setting options such as windowed mode and I had to endure reading several lengthy tutorial pages...one long page explaining each powerup and feature.
To make matters more complicated, they decided to add an archaic WASD feature to walk up to a painting to enter the level. For those of you who don't know what WASD is, you have to use those keyboard keys to "walk". The W and S control forward and backward movement, while A and D are left and right movements. You can also use the keyboard arrow keys, or simply click on the arrow keys located on the bottom left of the actual screen... so why in the heck did they bother with WSAD keys???
A Match 4 will earn a Snowflake that destroys a 9-cell radius, an L-shape gives you a Christmas Light that destroys a Vertical or Horizontal line, and an L-shape with 1 extra gem gives you a Gem to destroy all of the same kind of gem it is swapped with. The goal is to make a specified number of a specified tile as shown.
Gold Cells require a match made on them, some of which are covered in up to 3 layers of wrapping paper. Some tiles are frozen in ice and require making matches of whichever tile is encased in the ice, and some collectibles must be brought to the bottom of the board to collect the,
I played the first level, the icons are tiny, the M3 board itself was so large it barely fit my large screen (38" curved) I matched the required number of Santa Hats and the score window popped up showing I had only received 1 Star! The text for the score stats overlapped the tab to click "DONE" to move on to the next level and no matter what I tried, I couldn't click the tab and I eventually had to click ctrl/alt/delete to "escape" the nightmare??
We have much more fun at my new forum! Come join us at The Woods Forum just in time to give and receive Rudolph Presents at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Visit new worlds of wonderful artwork and let your creative side shine as you complete these colorful paint-by-numbers puzzles.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
I LOVE THE COLORS, BUT...
PostedDecember 14, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I love that these images are so bright and colorful but I was a little disappointed that they chose the same colors, side by side (just separated with a line) in many of the images rather than making them a slightly different hue. With that being said, there's no comparison to the "other" painting series which isn't even in the same league! The best part is that you can not only see all of the images available, but you can choose any of the images to color at any time...even in the demo!
When they added a Freeplay section a couple of games back I couldn't have been more excited! This is by far one of the best features offered in a coloring game. This feature allows you to choose your own colors from a complete, full-scale color palette so you can be as creative as you want to be. My second favorite feature is that each color tells you how many cells you'll need to fill in and it keeps track of the ones you've filled in so you know exactly how many remain unfilled.
The cursor is an actual Paintbrush and they also have a Wide Brush option that allows you to fill in larger areas. You can choose from 4 different Background Textures that will compliment your completed works of art (72 total) You can also choose the color of shading for the numbered areas, and the type of painting style, either Flat or a textured Watercolored effect that looks more like a real paint by numbers painting effect.
The Current Number is much easier to see than in the "other" painting game and the black lines are much smaller so the pictures are much crisper. The difference between the two painting series games is like day versus night, this game is quality through and through and the "other" one seems outdated and old-school! These images have a transparent background, unlike the other painting game which has an ugly gray background. These works of art, however, will be displayed on the background you have chosen, and they will be embossed with a blue & gold frame when completed, sometimes it's the little touches that make or break a game!
Become an official Woodsey and meet up with long lost forum members at my new forum, thewoodsforum.boards.net
Become an official Woodsey and meet up with long lost forum members at my new forum, thewoodsforum.boards.net
I recommend this game!
Complete an enchanting new collection of puzzles and uncover what’s hidden behind the doors of the hand-drawn Advent House?
Overall rating
4
/
5
42 of 62 found this review helpful
LOVE THE ADVENT ROOMS-NOT AS CRAZY ABOUT THE IMAGES THIS TIME
PostedDecember 14, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I absolutely loved the images in Fairy Ring and although I like the concept of finishing puzzles to earn Snowflakes to unlock each Advent Room, I wasn't crazy about the selection of images this go-round. It's still an amazing puzzle game and I love this developer immensely because he truly does care about making the best game possible!
