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:
Mystery and betrayal at Rosings Park darken an alternate version of Jane Austen’s classic!
Overall rating
4
/
5
104 of 119 found this review helpful
AT LEAST IT MAKES YOU THINK!
PostedFebruary 13, 2021
pennmom36
fromVampire Bats are found in Mexico & S. America Rather than sucking blood like a vampire they make a small cut with their teeth, then lap up the flowing blood with their tongues & can drink from an animal for more than 30 min. without waking them up!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Completed Game approximately 6.0 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter
15 Scene Locations +8 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Intermediate-Advanced
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter
15 Scene Locations +8 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Intermediate-Advanced
Okay, the acting is a bit dreadful, but the storyline does get more interesting after the short demo! The storyline wasn't what piqued my interest, the fact that this wasn't a cookie-cutter game, the fact that I had to think about what to do and where to go was what totally floored me for the first time in years! Unlike the developer whose games we have been playing every single week with the same repetitive tasks, where you know where every zoom zone is located, and what every single item is used for and where you will use it the second you pick it up, this developer spent a lot of time and effort to purposely create a game that makes you think! Bravo Telltale games, you have impressed me beyond expectations, something no other developer has been able to do in years! If the HO's & Mini-games were replayable and the acting was a bit more polished, I'd have given this game 5-stars but I am a fan and will purchase any and all future games that you create...thank you for renewing my faith and putting the joy back into my HOPA game experience! :)
Morphing Objects/Collectibles (CE version only)
Each of the 23 Scenes, throughout the Main Game and Bonus Chapter, has at least 1 fairly well hidden Collectible Bat. I loved this collectible! Unfortunately, there are no Morphing Objects, which is a shame because I think this developer could have pulled off a non-linear Morphing Object quite well!
Each of the 23 Scenes, throughout the Main Game and Bonus Chapter, has at least 1 fairly well hidden Collectible Bat. I loved this collectible! Unfortunately, there are no Morphing Objects, which is a shame because I think this developer could have pulled off a non-linear Morphing Object quite well!
Graphics/Audio/Video
The graphics are decent, I love dark and dreary and I love vampire stories! The acting was a bit weird and the story could use some polishing around the edges to make it a bit more natural, but I can deal with a less than stellar plot when the game itself is not a cookie-cutter like all the other developers (1 D in particular!) The audio only had 4 tracks but I didn't notice anything repetitive, which is the point, it shouldn't be noticeable!
The graphics are decent, I love dark and dreary and I love vampire stories! The acting was a bit weird and the story could use some polishing around the edges to make it a bit more natural, but I can deal with a less than stellar plot when the game itself is not a cookie-cutter like all the other developers (1 D in particular!) The audio only had 4 tracks but I didn't notice anything repetitive, which is the point, it shouldn't be noticeable!
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 15 Hidden Object Scenes and 41 Smaller Zoom Zone HOP's +8 HOP's & 17 Mini HOP's in the CE Bonus Chapter. Some of the inventory items must be collected as 4-5 fragments around the scene in an old-school style of Circles that pop up, requiring you to find & place the fragments into the correct circle with a silhouette. None of the objects are obvious to spot. The regular HO's were simply amazing! For the first time in years, I had difficulty with knowing where to place the items, they weren't difficult to find, they were difficult to figure out where they went and I loved it! You may be required to place candles with symbols onto their matching candlesticks...not as easy as it sounds! You may have to straighten up a room as Cathrine tells you what needs to be done one sentence at a time, they aren't ordinary cookie-cutter HO's...and I loved them!
There are 15 Hidden Object Scenes and 41 Smaller Zoom Zone HOP's +8 HOP's & 17 Mini HOP's in the CE Bonus Chapter. Some of the inventory items must be collected as 4-5 fragments around the scene in an old-school style of Circles that pop up, requiring you to find & place the fragments into the correct circle with a silhouette. None of the objects are obvious to spot. The regular HO's were simply amazing! For the first time in years, I had difficulty with knowing where to place the items, they weren't difficult to find, they were difficult to figure out where they went and I loved it! You may be required to place candles with symbols onto their matching candlesticks...not as easy as it sounds! You may have to straighten up a room as Cathrine tells you what needs to be done one sentence at a time, they aren't ordinary cookie-cutter HO's...and I loved them!
Mini-Games:
There are 17 Mini-Games +8 in the CE Bonus Chapter. The mini-games weren't as good as the HOP's but they weren't bad either. I loved that some games required you to remember a clue you saw earlier versus posting a sticky note with the code etc. Here are a few examples of the games you'll come across:
There are 17 Mini-Games +8 in the CE Bonus Chapter. The mini-games weren't as good as the HOP's but they weren't bad either. I loved that some games required you to remember a clue you saw earlier versus posting a sticky note with the code etc. Here are a few examples of the games you'll come across:
1-Swap pie-shaped pieces correctly.
2-Move a flower to the end of the path according to the direction of the arrows shown.
3-Navigate a labyrinth by selecting directional arrows using a map.
4-Repeat the music by selecting the same piano keys demonstrated.
5-Swap sections of hexagonal pieces correctly using the points that are stationary as a starting point.
2-Move a flower to the end of the path according to the direction of the arrows shown.
3-Navigate a labyrinth by selecting directional arrows using a map.
4-Repeat the music by selecting the same piano keys demonstrated.
5-Swap sections of hexagonal pieces correctly using the points that are stationary as a starting point.
5-Set the position of several bats using partial clue images.
Bonus Chapter: (CE version only)
Elizabeth returns to Lady Catharine's manor to help her become human again after she realizes the consequences of immortality. This is an average-length Chapter spanning 8 scene locations with 8 HOP's & 17 Mini HOP's, and 8 mini-games. You will continue to search for the final 13 Bats as well.
Elizabeth returns to Lady Catharine's manor to help her become human again after she realizes the consequences of immortality. This is an average-length Chapter spanning 8 scene locations with 8 HOP's & 17 Mini HOP's, and 8 mini-games. You will continue to search for the final 13 Bats as well.
Collector's Edition Extra's:
7 Wallpapers that are beautiful! 4 Music Soundtracks, and 15 replayable Movie Video Cutscenes, 15 Achievements, 34 Collectible Bats, 3 Main Chapters (very long chapters) +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. Please join us at my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net where you can find my series lists, talk about the games and so much more!
7 Wallpapers that are beautiful! 4 Music Soundtracks, and 15 replayable Movie Video Cutscenes, 15 Achievements, 34 Collectible Bats, 3 Main Chapters (very long chapters) +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. Please join us at my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net where you can find my series lists, talk about the games and so much more!
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover a murder victim's past and find her killer?
