tesamoine's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.4
- Helpful Votes:4,958
- Reviews Submitted:547
- First Review:March 13, 2013
- Most Recent Review:June 12, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Botanica: Earthbound Collector's Edition
Play as both Ellie and Ian, two scientists stranded on Botanica. Can you save your friends and find your way home?
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 17 found this review helpful
Back through the portal
PostedDecember 14, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
The Secrets of Arcelia Island
(46)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I did demo the first installment of Botanica and did not care for it. Therefore, besides for what I learned of the story through the demo the first game, I did not know the full story. This is truly a continuation game where it's really necessary to have played the first one to have even a clue where the second installment is going. Anyway, the CE offers collectibles in the form of lady bugs, achievements that are game related, and the usual nonsense., I'm not sure how long the BC is or what it consists of as I did not play it. The colors and graphics are good but seem cartoonish to me. I didn't care for them. I did like the HOS very much. Puzzles were middle of the road, ie, the usual. Music was nice. Again, I don't care for this story. I was zoning out after about 20 minutes into the demo. I suppose if you enjoyed the first installment, you will like this one. For me, it had no zing, and did not hold my interest.
I recommend this game!
Spirits of Mystery: The Silver Arrow Collector's Edition
The mystical Silver Arrow has been stolen from you on the eve of your wedding. Without it, you can’t marry your beloved Prince Philip! Can you track down the arrow in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 26 found this review helpful
There must be a better way to propose
PostedDecember 12, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
The Missing: Island of Lost Ships
(45)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Ahhh, so Prince Phillip shoots his silver arrow and the window it flies into, that girl becomes his bride. How romantic. Not. Here we have another offering from ERS. This, to me, means, same premise, same music, same gameplay, same old same old. Yes, the visuals are nice. The very few HOS I encountered are either place the item back into the HOS or sillhouette. The puzzles were on the easy side. There is a jump map with pictures. This works early on in the game, but becomes confusing later, especially when playing the game over a few days, remembering what each room looks like. The hint and skip recharged quickly although I didn't need them. I did not look at the SG. You can collect pearls to clean up and improve your "tower". You get a little helper who can interpret the thoughts of other animals. Things went downhill after that lol. The game play was simplistic. Not much thinking is required. The story line was the same defeat the evil woman in black to win the prince back. I will admit fairy tale games are not my thing. However, some are interesting if they are challenging. This one no. It is standard ERS formula through and through. I don't recommend.
I don't recommend this game.
Island Tribe 5
Discover Atlantis and rescue the scientist!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Under the Sea
PostedDecember 10, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Lost in the City
(52)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
If you have played the other Island Tribe games, this one is quite similar. However, they are under the sea with new buildings such as a kelp farm and a pearl farm. You can click ahead which is great. You get different modes, such as untimed, etc. which is also a plus. I must say, Island Tribe 3 and 4 were my favorites. This one not so much. Not sure why. Seems they are more rushed, meaning the characters are racing all over like they did in the first 2 installments of this game. I like it anyway.
I recommend this game!
The Fog
Don't be afraid of The Fog. Fear what lies within it!
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 16 found this review helpful
I love foggy nights
PostedDecember 9, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew - Danger on Deception Island
(21)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Oh happy day !!! An adult game with a spooky creepy undertone. You are driving along with your daughter and some madman puts nails across the road, causing you to crash your car. When you wake up, your daughter is gone. So far, that's the gist of the story. It is creepy. It is spooky. It is lacking any fluff, bells, and whistles. No collectibles (gasp), no jump map, nothing but you and the game. Yes, the sound is barely existent. Yes, the graphics are crudely done. However, it is a great game. HOS are fairly simple. Puzzles that I've encountered during the demo were fairly easy. However, it is more of an adventure game where you must figure out what to do, all by yourself without the developer putting hints in everywhere you turn. There is no "gee here is a crowbar and look, right next to the crowbar is a box with nails to be pried out". That is what I liked about the game. I've been itching for a great spooky dark game and here it is. It is a lengthy game and great for a long cold night. Enjoy :)
I recommend this game!
Cursery: The Crooked Man and the Crooked Cat
These nursery rhymes are cursed, and your sister’s been taken by the Crooked Man!
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 11 found this review helpful
Not my cup of Tea
PostedDecember 9, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew - Danger on Deception Island
(21)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played the CE demo of this, then thought, well maybe the game will entice me more today. Wrong. I realize I'm in the minority here, but I absolutely disliked this game. I will say I'm not a fan of the Dark Parable games so if this game is supposed to be similar to one of the Dark Parable games, this could be why. The graphics and music were nice. The map was interactive and sort of a pop up map. The FRAG HOS were few and far in between thank goodness, because they are not my favorite. The puzzles and mini games were very frequent and they were just ok. I made myself play the entire demo as I do not think it's fair to say I played 10 minutes and hated it. No, I played the entire thing and disliked it. What we have is another fairy tale with a mean crooked villan with a crooked cat, etc. etc. The bling I can certainly pass on. Many say this is a fairy tale for adults. I have to disagree. This is a sugary sweet with a bit of evil thrown in fairy tale. Too much fluff and stuff. I'm sure many will rave over this game, however it's a pass for me.
