alsteele28's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.2
- Helpful Votes:1,950
- Reviews Submitted:209
- First Review:August 5, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 22, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Your investigative report on the Weeping Woman of San Cristobal turns personal after you witness a kidnapping. Is the legend true?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Parade of the Dead Mexican style
PostedAugust 6, 2014
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game has a heavy Mexican 'parade of the dead' feel to it. If you are not 'offended' by this type of thing then this is a good game, with a strong storyline.
As is standard with there was a VO which was the standard affair in that there was not much synching but in this instance it didn't really matter as the storyline was strong.
The graphics were very much in keeping with the theme and seemed to evoke a bygone era (though couldn't quite place when the era was, possibly the 1930's but I could be way out with that one.
The mini-games, were varied and strong and some nice twists on old and a smattering of new (for me anyway).
There were collectables and the usual 'morph' finds to be had, I am not usually bothered about these as I usually find all but one and can't be bothered to go back all through the game to find one object, that may get me an extra wallpaper, or part of a bonus chapter.
The theme is probably best for older players. perhaps 14 upwards (IMHO) as the festival is for the 'dead' and the themes of skulls etc probably is unsuitable for younger players. With the storyline being so realistic as well and not 'fantasy death' like some of the games on BF then this is also another reason why I would suggest the above age range.
I highly recommend this game, especially if you can get it on offer, I would normally recommend the SE as I don't normally as I say care for the extras, but as this is on offer today, thus bringing the price right down, I would 'stretch' to buy it straight away.
The free trial was once again 90 minutes, usually I can complete the trial version in this time, but in this case I couldn't thus I think this must be a longish game and probably well worth the money.
If the themes of the game do not upset you and you lik a strong 'fairly realistic' storyline then I would highly recommend purchasing, certainly trialing the game, as this is one of the better games of recent times.
Highly recommended due to storyline, visuals and quality of mini games and HO scenes.
I recommend this game!
Help Hercules tame the great Cretan Bull! Meet heroes, gods, fight beasts and build Wonders!
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 16 found this review helpful
No Story line and in-game advertising!
PostedJuly 23, 2014
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This is a 'run of the mill' clear the obstacles on the road type of game.
I can't really rate the game very highly as to me it feels very budgety and 'thrown' together, in the fact that there is no story-back drop, I know the stories to these games are cheesy and are usually largely ignored, but it did kinda give a 'purpose' to the game, with this game it just felt that it was a case of unconnected levels, with no rhyme nor reason for being.
The graphics and sound were ok, as were the fact that you could line up actions, even to the point where if you had not got enough resources then once you had the correct resources it would then do that particular action automatically, so there were hints of good touches there but still not enough to make me purchase the game, even on a 2for1 deal.
The thing that REALLY irrated me though was the almost 'crassness' of the advertising banner at the left-hand sign advertising to purchase the first game. I am unaware whether this would have been on if I had purchased the game a la tablet advertising, so again this just brought it downmarket in my eyes. People I would have thought are intelligent enough to decide for themselves whether they want to purchase the first game in the series, without it being a constant reminder in a game.
No I can't recommend this game, based unfortunatly on that last paragraph alone, yest the game did have a few redeeming qualities but nothing could over-come that.
I don't recommend this game.
The expedition continues... Track down the fragments of King Solomon's crown and foil a madman's plot in this exciting follow-up to the bestselling series!
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 31 found this review helpful
My expedition has just begun
PostedJuly 6, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I have not played any of the Hidden Expedition games before, but I know that they are on sale in Retail Box version at my local game store. Having now played this game I can see why they are worthy of going ‘retail’.
The company that makes these games are a long established software company with good heritage in this and several other franchises; this should therefore give you confidence if you also have not tried this franchise before.
The game itself is a very slick production, with a very good story-line and logical puzzles, the HO scenes were also absorbing with ‘multi-layers’ in the form of finding ‘collections’, single items and combining items, so this in itself made these scenes absorbing.
There was the usual, find the ‘extra objects’ as is common with CE editions, I don’t usually bother with these thus I usually get the SE now, as I tend not to be able to find them all and can’t be bothered to play again to try and find them all, saying that though as this is on offer at the moment I will purchase the CE anyway, given that the current pricing offer makes it very reasonable to do so.
The storyline was very strong and one of the better ones I have played in recent times would say they were on par with the Mystery trackers games.