Overall rating
2
/
5
25 of 33 found this review helpful
MIX DARK ROMANCE WITH FATAL EVIDENCE & THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
PostedFebruary 8, 2021
pennmom36
fromMost boring game I've played... since the last game by this developer!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.0 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
25 Main Game Scene Locations +14 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
25 Main Game Scene Locations +14 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
When will this developer learn that we aren't looking for the same thing rehashed with a new title? Sure, it's great that they are making new games, but clearly, they don't care about what's really important to HOPA fans...we want games that are different, we want games that aren't filled with repetitive tasks, we want games that challenge us to think about what to do next! Every game is the same, we can play the games by this developer on auto-pilot. We know where every zoom zone will be located...because they are always the same. We know what we will use a newfound inventory item on the second we pick it up...because they are always the same. We know that there will be 15 morphing collectibles, 15 items to buy with 70 coins...because they are always the same (with different names. We know how the story unfolds and how it ends...because they are all the same! All they are doing is copying and pasting features from one game to the next. I get that they don't want to put forth the effort it would take to make a game that is truly different, but their average ratings haven't made it past 3.4, a measly "it's okay" rating with gamers, but wouldn't you rather make more money by pleasing the masses? (apparently not)
Gadgets/Helper:
You will play two different characters, twins named Randall and Elanor Jones. Elanor has a paranormal ability and Randall is just an ordinary guy with good detective skills. This is the same scenario as Dark Romance and just as boring.
You will play two different characters, twins named Randall and Elanor Jones. Elanor has a paranormal ability and Randall is just an ordinary guy with good detective skills. This is the same scenario as Dark Romance and just as boring.
Audio/Video Quality
No doubt Domini has beautiful graphics and they are well adept at subtle music cues that do exactly what they are supposed to do...go unnoticed yet set the pace. They are also really clever at placing several interactive "toys" for the player to fiddle with, turning lights on/off, making ropes untie or move, or animals scamper...but have you ever noticed that after the demo there's hardly anything you can interact with? $"gotcha" $ I did not have any issues with collectibles as mentioned by another radiant reviewer.
No doubt Domini has beautiful graphics and they are well adept at subtle music cues that do exactly what they are supposed to do...go unnoticed yet set the pace. They are also really clever at placing several interactive "toys" for the player to fiddle with, turning lights on/off, making ropes untie or move, or animals scamper...but have you ever noticed that after the demo there's hardly anything you can interact with? $"gotcha" $ I did not have any issues with collectibles as mentioned by another radiant reviewer.
Collectibles & Morphing Objects (CE Version Only):
There are 15 Morphing Pieces of Evidence, 15 Collectible Ink Blots, and 15 Forensic Items to purchase using the 70 Collectible Coins...the same collectibles and morphs that all of their games have, they just have different names. You can opt to show/hide a collectibles tab on the inventory bar that will open a specific icon when there is a collectible available.
There are 15 Morphing Pieces of Evidence, 15 Collectible Ink Blots, and 15 Forensic Items to purchase using the 70 Collectible Coins...the same collectibles and morphs that all of their games have, they just have different names. You can opt to show/hide a collectibles tab on the inventory bar that will open a specific icon when there is a collectible available.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available. The Match 3 Game would be amazing if they allowed you to make fast consecutive matches, it would be cool if they put a little effort into this aspect to make the boards get progressively more difficult, added more tiles or something other than a square board with no obstacles??!! There are Interactive Listed Item Finds, Replacing items into the Scene, Silhouetted Shapes, Multiples of Item Finds, Items Related or Keywords in Sentence Finds, ?+?=___ to find 2 items that when combined would make the listed item shown.
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available. The Match 3 Game would be amazing if they allowed you to make fast consecutive matches, it would be cool if they put a little effort into this aspect to make the boards get progressively more difficult, added more tiles or something other than a square board with no obstacles??!! There are Interactive Listed Item Finds, Replacing items into the Scene, Silhouetted Shapes, Multiples of Item Finds, Items Related or Keywords in Sentence Finds, ?+?=___ to find 2 items that when combined would make the listed item shown.
Mini-Games:
There are 18 Mini-Games +6 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) Here are a few examples of super, no-brainer puzzles offered:
There are 18 Mini-Games +6 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) Here are a few examples of super, no-brainer puzzles offered:
1-Enter the phone number shown on a piece of paper (seriously?)
2-Rotate disks with holes to show the correct number of each symbol shown.
3-Navigate a motorcycle without landing on the X's because there are X's all over the street when you ride a motorcycle?
4-Use arrows to move all pink candles to the outside and all green candles to the inside because you apparently can't just pick up the candles and move them?
2-Rotate disks with holes to show the correct number of each symbol shown.
3-Navigate a motorcycle without landing on the X's because there are X's all over the street when you ride a motorcycle?
4-Use arrows to move all pink candles to the outside and all green candles to the inside because you apparently can't just pick up the candles and move them?
Bonus Chapter (CE Version Only)
Elanor flys solo on a case to catch a serial killer with a thing for Brunettes. There are 5 Hidden Object Scenes and 6 Mini-Games spanning over 14 new scene locations. You will search for the remaining 2 Ink Blots, and 3 Morphing Evidence Items, as well as 15 Coins that allow you to purchase the final Forensic Items.
Elanor flys solo on a case to catch a serial killer with a thing for Brunettes. There are 5 Hidden Object Scenes and 6 Mini-Games spanning over 14 new scene locations. You will search for the remaining 2 Ink Blots, and 3 Morphing Evidence Items, as well as 15 Coins that allow you to purchase the final Forensic Items.
Collector's Edition Extra's: (CE version only)
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 33 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements, 17 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Evidence Items, 15 Collectible Ink Blots, 15 Forensic Items, 70 Collectible Coins, a gazillion Missing Notes, 4 Main Chapters (Thank goodness!) +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. All of my Series Lists (and much more) can be found on my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 33 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements, 17 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Evidence Items, 15 Collectible Ink Blots, 15 Forensic Items, 70 Collectible Coins, a gazillion Missing Notes, 4 Main Chapters (Thank goodness!) +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. All of my Series Lists (and much more) can be found on my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover a murder victim's past and find her killer?
