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:
Strange Cases: The Tarot Card Mystery
FBI Agent Claire Ellery must follow the tarot cards left by an anonymous source to solve this sinister and bizarre case.
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
OK for Children and newbies to the genre.
PostedNovember 15, 2013
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
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game is ok if you are new to the HO genre or want what is predominantly a HO game with occasional basic puzzles thrown in. The game whilst does have a story back-drop, it is not overly integrated into the game-play. Also the puzzles are stand-alone and are not integrated as in some more modern HOPA games, this then to me gives a kind of stilted overall gameplay and whilst is good for what it is, if you are used to more interactivity and adventure to your game-play then this may not be for you
I recommend this game!
Investigate a mysterious, medieval monastery and reveal the terrifying truth!
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Angels may cry but I weep as this game was not for me!
PostedNovember 8, 2013
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
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
I can't really put my finger on why I can't get into this game but for some reason I can't. I downloaded the game but could only play around half of the free demo and then just got bored with it. For me there didn't seem to be any flow within the game and I couldn't follow what I was suppose to be doing from one scene to the next. I just couldn't really get the storyline, and I knew the final death knell was when I was pressing hint time after time and not really following the game.
The VO was good, the graphics were good, and from other reviews I should have liked it more than I actually have done. I don't think it was the fact that there were no HO but possibly perhaps because there were no mini-games (certainly not in the short space of time I played), so perhaps after being 'conditioned' for a year with BFG and mini-games and HO scenes, I have 'lost' my old fashioned pure adventure game-playing abilities.
I would try it as others have really liked it, and normally I like these type of games, so perhaps for me it is just this game, that I can't seem to get to grips with.
I would not suggest buying this 'blind' as it were and would defiantly try before you purchase.
You were just about to relax with a good book when a stranger leaves a baby on your doorstep.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Modern gadgets meet fantasy fantastical gameplay!
PostedNovember 7, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Well what can be said that has not already been said? Short answer nothing. The game is astoundingly beautiful. The game developers are not ones that I had previously heard of, but I have now already downloaded others, that are by these developers with a view to purchase, when of course funds allow. The game mixes fantasy with the modern age, in the fact that whilst the games is set in a purely fantasy world the modern day gadgets such as the 'smartphone' are used to very good effect.
The different voices for the different characters are also good and the sync between the words and the mouth movement are some of the most accurate I have seen. The voices for the characters are also believable and add a touch of credence to the overall game.
The different voices for the different characters are also good and the sync between the words and the mouth movement are some of the most accurate I have seen. The voices for the characters are also believable and add a touch of credence to the overall game.
This is very much a HOPA game but the variety of different types of HO scenes there were on top of the usual 'junkpiles' was absolutely astounding, and this review is just based on the demo, so goodness knows what the whole game would have been like.
The soundtrack and soundbytes are good and in the Children's library I had to turn it down as I found that soundbyte a bit to atmospheric for me and I found the track of the children that weren't actually there rather to haunting for my taste, this though of course all added to the atmosphere.
I can't recommend the game highly enough, as in the CE there is 3 hidden chapters as well as the bonus to play through. I am hopping that there will be a sale sometime soon as I really want the game, but funds can't justify the payment at the moment.
I wonder to wait until the SE comes out, but when this does come out will the voices, that oh so make the game, be lost meaning that it is all down to the players imagination. I hope this is not the case as in this game the voices need to be heard.
I wholeheartedly recommend this game and can not recommend it high enough. If like me you can't justify, then just download so that at least you have a good flavour, until you either decide on this or on SE when that eventually comes out.
I recommend this game!
As Sara tries to find a miracle cure for her ailing brother, she unravels the dark events of her own past.
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 9 found this review helpful
If your mouse is set for a left hand user then beware!
PostedNovember 6, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This as others have said is different to the other type of HO games, it is a kind of a I am not able to recommend this game especially if you have your mouse settings set for a left-handed user as I have, i.e the buttons are the oppistie way round. Normally in most games the 'user settings' are honoured thus I can play the games comfortably, with the game developers in this case, over-riding any user change setting and put it to a 'default' this then for me made the game, more complex then it needed to have been, owing to the fact I had to constantly remember right is left and left is right.