The only two slight niggles I have with the game is again the 90 minute free-time, was completed in 60 minutes, so not sure how long the actual game would last, though saying that with the current offer on, that is not going to matter as this is a definite keeper for me, the only other slight niggle I have with the game is that the 3 levels of difficulty are a bit biased towards the easy. I usually try to start out at the ‘hard/expert’ level, but then have to drop back, so I thought with this game I would try on the ‘normal’ level, the only problem with that was that there was ‘sparkles’ all the time, indeed I don’t know how much easier the ‘easy’ level would have been as I didn't try it. I then switched to the ‘hard’ level and I am glad I did as on this level it gave me a richer game and I felt like I was a ‘real’ agent
I would highly recommend this game and I am certainly going to be looking at the back catalogue of this particular franchise with a view to purchasing more.
I recommend this game!
As the daughter of a legendary chronicle keeper, powerful foes are working against you!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Ethereal game, gives me the slight creeps
PostedJuly 6, 2014
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Family, Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Time Management, Puzzle
Storyline
3
/
5
On offer this is a good game and for the CE features in a SE game it is a purchase worthy of serious consideration.
All the elements are there to make this a good game, and from these programmers who are new to me, but all the hallmarks are there to make it a good game, the dialogue, the strong story-line, the speech, the puzzles, the music, all the hallmarks were there to make this an excellent game, yet for some reason of the 90 minute freebie I could only play 15 minutes and I had to quit out of it. I don’t know whether it was the subject matter that erred me slightly or the fact that the graphics for a 2014 game were not quite on par and were slightly ‘soft’ as it were, even though I have a good monitor and for casual gaming a good spec machine. The puzzles were different but slightly confusing, in that in one of the early ones I had to skip, as it just seemed impossible to complete even though I could see ‘how’ to complete it for some reason the mouse clicks were not responsive enough to allow me to complete, whether this was a fault of my mouse or not I am not too sure.
A nice touch was that if you pressed the right mouse button, the medallion automatically came up so you could search all scenes and there was an indicator on the right-hand side detailing how many elements were needed to be found on that particular scene.
If you were on the easy/normal skill level the medallion shone to denote that there were ‘secret’ items to find on that scene, this was useful, but as the items were different all the time you never knew exactly quite what you were looking for, this could therefore add some confusion to the game.
For me the game was slightly too ‘ethereal’ if you will for me to regard it as a keeper, even with the offers on currently and the fact I have Bonus punches and free credit, I still can’t really justify it, as I find the whole game rather too ‘disturbing’ but in an ethereal way. I am not explaining myself well I know but there was ‘something’ that I couldn’t quite put my finger on that stopped me from purchasing.
Other reviewers have perhaps been fairer and as I say it is just one of those games that is not for me. I also again have a slight reservation that given this is a SE and there is a 90 minute free time limit, how much gameplay there would be left once the 90 minutes is up.
From a personal point of view I can’t recommend this game, however there is no overall riding factor that is negative of the game, though the mini-games range from ludicrously easy to fiendishly difficult resulting in having to skip, then again there is no middle ground, though the HO are nice combination of using the medallion, ‘normal’ find the objects and combo of objects.
I would recommend ‘test-driving’ and not purchasing ‘blind’.
I don't recommend this game.
Help Lisa tackle the unique challenges of running a rooftop farm!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Is being left-handed a disability?
PostedJune 30, 2014
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Family, Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is typical of the genre but adds elements to it that I personally have not found in others in this genre.
Having not played the first in the series, I cannot really compare this to that, but having played other TM sequels I am presuming and from reading the blurb with regards to the first in the series, then it is a typical ‘follow-on’. This is not a bad thing though, as not playing the first in the series I was playing this game with ‘fresh eyes’, from the blurb of the first game it seems that the cameras are back but that this is the first time for this series on a roof-top. Whilst other farm games have taken place on a roof-top, so this in itself is not unique, the overall feel of the game is different to others I have played.
The tutorial is surprising intuitive and does a good job explaining all the different elements of the game and also offers some strategy tips, in order for you to better plan your farm, take note of these as in later levels, you will need all the help you can. As with all games of this type the first few levels are ‘training’ levels, and can be completed with fair ease even if you are new or fairly new to the genre. For me the game-play really ‘kicked off’ around level 6 or 7 in that this was there was more than one plant to harvest and there was other things such as watering and feeding a cow, this meant that there were different elements to be completed within the given time limit, as is the norm with this type of game-play the quicker you finish the level the more money and more upgrades you can procure.