There are 6 Categories with 46 puzzles each, a section to add your own images, and a Surprise Chapter available. Each puzzle is 100% customizable with so many different puzzle shapes, the number of pieces desired, background, brightness, pictured images, ghosted images, and more, you even get to choose whether or not you want a Timer. You'll earn Snowflakes for completing the puzzle with or without the timer, (some puzzles are more difficult than others and worth more) The Snowflakes allow you to unlock Rooms on the Advent to explore.
There are 6 Categories with 46 puzzles each, a section to add your own images, and a Surprise Chapter available. Each puzzle is 100% customizable with so many different puzzle shapes, the number of pieces desired, background, brightness, pictured images, ghosted images, and more, you even get to choose whether or not you want a Timer. You'll earn Snowflakes for completing the puzzle with or without the timer, (some puzzles are more difficult than others and worth more) The Snowflakes allow you to unlock Rooms on the Advent to explore.
I really, really want to see a couple of features added to this series...I want to be able to adjust the opaqueness of the Ghosted Image and a feature that allows me to grab groups of pieces and click a tab that straightens that group into a tidy section (or at least a tab that straightens up all pieces remaining on the board. It would be cool if the pieces made a clicking noise when placed as well.
Go over the river and through the Woods, hang a right at the tall oak tree and stop by The Woods Forum just in time to give and receive Rudolph's Presents at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I recommend this game!
Help the Walkers dig through the clutter and arrange the perfect vacation for Mr. Claus!
Overall rating
3
/
5
74 of 89 found this review helpful
IT'S NOT VERY CHRISTMASSY?
PostedDecember 13, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I was surprised that this Christmas-themed version wasn't very Christmassy. I get that the big guy went on vacation but that doesn't mean that they can't create a game with Christmas-themed icons and add a bit of Christmas Music? As for the gameplay, I made it over the river and thru the demo but I was completely bored by the end and I started skipping levels that had back to back tasks of matching pastel-colored objects, all of which involved movement of some type and they just weren't fun, it was stressful!
Most of the levels involve finding related pairs such as Hammocks, Cocktails, Beach Umbrellas, Pool Floaties, etc. followed by Matching Pairs with the occasional Triplets of objects. A lot of the levels have semi-transparent objects or pastel-colored silhouettes which I've never been a fan of. Nearly all of the levels have some type of movement or shifting involved which I think is a big mistake.
There are two modes of difficulty, Easy Mode which has no time restraints, and a Difficult, Limited-time Mode that gives you 500 extra points for not using Hints, and 10 extra points for time remaining. There are 140 Clutter-type levels that can be replayed if you want to earn a better score and there are 20 Puzzles available as well.
Each scene has a ton of GIANT Sun Emblems scattered among the junkpiles to recharge the Hint Meter, seriously, what's the ratio of the number of objects required to find versus how many Sun Hints there actually are? The only reason I click on them is that their presence annoys me and they are always in the way, they need to be smaller, much smaller!
Come take a stroll through The Woods in my new forum, just in time to give and receive Rudolph's Presents at thewoodsforum.boards.net
Can you keep the fairest woman in Taleville from paying the ultimate price?
Overall rating
1
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU REPEAT THE SAME TASK IN ONE GAME...ABOUT AS MANY TIMES AS THERE ARE MISSING NOTES IN A DOMINI GAME!
PostedDecember 12, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.5 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
31 Main Game Scene Locations +13 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
31 Main Game Scene Locations +13 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
Once again, Domini stretched out the game by adding a ton of repetitive, cliche tasks. The game was boring, to begin with, and has been told a thousand different ways...always with the same "seen it coming" outcome.
In the first few minutes of the game, I picked up a statuette/award trophy of some sort and knew immediately that I would be using it as a hammer. How many times do we have to pound nails with a heavy object before going insane?