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 13 found this review helpful
DARK ROMANCE-FATAL EVIDENCE HYBRID WITH A SUPER BORING STORYLINE
PostedFebruary 8, 2021
pennmom36
fromMost boring game I've played... since the last game by this developer!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.0 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
25 Main Game Scene Locations +14 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
25 Main Game Scene Locations +14 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
When will this developer learn that we aren't looking for the same thing rehashed with a new title? Sure, it's great that they are making new games, but clearly, they don't care about what's really important to HOPA fans...we want games that are different, we want games that aren't filled with repetitive tasks, we want games that challenge us to think about what to do next! Every game is the same, we can play the games by this developer on auto-pilot. We know where every zoom zone will be located...because they are always the same. We know what we will use a newfound inventory item on the second we pick it up...because they are always the same. We know that there will be 15 morphing collectibles, 15 items to buy with 70 coins...because they are always the same (with different names. We know how the story unfolds and how it ends...because they are all the same! All they are doing is copying and pasting features from one game to the next. I get that they don't want to put forth the effort it would take to make a game that is truly different, but their average ratings haven't made it past 3.4, a measly "it's okay" rating with gamers, but wouldn't you rather make more money by pleasing the masses? (apparently not)
Gadgets/Helper:
You will play two different characters, twins named Randall and Elanor Jones. Elanor has a paranormal ability and Randall is just an ordinary guy with good detective skills. This is the same scenario as Dark Romance and just as boring.
You will play two different characters, twins named Randall and Elanor Jones. Elanor has a paranormal ability and Randall is just an ordinary guy with good detective skills. This is the same scenario as Dark Romance and just as boring.
Audio/Video Quality
No doubt Domini has beautiful graphics and they are well adept at subtle music cues that do exactly what they are supposed to do...go unnoticed yet set the pace. They are also really clever at placing several interactive "toys" for the player to fiddle with, turning lights on/off, making ropes untie or move, or animals scamper...but have you ever noticed that after the demo there's hardly anything you can interact with? $"gotcha" $ I did not have any issues with collectibles as mentioned by another radiant reviewer.
No doubt Domini has beautiful graphics and they are well adept at subtle music cues that do exactly what they are supposed to do...go unnoticed yet set the pace. They are also really clever at placing several interactive "toys" for the player to fiddle with, turning lights on/off, making ropes untie or move, or animals scamper...but have you ever noticed that after the demo there's hardly anything you can interact with? $"gotcha" $ I did not have any issues with collectibles as mentioned by another radiant reviewer.
Collectibles & Morphing Objects (CE Version Only):
There are 15 Morphing Pieces of Evidence, 15 Collectible Ink Blots, and 15 Forensic Items to purchase using the 70 Collectible Coins...the same collectibles and morphs that all of their games have, they just have different names. You can opt to show/hide a collectibles tab on the inventory bar that will open a specific icon when there is a collectible available.
There are 15 Morphing Pieces of Evidence, 15 Collectible Ink Blots, and 15 Forensic Items to purchase using the 70 Collectible Coins...the same collectibles and morphs that all of their games have, they just have different names. You can opt to show/hide a collectibles tab on the inventory bar that will open a specific icon when there is a collectible available.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available. The Match 3 Game would be amazing if they allowed you to make fast consecutive matches, it would be cool if they put a little effort into this aspect to make the boards get progressively more difficult, added more tiles or something other than a square board with no obstacles??!! There are Interactive Listed Item Finds, Replacing items into the Scene, Silhouetted Shapes, Multiples of Item Finds, Items Related or Keywords in Sentence Finds, ?+?=___ to find 2 items that when combined would make the listed item shown.
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available. The Match 3 Game would be amazing if they allowed you to make fast consecutive matches, it would be cool if they put a little effort into this aspect to make the boards get progressively more difficult, added more tiles or something other than a square board with no obstacles??!! There are Interactive Listed Item Finds, Replacing items into the Scene, Silhouetted Shapes, Multiples of Item Finds, Items Related or Keywords in Sentence Finds, ?+?=___ to find 2 items that when combined would make the listed item shown.
Mini-Games:
There are 18 Mini-Games +6 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) Here are a few examples of super, no-brainer puzzles offered:
There are 18 Mini-Games +6 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) Here are a few examples of super, no-brainer puzzles offered:
1-Enter the phone number shown on a piece of paper (seriously?)
2-Rotate disks with holes to show the correct number of each symbol shown.
3-Navigate a motorcycle without landing on the X's because there are X's all over the street when you ride a motorcycle?
4-Use arrows to move all pink candles to the outside and all green candles to the inside because you apparently can't just pick up the candles and move them?
2-Rotate disks with holes to show the correct number of each symbol shown.
3-Navigate a motorcycle without landing on the X's because there are X's all over the street when you ride a motorcycle?
4-Use arrows to move all pink candles to the outside and all green candles to the inside because you apparently can't just pick up the candles and move them?
Bonus Chapter (CE Version Only)
Elanor flys solo on a case to catch a serial killer with a thing for Brunettes. There are 5 Hidden Object Scenes and 6 Mini-Games spanning over 14 new scene locations. You will search for the remaining 2 Ink Blots, and 3 Morphing Evidence Items, as well as 15 Coins that allow you to purchase the final Forensic Items.
Elanor flys solo on a case to catch a serial killer with a thing for Brunettes. There are 5 Hidden Object Scenes and 6 Mini-Games spanning over 14 new scene locations. You will search for the remaining 2 Ink Blots, and 3 Morphing Evidence Items, as well as 15 Coins that allow you to purchase the final Forensic Items.
Collector's Edition Extra's: (CE version only)
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 33 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements, 17 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Evidence Items, 15 Collectible Ink Blots, 15 Forensic Items, 70 Collectible Coins, a gazillion Missing Notes, 4 Main Chapters (Thank goodness!) +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. All of my Series Lists (and much more) can be found on my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 33 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements, 17 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Evidence Items, 15 Collectible Ink Blots, 15 Forensic Items, 70 Collectible Coins, a gazillion Missing Notes, 4 Main Chapters (Thank goodness!) +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. All of my Series Lists (and much more) can be found on my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
A quest to recover a mysterious relic has surprising implications!
Overall rating
5
/
5
175 of 199 found this review helpful
MY CAVE QUEST CONTINUES!
PostedFebruary 6, 2021
pennmom36
fromSolutional caves are formed when rain soaks into Earth’s surface & carbon dioxide is released by dying plants into the soil that turns the water into carbonic acid to dissolve rock Most caves take more than 100,000 yrs to grow big enough to fit a human
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
There aren't many games lately that I become so engrossed in the demo that when the demo ends, it takes me by surprise and I'm scrambling to hit the "Buy Now" button...but this game did exactly that!
There are so many different aspects to this game that one can't help but be entertained. It is a Hidden Object game, a Match 3 game, a Battle game, a Quest-based game, an Adventure game, and a Strategy game all in one. You can play in an Easy, Normal, or Hard mode of difficulty and you can choose to play the Match 3 games in a Limited Time or Limited Moves Mode as well.
You begin your journey by walking which is in the form of a Match 3 game that requires you to make matches on a path to move the character (shown as a hat) along the path to the top of the board. This scenario was my favorite part!