In addition to the flowers, plants, cows (milk), as you work through the game you need to also produce popcorn and milkshakes among other items, this adds to the ‘pressure’ as not only have you got the time-factor but also remember you need the money to purchase extra cows, or corn etc. As the game goes on and the levels get more complex you have to really plan what you need to buy and how you prepare your land, in order that you can complete the levels.
I would give a note of caution though, if you are left-handed and have the mouse buttons ‘swapped’ then this game will not recognise the settings, thus you are either going to have to move the mouse back over to the right or continually mentally remember to use the alternative button. I would not normally purchase games that didn't allow for this ‘disability’ but as I found this game to be quirky enough and different enough for me then I have purchased it.
I recommend this game!
Farm to Fork
Help the farmers keep their lands and make the valley prosperous once again!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
This little piggy went to market!
PostedJune 30, 2014
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is a really good game, blending two sub-genres together. The first element of the game is to produce the correct products in order to sell these products to make enough money in order to complete the level. In order to complete this you need to first grow the grain, rear the pigs etc in order to make the bread, burgers, or whatever the level requests, to sell in order to make said money.
Later in the game, you have customers to serve, if you make the right orders then you can earn money by giving the customers exactly what they want, there is a twist however in that in these levels it is not necessarily about garnering money, you may also have to produce a set amount of burgers, or bread etc in order to complete the level, this is where the strategy kicks into play in that you have to consider how much money you need to make in order to be able to upgrade your equipment in the level, in order to then complete the level. It is therefore down to you exactly how you go about completing the level and whether you fulfil the orders in order to purchase more stock, or try to fulfil the overall level orders, I found that for the later levels a combination of both was needed.
The way the game ‘scores’ you is by giving you stars and the quicker you finish the round the more stars you get, the stars are needed as sometimes you are unable to continue with the next level if you can’t purchase a particular upgrade, this meant that you need to go back to an earlier level in order to garner more stars so that you can purchase the required upgrade, be that a ingredient or kitchen item such as more fridge capacity.
A tip I would give here is once you are comfortable with the game and have got the ‘hang of it’ is to go back to around level 6 onwards as earlier levels, you would have possibly completed with three stars anyway and level 6 onwards I found that I completed with 2 and not three thus once I was comfortable with the game-play, I was then able to go back and get the three stars, also if you went back again after gaining three stars and completed the level with a faster time, you were again rewarded, thus there is incentive to go back through the levels.
The graphics, sound are good for this game, whilst there is no real speech then this game does not really require or need it.
I would defiantly recommend this game, as an alternative to the regular farm or food based games as it melds the two together.
The Elven kingdom is in great danger! Can you find the remaining holy shrines to save the kingdom from the Evil Necromancer?
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
A tiny review!
PostedJune 30, 2014
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is the usual ‘clear the road’ TM game, but it does have its quirks. As well as the normal ‘clear the road’ objects, there is also a ‘magical’ element to the game. Other TM’s have done this and this is done in my opinion, very successfully, the spells are for the usual power-ups in this genre such as ‘re-growing’ the trees, or working faster etc, but with having to purchase the ‘magic’ first then this brings an additional strategic element to the overall game-play. I enjoyed this side of the game-play as it whilst the basic premise of ‘clear the road’ was the same this as I say added.
The graphics, sound and workers ‘comments’ were of the same ilk as other TM games, but this is not to say a negative but just on par with others of the ilk.
I enjoyed this game and would certainly recommend to others who enjoy this style of game-play, but want something a bit different, not only with the magic element, but the actual level challenges are slightly different as well, thus adding further ‘fun’ into the pot. From early on in the game, you have to think very strategically in order to be able to complete the levels, this is both frustrating and fun in equal measures.
I would defiantly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
Embark on an exciting expedition to crack the intriguing puzzles of the past, while developing new lands for the kingdom!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 10 found this review helpful
Familiarity breeds.....
PostedJune 30, 2014
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As usual with additional sequels in TM franchises there is a huge familiarity within the game-play. The tasks are familiar, the speech is familiar, the maps are familiar, everything is well familiar.
I am not sure though on this one whether familiarity is breeding contempt or whether it is like a comfort blanket, I think that there is just enough for it to be given as a sequel and that yes the program makers have done just (emphasise on that word), to be able to warrant a sequel, as the challenges are quirkier than before and the overall game-play does in my opinion seem to trundle along a little quicker.
