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:
Investigate strange goings-on in the eerie town of Fort Nightingale!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Looking back to a still great game!
PostedOctober 5, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've been going back and replaying some former favorites, to see how they hold up. In this case, "Forbidden Secrets: Alien Town stood the test. I have the CE version. More on that farther down.
HOW MANY SETTINGS? 2: Casual and Expert
GRAPHICS: Clear and crisp. Sometimes the copies saved in your diary can be very tiny.
MORPHING OBJECTS: 40 morphing objects. These are rather dark and hard to find. In Casual there is a hand that grabs at them, but I imagine in expert you just have to keep clicking.
MAP: Interactive. You can adjust it to either show or not show areas where a morphing object is.
PUZZLES: Switching puzzles, remembering positions, figure out the order of pressing things (by trial and error) sliding puzzles. I only skipped a few so they were pretty fair, good for beginners and intermediates.
STORY LINE: As a government worker in the “Bios” department, you are sent to a town ravaged by some type of virus. The military had a base there and suddenly pulled out. There are local ruins where ancient drawings and relics have been found.
MY TAKE: The story really intrigued me, and even though I had played this when it first came out, it was still a good game. Very good value! There were enough characters with fleshed out personalities that kept my interest. Even though it is a bit dated it is an excellent game.
SE or CE? Other than concept design and some wallpapers, I think the SE version would do as well, if you don’t want to search for the morphing objects. But if you do like them, these are a challenge, while others might find them an annoying distraction. The Bonus game was a "prequel" and even though quite good, is not necessary to enjoying the basic game.
LAST PLAYED: October 4, 2015
I recommend this game!
The arts-loving town of Everton has been overrun by sentient shadows. Race to escape before you're trapped in the darkness forever!
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
Oh dear! Needs some tweeks!
PostedOctober 4, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
TITLE: DARK DIMENSIONS: SHADOW PIROUETTE, CE
DEV: Daily Magic
HOW MANY SETTINGS? 4
GRAPHICS: Tends to the purple-y/grey.
COLLECTIONS The collectibles are silhouettes of shadow people/things. Got the first two by accident, didn't even realize what I had clicked on.
MAP: Interactive
PUZZLES: Ok. One thing that irritates me is the repeating of the untangle game before you use the lantern to scare away the shadows. EVERY time. NOT a good sign when they give up and use the same puzzle over and over. Strikes me as a bit lazy, when there are millions of puzzles from which to choose!
STORY LINE: Chaotic at first but gradually makes sense. On the way to help an old college friend, you are in a bus wreck and wake up in hospital, with a fainted nurse on the floor. And we’re off!
MY TAKE: I’m not sure I’ll buy this one, except in SE. It is just not CE quality in the graphics and storyline. However as an SE it would be commendable…if they get rid of the star tangles!
LAST PLAYED: Demo only October 4, 2015
I don't recommend this game.
Shadows-kidnappers have arrived! Unravel the mystery of the Shadows and free the town from their dreadful fears!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
A Hidden gem
PostedOctober 3, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
TITLE: BEYOND THE INVISIBLE: EVENING, SE
DEV: Graphium, March 2015
HOW MANY SETTINGS? No choice so I guess just one.
GRAPHICS: Clear and crisp but monotone blues and greys with occasional bright colors
PUZZLES: Good, so far I haven’t found ones I couldn’t figure out.
STORY LINE: This is an old fashioned adventure game. There is a map and some brief instructions in the beginning. The main character is plucky orphan in a town chained by fear and monsters. He is quite remarkable to have survived so long! (The English is halting but clear in what it says. It reminds me of how good my German is when I speak German!) One day you are captured by an “elder” a nun like figure who puts you in a jail cell. You make friends with the little girl in the next cell, but she is taken away immediately and you must save her. In exchange she will tell you how to save the town.
MY TAKE: An excellent game, well thought out and with an original story line. I like it very much and look forward to playing it again. I hope this dev keeps working on games; I look forward to seeing their next offering!