I knew instantly that I would have to search my car for an inventory item, and I knew 100% beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would need to pick the glovebox lock or replace a button during the beginning cutscene...before the tasks were even clickable at the start of the game, that's how predictable Domini has become! I can remember how exciting it was to get a rare Domini HOPA game back in the day, now it's a sad day knowing Domini doesn't care about their reputation!
Audio/Visuals:
I can never really find fault with the audio or graphics in a Domini game. Lately, this is the only aspect of their games that really shines with superior quality, the stories are unimaginative and the tasks are so repetitive that surely even a beginner becomes bored by the end of the game? Domini is also known for adding items that can be interacted with but as you'll soon discover, these interactions become a rarety after the demo portion! I will say that I loved the interaction in the first scene when you click on the full moon...give it a try!
I can never really find fault with the audio or graphics in a Domini game. Lately, this is the only aspect of their games that really shines with superior quality, the stories are unimaginative and the tasks are so repetitive that surely even a beginner becomes bored by the end of the game? Domini is also known for adding items that can be interacted with but as you'll soon discover, these interactions become a rarety after the demo portion! I will say that I loved the interaction in the first scene when you click on the full moon...give it a try!
Gadgets/Helper:
Every Fairy Godmother needs a magic wand but apparently, the magic is ALL in the Sparkles that recharge this wand. Who knew that a Fairy Godmother was just an ordinary person with no magical powers whatsoever? The wand requires you to find 3 Sparkles before using the wand each time and is used in the Main Game only 8 different times.
Every Fairy Godmother needs a magic wand but apparently, the magic is ALL in the Sparkles that recharge this wand. Who knew that a Fairy Godmother was just an ordinary person with no magical powers whatsoever? The wand requires you to find 3 Sparkles before using the wand each time and is used in the Main Game only 8 different times.
Collectibles/Morphing Objects (CE version only)
Once again, there are a gazillion Missing Notes to discover, and the same collectibles and morphs...only the names have been changed to deceive the innocent! There are 15 Morphing Witches Items and 15 Wedding Favors Clickables. I say "clickables" versus collectibles because they are NEVER hidden or challenging to find! There are the same infamous 70 Zoom Zone Gem Coins that are used to purchase 15 boring Magic Lab Items...it's always a Boudior or Lab that we get to fill with uninteresting, meaningless things that have no rhyme or reason. There is an optional Collection Icon Tab that can be enabled or disabled in the settings menu which will light up when there is a collectible in the current scene. You can also choose to show/hide the availability of collectibles on the Map.
Once again, there are a gazillion Missing Notes to discover, and the same collectibles and morphs...only the names have been changed to deceive the innocent! There are 15 Morphing Witches Items and 15 Wedding Favors Clickables. I say "clickables" versus collectibles because they are NEVER hidden or challenging to find! There are the same infamous 70 Zoom Zone Gem Coins that are used to purchase 15 boring Magic Lab Items...it's always a Boudior or Lab that we get to fill with uninteresting, meaningless things that have no rhyme or reason. There is an optional Collection Icon Tab that can be enabled or disabled in the settings menu which will light up when there is a collectible in the current scene. You can also choose to show/hide the availability of collectibles on the Map.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter. The Hidden Object Scenes never have a wow factor or exciting features. They are the same standard Interactive Listed Item Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Matching Objects, etc., and always just items laying in a pile on a table or shelf??
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter. The Hidden Object Scenes never have a wow factor or exciting features. They are the same standard Interactive Listed Item Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Matching Objects, etc., and always just items laying in a pile on a table or shelf??
Alternate Match 3 Game:
There is an alternate Match 3 Game available if you don't want to play a Hidden Object Scene, which still doesn't allow you to make consecutive matches quickly because you have to wait for all tiles to stop falling before you can make the next match which makes the game super boring. The M3 boards are always square and they never add obstacles or new features to make it progress in difficulty. FYI: one of the achievements requires you to play the alternate Match 3 game in place of the HOS.
