jmparke25's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:54
- Reviews Submitted:12
- First Review:April 24, 2013
- Most Recent Review:November 3, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened
Travel the world with Sherlock Holmes and his faithful assistant Dr. Watson. Follow the clues and solve mysterious murders.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Great Game
PostedNovember 3, 2017
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played this game several years ago and really liked it but didn't leave a review. I just replayed it, and again enjoyed it so much that this time I am going to write a review.
The old style ray-traced graphics are a bit clunky but you quickly get used to them, and once you get into it the story line is awesome. Warning, this is not a game for young children. Some of the scenes are gory, and the plot may be disturbing for those with over-active imaginations.
The play length is outstanding. There are 5 chapters. One is fairly short, but the other four are each equivalent to a lot of other, shorter games that I have played.
Most of the puzzles are challenging but doable if you pay attention to your notes and documents. A few are extremely difficult though, so unless you are a glutton for punishment you will probably want to consult the walkthrough for these.
For me, the best news about the game was the lack of HOGs. I am tired of them, and there was not a single one in the whole game.
I recommend this game!
Journey through fantastic landscapes and complete many interesting tasks and exciting puzzles.
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Nice Game Almost Ruined by Terrible English Translation
PostedJune 13, 2017
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Over-all I liked just about everything about this game. The graphics were excellent and the story line was interesting and well thought out. I especially liked the multitude of unique mini-games that ranged from super easy to very tough.
Unfortunately, the odd word choices and frequent mistakes in English grammar detracted from an otherwise great product. I gave it a Yes recommendation, but only rated it at three stars instead of the four or five that I otherwise would have awarded.
Some mistakes were merely annoying; the key to a lock or other item was invariably identified in inventory as the key FROM the lock, etc. Other mistakes were worse. A few were so bad that they resulted in descriptions that were wrong, misleading, or at times almost incomprehensible.
I realized early in the game that there might be English translation issues when the tutorial offered this ponderous bit of advice: "Area, where cursor changes to moving arrow, indicates possibility of travel."
I recommend this game!
The people of Lightfalls are disappearing, and it’s up to you to save them!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
So So (C+)
PostedFebruary 4, 2016
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The original game, Mystery of Another World, was quite good. It had a good plot, was full of interesting and fun puzzles, and used a novel twist in its HO puzzles where you sometimes had to use an item from inventory to complete the HOP.
Return to Another World was much less impressive. The game was too short, the HOPs were run-of-the-mill, and the puzzles ranged from ridiculously easy to impossible. I didn't pay much for the game so I guess I got my money's worth, but I didn't rate it very high.
I don't recommend this game.
Entirely new Solitaire Game! Match cards to clear the decks, get valuable rewards.
Overall rating
2
/
5
15 of 18 found this review helpful
Ridiculously Difficult
PostedMarch 2, 2015
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
At first I liked this game so I bought it. Then two hours later I was sorry I did. The game is just too hard to be much fun. Sometimes I had to play the same level 5 or 6 times just to pass with one star. Then I got to level 18 and was informed that it was locked, and I needed three more stars to continue. That was the last straw for me. I turned the game off in disgust and won't be playing it any more.
I don't recommend this game.
The Lost Lands are in danger again... There's only one brave soul who can face the four evil horsemen to save it – you!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Excellent Game: Highly Recommended
PostedFebruary 4, 2015
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
One of the best Big Fish games that I have played in quite a while. Excellent graphics & sound combined with a good story line made it a pleasure to play. It also featured an interactive map that is one of the best I've ever seen. Not only did it keep track of where I was and what areas currently had available actions (and took me there with a click), it also showed me which scenes still contained a hidden morphing object that I needed to find.
The bonus chapter at the end was also long enough and challenging enough to make me feel happy about shelling out a few extra bucks for the CE version.
The translation into English was about the only thing that sometimes left a bit to be desired. In a few places the terminology is rather odd (like calling a socket wrench a "nozzle"), but this actually had very little effect on game play. (I still don't know what a "dolmen" is, but it was clear while I was playing the game that I needed to get over to the little island where it was located).
