Kay_Erin's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:1,627
- Reviews Submitted:237
- First Review:January 15, 2014
- Most Recent Review:December 25, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you escape a utopian toy world before it’s too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
A Final Disappointment
PostedApril 13, 2020
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is the best story in this series so far, BUT the engine still has mega problems. This developer has never been able to get a game that I can play in full mode. Unless I reduce the screen size all I get is flickering and static across the screen. There were a couple of other devs I had this problem with, but they have fixed the problem and now I can play their games without problems.
The story line was great until the sequel. Then I was very confused as the "villain" came back for a short appearance, even though he was supposedly reformed in the main game. Maybe I missed something, but I didn't feel the game tied up all the loose ends.
The story line was great until the sequel. Then I was very confused as the "villain" came back for a short appearance, even though he was supposedly reformed in the main game. Maybe I missed something, but I didn't feel the game tied up all the loose ends.
Another problem is that when I tried to download the music in the "Extras" (which I've never done before, but thought I would try) I couldn't find those files anywhere on my computer, much less the Documents Folder they said they sent it too.
I was a big fan of this dev in the beginning, but their quality control has finally worn me down. For the past few games, I have only been buying from this dev when I could get the game half price, but now I'm even done with that. As fun as all the extra things are to find, I don't feel I can support a company that has this low of a standard, so I won't be buying anymore games from them.
If your computer doesn't have problems and you can download the freebies, more power to you. I'm done.
If your computer doesn't have problems and you can download the freebies, more power to you. I'm done.
I don't recommend this game.
Embark on an epic match-3 journey with your old friends from Rivermoor. Travel across the kingdom of Silverdale as you track down a bandit thief!
Overall rating
1
/
5
18 of 21 found this review helpful
Not an improvement
PostedMarch 30, 2020
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game is fascinating, but what ruins it is that there are multiple issues with finding and completing quests, not including squares that won't empty when you match 3 them.
The story lines are wonderful and the game is very long, but the frustration level of not being able to complete quests because of the errors in programming are a real bummer.
Stick with the original - its good and doesn't to my knowledge have the level of errors in its programming.
The story lines are wonderful and the game is very long, but the frustration level of not being able to complete quests because of the errors in programming are a real bummer.
Stick with the original - its good and doesn't to my knowledge have the level of errors in its programming.
I don't recommend this game.
Remove an evil curse that has caused a whole kingdom to be trapped in their dreams! Save a beautiful princess before it’s too late!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
A Reason to go back and play old games!
PostedMarch 6, 2020
Kay_Erin
fromAnother in my reviews of older games. This is a winner!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I hadn't played this game since I purchased it in 2014, but I really like it. It holds up well.
There aren't as many options as on newer games, and the wait time for hints is a bit longer, but not unreasonable.
I especially liked all the interesting HOS, and the well done and creative art.
This is definitely a buy for newbies who need to appreciate the best of the old games:)
There aren't as many options as on newer games, and the wait time for hints is a bit longer, but not unreasonable.
I especially liked all the interesting HOS, and the well done and creative art.
This is definitely a buy for newbies who need to appreciate the best of the old games:)
I recommend this game!
A dragon has awoken after a hundred years - and it's after your son.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
An excellent challenging HOA (Hidden Object Adventure)
PostedFebruary 24, 2020
Kay_Erin
fromOccasional little Easteregg references to LOTR and a certain Wizard Academy!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Here is a real lost gem! A wonderfully written adventure story featuring Elves, Dragons, picturesque Taverns and buttered Ale; (Butterbeer anyone?) I had mostly forgotten this game and it was a treat to figure it out. Although it is a fairly old game (2014) it earns points from me for being
an excellent adventure game.
an excellent adventure game.
HOWEVER, there are definitely other problems pointed out by other reviews: Quite often you have to put an object on exactly the right spot/pixel before it will work, leading to trying
over and over. (can you say frustrating?!)
over and over. (can you say frustrating?!)
Also, when it says to do something and you don’t have all the parts (i.e. the coins) you need to go back in the strategy guide and make sure you found all the available coins.
As well, the hint/map system was often very misleading and was not at all intuitive. Once I realized that failure in the game, I went back to searching everywhere for my objects, and generally found them. Also, don't forget to talk (and remember) to folks you meet. They often have invaluable clues.
Most of the puzzles were beyond me, being way to complicated, but if you are a puzzle enthusiast, this would not be a problem :)
All that being said, I had a great time playing this game. I just wish they had gone on to make the sequel, where the mother gets her dragon – it would have been awesome!