There is an alternate Match 3 Game available if you don't want to play a Hidden Object Scene, which still doesn't allow you to make consecutive matches quickly because you have to wait for all tiles to stop falling before you can make the next match which makes the game super boring. The M3 boards are always square and they never add obstacles or new features to make it progress in difficulty. FYI: one of the achievements requires you to play the alternate Match 3 game in place of the HOS.
Mini-Games:
There are 24 Mini-Games +9 in the CE Bonus Chapter. You can choose to play them in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode and you can choose which mode to have them start out in the Custom Setting (you can still switch between modes for each individual game) The puzzles are always the same, they simply change the graphics to match the game's theme.
There are 24 Mini-Games +9 in the CE Bonus Chapter. You can choose to play them in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode and you can choose which mode to have them start out in the Custom Setting (you can still switch between modes for each individual game) The puzzles are always the same, they simply change the graphics to match the game's theme.
Bonus Chapter (CE Version Only)
Prince Oliver is such a stud! In this incredibly boring, not-such-a-bonus, Bonus Chapter you get to play Prince Oliver who is trying to get rid of another stalker in love. There are a ton of the same tasks you just completed 30 times in the main chapters with 9 additional Mini-Games and 5 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue your search for the final gazillion meaningless notes, 3 Wedding Favors, 4 Morphing Witches Items, and 10 Zoom Zone Gem Coins of varying amounts to finish decorating the not-so-magical Lab.
Prince Oliver is such a stud! In this incredibly boring, not-such-a-bonus, Bonus Chapter you get to play Prince Oliver who is trying to get rid of another stalker in love. There are a ton of the same tasks you just completed 30 times in the main chapters with 9 additional Mini-Games and 5 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue your search for the final gazillion meaningless notes, 3 Wedding Favors, 4 Morphing Witches Items, and 10 Zoom Zone Gem Coins of varying amounts to finish decorating the not-so-magical Lab.
Collector's Edition Extra's: (CE version only)
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 23 Movie Video Cutscenes, 38 Achievements, 19 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Witches Items, 15 Wedding Favors, a gazillion Missing Notes, 70 Zoom-Zone Gem Coins, 15 Magic Lab Items (purchase with Gems) 8 stretched out Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 23 Movie Video Cutscenes, 38 Achievements, 19 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Witches Items, 15 Wedding Favors, a gazillion Missing Notes, 70 Zoom-Zone Gem Coins, 15 Magic Lab Items (purchase with Gems) 8 stretched out Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
Take a stroll thru The Woods at my new Forum just in time to give & receive Rudolph's Presents! thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Can you keep the fairest woman in Taleville from paying the ultimate price?
Overall rating
1
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
THIS GAME IS SO BORING IT TOOK ME 3 MONTHS TO FINISH IT!
PostedDecember 12, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.5 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
31 Main Game Scene Locations +13 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
31 Main Game Scene Locations +13 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
Once again, Domini stretched out the game by adding a ton of repetitive, cliche tasks. The game was boring, to begin with, and has been told a thousand different ways...always with the same "seen it coming" outcome.
In the first few minutes of the game, I picked up a statuette/award trophy of some sort and knew immediately that I would be using it as a hammer. How many times do we have to pound nails with a heavy object before going insane?
I knew instantly that I would have to search my car for an inventory item, and I knew 100% beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would need to pick the glovebox lock or replace a button during the beginning cutscene...before the tasks were even clickable at the start of the game, that's how predictable Domini has become! I can remember how exciting it was to get a rare Domini HOPA game back in the day, now it's a sad day knowing Domini doesn't care about their reputation!
Audio/Visuals:
I can never really find fault with the audio or graphics in a Domini game. Lately, this is the only aspect of their games that really shines with superior quality, the stories are unimaginative and the tasks are so repetitive that surely even a beginner becomes bored by the end of the game? Domini is also known for adding items that can be interacted with but as you'll soon discover, these interactions become a rarety after the demo portion! I will say that I loved the interaction in the first scene when you click on the full moon...give it a try!
