AmethystScorpion's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.1
- Helpful Votes:502
- Reviews Submitted:44
- First Review:December 2, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 23, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Status:
House of 1000 Doors: The Palm of Zoroaster Collector's Edition
Guide Kate Reed as she searches for the artifacts that can break the power of a cursed gem in House of 1,000 Doors: The Palm of Zoroaster!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Really disappointed. This is 1000 Doors in name only
PostedApril 8, 2013
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Have to agree with the other reviewers this was a huge let down. This is a continuation of the trend whereby publishers knowing they have made a turkey give it the name of a best seller in the hope that people will be fooled into buying it.
The first four or five screens are a continuation of the last game after which it is turned into something completely different and goes down hill from thence onwards, heck it doesn't even have "Doors" it has haunted paintings.
This is just a cobbled together affair that is trying to cash in on what everyone else seems to be doing.
Secret Society- check
Aztec Temple - check
Knights Templar - check
Invaded Tibetan Monastery - check
Haunted Pirate Ship - check
All nothing to do with the House of 1000 doors.
The game plot is dark and will be upsetting for children, in fact it's totally inappropriate considering some of the violent descriptions in the text and certainly NOT for young eyes to read.
The game play itself quickly becomes a chore and doesn't hold interest.
All in all a bit of a mess and it would have had a lower score except that I got it as part of a multi Pack.
I recommend this game!
Written Legends: Nightmare at Sea
Trapped at the bottom of the sea by Davy Jones, you must discover his secrets, save your father and find a way to escape!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Pleasantly Surprised
PostedMarch 25, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This was the best one in a three game multi-pack. Essentially this is a low budget version of The Cursed Heart but it is still a page turner that puts many Large File Platinum Edition games to shame. Much better than The Mayan Prophesy in my opinion too.
Yaaahhhrrrr we be very happy me-hearties!
I recommend this game!
Mystery Case Files: Shadow Lake
The residents of Bitterford, Maine have fallen prey to a terrible curse. It’s up to you to unravel the series of mysterious events that led to the town’s downfall and uncover the evil that was responsible.
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
Forget it's MCF and it's OK
PostedMarch 23, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game would have got much better reviews if Big Fish had released it under a different programming house, indeed there were time when I thought I was playing Vanishing Hitchhiker.
I also think people just didn't "Get It" because this is a deliberate send up poking (well deserved) fun at shows like Grave Encounters and T.A.P.S.
I also think people just didn't "Get It" because this is a deliberate send up poking (well deserved) fun at shows like Grave Encounters and T.A.P.S.
Regrettably though this has been release far too early with many of the scenes and graphics still in the Beta Stage of development.
There are a few jumps and surprises that are a welcome delight and personally I was drawn into the story very quickly.
Unfortunately as we see in so many games these days the programmers seem to have thrown everything into what they gauge people will see in an hours free trial after which they just give up leaving a second half of the game as a tedious, empty trudge - and then it just ends with no obvious conclusion and to be honest I didn't really care either.
Unfortunately as we see in so many games these days the programmers seem to have thrown everything into what they gauge people will see in an hours free trial after which they just give up leaving a second half of the game as a tedious, empty trudge - and then it just ends with no obvious conclusion and to be honest I didn't really care either.
The game play is more Search and Find than HO but for some weird reason the crime computer has been swapped in favor of manipulating parts of Lea Thompson's Brain!?
No I don't get it either.
No I don't get it either.
The sound is minimal with a truly HORRIBLE rotating object bar that sounds like someone vomiting every time you need to use it.
The live actors play it for laughs but it is tastefully done and really entertaining.
The live actors play it for laughs but it is tastefully done and really entertaining.
But the weakest aspect I'm sad to say is Lea Thompson herself. Making no attempt to hide her seething resentment at stooping to this level in her career, she makes a complete mockery of the part and one gets the distinct impression that she is relishing the thought of throttling her agent for getting her the gig!
I am recommending this game in as much as I got it with my free voucher but I won't be buying the CE.
I recommend this game!
The Secret Order: Masked Intent Collector's Edition
Someone in the Order has turned traitor, murdering one of the Secret Five! Only Sarah can prevent the Order’s destruction!
Overall rating
2
/
5
18 of 34 found this review helpful
I WANT MY MONEY BACK!