After completing the Match 3 game, you'll continue your adventure by searching for Inventory Items in each scene along your way. You'll have to figure out how and where to use those items to progress, for example, you may have to remove cobwebs, open doors, and move carts, but the tasks aren't necessarily easy to figure out because sometimes the solution isn't obvious. Once you solve a task, a different variation of the Match 3 game will open up with obstacles that are theme-related to the task, such as cobwebs or spiderwebs that block some tiles.
When you make a Match 4 or larger, you will gain an extra move or time. As you progress, you are given the opportunity to "Learn" a new Skill which is basically a power-up that places bombs on the board or allows you to remove a single tile, or pushes tokens out of your path like a hurricane.
When you come across a Beast or Demon, you'll first have to figure out which inventory item is necessary, then you play a Battle Mode Match 3 game where you take turns against your opponent. Collecting Red Crystals drains your opponent but it also drains your energy if the opponent matches red crystals.
This Collector's Edition version has 15 Wallpapers, Concept Art (available after completing the game) 15 Music Soundtracks (12 regular and 3 CE Bonus tracks) 4 Records Trophies (shown in %'s) 16 Characters, 15 Beasts & Demons, a Bonus Chapter and a Strategy Guide.
I don't know if the CE price is worth the extra's you get on a Match 3 game, all I know is I was going to continue playing this highly entertaining Match 3 game today, there's no way I was going to wait for the SE version! Join us at my new forum to discuss this game and so much more, thewoodsforum.boards.net ...hope to see you there!
I recommend this game!
A sinister revenge plot is tearing a kingdom apart!
Overall rating
3
/
5
31 of 37 found this review helpful
EVER NOTICE THAT EVERY TIME A NEW PERSON JOINS THE GARDIANS OF HARMONY SOMETING HORRIBLE HAPPENS?
PostedFebruary 5, 2021
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Completed Game approximately 6.0 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
23 Main Game Scene Locations +11 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
23 Main Game Scene Locations +11 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
Aileen Milton is the newest Guardian of Harmony inductee, guardians who have sworn an oath to maintain the balance between humans and spirits. They prevent wars and conflicts but lately, that balance has been unstable and monsters have been attacking the locals. The entire Spirit world is about to experience utter chaos unless Aileen can summon the strength, and the spirits, to find balance and restore peace once again to the Dryad Forest.
Gadgets/Helper:
There is a Bestiary Book that allows you to banish various Beasts by playing an associated mini-game. The mini-game requires banishing beasts that are lurking in a forest but it is only used a handful of times.
There is a Bestiary Book that allows you to banish various Beasts by playing an associated mini-game. The mini-game requires banishing beasts that are lurking in a forest but it is only used a handful of times.
Audio/Video Quality
No doubt Domini has beautiful graphics and they are well adept at subtle music cues that do exactly what they are supposed to do...go unnoticed yet set the pace. They are also really clever at placing several interactive "toys" for the player to fiddle with, turning lights on/off, making branches move, or animals scamper...but have you ever noticed that after the demo there's hardly anything you can interact with? $"gotcha" $
No doubt Domini has beautiful graphics and they are well adept at subtle music cues that do exactly what they are supposed to do...go unnoticed yet set the pace. They are also really clever at placing several interactive "toys" for the player to fiddle with, turning lights on/off, making branches move, or animals scamper...but have you ever noticed that after the demo there's hardly anything you can interact with? $"gotcha" $
Collectibles & Morphing Objects (CE Version Only):
There are 15 Morphing Artifacts, 15 Spirited Items, and 15 Laboratory Items to purchase with 70 Collectible Coins. You can opt to show/hide a collectibles tab on the inventory bar that will open a specific icon when there is a collectible available.
There are 15 Morphing Artifacts, 15 Spirited Items, and 15 Laboratory Items to purchase with 70 Collectible Coins. You can opt to show/hide a collectibles tab on the inventory bar that will open a specific icon when there is a collectible available.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 12 Hidden Object Scenes +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available. There are Interactive Listed Item Finds, Replacing items into the Scene, Silhouetted Shapes, Multiples of Item Finds, Items Related or Keywords in Sentence Finds, Matching Pair Finds, Swatches Finds, and Spot The Differences available.
There are 12 Hidden Object Scenes +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available. There are Interactive Listed Item Finds, Replacing items into the Scene, Silhouetted Shapes, Multiples of Item Finds, Items Related or Keywords in Sentence Finds, Matching Pair Finds, Swatches Finds, and Spot The Differences available.
Mini-Games:
There are 21 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) I felt the puzzles and mini-games had little to no effort put forth in them. They were boring, unimaginative, and numerous, not to mention that they were the same games Domini always offers but with different graphics.
There are 21 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) I felt the puzzles and mini-games had little to no effort put forth in them. They were boring, unimaginative, and numerous, not to mention that they were the same games Domini always offers but with different graphics.
Bonus Chapter (CE Version Only)
You play as Illian the Magician who is at odds with King Lydius' wife, Queen Margret, over the throne. There are 9 Mini-games and 6 Hidden Object scenes in this task-repetitive
Bonus Chapter.
Collector's Edition Extra's: (CE version only)
18 Wallpapers, (did anyone else get 38 wallpapers as stated by another reviewer, cuz if they did I got ripped off!) 11 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 32 Movie Video Cutscenes, 38 Achievements, 18 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Artifacts,15 Spirited Items, 15 Laboratory Items, 70 Collectible Coins, a gazillion Missing Notes, 8 Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. You can find my Series Lists and much more on my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net
You play as Illian the Magician who is at odds with King Lydius' wife, Queen Margret, over the throne. There are 9 Mini-games and 6 Hidden Object scenes in this task-repetitive
Bonus Chapter.
Collector's Edition Extra's: (CE version only)
18 Wallpapers, (did anyone else get 38 wallpapers as stated by another reviewer, cuz if they did I got ripped off!) 11 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 32 Movie Video Cutscenes, 38 Achievements, 18 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Artifacts,15 Spirited Items, 15 Laboratory Items, 70 Collectible Coins, a gazillion Missing Notes, 8 Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. You can find my Series Lists and much more on my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Your daughter’s uncanny gift draws the attention of a sinister organization!
Overall rating
4
/
5
135 of 154 found this review helpful
THIS IS AN AMAZING STORY, GIVE IT A CHANCE!
PostedFebruary 4, 2021
pennmom36
fromCrystals are repeating, 3-dimensional arrang of atoms ions or molecules Almost any solid material can crystallize even DNA Snow is near-pure crystallized water when it collects on the ground it acts as a reservoir for atmop. pollutants-mercury & soot
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Completed Game approximately 6.0 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter
22 Scene Locations +6 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter
22 Scene Locations +6 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
Halsey is just your typical 16-year old girl, except for the fact that she was kidnapped from an experimental laboratory, possesses weird powers, and seems to be the key to the strange crystal growing deep within Ember Lake. Now it seems everyone else knows about her connection to the crystals that are slowly mutating the nearby residents, but why Halsey?