I can never really find fault with the audio or graphics in a Domini game. Lately, this is the only aspect of their games that really shines with superior quality, the stories are unimaginative and the tasks are so repetitive that surely even a beginner becomes bored by the end of the game? Domini is also known for adding items that can be interacted with but as you'll soon discover, these interactions become a rarety after the demo portion! I will say that I loved the interaction in the first scene when you click on the full moon...give it a try!
Gadgets/Helper:
Every Fairy Godmother needs a magic wand but apparently, the magic is ALL in the Sparkles that recharge this wand. Who knew that a Fairy Godmother was just an ordinary person with no magical powers whatsoever? The wand requires you to find 3 Sparkles before using the wand each time and is used in the Main Game only 8 different times.
Every Fairy Godmother needs a magic wand but apparently, the magic is ALL in the Sparkles that recharge this wand. Who knew that a Fairy Godmother was just an ordinary person with no magical powers whatsoever? The wand requires you to find 3 Sparkles before using the wand each time and is used in the Main Game only 8 different times.
Collectibles/Morphing Objects (CE version only)
Once again, there are a gazillion Missing Notes to discover, and the same collectibles and morphs...only the names have been changed to deceive the innocent! There are 15 Morphing Witches Items and 15 Wedding Favors Clickables. I say "clickables" versus collectibles because they are NEVER hidden or challenging to find! There are the same infamous 70 Zoom Zone Gem Coins that are used to purchase 15 boring Magic Lab Items...it's always a Boudior or Lab that we get to fill with uninteresting, meaningless things that have no rhyme or reason. There is an optional Collection Icon Tab that can be enabled or disabled in the settings menu which will light up when there is a collectible in the current scene. You can also choose to show/hide the availability of collectibles on the Map.
Once again, there are a gazillion Missing Notes to discover, and the same collectibles and morphs...only the names have been changed to deceive the innocent! There are 15 Morphing Witches Items and 15 Wedding Favors Clickables. I say "clickables" versus collectibles because they are NEVER hidden or challenging to find! There are the same infamous 70 Zoom Zone Gem Coins that are used to purchase 15 boring Magic Lab Items...it's always a Boudior or Lab that we get to fill with uninteresting, meaningless things that have no rhyme or reason. There is an optional Collection Icon Tab that can be enabled or disabled in the settings menu which will light up when there is a collectible in the current scene. You can also choose to show/hide the availability of collectibles on the Map.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter. The Hidden Object Scenes never have a wow factor or exciting features. They are the same standard Interactive Listed Item Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Matching Objects, etc., and always just items laying in a pile on a table or shelf??
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter. The Hidden Object Scenes never have a wow factor or exciting features. They are the same standard Interactive Listed Item Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Matching Objects, etc., and always just items laying in a pile on a table or shelf??
Alternate Match 3 Game:
There is an alternate Match 3 Game available if you don't want to play a Hidden Object Scene, which still doesn't allow you to make consecutive matches quickly because you have to wait for all tiles to stop falling before you can make the next match which makes the game super boring. The M3 boards are always square and they never add obstacles or new features to make it progress in difficulty. FYI: one of the achievements requires you to play the alternate Match 3 game in place of the HOS.
There is an alternate Match 3 Game available if you don't want to play a Hidden Object Scene, which still doesn't allow you to make consecutive matches quickly because you have to wait for all tiles to stop falling before you can make the next match which makes the game super boring. The M3 boards are always square and they never add obstacles or new features to make it progress in difficulty. FYI: one of the achievements requires you to play the alternate Match 3 game in place of the HOS.
Mini-Games:
There are 24 Mini-Games +9 in the CE Bonus Chapter. You can choose to play them in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode and you can choose which mode to have them start out in the Custom Setting (you can still switch between modes for each individual game) The puzzles are always the same, they simply change the graphics to match the game's theme.