Even though you get the 'extras' in the CE addition, I think after playing the levels in the SE then would you really want to play any more? I know that it kind of ties up the loose ends as it were, but having only once bought a CE TM game, I didn't think it was worth the extra money, having trialed both versions, I think in this instance the SE is probably the better version, especially if you can get in via a code, money off etc. I mean you can always find helpful tips on the forum of the game, should you wish to do so.
I can recommend the SE version but not the CE and I sincerely hope that this would be the last sequel for this franchise unless the program makers perform a serious overhaul for the next instalment.
I recommend this game!
Build the sweet shop of your dreams and keep the local patrons coming back for more!
Overall rating
1
/
5
This sweet has turned sour!
PostedJune 30, 2014
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Family, Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
From the same makers as the Coffee Rush series and following the same format, this time the game is a sweet shop.
If you are not familiar with t he Coffee Rush franchise then it is a combination of match 3 game along with serving customers their orders, you do this through matching the correct symbols on the match 3 board, there is an added extra in that during the course of the game you visit different shops and each of the shops has their own unique customers.
From other reviews it seems to me that people have commented on the fact that the graphics were basic and response was slow, I would agree with these comments and for a match 3 game which is also timed then responsiveness is imperative in order to be able to serve the customers and complete the level with ‘top marks’. The other problem with this game is that the music and sound leaves a lot to be desired, so unusually for me I turned the sound down, as I found it grating after a while.
If you are wanting this game then I would pass on this as it doesn’t do anything to enhance the overall franchise of the ‘rush’ series and in my opinion the program makers need to move forward around 20 years in terms of graphics, sound and overall mouse responsiveness.
Another note to add is that if you are left-handed and you use the buttons and mouse left-handed then you are going to have to ‘convert your thinking’ as this program does not respond to the fact that you are left-handed, there is not even an option in the menu, I normally stay away from these kinds of games if they can’t cope with my ‘disability’, as when it is a time-sensitive game and you constantly have to think about your mouse movements, then unfortunately this for me was the final nail in the coffin for me and this game.
I can’t recommend this game to anyone other than maybe someone with an older computer or a child who is not too bothered about the graphics, but even then it would have to be through an offer of a free punch stamp that you are ‘desperate’ to use.
I don't recommend this game.
Dreampath: The Two Kingdoms Collector's Edition
Your sister, the Queen, has fallen deathly ill. Now you must travel to a faraway kingdom to find the cure.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 10 found this review helpful
This game is not a CATastrophe!
PostedJune 29, 2014
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The start of this was akin to a Biblical dramatization of the Adam and Eve story only this time instead of eating the apple, the ‘hero’ took the crown. Thus how taking something that doesn’t belong to you only brings about sadness and upset. This opening scene set the tone for the story, in that it was one about good versus evil, it was a good strong story and well-orchestrated. The voice-overs were strong and they were also good music and dramatic ‘sound bytes’ in pertinent areas of the game. As is usual in these types of games there is a ‘companion’ and this was a cat, I felt they had missed a trick here in that I thought they were going to bring in a bit of ‘comedy’ in with the regards to this creature, as at the start it looked like they he was doing a ‘warm-up’ routine and I thought that the programmers were going to going inject some humour in to the character, unfortunately this was not to be, I understand that the programmers have to be sensitive to the fact that these games go world-wide and humour is subjective, in the fact that British humour, is based around sarcasm and idioms that are not particularly true such as ‘isn’t the weather glorious’, when in actual fact it is raining cats and dogs (raining heavily), this humour may not be understood by other races, even English speaking races, thus the program makers would have to be sensitive to this, I just wish sometimes though that the programmers would occasionally break the mould and break this barriers, other games have tried and though there has been elements by other programmers on this website but, not in my opinion fully succeeded.
Apart from the above the game was good, from the demo that I played was good, again the programmer is ‘giving away’ 90 minutes instead of the usual 60, this allowed for the first chapter to be completed, this though was on the easiest level and following the game ‘through the map’ as it were, by that I mean I used to the map to tell me where the next, objective, puzzle etc was completed that room and moved on to the next, this to me is a litmus test as to whether I am going to purchase the game or not, if I do this then it usually means that there my attention is not grasped enough for me to venture my own path. I feel that this game will fall into that category, as even though there was some different puzzles and the story-telling cat, was good and the story-line was good, there was just something holding me back from completely falling ‘in love’ with the game.
From my point of view I can’t therefore recommend this game, but I can’t categorically say (I will stop with the cat’s now) why I would not want to purrchase the game (sorry).
I don't recommend this game.