I don't recommend this game.
The Agency of Anomalies: Mind Invasion Collector's Edition
You're called to a health spa in the Alps, where an evil professor has something terrible in mind for his unwitting patients.
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
Creepy :)
PostedDecember 7, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Legacy: Witch Island
(92)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The 4th installment of the Agency of Anomalies does not disappoint. This time you are in the Alps in a spa (although it does NOT look like any spa I've visited ) trying to stop the mean and evil Doctor from brainwashing his patients.. You are offered 3 levels of difficulty. A jump map is available. A journal is there. You get to listen to recordings of each patient's background and anomaly. There are many (did I say many) HOS. Yes, they are very different from your standard HOS, but there are lots of them nonetheless. The puzzles were challenging and I enjoyed them. The length of the game appears to be quite good. However, after reading other reviews it seems as if the BC is very short. You are able to earn achievements, but they are standard game-related achievements. Also, you can collect hidden canes. This game has a great creep factor. The cons for me were the constant HOS, which although they were different and interesting, they interrupt the flow of the game IMO. The other issue is the short BC which mostly offers MORE HOS. The collecting of canes did not excite me, therefore I will be waiting for the SE although I cannot wait to play the full game.
I recommend this game!
Christmas Stories: A Christmas Carol Collector's Edition
Everyone deserves a second chance – even the stingiest of them all.
Overall rating
4
/
5
0 of 3 found this review helpful
Puts one in the Christmas Spirit
PostedDecember 5, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Where Angels Cry
(104)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I just couldnt wait to play the demo of this. There's nothing I like more than the Christmas season. I will say I liked last years offering of the Nutcracker better, however, this is a great game. Not too many (at all) HOS. Those I did encounter were a tad difficult with things hidden amongst the shadows. The puzzles were cute and interesting. You have 4 levels of difficulty to choose. A jump map which shows you the picture of the room you want to go to.... not too crazy about that. There are morphing penguins, those little guys are quick. You get help with a "good" scrooge, which was very nice as compared to a fuzzy animal helper. There is a lot of tooing and froing in this game, which I personally like. That is why I do not like a jump map which shows me a picture of the room. My one qualm, and it's a small one, the game is too quiet. The music is basically non-existent and other ambient noises, such as maybe snow blowing or church bells ringing are no where to be found. I will buy this, but as an SE. Im not a fan of the wallpaper, etc. And the penguins did not do much for me. Happy festive gaming !!!!
I recommend this game!
Kingdom's Heyday
Have you ever wanted to rule a kingdom? Now is your chance! Help the princess restore prosperity.
Overall rating
3
/
5
25 of 29 found this review helpful
Get out the Magnifying Glass
PostedDecember 5, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Finders
(138)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a cute builder game, where you actually get to choose where to put your buildings (along the lines of the build a lot games). You need homes, production facilities, and nice things that raise the happiness of the town. This could have been good, however, I had man cons with the game. Everything is SMALL. The control bars where you choose what you need to to or how much materials you have are tiny. The houses are small. I found myself with my nose almost against the computer (ok maybe that's a bit of a stretch lol). It just wasn't a comfortable game for me. This is a pass.
I don't recommend this game.
Crystals of Time
Help Ashley Ford find her father and solve the mystery of the Three Oak Mansion.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 5 found this review helpful
Not too Shabby
PostedDecember 4, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Christmas Stories: Nutcracker Collector's Edition
(324)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This SE by a small company isn't too bad. It took me a bit to get into the game. I almost quit a few times but felt this deserved the entire demo period to write a review. There are no voice overs. Everything is text., Spelling errors abound. HOS are a bit too plentiful for my taste, but they were clean and clear. Puzzles were either easy or so obscure that I needed to skip them (puzzles are not my strong suit). Once I got into the game, I noticed it is mostly an adventure game, and I enjoy that. I did not like the concept of being a thief. That was a negative for me. I don't judge games on music, but the music WAS depressing lol. Long game. It was a purchase for me with a coupon.
I recommend this game!
Mystery Case Files®: Fate's Carnival Collector's Edition
Something wicked has taken over Fate’s Carnival!
Overall rating
3
/
5
15 of 22 found this review helpful
Well Then.....
PostedDecember 1, 2013
tesamoine
fromJersey Girl
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
League of Light: Dark Omens Collector's Edition
(87)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I see I am in the vast minority here. I must say, I did not play Madam Fate, nor did I really enjoy any MCF games that I've played thus far. This game obviously is leaning heavily on the player having played previous games in the series. Regardless of that, yes, there are many collectibles and yes the colors are bright and crisp. Puzzles are ok. I just found the entire game to be too busy. Way too much STUFF. Sometimes less IS more. We go trekking from tent to tent to tent picking up odds and ends, with no real story going on. Another pass for me on an MCF game.
I recommend this game!