PostedMarch 23, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
There is now way, and I mean NOOOO WAAAY that there is almost Two Gigabyte of content here! In fact, it would be hard pressed to contain over 400 MB.
A "Collectors Edition" should contain more than just over Two hours of actual game-play!
The main game can easily be completed, on expert level mind you, within the hour free trial. Big Fish this is truly disgusting and I am seriously considering closing my account for good.
The graphics are mediocre, the story starts off good then just seems to be dropped at the half way point - and then the main game ends with a screen message that you are now into extra game play. What the devil just happened?
Very angry about this so I'd better sign off here
I don't recommend this game.
Hallowed Legends: Samhain
Celtic folklore seems to be more truth than lore when the Samhain festival goers disappear! Find the missing people and save the day!
Overall rating
1
/
5
36 of 39 found this review helpful
What in the name of all that's holy was THAT?!
PostedMarch 13, 2013
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
It has been over three weeks since I completed this and I am STILL finding it hard to find the words to adequtly describe this game (and how bad it is) because there is literally no way to get this across to the reader so here goes my best attempt........oh and it was out of sheer morbid curiosity that I went to the bitter end with this monster.
Ok so we start out with a game that begins as a dark tale of black magic and pagan sacrifice and ends as a romantic situation comedy. Here is the journey. It makes no sense at all. There is no plot. There is no story. There is no narative. There is no logic, understanding or reason to do anything in this game at all.
This...erm...experience... starts with an animation of a Celtic Demon looking over the brow of a hill and thus it begins. We are on a mission to meet a distinguished scientist at a recent dig near Glastonbury Tor. Three or Four screens into the game we get locked in a ruined church in the English countryside and can't escape - even though their is a giant gaping hole in the wall at ground level, right next to the locked gate in fact, we are stuck there for some reason. From there we find a group of people frozen on a sort of pond inside the church. Why they are there is not explained and they are forgotten about for the rest of this awful experience. We do some...erm...stuff... that takes us to an underground cavern in which the player needs to find a way to get to an elevator in said cavern that comes out at........
............the top of a snow covered mountain somewhere in the Swiss Alps. I kid you not! Here we meet a butler who asks the player to find his kidnapped daughter. We need to find new clothes to cross a bridge over the mountains wherby we find ourselves............
......in a warm Steampunk type engine room (on the top of a mountain) where somehow the butler has managed to make it there before us without any explanation at all. At this point we need to fix the Steampunk Engine that lowers a drawbridge to another peak on the mountain where we find............
..........an archelogical dig revealing an underground forrest and a small weather research station where we need to search for objects to open a trap door leading us to.......
..........a James Bond type underground base where we need to find parts of a Lazer Gun to shoot a Wolf who gives up a fuse device to open a security door where we find.........
.....a gas burner to a hot air baloon that we take and fix to the baloon. From there we are taken to........
.......a lake where we need to find objects to repair another elivator to obtain a code key and a scuba diving outfit. We use the code key to open an underground security airlock door where.......
.......we discover it it isnt a lake anymore but the open ocean. Here we find a trapped scuba diver who has become lodged under a treasure chest he is trying to salvage who once rescued gives us the key to his submarine where we find locks for an inflatable globe which we climb into and are taken to the surface and discover....
.....that the ocean has changed back into a lake again and que an animation of the player falling over a waterfall in the afor mentioned inflateble globe to land in.....
....a forrest back in the English Countryside. This level is the standard find and repair a cannoo with a hole in it using a convinently place log cabin with a metal refinary to melt pitch, find nails for wood planks - blah blah blah, etc etc etc. You know the drill and once the canoo is repaired we find ourselves.....
......in an inner city that has buildings on fire. This is where we get some classic Scooby Doo one liners such as "Hmm I think I'm beginning to figure out what's really been going on here" and "This is all beginning to make sense". The object in this level is to find the key to a hotel room hidden in a train station. Yes Friends in 2012 London they still use Steam Locamotives - yes you read that right STEAM TRAINS!!! In 2012. Again I kid you not. Somewhere in this we come face to face with the Butler we left on the mountain top in the Alps (remember him?) who tells us that after we left he found a car. I promise his exact words.......he " FOUND A CAR" all the way up there, on the mountain top, in Swizerland. Anyway once we have jumped through the various hoops to find the hotel key we then find.......