Morphing Objects/Collectibles (CE version only)
Each of the 27 Scenes, throughout the Main Game and Bonus Chapter, has a Morphing Object and Collectible Crystal. The collectibles are rather large but they both were difficult to find in some of the scenes. There is also a Morphing Object in all of the Hidden Object Scenes, (15) which are definitely not easy to spot! Any missed Hidden Object Scene Morphs can be picked up by replaying the HO's in the extra's menu, which also allows you to better your star or accuracy score.
Morphing Objects/Collectibles (CE version only)
Each of the 27 Scenes, throughout the Main Game and Bonus Chapter, has a Morphing Object and Collectible Crystal. The collectibles are rather large but they both were difficult to find in some of the scenes. There is also a Morphing Object in all of the Hidden Object Scenes, (15) which are definitely not easy to spot! Any missed Hidden Object Scene Morphs can be picked up by replaying the HO's in the extra's menu, which also allows you to better your star or accuracy score.
Graphics & Sound:
The graphics have room for improvement because MHG changed their graphics a while back and they do tend to be large and cartoonish during close-ups or zoom zones. The graphics remind me a lot of the former Eipix developer where they opted to make the scenes bright and colorful but very plain, you are fooled into thinking they are beautiful scenes because of the beautiful color palette but if you pay attention you'll notice that there are no details, buildings don't have individual bricks, for instance, they are smooth surfaces which makes everything seem huge and cold, instead of giving it a warm and cozy feeling.
The graphics have room for improvement because MHG changed their graphics a while back and they do tend to be large and cartoonish during close-ups or zoom zones. The graphics remind me a lot of the former Eipix developer where they opted to make the scenes bright and colorful but very plain, you are fooled into thinking they are beautiful scenes because of the beautiful color palette but if you pay attention you'll notice that there are no details, buildings don't have individual bricks, for instance, they are smooth surfaces which makes everything seem huge and cold, instead of giving it a warm and cozy feeling.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 14 Hidden Object Scenes, +3 HOP's in the CE Bonus Chapter as well as 4 smaller Zoom Zone HO's where you are tasked with finding 6-8 objects shown as silhouetted shapes. This is the one area that MHG's shined, the HO scenes had a good variety of styles and the objects are really well-blended into the scenery. None of the objects are obvious to spot, on HO's by every other developer, I'm able to spot the correct objects without even looking at the list, but that never happened with these HO's! There are a lot of different variations such as Silhouetted Shape Finds, Matching Pairs Finds, Interactive & Listed Item Finds, Symbol Finds (MHG loves their symbols!) Swatches Finds, and Spot The Differences, one of which requires spotting a symbol that was an oddball out of each grouping of symbols. Each of the Main HO Scenes has a Morphing Object that can be picked up within the CE Extra's menus as well, but there are no alternative games available in lieu of HOP's.
There are 14 Hidden Object Scenes, +3 HOP's in the CE Bonus Chapter as well as 4 smaller Zoom Zone HO's where you are tasked with finding 6-8 objects shown as silhouetted shapes. This is the one area that MHG's shined, the HO scenes had a good variety of styles and the objects are really well-blended into the scenery. None of the objects are obvious to spot, on HO's by every other developer, I'm able to spot the correct objects without even looking at the list, but that never happened with these HO's! There are a lot of different variations such as Silhouetted Shape Finds, Matching Pairs Finds, Interactive & Listed Item Finds, Symbol Finds (MHG loves their symbols!) Swatches Finds, and Spot The Differences, one of which requires spotting a symbol that was an oddball out of each grouping of symbols. Each of the Main HO Scenes has a Morphing Object that can be picked up within the CE Extra's menus as well, but there are no alternative games available in lieu of HOP's.
Mini-Games:
There are 17 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. I really enjoyed them because there were a lot of mechanical type puzzles which are my favorite type. I did deduct a star because you can't replay any of the mini-games! Here are a few of my personal favorites:
There are 17 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. I really enjoyed them because there were a lot of mechanical type puzzles which are my favorite type. I did deduct a star because you can't replay any of the mini-games! Here are a few of my personal favorites:
1-Connect dots on a phone to combine 2 symbols in a continuous line. x3
2-Click on sections to fill in or stop the flow of the correct colors to paint a mural.
3-Adjust the bandwidth of the yellow wave to match 3 different red waves using vertical & horizontal sliders as well as shape.
4-Place 3 chips onto 3 groups of numbers to equal the sum of 96.
5-Move the mechanical arm using controls to manipulate the switches and following the clues.
2-Click on sections to fill in or stop the flow of the correct colors to paint a mural.
3-Adjust the bandwidth of the yellow wave to match 3 different red waves using vertical & horizontal sliders as well as shape.
4-Place 3 chips onto 3 groups of numbers to equal the sum of 96.
5-Move the mechanical arm using controls to manipulate the switches and following the clues.
Bonus Chapter: (CE version only)
It's been a few years since the incident at Ember Lake and Halsey is excited about her first class at the University...that is, until she discovers that her biology professor brought back a vacation souvenir from Ember Lake! This is a pretty short Chapter spanning 6 scene locations with just 3 additional Hidden Object Scenes and 3 Mini-Games. There are 3 Hidden Object Scene Morphs, 6 Scene Morphing Objects, and 6 Collectible Crystals. After completing the CE Bonus Chapter, you can access the Ultimate Hidden Object puzzle where you'll open 3 cabinets to access 3 HO scenes. You'll also be able to access the Treasure Hunt game where you return to the 27 scenes to find a single Treasure Hunt object.
It's been a few years since the incident at Ember Lake and Halsey is excited about her first class at the University...that is, until she discovers that her biology professor brought back a vacation souvenir from Ember Lake! This is a pretty short Chapter spanning 6 scene locations with just 3 additional Hidden Object Scenes and 3 Mini-Games. There are 3 Hidden Object Scene Morphs, 6 Scene Morphing Objects, and 6 Collectible Crystals. After completing the CE Bonus Chapter, you can access the Ultimate Hidden Object puzzle where you'll open 3 cabinets to access 3 HO scenes. You'll also be able to access the Treasure Hunt game where you return to the 27 scenes to find a single Treasure Hunt object.
Collector's Edition Extra's:
12 Wallpapers (not 4!) 7 Concept Art Pictures with a Before/After slider bar, 10 Music Soundtracks, 11 Achievements (6 available in 3 categories) 15 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 27 Collectible Crystals, 27 Scene Morphing Objects, 15 HOP Morphing Objects, an Ultimate HO, 27 Treasure Hunt Objects, 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
12 Wallpapers (not 4!) 7 Concept Art Pictures with a Before/After slider bar, 10 Music Soundtracks, 11 Achievements (6 available in 3 categories) 15 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 27 Collectible Crystals, 27 Scene Morphing Objects, 15 HOP Morphing Objects, an Ultimate HO, 27 Treasure Hunt Objects, 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
Please join us at my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net where you can find my series lists, talk about the games and so much more!