All that being said, I had a great time playing this game. I just wish they had gone on to make the sequel, where the mother gets her dragon – it would have been awesome!
I recommend this game!
A vacation to India becomes a legendary adventure in the animal kingdom!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 21 found this review helpful
Shades of Rudyard Kipling!
PostedJanuary 10, 2020
Kay_Erin
fromThe Original "Jungle Book" stories are thought to be tales told to Kipling's daughters, and published first as magazine stories around 1895.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a retelling (in style if not in substance) of the "Jungle Tales" of Rudyard Kipling. I recognized immediately my old friend and protector Bagheera, (the panther) wise and dangerous Kaa (the snake) treacherous and madly vengeful Shere Khan, as well as the sneaking thief and telltale Tabaqui (a jackal in the book, often portrayed, as in this game, as a Hyena; Kipling himself used the jackal as it is more doglike).
If you have never read the original Jungle books, there are two (2); do yourself a favor. They are wonderful and far better than any Disney or other film can possibly portray, and very accessible, as they were written for children. "The Law of the Jungle" (only briefly alluded to in the game) codifies real life truths that would appeal to today's much more aware and savvy youngsters. The world is a beautiful but harsh place, and the Jungle law is a wonderful summation of some of these truths.
Others have rightly praised the beautiful artwork in both the games and the Match 3 alternative to the HOS, and I concur.
However, I do have one caveat - it was jarring to see a white British orphan portrayed as the princess. They could have used Kipling's character Shanti with much more authenticity. The only reason I can remotely fathom using a young white girl, is as a tribute to Kipling, who was born in Mumbai (Bombay) in 1865 as the son of British colonials. (Of course Mowgli, the hero in JB was an orphan, of sorts, but he was native Indian baby, who wandered away from his parents.) But it still irritates and jars in this otherwise very fine story.
There are other inconsistencies - Lemurs are not found in India, for example. But that in no way detracts from the game.
However, I do have one caveat - it was jarring to see a white British orphan portrayed as the princess. They could have used Kipling's character Shanti with much more authenticity. The only reason I can remotely fathom using a young white girl, is as a tribute to Kipling, who was born in Mumbai (Bombay) in 1865 as the son of British colonials. (Of course Mowgli, the hero in JB was an orphan, of sorts, but he was native Indian baby, who wandered away from his parents.) But it still irritates and jars in this otherwise very fine story.
There are other inconsistencies - Lemurs are not found in India, for example. But that in no way detracts from the game.
I highly recommend this game, as well as urging all who haven't to read the original stories.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your hometown from the entity that killed your family?
Overall rating
3
/
5
16 of 18 found this review helpful
I'm outta here
PostedJanuary 1, 2020
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This used to be a really fun series, but no more. This latest offering was far to techy and sci-fi for me. It wasn't fun. And I really dislike playing as the "dark" team, as in the sequel.
Even the HOS were sort of techy, although I did have fun catching the slugs and feeding them to the iguana!
If you are into a LOT of tech stuff and figuring out putting machines together, then have a go.
But as for me, nah. I'm done.
But as for me, nah. I'm done.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you disrupt a dangerous plot against the crown?
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Game with good history background.
PostedJanuary 1, 2020
Kay_Erin
fromWell, back to regular games after the holiday season, and I'm so ready!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You play a Queens special agent, with a female assistant whose basically there to get you through stuff. Your informants tell you that someone has planned to murder the queen – the King has already been murdered. I turned off the sound when the maid, accused (falsely) of treason, bursts into sobs in the prison :puh-lease!!
An adventure/mystery with as far as I can see, an historically correct atmosphere and story. For HOS fans, it has lots of those. The puzzles were challenging, some too much so, and I had to use the skip button more than I like. The bonus game has got to have the record for the shortest in history and not much of a story line and the end was simplistic, as if the writers got tired of the story and just ended it.
What really cut down on the fun was the lack of humor and the lack of filling out the main characters - sort of "hack-y" personas.
I originally got the SE, but went back and got the CE, just for the added zip of finding the morphs and collectibles - it helped break up the game a bit more.
An adventure/mystery with as far as I can see, an historically correct atmosphere and story. For HOS fans, it has lots of those. The puzzles were challenging, some too much so, and I had to use the skip button more than I like. The bonus game has got to have the record for the shortest in history and not much of a story line and the end was simplistic, as if the writers got tired of the story and just ended it.
What really cut down on the fun was the lack of humor and the lack of filling out the main characters - sort of "hack-y" personas.
I originally got the SE, but went back and got the CE, just for the added zip of finding the morphs and collectibles - it helped break up the game a bit more.
