LivingAsIf's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:920
- Reviews Submitted:16
- First Review:June 2, 2015
- Most Recent Review:July 8, 2016
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Play mahjong puzzles and crack the case of the missing antiques in Mahjong Museum Mystery!
Overall rating
3
/
5
25 of 26 found this review helpful
Clear Clear Tiles!
PostedMarch 8, 2016
LivingAsIf
fromEngland, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played 45 minutes of the trial session and completed stage 1, getting all of an Egyptian artifact. This one isn't a purchase for me.
I did love the clarity of the tiles and smoothness of the mahjong play, I didn't need reading glasses to differentiate the pictures. There were 4 power ups and they were easy to use - though they cost 500 coins a go. All were one use only, so if there were no matches, you had to use them one by one to get through the level. That included a shuffle.
Often using a shuffle first was enough to get through a level. This ended up feeling too easy. A piece of 'artifact' was awarded at the end of each mahjong hand. Once I had the whole Egyptian piece, that was it, investigation over. I felt disappointed that this was the 'detective investigation'. It was level one, and would have been easy, but it was too easy for me. I'd have felt like I was going through the motions.
The graphics of the tiles were the best quality, there wasn't any visual eye candy around the rest of the game. I didn't listen to the music, purely as I had one eye on the TV.
Nicely made, but not for me - happy to do a matching game, but I've recently bought Solitare Club - the level of challenge and visual polish keep me hooked into the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Some family heirlooms are more trouble than they're worth...
Overall rating
5
/
5
48 of 52 found this review helpful
Cursed Grays are Back in Trouble!
PostedFebruary 26, 2016
LivingAsIf
fromI should get into the Gray's life insurance gig
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Strategy, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
They're doomed I tell ye. But what gorgeous trouble it is - think Downton Abbey with bloodstains and a fabulous dark and stormy night soundtrack. I am absolutely a Grim Tales fan and on the look out for the next game, and yes, my current screensaver is from The Vengeance - so I'm into another CE with a screensaver. Yet even with my ridiculous bias of loving this series, I'd say give this game a whirl, if only the freebie hour. The artwork is spectacular - the crystal sharp quality is a standout in the field. There are just crazy details - like the sheep in Billy's room - that would be awesomely impressive on their own and the screen is chock full of this stuff.
No tedious looping of a few minutes of music. It comes and goes, with various spooky background sounds fading in and out. The screens have constant motion, (to drive you nuts while looking for morphing stuff I'm sure that's the intention). Your submerged in a total experience.
I thought 'it'll look gorgeous but I'll just gallop through the puzzles'. Embarrassingly, no - but playwise - hurrah! And I'm still only on the freebie trial, which I play in the easiest mode, as I like to have a good traipse through.
The storyline - well - summit bad and spooky is occurring. If anyone has thought of something entirely original I'll be impressed as this family has had it all! I am scared of the butler. As I haven't completed the game, I can't really rate it - it just started in the 'oh so familiar' drive through a storm and try to open a door way. So far the game experience is so good, it moves it along with a good pace.
I'm getting this CE, it's beautiful and mesmerizing. It's quality is really standout. And hey, a screensaver!
I recommend this game!
Artifacts are mysteriously disappearing from the museum exhibit. Thread your way through a maze of deceit in this epic Greek Drama!
Overall rating
5
/
5
70 of 74 found this review helpful
2 Underworlds versus 1 Detective!
PostedNovember 11, 2015
LivingAsIf
fromWond'rin where Cerberus was between the Underworld and Hogwarts?
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am a Nancy Drew fan and this game is in my ND top 4 (with The Deadly Device, Shadow at the Water's Edge and The Silent Spy). It's a large file game and it is a long one. Some stand out points for me: the story is really cohesive, with real plot twists that genuinely surprised me. It's got a solid cast of characters, it's a small group but everyone is fleshed out with back stories and multiple motives. The variety of puzzles is pretty out there, the quality is high and feel of being a 'detective on the case', rather than going through the motions is pretty good.
I always play Amateur Sleuth for the task list and hints plus I always use a walkthrough (I don't know how anyone plays tough!) and got hours of play out of this game. Nancy's phone has 9 games installed on it, so downtime play too. The Hardy boys are more actively your long distance back up in this game, a bit more team for Detective Drew.
