PATinPNS's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:4,189
- Reviews Submitted:272
- First Review:February 5, 2013
- Most Recent Review:November 20, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Accompany Diana as she chases the thief of an ancient artifact into another world in this hidden object adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 15 found this review helpful
Guess I Missed the First One
PostedJanuary 5, 2018
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
This is a decent little game. I really enjoyed about everything. I wouldn't say it was the best game, but it sure isn't the worst. They said this was a continuation of the series, but I don't recall the first one so I can't compare the two. Just suffice it to say, it was a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Graphics were good and the voice overs were excellent. Those from the other world spoke better that I do. I really liked the colors. For whatever reason I found them pleasant and easy on the eyes. Music was okay, it was kind of a Mayan type with pipes and such, but it wasn't annoying and was good to hear.
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I actually enjoyed the mini games. That means they were simple for this simpleton to complete. I play games to relax and not be challenged through every thought process available in my head and this offered the kind of minis I could enjoy. I had more trouble with the hidden object games than anything. They were mixed, but it seemed like they were mostly silhouette, my least favorite, and were really small and extremely hard to find. I think I used my hint more in this game than any other. The map was a real asset. With the different worlds and places available it showed where there were things to do and would transport. Only difficulty I had with the map was it is located right above the hint and I was constantly hitting the hint button instead of the map. There is also a diary which did come in handy a couple of times. Normally I never look at journals and such, but I had to go back to find some symbols I had missed along the way.
Others have gone into depth about the story so I won't do that. I'll just say it caught me from the beginning and held my attention all the way through the game. I think if I were writing it, I would have had a different ending or more of an ending, but other than that it was good.
Give the demo a try and see if this isn't something you might just like too.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a dangerous specter from destroying the opera?
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
It's Not All Bad..
PostedJanuary 3, 2018
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
I think probably I'm being kind with thie review, but it really wasn't all that bad of a game. It kept me entertained for a cold FL afternoon and that's all that mattered to me. Yes, the quality, as compared to the other games in this series, was really low. I don't know if Eipix has a new set of designers or what, but it wasn't what I expected. I read so many reviews that were negative and I thought this is a great series. It can't be that bad and it wasn't. I did enjoy it.
The biggest thing about the game were the graphics. They were really dull. I think the term cookie cutter would fit here. Normally I'm drawn to the graphics and will search each scene to see what all is there. Not with this game. A house was a house and a train was a train all with no frills. I didn't have a problem at all with the characters. I was surprised they were as good as they were. Voice overs were very well done. I do wish I had turned the music down a bit more. It started grating on my nerves. The map was a must. It was really difficult for me to follow where I needed to go next. It did a great job showing where there was something to do and then transported me there. Hidden objects were simple and unfortunately repetitious. By that I mean, find 3 of this and 3 of that. Not my cup of tea. The mini games were really simple. I did most of them and I know my patience level hasn't increased so I'm guessing they were easy.
The story was well told. I didn't have a problem with it. The plot was easy to follow and I didn't get lost in the twists and turns. Could be because there weren't any I can recall.
Give the demo a try. Keep in mind, this is not like the others in this series. If you do that, you might like it more.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your sister on the Day of the Dead?
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
The Veil Hid Everything .. I Still Don't Know What's Going On
PostedDecember 12, 2017
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
This was just an okay game. Had I gotten to the bruja segment of the game during the demo, there is not way I would have bought this one. It gave me something to do, but that's about it.
Graphics and sound, especially the voice overs were very well done. Music was really pleasant if you like Mexican music, which I do. Effects went along with the action in the scene.
Hidden objects were clear, for the most part, and varied. That was the saving grace of this game. I did the mini games until I reached the bruja. After that I could not figure out what to do, in the majority of the games. Some were way beyond my understanding and most beyond my patience level. I don't like games that repeat themselves with a slight variation. With all the back and forth the map was essential for me. It showed where there were things to do and transported. Once at the bruja, I became so confused as to what I needed to do, where I need to go, I relied on the trusty hint to show me. Thankfully I had my setting on custom and only had to wait 15 seconds to find out.