Given this massive stumbling block, I couldn't really therefore get into the game. It seemed to have some good points and the VO and storyline seemed ok and the there was speech, but I kept getting hindered.
The mini-games were good and had some unique games even in the short space of time I was playing, though I did finish the hour demo I didn't get that far in the game owing to my 'mouse frustrations'.
Overall then and I know this has not been a very game-centred review, but I can't recommend the game, owing to the settings of the mouse.
I don't recommend this game.
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 20 found this review helpful
This sleeper is not a keeper
PostedOctober 25, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
This game at first glance possibly looks like a childs game, but looks in this case are very deceiving, while the graphics are chunky and well laid out, the game is not as easy as first perhaps thought. There is tutorials for the first 20 or so levels which will show you different aspects of the game, the problem is even on these levels they are not always that easy.
The problems lay in that you had to be 'pitch perfect' in mouse/finger control, otherwise you would experience a train crash, you had to make sure all points were at the right place otherwise another crash would be caused, thus these problems may occur simultaneously and to also compound that you have several trains to keep an eye on, it got too busy too quickly for me.
I would recommend the game maybe as a free download for an hour, though even then I only played around 40 minutes, but I can't really recommend it for purchase.
I don't recommend this game.
Detective, it is your job to destroy the evil machine that is tearing the city apart and arrest the crazed professor responsible for the destruction!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 4 found this review helpful
FMV is sooooooooooooo 90's!
PostedOctober 24, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is a strange one to review as it is a whilst the story line is good and there are some new and innovative mini-games, there are several major bad points to the game.
The first one is the use of FMV (full motion Video), now I don't think in modern games this 90's phenomenon should be used, but to compact it even more it is very bad overacting. Also they can repeat even if you have already been through that bit of the game,right at the start of the game there are the children in the building, this repeats if you go back to that scene, even if you are a lot further on in the game. Another thing is that again if you back-track you can pick up items you have already picked-up. The game is also let down by the fact that in the HO and other times when you have to interact objects you have got to be very precise otherwise it does not happen, there is no leeway at all, this can be a bit frustrating if you don't realise this at the start as you start to think that you are doing something wrong. To me games should always give some leeway so that you don't get frustrated with the overall game.
I like a challenge so I thought I would try the hardest level, but on several occasions I had to drop down, as it was starting to not only get slightly illogical, but because of the 'preciness' that you had to be with regards to the above then it got sligtly frustrating. Another thing in the hardest mode they don't give you advice on how to complete the mini-games (one of 'rules' of the hard mode), but sometimes this made confusion again as you weren't quite sure what you had to do, so I dropped down just to get instructions.
Though there is a lot of negatives, there were some positives, considering this was just a SE game it did have VO and collectables, and the graphics, apart from the FMV were in keeping with the storyline and the music was good.
Overall because of the negatives I can't really recommend the game, I bought the game 'blind' as it were because it was on a special offer, and others had given good reviews, I don't regret buying it but I am glad I didn't pay for it.
I don't recommend this game.
Become a Hunter of darkness to cope with possessed owner of theater and revived shadows. Help other people by correcting their wrong fulfilled wishes!
Overall rating
3
/
5
As you wish - but don't mention the ;Scottish play'
PostedOctober 21, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This to some people, as to prior reviewers, is a good game and they have stated as much, for me however the game didn't engage or 'grab me'. The story is good and the graphics are fitting with the 'feeling' of the story, and whilst are not the best I have seen on a BF game they do as I say work with the overall storyline.
I think the reason why I was not engaged was the fact that it just seemed a little to abstract and certainly if you went on the 'expert' setting, as I did at the beginning (but then changed), then you are left like Moses, just a wandering.
Once I changed the setting down, to advanced it was OK but because to me it didn't feel to have any 'flow' then I found that I was using the 'hint' button a lot, which to me is not the way to play the game.