I recommend this game!
Can you rescue your daughter and save both realms in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 17 found this review helpful
Another Very Enjoyable Elephant Game!
PostedNovember 25, 2019
Kay_Erin
fromTake advantage of the re playable aspect of the BF games; Its fun to go back and enjoy them again:)
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love these Royal Detective games for what they are: enjoyable, low stress visits to a fantasy world.
I appreciate the art and the varied story line.
I appreciate the art and the varied story line.
For those who don't care for this type of game, i.e., easier puzzles, fantasy/escape, pretty colours, then I suggest you move on to ones that are more challenging. There are plenty of those. But these beautiful games are becoming more rare, and I hope they don't become extinct!
For those of us who are big Elephant Games fans, this is another to add to our collections:) And I did like that the collectibles were harder to find this time round. I missed one of the figurines, but found all the puzzle pieces, although you have to keep alert! I will try to find them all when I replay the game later on.
I recommend this game!
Professor Ashmore, the same man who so kindly took you in and raised you as his own has been murdered. It’s up to you to find out why, but are you prepared for what truths may be uncovered?
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Another oldie but goodie from my archives...
PostedNovember 18, 2019
Kay_Erin
fromTake advantage of the re playable aspect of the BF games; Its fun to go back and enjoy them again:)
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I just finished replaying this early game with one of the first "bonus" games (they didn't call them CE's back then:)
Considering it is over five years old it stands up pretty well.
Considering it is over five years old it stands up pretty well.
Good stuff:
It has an interactive map to get around with.
Excellent story line, an adventure/mystery
Collectibles in each scene of the main game.
Very well done artwork puzzles and HOS.
CONS:
I really didn't have any cons; for it's time it was far ahead of some others, and some things that are standard now weren't even thought of then.
NB:
The collectibles are sequential (you collect 7 leaves (the first set of collectible), then go on to collect seven each of the rest as the game progresses. You cannot go back once you've left the area, so look well; they are (sometimes) very well hidden.
Hint: there is a little framed picture at the bottom right of the main screen, next to the hint button. If you click on this you can see which collectible you are currently looking for. I didn't catch this in the tutorial if they mentioned it.
I had a lot of fun replaying this game. Try it out! It's a great bargain as it doesn't have "CE status" so it costs just the regular game price.
It has an interactive map to get around with.
Excellent story line, an adventure/mystery
Collectibles in each scene of the main game.
Very well done artwork puzzles and HOS.
CONS:
I really didn't have any cons; for it's time it was far ahead of some others, and some things that are standard now weren't even thought of then.
NB:
The collectibles are sequential (you collect 7 leaves (the first set of collectible), then go on to collect seven each of the rest as the game progresses. You cannot go back once you've left the area, so look well; they are (sometimes) very well hidden.
Hint: there is a little framed picture at the bottom right of the main screen, next to the hint button. If you click on this you can see which collectible you are currently looking for. I didn't catch this in the tutorial if they mentioned it.
I had a lot of fun replaying this game. Try it out! It's a great bargain as it doesn't have "CE status" so it costs just the regular game price.
I recommend this game!
Munich’s Oktoberfest hides a dark secret – werewolves are afoot!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
An excellent SE game
PostedNovember 5, 2019
Kay_Erin
fromAchtung meine Freunde: hier ist ein ausgezeichnet Spiel!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I really enjoyed playing this well planned game. My points off are for:
1. the repetitive nature of the story line (almost identical to a previous game.
2. The lack of authentic German accents/language which would have really added to the atmosphere.
3. The "quick draw" painterly aspect of the re-enactment scenes and the overall art was ok, but not great.
Having said all this, the story kept humming along, the puzzles were doable, the explore-ability/adventure aspect was well done, and the ho scenes were authentic (they didn't mix up modern items with 19th century ones)
I really recommend this as a class A SE game. If you want all the bells and whistles of the CE, go for it. However in my experience good stand alone SE games are little treasures.
Enjoy!
1. the repetitive nature of the story line (almost identical to a previous game.
2. The lack of authentic German accents/language which would have really added to the atmosphere.
3. The "quick draw" painterly aspect of the re-enactment scenes and the overall art was ok, but not great.
Having said all this, the story kept humming along, the puzzles were doable, the explore-ability/adventure aspect was well done, and the ho scenes were authentic (they didn't mix up modern items with 19th century ones)
I really recommend this as a class A SE game. If you want all the bells and whistles of the CE, go for it. However in my experience good stand alone SE games are little treasures.
Enjoy!