I recommend this game!
Art Mahjong Egypt: New Worlds offers many hours of challenging puzzle game play for beginners as well as experienced Mahjong players!
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 16 found this review helpful
THE "COBRA" MAHJONG WAS REALLY FUN!
PostedFebruary 2, 2021
pennmom36
fromCan't you come up with a "Continue" button instead of making us click the "Exit" button after every level?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
There are 2 different types of Mahjong available, Classic Mahjong which was basically just another Mahjong game with no special features, and Cobra Mahjong which was super fun!
In Cobra Mahjong you are tasked with clicking Mahjong Tiles that match the tiles on the Cobra that slowly inches its way across the top of the board. If you click on an incorrect tile, a random tile will be added to the board and if the Cobra makes it to the end of the board, you'll lose. You can play in a Normal Mode, a Casual Mode which gives you more time and doesn't make you lose if the Cobra reaches the end of the board, and you can play in an Untimed mode as well.
In Cobra Mahjong you are tasked with clicking Mahjong Tiles that match the tiles on the Cobra that slowly inches its way across the top of the board. If you click on an incorrect tile, a random tile will be added to the board and if the Cobra makes it to the end of the board, you'll lose. You can play in a Normal Mode, a Casual Mode which gives you more time and doesn't make you lose if the Cobra reaches the end of the board, and you can play in an Untimed mode as well.
By the time I reached level 10, it was becoming pretty difficult to remove all the tiles before the cobra reached the end because there were so many tiles on the boards and it was hard to find available tiles in the heap, by level 13, I had to switch to Casual mode because I kept losing, but I still had a blast! When the demo ended, I was really disappointed and left wondering why I had put off playing this game for so long! If you want to play a really fun game this version is fun no matter what mode you are playing on which is something I rarely say because usually, I don't enjoy playing in an untimed mode. Even if you play on the Casual mode, you still get to match tiles if the cobra reaches the end and you'll still earn all 3 Ankh's (equivalent to stars)
There are 13 Mahjong Tiles to choose from and you can choose a Standard or 3D view option, and enable/disable the Auto-Zoom feature (enlarges the screen as tiles are removed) Both the Cobra & Classic Mahjong versions have some levels that automatically end once you remove all of the Gold Tiles. When I first started playing, I didn't realize that on Cobra mode, you can match any of the Egyptian Urns and any color of the All-seeing eyes, I thought the tiles had to match with the exact tile shown on the cobra before it occurred to me that they were like the "season" tiles on classic or traditional tiles.
In the Classic Mahjong Mode, you can play in a Casual, Normal, or Untimed mode as well. You can earn up to 3-stars per level, one star for removing all tiles, one star for finishing the level within the given time limit, and one star for not excessively using the undo, redo, mix, and hint features. (with the exception of the untimed mode) Each level allows you to darken unavailable moves up to three times without penalty, but points are deducted when you use the Shuffle, Undo, or Hint features.
Once again, the music is the same music this developer uses for every single game they have ever created! You'd think they'd find something a bit more Egyptian-themed?...enough is enough, invest in a new music soundtrack, it's long overdue guys! I'd love to have you join my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net ... hope to see you there! :)
I recommend this game!
Rush headfirst into winter and enjoy new match-making mechanics in this tactical puzzle game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
28 of 34 found this review helpful
THE 2-ORB MODE IS WAY TOO EASY & THE 3-ORB MODE CAN BE FRUSTRATING
PostedFebruary 2, 2021
pennmom36
fromNice game but it gets a bit repetitive after a while :)
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Season Marbles is definitely one of the best Orb Games available, I have just gotten kind of bored with them lately. The Relaxed mode only requires you to match 2-orbs and after 25 levels I became bored because it was way too easy. I switched to the Challenge mode which requires you to match 3-orbs, but some of the levels were just frustrating because you just had to keep shooting random orbs before you got to an actual color you needed, then it just got boring.
You can play in a Relaxed Match 2 Mode or a Challenge Mode which requires matching 3 or more Orbs. The tiles are bright and cheerful although I must admit, I had no idea what some of the tiles were, or what they had to do with a winter theme, I still have no idea what the purple blob was?
There is no Timer so you can take your time to figure out the best strategy. The playing field has an infinite amount of Colored Orbs located on the Top, Bottom, Right, and Left sides (you can only see the colors of 2 Orbs in each row or column) and the object is to remove all of the Orbs by shooting an identical colored orb from any of the parameters at the Orbs to remove them. As you progress, more Orb variations are added to the field and naturally, more obstacles are added as well. Bonuses appear randomly, but they will quickly disappear if they aren't activated by a moving Orb.
You can right-click on each bonus to get a brief description, you can also click on the Question Mark to read about all of the features.
OBSTRUCTIONS:
*Chains~requires a matching colored orb to break the chain(s) another to remove orbs remaining.
*Glass Border~break when hit with an orb.
*Wooden Borders~requires a hit by any orb to destroy.
*Stone Borders~can only be destroyed by Bonuses.
*Metal Borders~cannot be destroyed.
*Glass Cells~break when hit with an orb.
*Wooden Wall~requires neighboring match or orbs.
*Stone Wall~can only be destroyed by Bonuses.
*Metal Wall~cannot be destroyed.
*Side Shield Crates~requires hit by orb on the unprotected side.
*Extra Armor~destroyed when tiles are beneath a neighboring cell.
*Mist~removed when orbs are matched near the mist.
*Amphora~moves when hit, 3 hits to destroy (may contain items)
*Metal Amphora~moves when hit, can't be destroyed.
*Seal Key~removes seals when hit, can't be destroyed.
*Seal~removed when the seal key is hit, can't be destroyed.
*Lock & Key~the key has to be moved into the lock by hitting it with orbs in the desired direction.
*Arrows~redirrects the path of the orb.
*Chains~requires a matching colored orb to break the chain(s) another to remove orbs remaining.
*Glass Border~break when hit with an orb.
*Wooden Borders~requires a hit by any orb to destroy.
*Stone Borders~can only be destroyed by Bonuses.
*Metal Borders~cannot be destroyed.
*Glass Cells~break when hit with an orb.
*Wooden Wall~requires neighboring match or orbs.
*Stone Wall~can only be destroyed by Bonuses.
*Metal Wall~cannot be destroyed.
*Side Shield Crates~requires hit by orb on the unprotected side.