In typical Nancy fashion, you go to help out at a Greek museum, but when you get there, you're all alone. In the amphitheater is a theater company putting on a production for the museum. High drama ensues, while Nancy does her usual - working a couple of jobs while solving thefts, disappearances and murder. I learnt so much about Ancient Greek myth, art and architecture that I'm sure I could sit a post Drew exam. I loved the theatrical version of the Underworld in the game, it was great to explore and I loved learning about the judgement of souls. The mythology adds extra depth.
One of the puzzles requires unscrambling pictures of actual ancient Grecian art - that's the kind of attention to detail and makes me wonder how much research must be done for these games. If you haven't tried an ND for a while, now that there is a trial hour, I'd really recommend it. They've become faster, fresher and more flexible. There is a distinct lack of click, click, clicking up and down dark corridors. Wonderful if you want your brain engaged.
I recommend this game!
There's a corpse in your house, but who killed him?
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Aunt Gray on the Dark Side?
PostedOctober 14, 2015
LivingAsIf
fromKnitting with the cats in the garden
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Match 3, Large File, Card & Board
Current Favorite:
Grim Tales: Threads of Destiny Collector's Edition
(61)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
After enjoying Grim Tales: Threads of Destiny, I'm trying out more of the series. I was very taken by The Final Suspect as it had quite a few of the qualities I liked in Threads, namely the bright, lucid colours and a detective plot. Being an amnesia riddled Aunt Gray wondering if she did kill the man found in her living room, with the garden shears is a cosy mix of Cluedo and Murder She Wrote. I enjoyed the fish mini-game in the demo, it was very bright and fresh.
The change of themes after the demo weren't as much my cup of tea, as an avid Miss Marple/Jessica Fletcher fan. Compared to Threads, I didn't think the visuals kept up to the sparkly quality. There were a lot of actions, puzzles and mini-games. A few stood out and were inventive but I didn't need to skip anything, the lack of challenge ended up feeling a bit rote. It was pretty short too.
This is a good game and bits of it are very fun. I think I ended up with having high expectations and hoped to have at least 4 or 5 game segments that would be equivalent to the length and quality of the demo. (And that it would have stuck to the original story arc).
I'm glad that I just got the SE and will carry on with playing more Grim Tales. I did really enjoy the demo, and that's pretty much worth the experience, with it's gorgeous visual detailing.
I recommend this game!
Grim Tales: Threads of Destiny Collector's Edition
Can you free Jackie’s parents from their deadly fates?
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 22 found this review helpful
Battle a Greek Goddess
PostedOctober 13, 2015
LivingAsIf
fromAirport control tower with sweaty palms
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Match 3, Large File, Card & Board
Current Favorite:
Grim Tales: Threads of Destiny Collector's Edition
(61)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I've played the whole game, including the bonus game and the secret room of the CE edition.
I've really enjoyed this game and I'm going to go back and try some more of the Grim Tales genre. It took me back to playing Return to Ravenhearst and being immersed in a mystery game when they were new and fresh to me.
I'll list the things that I've found engaging and enjoyable. The storyline - I love the Final Destination vibe and that I've learnt a bit of Ancient Greek mythology. The story is really stuck to and all of my characters actions counting and interacting with the story, lends a quality that I've missed in other games.
Visually gorgeous, bright and clear - nothing to trigger migraines or sea sickness!
I found the Hidden Object Scenes and puzzles to be a good mix of different styles which kept it interesting. The HOS were visually beautiful. Puzzles weren't too tricky bar a few, there were lots of them. There was often a sense of time urgency in rescuing people, which helped to keep it feeling fresh and dynamic.
I didn't find all the morphing objects and was quite a few achievements short, so I'm hoping that I'll enjoy playing it through a few more times. Really enjoyed the music in the bonus section. It was such a good game that I felt it was well worth getting the CE.
I recommend this game!
Match your way through thousands of levels as you solve puzzles and explore colorful cities around the globe. LET'S GO GUMMY!®
Overall rating
5
/
5
464 of 553 found this review helpful
Oh, it is fun!
PostedJune 2, 2015
LivingAsIf
fromSt Albans, UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The first free game I've liked. The colours and graphics are clean and crisp. The basic match three game play has a good mix of bonuses, skills and challenges to keep it fresh. I haven't succumbed to in-game purchases yet.
I recommend this game!