LAST PLAYED: October 3, 2015
I recommend this game!
You were just about to relax with a good book when a stranger leaves a baby on your doorstep.
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Still a winner!
PostedOctober 2, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I know this game was put out a couple of years ago, but as new fishies may not have discovered it, I want to heartily recommend this game.
TITLE: NEVERTALES: BEAUTY WITHIN CE
TITLE: NEVERTALES: BEAUTY WITHIN CE
DEV: Mad Head Games
HOW MANY SETTINGS? 4 including custom
GRAPHICS: Superb
MORPHING OBJECTS? These are hidden pink and white whirligig balls in every HOS. There are 28 in all; I got 24. These you cannot get later. Hint: look at the bottom left hand corner before you leave a HOS to see if you have collected it. I usually save some object that is obvious and don't click on it until I've found the whirlygig. Obviously 4 times I forgot!
COLLECTIONS? A Rose in every scene. If you miss these you can go back and collect them later. Then there is a jigsaw to complete.
PETS/HELPERS: Mechanical Owlet who flys and gets things for you that are out of reach.
MAP: Yes, and interactive
PUZZLES: The standard, but well done and enough for this intermediate/sorta-expert player!
STORY LINE: A baby is left on your doorstep, by someone you see in a car speeding away when you open your door. You grab your keys and the baby and tear off after him; to a scary castle and magical worlds
MY TAKE: This is a marvelous game, sure to be a favorite to play over. In addition to the bonus game, you get 3 hidden traditional gamelets: Sleeping Beauty, Ali Baba’s caves and Hansel and Gretel. You have to look around for them, be sure you explore where the prizes are kept and drag your mouse to the edges. I still don’t know if I got everything! But it did say I had completed all three game sections. I give this game a definite 5 stars!
And just in case you don't identify with the hero, I dare you not to get at least frustrated in his final confrontation scene!
LAST PLAYED: October 2, 2015. Highly recommended!
I recommend this game!
You’re called in to photograph a wedding, but what you really expose is murder.
Overall rating
1
/
5
11 of 19 found this review helpful
Aaaargh!
PostedSeptember 27, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Please see sfr8tfan's review. It is hysterical and says exactly what I think. To be fair there were stretches of the game that were fun and interesting, but the problems make me wish I hadn't even payed 8.99 for this CE
Problem with placing objects was a big one, had to try multiple times in many of these interactive scenes, until I got the object *just* right.
The story line was all over the place. I kind of got the gist of what happened but it was all very chaotic.
I've only played one other Dark Canvas, (Brush with Death 2013, a good game) but somehow I missed the others. I'm going to try the others out but first with a demo and then I'll read the reviews before I buy. Didn't take this one long to reach 3 stars.
On the upside, this kind of poor quality rarely happens, at least for me, and getting to read some of the reviews is always rewarding:)
I don't recommend this game.
The love between you and your husband was strong enough to end a war... but is it strong enough to save the world?
Overall rating
5
/
5
15 of 17 found this review helpful
HOG heaven!
PostedSeptember 23, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
TITLE: NEVERTALES: LEGENDS, CE
DEV: Mad Head games
HOW MANY SETTINGS? 4, including the now usual custom. GRAPHICS: Very good and crisp although I do wish the artists would get off this monochrome kick where everything goes all bluey grey-ey. MORPHING OBJECTS: one in each HOS. (Hidden Object Scene) MAP: Yes, and interactive
COLLECTIONS About 50 medals or seals. You can find the ones you missed. at the end after the Bonus Game, so you can solve a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a real challenge!
PUZZLES: Some challenging some ,easy. A new one I liked was pulling chains of color around in a tight space to where they belong.
HOS: This is where this game shines. It is a true HOG (Hidden Object Game) and you get lots of challenging scenes.
STORY LINE: Two warring kingdoms are united by love. Briefly all is well, until, people start turning into crystal, including your husband. You are off to find a cure.
MY TAKE: This is truly an awesome game and very long!