*Extra Armor~destroyed when tiles are beneath a neighboring cell.
*Mist~removed when orbs are matched near the mist.
*Amphora~moves when hit, 3 hits to destroy (may contain items)
*Metal Amphora~moves when hit, can't be destroyed.
*Seal Key~removes seals when hit, can't be destroyed.
*Seal~removed when the seal key is hit, can't be destroyed.
*Lock & Key~the key has to be moved into the lock by hitting it with orbs in the desired direction.
*Arrows~redirrects the path of the orb.
BONUSES:(appear & disappear randomly)
*Flames~include in a match to detonate an explosion.
*Lightning~destroys all of the same color orbs.
*Bonus Missile~produces 3 missiles to remove 3 random orbs.
*Bonus Bombs~transforms 5 random orbs into bombs.
*Bonus Multi-Orbs~transforms 7 random active orbs into multi-orbs that can be matched with any color.
*Cross Dynamite~destroys orbs in a cross pattern.
*Cross X Dynamite~destroys orbs in an X pattern.
*Gold Bonus Bombs~transforms all active orbs into bombs.
*Gold Bonus Multi-orbs~transforms all active orbs into multi-orbs.
*Mines~explodes to destroy neighboring orbs.
*Battering Ram~requires a hit from an orb on the back to destroy the object in front of the ram.
*Cannon~requires hitting the red button with an orb to fire the cannon (can be on multiple sides)
*Multi-Orbs-can be matched with any orb.
*Flames~include in a match to detonate an explosion.
*Lightning~destroys all of the same color orbs.
*Bonus Missile~produces 3 missiles to remove 3 random orbs.
*Bonus Bombs~transforms 5 random orbs into bombs.
*Bonus Multi-Orbs~transforms 7 random active orbs into multi-orbs that can be matched with any color.
*Cross Dynamite~destroys orbs in a cross pattern.
*Cross X Dynamite~destroys orbs in an X pattern.
*Gold Bonus Bombs~transforms all active orbs into bombs.
*Gold Bonus Multi-orbs~transforms all active orbs into multi-orbs.
*Mines~explodes to destroy neighboring orbs.
*Battering Ram~requires a hit from an orb on the back to destroy the object in front of the ram.
*Cannon~requires hitting the red button with an orb to fire the cannon (can be on multiple sides)
*Multi-Orbs-can be matched with any orb.
You can find my series lists at my new forum the woodsforum.boards.net all are welcome, please join us!
I recommend this game!
A detective meets a mysterious stranger in her first case!
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 27 found this review helpful
NOTHING IS AS SIMPLE AS IT SEEMS!
PostedFebruary 1, 2021
pennmom36
fromI liked it but not really thrilled with the CE content or lack thereof
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Completed Game approximately 4.0 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
25 Main Game Scene Locations +11 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
25 Main Game Scene Locations +11 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
Dana Strange became a detective for the sole purpose of solving her sister Ursala's unsolved kidnapping case when they were small children. Now, with the kidnapper finally behind bars, Dana can finally move on, or so she thought. Dana may be trying to move on, but sometimes the past has unfinished business!
Helper/Gadget
There are no Gadgets and no Helpers. There is a Bee that sits on the Hint Icon that apparently bothers a lot of people but it didn't bother me, I look at the game, not the Hint button and I barely noticed it.
There are no Gadgets and no Helpers. There is a Bee that sits on the Hint Icon that apparently bothers a lot of people but it didn't bother me, I look at the game, not the Hint button and I barely noticed it.
Morphing Objects/Collectibles: (CE version only)
One feature I've come to expect in a CE game from this developer is Morphing Objects. This is a really good game but the CE bling is practically non-existent and there are no morphs, which is why I deducted a star! There are 12 Collectible Book Pages about Dana Strange and the usual 48 Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces that allow you to assemble four, 12 piece jigsaw puzzles. The puzzle pieces are nicely blended into the scenery and they have finally allowed you to return to the scenes to search for missing puzzle pieces and book pages within the Expedition Room!
One feature I've come to expect in a CE game from this developer is Morphing Objects. This is a really good game but the CE bling is practically non-existent and there are no morphs, which is why I deducted a star! There are 12 Collectible Book Pages about Dana Strange and the usual 48 Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces that allow you to assemble four, 12 piece jigsaw puzzles. The puzzle pieces are nicely blended into the scenery and they have finally allowed you to return to the scenes to search for missing puzzle pieces and book pages within the Expedition Room!
Video/Audio Quality:
Elephant Games has always been one of my favorites when it comes to graphics, hands-down, and their story-telling abilities are phenomenal. I cut my teeth on Mystery Trackers: The Void and fell in love with HOPA games because of this developer! This is the first game in a long time that didn't freeze or unexpectedly, shut down or have a sticky music loop.
Elephant Games has always been one of my favorites when it comes to graphics, hands-down, and their story-telling abilities are phenomenal. I cut my teeth on Mystery Trackers: The Void and fell in love with HOPA games because of this developer! This is the first game in a long time that didn't freeze or unexpectedly, shut down or have a sticky music loop.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are only 12 Hidden Object Scenes +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter, not including several smaller zoom zone hidden object scenes where you are tasked with finding 1 object at a time that matches the silhouetted shape (usually 5 objects) or smaller Listed Item finds. The objects are pretty easy to spot, but there were lots of HO variations which include Interactive List Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Matching Pairs, Multiples of the Same Object Finds, and Swatches where you find areas on a bulletin board that matches tiny swatches. There are no alternative games available for non-HO lovers, unfortunately.
There are only 12 Hidden Object Scenes +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter, not including several smaller zoom zone hidden object scenes where you are tasked with finding 1 object at a time that matches the silhouetted shape (usually 5 objects) or smaller Listed Item finds. The objects are pretty easy to spot, but there were lots of HO variations which include Interactive List Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Matching Pairs, Multiples of the Same Object Finds, and Swatches where you find areas on a bulletin board that matches tiny swatches. There are no alternative games available for non-HO lovers, unfortunately.
Mini-Games:
There are 15 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. I'm a fan of Elephant's mini-game puzzles, they are doable and rarely frustrating. Here are a few of my personal favorites:
There are 15 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. I'm a fan of Elephant's mini-game puzzles, they are doable and rarely frustrating. Here are a few of my personal favorites:
1-Enter arrow directions to navigate a map, each intersection will use the next programmed movement. x3
2-Rotate the disc and snap interlocking pieces into place so all connectors align.
3-Swap tiles with wire sections until they all connect.