This story was like there was a committee established to write it. There just didn't seem to be any continuity in what was going on. First I'm at a fiesta for the dead, then I'm traveling to other worlds to save the queen of death. I still don't know what was going on. I just wanted it over.
Others will go into the story in depth so I won't do so. I am just so disappointed that this, my favorite developer would turn something out like this.
Normally this is where I tell you to try the demo and decide for yourself, but the demo just scratches the surface of this game. After the demo, it's a whole other ball game. You have been warned, but do try it. This may be to your liking.
I recommend this game!
Can you save yourself and your daughter in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
What Have They Done!
PostedDecember 9, 2017
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is posted after playing the demo.
I own several games from this series and this one is, in my opinion, the worse game of them all. The theme, the hidden objects, the mini games and the story all go together the create a less than fun experience. I kept waiting for the end to arrive so I could end this all the while hoping it was going to get better, but it didn't. I probably would have made the purchase until I ended up in a ... dream world I guess it was. That is where it lost me and I couldn't wait to get this over with.
Graphics were well done. Colors were bright and the design was well thought out and were crisp and clear for the most part. Music and effects went along with the action in the scene.
I found the hidden objects scenes to be lacking in imagination and fun. Matching pairs to get a list was kind of new, but when the rest was nothing I hadn't seen before. Mini games were repetitious and again, nothing new. Thankfully I used the custom setting and only had to wait 15 seconds to skip them.
I simply do not understand why the developers cannot get past the supernatural or at least have a good story line. You start off having a car crash which sends a lady cop to your rescue. You end up getting into an evacuated town and then you start looking for your daughter who disappeared during the crash. Kind of familiar to say the least. Others will go into depth about the story, but it sure lacks that imagination I've come to expect from Elephant Games.
I just cannot find anything good to say about this game. It's such a shame, because there have been some really good games out of this series.
Play the demo and if you like the fantasy and ghosts genre, perhaps this will be to your liking.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you catch a murderer that’s terrorizing a local university?
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Just Had to Get It
PostedDecember 4, 2017
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
I read that this was going to be the last in this series and since I have the rest of the them, I wanted to get it so I did. To say it was as good as the previous games would not be true. Perhaps it is time to retire it. Not horrible, but not that much fun either. The major plus for this game, no ghosts, witches or goblins. That has got to be a plus in about everybody's book.
Graphics were well done.Colors were excellent and realistic. Everything thing was modern day including the pad used for collecting information and holding the map and applications. I particularly liked the voice overs. They were excellent and a tremendous asset to the game. Effects and music went along with the action in the scene.
I had a devil of a time with understanding the mini games. They aren't something I like anyway, but I simply could not figure out how to play many of them. Just thankful for the custom setting and waited for the 15 seconds to pass so I could hit skip. There seemed to be a lot of repeated minis. I would do something and then another screen would pop up with the same puzzle on it just more advanced. Hidden objects were varied, but nothing we haven't seen before. They were relatively simple, but I did have to use the hint a couple times.
The map was extremely useful. It showed locations where things could be done and would transport. A few times it didn't show anyplace with something to do and I hit the hint and it would take me to a location on the map where sure enough when I checked the map again there would be something to do.
Others will go into detail about the story itself, so I'll just say it was really good. I was hooked on it from the beginning and with the twists that came along the ending was rather a surprise. I just keep wondering what happened to Oliver. Maybe I can pay more attention when I play it again.
All in all this is a good game and I'm not sorry I made the purchase. If indeed it is the end of the series, I hate to see it go, but if this is the direction it was heading, better to kill it off now.
Give the demo a shot. I think if you like a good old fashion murder mystery, you will enjoy this game. Have fun.
I recommend this game!
An earthquake reveals a hidden palace full of deadly secrets!
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 12 found this review helpful
Another Hit in the Hidden Expedition Series
PostedDecember 1, 2017
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
I really enjoy this series and this game was no exception. There was so much going on in the game I only planned to play for a while and then mow the yard. Well, the yard can wait until tomorrow. Really liked it.