There are 24 Mini-Games +9 in the CE Bonus Chapter. You can choose to play them in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode and you can choose which mode to have them start out in the Custom Setting (you can still switch between modes for each individual game) The puzzles are always the same, they simply change the graphics to match the game's theme.
Bonus Chapter (CE Version Only)
Prince Oliver is such a stud! In this incredibly boring, not-such-a-bonus, Bonus Chapter you get to play Prince Oliver who is trying to get rid of another stalker in love. There are a ton of the same tasks you just completed 30 times in the main chapters with 9 additional Mini-Games and 5 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue your search for the final gazillion meaningless notes, 3 Wedding Favors, 4 Morphing Witches Items, and 10 Zoom Zone Gem Coins of varying amounts to finish decorating the not-so-magical Lab.
Prince Oliver is such a stud! In this incredibly boring, not-such-a-bonus, Bonus Chapter you get to play Prince Oliver who is trying to get rid of another stalker in love. There are a ton of the same tasks you just completed 30 times in the main chapters with 9 additional Mini-Games and 5 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue your search for the final gazillion meaningless notes, 3 Wedding Favors, 4 Morphing Witches Items, and 10 Zoom Zone Gem Coins of varying amounts to finish decorating the not-so-magical Lab.
Collector's Edition Extra's: (CE version only)
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 23 Movie Video Cutscenes, 38 Achievements, 19 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Witches Items, 15 Wedding Favors, a gazillion Missing Notes, 70 Zoom-Zone Gem Coins, 15 Magic Lab Items (purchase with Gems) 8 stretched out Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 23 Movie Video Cutscenes, 38 Achievements, 19 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Witches Items, 15 Wedding Favors, a gazillion Missing Notes, 70 Zoom-Zone Gem Coins, 15 Magic Lab Items (purchase with Gems) 8 stretched out Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
Take a stroll thru The Woods at my new Forum just in time to give & receive Rudolph's Presents! thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Santa’s sleigh is sidelined and only you can save the season!
Overall rating
4
/
5
44 of 55 found this review helpful
A CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND TRADITION
PostedDecember 12, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Everyone knows "It isn't Christmas until Christmas Wonderland arrives" and this is a game tradition I look forward to even more than the Christmas HOPAs which always seem to be a hit or miss. I don't care how repetitive, or how cheesy this game series is, year after year, they are an instant buy for me and always will be. It's like that feeling you get when you bring out your favorite sweater or a favorite pair of warm boots for the winter. It's the feeling you get as you decorate your tree and turn on some Christmas Music. Now it feels like Christmas...Hang on to your Reindeers and Ho, Ho, Ho...Let the Holidays Begin!
Are people who are scared of Father Christmas Claustrophobic?
Would a singing elf be called a wrapper?
Did you know the Christmas alphabet only has 25 letters – there’s Noel.
Is a female elf called a Shelf?
Where do elves go to dance?
Christmas balls.
Christmas balls.
When Santa’s in your room, can you sense his presents?
You can play in Casual, Challenge, or Extreme difficulty mode, which is a Timed Mode requiring you to find all Golden Angels and Lost & Found items to earn all three stars. There are 18 Achievements to earn and 16 Christmas Presents to purchase, and you can see the presents you've purchased by clicking on the Christmas Presents Display Tab on the Top of the screen, opposite of the Shopping Cart Icon where they are purchased,
Each Hidden Object scene has about 12 Listed Items to find, items in Red are hidden in or behind something, and items in Blue require a task such as dragging a Flag to the flagpole, or putting a nose on the snowman. There are usually two Zoom Zone Areas in each scene, the zoom zones (indicated by twinkling stars) may come and go, depending on whether or not the items are available on your list yet.