The mini-games do not give any clues as to what you are meant to do so if this is your first foray into this genre then you are stuck, I admit I only played the game for around an hour, so they were not many mini-games but the ones I did have I was 'on my own'. The other thing that annoyed was that the HO games had a item that was a 'joined up item' (i.e two parts to it), but whilst it showed the actual item it didn't show where that item needed to go, which again was frustrating as it just meant that I was again 'lost' and didn't know how to proceed, I eventually found what I was looking for but I thought at that point that I would quit, as it was not quite engaging enough for me.
I can see how others have liked it and the angles their reviews have come from but for me it is not really one that I will play to the end (fortunately I got the game on offer), I tried but didn't like, Que se ra ra.
I don't recommend this game.
When Houdini’s promises of contact from beyond go unkept, his wife comes to you in a final plea to unravel his mysterious passing.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Let the chains break free!
PostedOctober 20, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have played others in this series and this one follows others in the series (ghosts, and story based on real authors and characters which the authors wrote about). This one for me though was slightly let down, as whilst the story was strong and the characters 'Houdini' and 'Doyle', and their respective families were accurate and the story did flow, at times it felt to me that there was too much dialogue and it got a bit confusing at times. Another slight negative was that the game seemed slightly far-fetched, as one the scenes early on was you were at the WWI Battle of the Somme and two doors later you were in a whole other continent (Canada), not exactly realistic.
The puzzles I found to be relatively easy, and I didn't need to skip any, though I have not completed the full game.
There a VO at the beginning and even though this was a 'premium' edition apart from collecting 'clover' leaves, and a strategy guide there was no VO as are normal for the 'CE' editions on BF, though saying that this was a 'one credit' game, so you did get value of money for the extras you did receive.
If you have liked others in the series then this is certainly worth a look at, but owing to the slightly confusing storyline, cause IMHO by lots of text, then I would definitely 'try before you buy'.
I recommend this game!
Zoom Book - The Temple of the Sun
Ancient Mayan adventure full of rich artwork, mind-boggling puzzles and a spellbinding, mystery-driven storyline full of suspense!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
when 2 becomes 4 and 4 becomes 8 ad infinitum!
PostedOctober 20, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is a strange one as it is a slightly different from other puzzle games. It can best be described as a cross between a jigsaw and a tile puzzle game. The basis of the game (though as usual the story line in anything other than HOPA games are not particular strong, this one however surprised in that there was a storyline there and a fairly strong one (for this game genre). It was about some missing artifacts that had gone missing and two professors, a man and women, with obvious repressed love interests, tackle how to get the artifacts back.
The narrator has a rather deadpan tone, which actually works for the game (don't know whether this was intentional or not), and he guides through the voiceover of the game.
Each scenario is picture of the scene chopped into squares and swapped, the idea in essence is to rebuild the picture.
The game is easy to start with (no matter which level you choose), but it starts to get harder, with more squares and different modes, such as time and puzzle.
The music is nothing special but helps chug the game along.
Overall this is a fairly unique game which does have a few things going for it, and if you are wanting to try a different innovative game then it maybe worth giving it a shot. I certainly would not have paid for it, but if you can get it on a deal or with a BFC then it maybe worth a punt.
I recommend this game!
Royal Envoy: Campaign for the Crown Collector's Edition
King or Swindler? Who will be the new ruler of the Kingdom?
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Vote for the righteous!
PostedSeptember 23, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Family, Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As usual in situations like these (sequels) this game is exactly the same as others in the series, except that the 'backstory' is actually half-way decent, when usually in these type of games there is none or one so obscure it most people just gloss over it.
The mechanics of the game are akin to all the others in the series and the sound bites and music are similar if not identical to others in the series.
If you are new to the series then I would recommend this as you are getting the best bits from others in the series along with a decent(ish) storyline, thus you have nothing to compare it to. If however you have had others in the series then I would seriously recommend the download before buying it 'blind' as other than the storyline there is not really much else going for it.
If you had spare credits then it might be worth a punt (especially if you get it in a sale), but other than that I can't really recommend it.
I don't recommend this game.