As usual the sound was great. Really liked the voice overs. Graphics were excellent. One scene actually looked 3D. I was shocked to see it. Music and effects went along with the story and the scene.
I maked down the challenge a bit and probably shouldn't have. I loved what they did with the hidden object scenes. So varied and interesting. It amazes me how they can keep coming up with ways to hide something, but they do. The mark down was because of the mini games. Not my favorite anyway, but when I don't understand the instructions and simply wait the few seconds so I can skip it is not good. I did several of them, but the ones I couldn't do was because the instructions, even with the A,B,Cs outlining everything, I couldn't do them. Even after the game showed me how it was done, I sat here and wondered how did they do that. Way beyond my patience and abilities. The map was a necessity for me. There is a lot of running back and forth and the map shows where there is something to do and transports. There were a couple times the map didn't show anything and I couldn't find anything in the scene and when I hit hint, it took me to an unmarked location. Not a problem, but something to be aware. I love the fact cards. They come up along the way and give information about the region or people you are dealing with at the time. IE, I didn't know that the Hawaiian Islands were known as the Sandwich Islands, not to be confused with the South Sandwich Islands. Trivia is the key to a long life, my friend. :-)
The story was really good as usual. No ghosts, witches or other things that go bump in the night. Others will go into detail about the story, but just let me say the only disappointment I had was with the ending. It ... just ended. The continuity is there throughout the game. I didn't find any missteps whatsoever.
This one is a tad bit different from the others in the series in the way it's presented, but that is a good thing. Give the demo a try and I think you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
I recommend this game!
Can you solve an old murder case and save your sister?
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 20 found this review helpful
Oh Good .. Another Ghost Story :-(
PostedNovember 24, 2017
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is posted after playing the demo.
If it weren't for the genre of this game, it would have probably been rated higher. It was okay, but to say I had fun, no I didn't.
The graphics were well done. The colors were dark as expected in a ghostly themed game, but all was clear and easy on the eyes. It did seem to lack the usual voice overs. In several scenes I expected a voice and just got the dialog box. Music and effects went along with the story and were well done.
I did like the way they did the hidden objects. They varied from the list to interactive which was enjoyable. I was able to complete most of the mini games, but some I just could not figure out what to do. That key with the locks threw me as did a couple others. The map was a necessity for me. There is a lot of back and forth and it was almost impossible for me to figure out where to go next. Hello map. It does show objectives and transports.
The story was the killer for me. Others will go into detail about the story line, so I'll leave that to them. I am so tired of ghosts, witches and things that go bump in the night, I am beginning to wonder if the developers have lost their imaginations. Not just this one, but it seems all of them are stuck in this rut. Come on folks! There are more stories than a ghost.
Give the demo a try. If you are into this genre of games you'll probably love it.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop an otherworldly force before it’s too late?
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
WOW... What a Surprise!
PostedNovember 19, 2017
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the demo.
This was a cute little game. It wasn't bad, but wasn't good either. To say it was boring would not be true, but it is the same old genre we have been seeing ... forever! Hence the low rating. Just trying to send a message.
Mad is one of my favorite developers and have produced quite a few great games. This one fell somewhat short of what I expected. The graphics were well done. They were colorful and not the dreary type I usually see in this type of game. The music and effects went along with the action, but where I felt it fell way short were the voice overs. I swear it started off with a male and female when all of a sudden he turns into a she. Maybe it was a medical problem. I don't know. There are not a lot of voice overs and I found if I wanted to read the dialog, I didn't dare look at the scene or the bar would go away never to be seen again. I missed a lot of what was going on, because of this.
I really liked the way they did the hidden object games. Not the usual lists. I had to do this to or that to get the list. Just a different way of getting there. Great job on that. Now, those mini games. Some were simple, but most were way beyond my understanding and patience level. Usually I can at least understand what I'm suppose to do, but most of these were so convoluted I had no idea how to even get started. I wish they had shown the solution so I would have understood. The map was helpful, but there wasn't a lot of back and forth. However, when needed it did show where there were things to be done and would transport.