You will earn a Bronze Star if you complete the HO scene, a Silver Star if you complete the HO scene and find all Golden Angels OR all Lost & Found Items, and a Gold Star for completing the HO scene and finding all Golden Angels and Lost and Found Items. When all of the Golden Angels have been found, the doors will close on the Icon on the bottom left by the Inventory Bar. The Lost and Found Items are shown as Silhouetted Shapes within the Snowglobe and Santa's Sleigh will appear to indicate all items have been found. Remember, you will not earn all 3-stars if you don't find all 3 lost & found items and all golden Angels in each scene.
Some of the Scenes have a Photo Opportunity Icon located somewhere within the scene. Once you find the icon, you can click on it to add the photo to your Photo Album which can be viewed by clicking the Camera icon located next to the trophy icon on the bottom left of the screen.
My favorite part of the HO games by this developer is the puzzles! Yes, they are the same puzzles, yes, they are super easy, but they are still fun and I still feel like a kid on Christmas morning playing them! After each Hidden Object Scene, you'll solve a simplistic mini-game or puzzle such as placing those infamous puzzle pieces into Springfield's map, Rotating Square Puzzle Tiles, Jigsaw Puzzles, Word Search, Matching Pairs, or Spot the Difference.
Collector's Edition Extra's
On the CE version, Bonus Levels have been incorporated into the main game scenes and have Gold Rosette Ribbons to identify them. There are 18 Wallpapers, 20 downloadable Music Soundtracks, and 48 Replayable Mini-Games and Puzzles.
On the CE version, Bonus Levels have been incorporated into the main game scenes and have Gold Rosette Ribbons to identify them. There are 18 Wallpapers, 20 downloadable Music Soundtracks, and 48 Replayable Mini-Games and Puzzles.
CE Version Mini-Game Extras:
❆-8 Jigsaw Puzzles
❆-8 Flipsaw Puzzles
❆-8 Rotation Puzzles
❆-4 Spot The Difference Puzzles
❆-4 Concentration Matching Pairs Puzzles
❆-8 Word Search Puzzles
❆-Santa's Places (place labels & icons)
❆-The Woodwork Shop (find HO's shown on a phone)
❆-Delivery List (rotate & swap)
❆-Cake & Cookies (swap puzzle strips & rotate disks)
❆-Advent Calander (open the days in order)
❆-Nativity Window (rotate disk rings)
❆-World Flags (place flags on each country)
❆-Santa's Grotto (click & slide squares)
❆-8 Jigsaw Puzzles
❆-8 Flipsaw Puzzles
❆-8 Rotation Puzzles
❆-4 Spot The Difference Puzzles
❆-4 Concentration Matching Pairs Puzzles
❆-8 Word Search Puzzles
❆-Santa's Places (place labels & icons)
❆-The Woodwork Shop (find HO's shown on a phone)
❆-Delivery List (rotate & swap)
❆-Cake & Cookies (swap puzzle strips & rotate disks)
❆-Advent Calander (open the days in order)
❆-Nativity Window (rotate disk rings)
❆-World Flags (place flags on each country)
❆-Santa's Grotto (click & slide squares)
Christmas is beautiful in The Woods so stop by and throw a snowball or two. You'll be just in time to give & receive Rudolph's Presents (Earn more present tokens with every post made!) at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I recommend this game!
An investigation into a disappearance reveals ghostly secrets in a mountaintop hotel!
Overall rating
3
/
5
40 of 54 found this review helpful
GOOD STORY-IT'S A SHAME THEY RUINED IT WITH COOKIE-CUTTER TASKS
PostedDecember 10, 2021
pennmom36
from"Sometimes the Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart" ~ Forever in my heart, Loki ❣
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.0 hours
(including completion of all Mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
24 Main Game Scene Locations +9 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all Mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
24 Main Game Scene Locations +9 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
I didn't think this game was as dreadful as the last several games Domini has offered. Although the gameplay is still really cookie-cutter and has exactly the same features as every game developed by Domin, I thought the plot was better than most and I was glad to see that they were attempting to re-create a "Haunted Hotel" scenario. Hopefully, they will branch out a little more and take larger steps towards games that aren't so G-rated?