I recommend this game!
Stop a vengeful Titan from destroying Athens – and the world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Grade B
PostedJanuary 8, 2015
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Not a bad game,just not a great game. Good story line and decent graphics that actually seemed to improve as the game went on. Some of the non-HO puzzles were interesting but the HO ones were all pretty standard and quite easy. Overall I felt like I got my money's worth, so I gave it a positive recommendation.
One thing I did find irritating was the poor quality of the translation into English. Maybe I'm being picky, but my mother was a high school English teacher so I am sensitive to this sort of thing. In one place or another this game commits just about every grammatical faux pas known.
I recommend this game!
Enter Ravenwood Park and discover the secrets hidden in the mists...
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
Very Excellent Game, but CE Not Worth Extra Cost
PostedOctober 25, 2014
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Excellent game with very nice graphics, an engaging story line, and a bunch of challenging, but do-able, puzzles. There were actually more puzzles than HO scenes, which to me is a big plus because I get bored with games that have too many HO scenes.
That said, I was disappointed by the CE version. To justify the extra cost I expect a Collector's Edition to provide at least a little extra play time after the main story line is finished. This one didn't, and I am not interested in a lame collection of things like Concept Art and Wallpaper.
A variety of phonetic spelling errors added some unintended amusement, such as the "illusive" morphing objects that you search for, or the time that you use a rope to "repel" down from a balcony. One error though made a HO scene much harder than it should have been. After searching in vain for a "specter" I finally noticed a scepter and clicked on it. Sure enough, that was it.
I highly recommend this game, but not the CE version.
I recommend this game!
It's time to head north on your next Big City Adventure! Search for thousands of cleverly hidden items around Vancouver, Canada!
Overall rating
2
/
5
15 of 18 found this review helpful
Not up to my previous experience with Big City Adventures
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I recently finished Big City Adventures London Story and loved it, so I bought this game. I am sorry I did. It is nowhere close to the caliber of London Story.
Where London Story had a strong story line and required the player to explore around, discover things, etc, this game is just a series of extremely difficult HOP scenes strung together by a feeble story line. So far I have learned a few interesting facts about the history of Vancouver, but that is not why I purchased the game.
Unless you are from the south western corner of Canada, I don't recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Fitzpatrick McGovern is long gone, but his mysterious lost legacy is still out there! Find it in Big City Adventure: London Story!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Exceptional Hidden Object/Adventure Game
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I enjoy HO games that have a good story line and require the player to explore and find things, and solve other puzzles, versus a mind-deadening series of HOP scenes. I just finished this game and I loved it! Definitely one of the very best of this type that I have ever played.
A couple of warnings:
A) The HOP scenes are really tough. Even the easy objects aren't all that easy, and one or two in each scene will be almost impossible. Thank god for the hint button or I probably wouldn't have been able to complete the game.
B) Be sure you have 'sparkle' mode turned on, and take the time to inspect each new location very carefully before you move on. Some important areas don't sparkle very often. If you miss something you will soon find yourself at a seeming dead end, wondering what to do next.
A) The HOP scenes are really tough. Even the easy objects aren't all that easy, and one or two in each scene will be almost impossible. Thank god for the hint button or I probably wouldn't have been able to complete the game.
B) Be sure you have 'sparkle' mode turned on, and take the time to inspect each new location very carefully before you move on. Some important areas don't sparkle very often. If you miss something you will soon find yourself at a seeming dead end, wondering what to do next.
Nuff said. Buy this game. I almost guarantee you will like it.
I recommend this game!
Track down a missing detective and fight an evil curse!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Excellent Adventure/Hidden Object Game
PostedMay 14, 2013
jmparke25
fromKennewick, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
An excellent, well put-together game that I really enjoyed playing. The puzzles are hard enough to be a challenge but not so hard that they can't be solved with a little effort. If you get stuck the CE game has a built-in user's guide.
Some of the HO puzzles had a unique feature that made them especially fun to do; instead of just finding objects from a list the player has to figure out what is needed to make some Rube Goldberg device work.
I recommend this game!