And this is one game where you *must* get the CE: the story is not complete unless you do, not to mention they give a lot of extra puzzles and play at the end.
And this is one game where you *must* get the CE: the story is not complete unless you do, not to mention they give a lot of extra puzzles and play at the end.
I highly recommend this game, giving it a full 5!
I recommend this game!
Walk the razor's edge between fantasy and reality as you stop a lunatic from gaining power over death!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
A great SE/free game choice!
PostedSeptember 15, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I agree with Penmom, this is a phenomenal game for an SE. It really is an immersive experience.
Early on in the game some parts are pleasant fantasy, but gradually the theme becomes darker. It reminds one of how it felt to be very young and afraid of the “bogyman” But the story line is excellent and even though very weird, with Maizie coming in and out of reality/fantasy worlds, it hangs together well.
Granted there are a few problems: I was never sure if there were collectables or not... I thought I found a few, but then nothing. This confusion and lack of direction, especially in the "Neverland" and "Wonderland" parts of the game led me to give it a 4 instead of a 5.
But again, for an SE it is a super choice, and was long enough to really get into. It is a steal if you've racked up some free games!
I recommend this game!
The twinkling lights in the marsh look pretty, but they hold a mysterious power. Whatever you do... do not follow them!
Overall rating
5
/
5
25 of 26 found this review helpful
Some more comments on The Whispering Marsh
PostedSeptember 13, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Just a few comments that I need to add to the already good reviews:
4 Levels: Explorer, Professor, County Bounder and Swamp Dweller. I understood those after I played the game! Funny!
HOS:. Someone posted that there were 16. I thought I found 2 in one HOS, but I could be mistaken. Also the COLLECTIONS of little acorns (42) can sometimes seem morphing! An added happy feature is that you can complete the acorn hunt (I got all but 2 in the game) after you complete the bonus game.
According to the strategy guide there are “souvenirs” to collect in various scenes. Even though I clicked every inch, I was not able to access them until after I had finished the bonus game. I’m not sure if this is a programming error or my error, but not being able to find even one of these during the game means: either I’m an idiot (not an option, so don’t go there!); or it was not explained properly in the game/instructions/tutorial. (or of course (sigh!) I missed it). I did find them in the “Trophy Room” after finishing game and bonus game. They are difficult to find even then, which was excellent, because I don’t like them too easy.
ALT.GAME: Mahjong with fun game integrated pictures on them. There are also timed Mahjong games after you complete the games. A real challenge, (I generally dislike timed games) but it was fun for a bit. I’ll choose these when I play the game a second time.
PUZZLES: Pretty good, but like some others I got bored playing the version of untangling the lines type repeatedly even though they had increasing difficulty. My solution was to solve the first and then skip. Toward the end of the game there were so many of those attach triangles to stars I just skipped altogether. It would have been so much better if they hadn’t over done it. Also it would be nice to be given a choice when multiple games are hooked together to skip only one section and go on to figure out the others if one can. Not just sweep all of them away!
STORY LINE: Set in northern Germany in about the 18th century, I think east of Friesia (the map passed so quickly I couldn’t see much). Actually I believe earlier in history, Friesia had been a huge area that continued on east and up.
You are a “Bounder” or someone who protects the boundaries (not a cad, see notes below) from threats and wicked spirits. This time your foe is “Lantern Man” and the story about him is well told and pulls you along.
MY TAKE: Overall I really enjoyed this game, but the voice overs could have been done better with less American voices and a bit more German accent. Not unintelligibly so, but at least throw in a German word now and then! After all they had lovely Irish brogues in the earlier MOTW (mythsoftheworld) game about Ireland!
This is one game I would like to play in German, (I’m not a native speaker but marginally fluent) because I think it would be a good deal more authentic. (Does any one know if that is available?) Or, and here’s a thought, dev story writers need at least two proofers: one native English speaker fluent in German and one German speaker fluent in English so they could consult one another. As an example, the word "Bounder" as a title was a poor word choice for our hero.