If Domini would just make their games a little more challenging they wouldn't be so bad...why does every game have tasks that are solved by finding and placing objects that are available in the same scene (occasionally two) before the next scene becomes available? There's absolutely nothing to have to figure out when all you have to do is click on exactly 3 active zoom zone areas per scene to solve the task or find the correct inventory item?! The first zoom zone may require finding a knife to cut something or needs a code to open a lock, etc. but you'll never, ever have to wait or meander through several scenes before finding the necessary object or code because it's always available within that scene or occasionally the next. Having to remember where a tool was required once you find it was part of the challenge in games from the past...and it's one of the features that made those games so much better than they are today!
BONUS CHAPTER: (CE Version Only)
Holy Sheet Albert Hall! Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of a Haunted Mansion! This is no ordinary mansion, this mansion belonged to your dearly-departed grandparents and good 'ole grandpa needs your help finding someone special...not just some old fling he dug up...he's looking for Granny Ghost...once he finds her this will be one heck of a get-together, better than an I Scream Social! I sure hope he finds her because he has Mist her so much! I'd better renew my Haunting License before taking on this case! One thing's for sure, granny's not in the Living Room! Poor grandpa, without grandma he's got No Body! I wonder if this mansion has an elevator, that would help lift grandpas Spirit! Bwahaha, I've got a million of 'em! There are 5 Hidden Object scenes and 10 Mini-games spread out over 9 additional scene locations. You will continue your search for the final 4 Hotel Signs, 2 Morphing Hotel Items, and 8 Zoom Zone Film Rolls of varying amounts which allows you to purchase the final Darkroom Items...same collectibles/morphs different names.
Holy Sheet Albert Hall! Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of a Haunted Mansion! This is no ordinary mansion, this mansion belonged to your dearly-departed grandparents and good 'ole grandpa needs your help finding someone special...not just some old fling he dug up...he's looking for Granny Ghost...once he finds her this will be one heck of a get-together, better than an I Scream Social! I sure hope he finds her because he has Mist her so much! I'd better renew my Haunting License before taking on this case! One thing's for sure, granny's not in the Living Room! Poor grandpa, without grandma he's got No Body! I wonder if this mansion has an elevator, that would help lift grandpas Spirit! Bwahaha, I've got a million of 'em! There are 5 Hidden Object scenes and 10 Mini-games spread out over 9 additional scene locations. You will continue your search for the final 4 Hotel Signs, 2 Morphing Hotel Items, and 8 Zoom Zone Film Rolls of varying amounts which allows you to purchase the final Darkroom Items...same collectibles/morphs different names.
COLLECTOR'S EDITION EXTRA'S: (CE version only)
10 Wallpapers (why do they have to have characters slapped on every one of them? Can't you offer at least one of two that simply highlight your amazing graphics with just the scenery?) 9 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 31 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements, 19 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Hotel Items, 15 Hotel "do not disturb" Signs, 59 Zoom-Zone Film Rolls, 15 Darkroom Items (purchase with film rolls??) 4 Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
Take a stroll in The Woods at my new forum where you can chat about games, find game help & solutions, game series lists, and so much more. All ya have to do is swing by and log on to reconnect with long-lost forum friends and maybe even feed a bear or two at thewoodsforum.boards.net
10 Wallpapers (why do they have to have characters slapped on every one of them? Can't you offer at least one of two that simply highlight your amazing graphics with just the scenery?) 9 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 31 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements, 19 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Hotel Items, 15 Hotel "do not disturb" Signs, 59 Zoom-Zone Film Rolls, 15 Darkroom Items (purchase with film rolls??) 4 Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
Take a stroll in The Woods at my new forum where you can chat about games, find game help & solutions, game series lists, and so much more. All ya have to do is swing by and log on to reconnect with long-lost forum friends and maybe even feed a bear or two at thewoodsforum.boards.net