4-Repeat the sequence of musical notes. x 3
Bonus Chapter (Collector's Edition version only)
Don't lose your head over this sequel of haunting proportions when a headless ghost is spotted in Denzel Freeman's shop. Is he being haunted or just bamboozled? This is an average-length Bonus Chapter spanning over 11 Scene Locations with 6 Mini-Games and 6 Hidden Object Scenes. You will search for the remaining 3 Collectible Book Pages and 12 Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces which allows you to complete the fourth and final 12 piece Jigsaw Puzzle.
Don't lose your head over this sequel of haunting proportions when a headless ghost is spotted in Denzel Freeman's shop. Is he being haunted or just bamboozled? This is an average-length Bonus Chapter spanning over 11 Scene Locations with 6 Mini-Games and 6 Hidden Object Scenes. You will search for the remaining 3 Collectible Book Pages and 12 Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces which allows you to complete the fourth and final 12 piece Jigsaw Puzzle.
Collector's Edition Version Extra's
5 Wallpapers, 5 Music Soundtracks, 22 Achievements, 11 Replayable Mini-Games, 13 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, a Secret Room to search for more Hidden Objects, an Expedition Room that allows you to return to the scenes to pick up any missed Jigsaw Puzzles or Book Pages, 48 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces to assemble Four, 12-piece Jigsaw Puzzles, 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. I've opened my own forum! You can see all of my Series' Lists at thewoodsforum.boards.net
5 Wallpapers, 5 Music Soundtracks, 22 Achievements, 11 Replayable Mini-Games, 13 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, a Secret Room to search for more Hidden Objects, an Expedition Room that allows you to return to the scenes to pick up any missed Jigsaw Puzzles or Book Pages, 48 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces to assemble Four, 12-piece Jigsaw Puzzles, 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide. I've opened my own forum! You can see all of my Series' Lists at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I recommend this game!
Complete challenging match 3 puzzles and help two London police detectives uncover a dark conspiracy!
Overall rating
1
/
5
17 of 18 found this review helpful
I WOULD HAVE GIVEN THIS GAME A HIGHER STAR RATING, BUT WE'VE BEEN GASLAMPED!
PostedFebruary 1, 2021
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This isn't a bad game if you don't mind the fact that everyone wins a trophy because they never offer their games in a Timed Mode option! I would have actually given this game more Stars but I simply don't believe all the reviews for this developer's games are real. We complain because they don't offer any games with a timed mode option, and they all have the same level layouts (they just change the order they are in to fool you) All they really change is the story & the graphics. The appropriate response would be to offer games that had the options the majority was asking for, not pad the average ratings to make it appear that we weren't the majority.
They have made the tiles bigger and less similar to each other so they can easily be differentiated, and they have changed the level layouts slightly. By slightly, I mean they changed the order the levels are presented. They have added some new obstacles, wooden chests that may or may not have gold or red tiles hidden under them, gears, chains, and double chains that require making matches of whatever tile is blocked within them, but most of them are just filler features, and unblocking the tiles is not necessary to progress. They also got rid of the spiders that everyone seemed to hate.
Once again, you can only play in a Relaxed Untimed Mode in this Swap type Match 3 game, where you swap tiles to make matches of at least 3 identical elements. You must make matches over all of the Gold Cells (and eventually Red cells that turn Gold) and make the required number of matches of each specified element tile, such as magnet tiles or stopwatches. I suppose this was an attempt to make the game more difficult, instead, it only drags out the time it takes to complete the levels...for no real reward when you do so because it doesn't matter if you complete the level in 30 seconds or 30 minutes!
When you make large matches you are rewarded with Elements inside of Bubbles. These bubbled tiles Morph, allowing you to choose which elemental tile you want by clicking on the bubble to pop it when it morphs to the desired tile. Making large matches also fills the Energy Mana Meter, when full, you'll be able to use any powerup you want. The powerups, however, must be purchased in the shop prior to starting the level.
You must purchase all 4 World Upgrades to progress to the next Chapter. Each upgrade basically constructs a random building in the town (with no option of which building nor does it allow you to place the building where you want) and tells you a portion of the storyline via 2 comic book-style characters moving awkwardly to the front of the screen as they take turns reading their scripts. The World Upgrades require a specified number of stars to unlock, for example, the first upgrade requires 3 stars, the second requires 11, the third requires 12, and the fourth requires 16 stars, which are earned for completing the levels.
It's impossible to lose a level so this scenario is basically an auto-pilot feature. It also takes forever to get through this upgrade process, once you click to purchase an upgrade, you have to wait for what seems like an eternity for the building to appear and it has to sparkle for several seconds until the comic book characters finally arrive, then you have to wait several seconds more until the "skip" button finally appears to put you out of your misery...shouldn't you get the "skip" option right off the bat, what's the point of having a skip button that doesn't appear until you're halfway through?
Power-ups are purchased in the shop with the Gold/Red cells you've uncovered, and/or the Artifact Tiles that are collected by dropping them off of the board. Once purchased, any of your purchased powerups can be used, but you'll have to fill the Energy Meter first. All matches help to fill the Energy Meter but the larger the match, the more quickly the Meter fills.
Here's a list of the available Power-ups (they are the same power-ups that do the same things in ALL of the Match 3 games by this developer, they just rename them to fit the storyline:
*Silver Hammer: destroys a single tile and/or chain.
*Small Bomb: destroys a 2 x 2 range of tiles cells/chains.
*Coiled Wire: destroys 5 horizontal tiles.
*Metal Fastener: destroys 5 vertical tiles
*Experimental Machine: destroys an entire horizontal row, cells/chains.
*Experimental Staff: destroys an entire vertical line, cells/chains.
*Strange Gear: destroys entire vertical & horizontal lines.
*Absorption Device: destroys all of the same tiles.
*Wheel: Shuffles the entire board.
*Prototype Rockets: destroys 20 random tiles.
*Big Explosive (TNT): destroys a 9 x 9 cluster of tiles, cells/chains.
*Zeppelin: destroys a massive 12 x 12 range of tiles.
*Small Bomb: destroys a 2 x 2 range of tiles cells/chains.
*Coiled Wire: destroys 5 horizontal tiles.
*Metal Fastener: destroys 5 vertical tiles
*Experimental Machine: destroys an entire horizontal row, cells/chains.
*Experimental Staff: destroys an entire vertical line, cells/chains.
*Strange Gear: destroys entire vertical & horizontal lines.
*Absorption Device: destroys all of the same tiles.
*Wheel: Shuffles the entire board.
*Prototype Rockets: destroys 20 random tiles.
*Big Explosive (TNT): destroys a 9 x 9 cluster of tiles, cells/chains.
*Zeppelin: destroys a massive 12 x 12 range of tiles.
If you like more of the same but with a different tile, this game will suit you fine, but if you have purchased any of the Match 3 games by this developer in the past, you already own this one! Join me at my new forum thewoodsforum.boards.net to talk about all the games and much more :)
I don't recommend this game.