As I said, the story isn't new. Wife dies, man wants her back, she tries to help etc.. etc... etc. However, the saving grace was the twist at the end of the demo! As it turns out... you didn't think I was going to tell you did you.... I was bored with the story until this part and I'm toying with the idea of making the purchase just to see how it ends.
This is a decent game. Give the demo a try and see if you like it. If you're not tired of ghosts and such, you might just enjoy it.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop history from repeating itself?
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 13 found this review helpful
Great Little Game
PostedNovember 7, 2017
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
I found this game to be an enjoyable way to pass a lazy day. It was more fun than I expected. I'm not a big fan of ghosts, demons and things that go bump in the night, but I own several of this series and knew what to expect so it wasn't a downer.
Graphics were well done. Colors were excellent and easy on the eyes. Voice overs were pretty well done, perhaps a bit over acted, but good nonetheless. Music and effects went along with the action in the scene.
The only problem I encountered was with some of the hidden object games. There are several where you have a story with highlighted words and you have to find something in the picture that matches that word. Some of them were just beyond understanding. Trying to understand what in the world I was suppose to be looking for was beyond me.I used my hint more than usual in these. The other hidden objects, which were varied, were very good. Mini games were mini games. I did some of them and skip some. Not a big fan of them anyway. Some I couldn't figure out what I was suppose to do and others were just too consuming for my patience level. In other words, this is a difficult game so far as all the puzzles and hidden objects. I found it very challenging. The map is a big help. It shows places you have something to do and will transport. The amulet which you get at the beginning of the game is a mini game in itself. The requirements change each time it is used.
I actually liked the story line. Wasn't real sure I would because of the genre, but I did get into it from the very beginning. Others will go into the story so I'll leave my critique there. The ending was a bit weak, but as I think about how I would have ended it, I couldn't come up with anything any better so I suppose it was fine.
There is that loading screen. Many games will just give you a black screen while it loads, but this one seemed to do it every time you changed scenes or went to a puzzle or hidden object scene. Not a deal breaker, but it was a baffling as to why they used the same picture each time.
All in all this is a good game. Give the demo a try and see if you like it as well.
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the secrets hidden in the Alexander Valentine Hotel?
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
And What Evil it Was
PostedNovember 2, 2017
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
I believe I have all in this series. This one was different than the others, but very enjoyable just the same. It is a fun game.
Graphics were very well done. Colors were dark in nature, but that goes along with the theme of the story. It is a ghost story after all. The one big difference in this game and the previous ones was the voice overs, or lack thereof. It seems in the other versions there were a lot more of them explaining and adding to the story. That was a bit of a disappointment, but nothing I couldn't live with. The music and effects went along with the action in the scene.
I enjoyed the hidden objects. They were quite varied, from silhouettes to lists to finding matching pairs. This variation kept it interesting. The map was extremely helpful. Although there wasn't a lot of back and forth as we see so often, when there was the map would show where there was something to do and would transport me there. Most times when I found something to add to the inventory it would be used in that scene. Not always, but it seemed to happen quite a bit. There is a gizmo, P.A.T.R.I.C.K., which would help me detect abnormal activities. It morphed into mini games as the game went along and I lost interest in it. So far as mini games went, I didn't see a lot we haven't seen before, but there was variation to them. I don't like mini games, but I did attempt them and even completed a few. Some I simply could not figure out what to do. I had the difficulty set on custom with the skip and hint set at the quickest times, so I didn't spend a lot of time on the minis.
Others will go into depth about the story so I'll not bore you with my rendition. James is my hero and it was so nice not to have to go put my high heels on to play the game. I wish the developers would come up with more male heroes. There were a couple of miscues in the story and the action. I spent a considerable amount of time getting gasoline for a van in which to make our escape. However, at the end of the game, we drove off in the car in which I arrived. Just thought that was funny.
This is a good game, but as always, play the demo and see if this fits your taste. I liked it and I think you will too. I know we're all tired of ghosts and such, but this series is about such things, so I wasn't bothered by it at all.. this time.
I recommend this game!