This is one game I would like to play in German, (I’m not a native speaker but marginally fluent) because I think it would be a good deal more authentic. (Does any one know if that is available?) Or, and here’s a thought, dev story writers need at least two proofers: one native English speaker fluent in German and one German speaker fluent in English so they could consult one another. As an example, the word "Bounder" as a title was a poor word choice for our hero.
BOTTOM LINE: I give this excellent game a solid 5. I am very much in awe of these developers’ considerable skill and imagination. The CE for me is a must to complete out the story line.
I recommend this game!
Mystery Tales: Alaskan Wild Collector's Edition
Call on the animal spirits to help find your sister.
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 19 found this review helpful
An Inuit Adventure!
PostedSeptember 9, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
TITLE: MYSTERY TALES: ALASKAN WILD, CE
DEV: BIG FISH/Domini Games
STORY LINE: You come to an Alaskan village to help out when there is a mysterious disappearance of two young women.
SPECIAL ASPECTS: I found the Inuit tales and cultural items fascinating, although I know very little of Inuit culture. Having someone with that background (Inuit/Alaskan expert ect.) would be a great addition to these reviews. Also the voice overs were excellent and fitted the characters perfectly, although I did find the young man a little wimpy, but at least it was consistent with his story line!
HOW MANY SETTINGS? 4
GRAPHICS: Outstanding (with the caveat below in "My Take")
MORPHING OBJECTS Yes, sometime a HOS is exclusively morphs! Fun.
COLLECTIONS? Figurines of the characters in the game. Also you’re given a camera and need to find 11 animals to take.
ALT.GAME: I think it’s a match-3.
PETS/HELPERS: No, but some cute animals on the way in the game.
MAP: Yes, interactive
PUZZLES: I actually did quite well on these. Most of the puzzles were integrated into the game too, like finding runes.
MY TAKE: An absolutely great game. There was one area, early on when the screen froze and it wouldn’t let me play the HOG, but I could bypass it with the alternate game. I don't think it is a big issue as I could bypass it. Hopefully by the time I’m ready to play this again they will have a patch for that one area (next to the museum, when you talk to this old guy named Ralph, I think)
Anyway, I STILL give give this my very high personal 5.8 rating:) and look forward to more games like this. It is a keeper!
Anyway, I STILL give give this my very high personal 5.8 rating:) and look forward to more games like this. It is a keeper!
LAST PLAYED: September 9, 2015
I recommend this game!
Subliminal Realms: The Masterpiece Collector's Edition
Albert's worst nightmare becomes reality when a creature from his grim paintings kidnaps his family. What does she want?
Overall rating
5
/
5
69 of 74 found this review helpful
A Masterpiece of art gaming (if I can coin the term)
PostedJuly 13, 2015
Kay_Erin
fromMilwaukee, WI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
STORY LINE: This is not so much a linear game as you are plopped into the middle of an artist’s dreams and have to figure out how to save your wife and daughter, not to mention you. This game is very playful, colorful and a refreshing change from the common run.
GRAPHICS: Bright cheery, painterly
PETS/HELPERS: Smudge, an Egyptian dog with wings. He is very helpful but stays in the background most of the time for those of you who don’t like pets. I do, and he is an intriguing one.
MAP: On a compass and is interactive
PUZZLES: The HOS are outstanding in that you don’t have to find a ton of things, but you do have to look carefully. So far the most items I’ve had to find were about 10 and 5 or 6 is more often. You really have to *look* though and keep your mind open.
HOW MANY SETTINGS? 4 including custom.
MORPHING OBJECTS? No.
COLLECTIONS? Yes in sets of 5, you need to find little squares that when you collect 5 you can put together and paint a picture.
ALTERNATE GAME: No
MY RATING: 5+. If you like the arts, creativity, thinking outside the box, and non-linear games, try this one. I love it, and had to stop and write my review before the game ended. I highly recommend this game for those who like fun and unusual games.
I recommend this game!