......the old proffesor we were going to meet at the begining (remember him too?) who is slowly being digested by a carniverous plant in his hotel room. We free the Professor from the plant and come upon another Scooby Doo classic - he makes a full confession that it wasnt really the Demon Samhain it was him in disguise all along! Then he askes you the player to marry him. O yes he does, he tells you how beautiful you are and how he has always loved you and would you marry him.....
Game ends with snapshots of your wedding day.
Dear reader by now you are probably frozen to the spot, mouth open, glazed look wondering what on earth you have just read. That has been my state since completeing this monstrosity, mouth open, glazed eyes wondering what just happened. If anyone is aware of a rehab programme available to people who survived this - Experience - to the end please let me know.
I don't recommend this game.
House of 1000 Doors: Family Secrets Collector's Edition
Guide Kate Reed as she solves four mind-bending mysteries that take her to worlds she's never imagined!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Not ashamed to say I Loved this
PostedMarch 3, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BigFish review readers will be aware of my crankyness and impatients with "Silly and unbelievable" games, even more so with programmers cutting corners so what was it about THIS one that made me like it so much?
Well, this is a gentle and heart-warming game that works well on a large screen. The graphics are obviously drawings rather than scanned scenes but nevertheless they are still very well done.
The narrative is consistent throughout as is the pace and benevolent mood. Cut scenes are not too intrusive and move the story on in a logical, progressive way.
I guess the time period this is set in is unclear and seems to change quite a bit but it dosn't affect the atmosphere or the story.
I guess the time period this is set in is unclear and seems to change quite a bit but it dosn't affect the atmosphere or the story.
The sound and music while being minimal and repetative is still delightful and relaxing, very much like the piano music in "Build Mode" on The Simms first game (remember that one?).
The collecters edition took me Two sessions to complete due to it being so interesting and variable, I wasnt bored at any point in the game play which is a minor miricle for me.
THE BONUS GAME
This was a bit of a strange experience that was an annex supplement rather than a continuation of the main story.
The screenshots are actually Beta versions of other games by the same programming company with the music from the first Weird Park game that seemed out of place.
I CAN say that it was a decent length for a Bonus Game and didn't leave me feeling ripped off like most other CE editions do.
The screenshots are actually Beta versions of other games by the same programming company with the music from the first Weird Park game that seemed out of place.
I CAN say that it was a decent length for a Bonus Game and didn't leave me feeling ripped off like most other CE editions do.
CONCLUSION
Very plesant surprise for me and I have already loaded up the second one so hear's hoping. See you in a couple of days!
I recommend this game!
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove
A recently unearthed artifact proves a dark legend to be true! Follow the trail of a group of missing graduate students.
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 11 found this review helpful
MCF Two words for you - BASIC RESEARCH
PostedFebruary 13, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I have previously held off commenting on the laughable way that MCF represend parts of the UK because it really didn't matter too much but here I must say something.
I am presently situated in the precise location that Dire Grove is meant to be set and travel the York to Weatherby road every day. This is actually one of the UK's highest areas of social deprevation, drug use and Gang crime so for MCF to present it as "Quaint English Countriside" (actually filmed in Argentina!) is both irrisponsible and dangerous to people who might be encouraged to visit.
What they are representing as "Historical Artifacts (scanned)" are actually relics of Henry VIII and at least Two Thousand Years (and about Seventy miles) removed from the Neolithic ledgends they are attempting to recreate here. Lazy, Sloppy and Cheap.
The game itself -
Again this has apparently been two projects that have been slopily spliced together - one an intense and scary Blair Witch type scenaro that has been innapropriatly incorperated into a light and comedic gameplay. The feel of this is awkward and embarresing.
The graphics are georgeous and so it the sound but in no way represent the area they are meant to be taking place in or any historical relevence.
The actual game play is among the slowest and most boring I have ever encountered. It just goes nowhere, and nowhere again, parts of the plot are inconsistent with the video clips and scenarios that are set up are dropped somewhere at the half way point and never picked up.
Final opinion - Lovely Graphics and some rather good acting that has been given to a programming team that has just thrown the bits together in a random way withthout actually looking at it.
I am presently situated in the precise location that Dire Grove is meant to be set and travel the York to Weatherby road every day. This is actually one of the UK's highest areas of social deprevation, drug use and Gang crime so for MCF to present it as "Quaint English Countriside" (actually filmed in Argentina!) is both irrisponsible and dangerous to people who might be encouraged to visit.
What they are representing as "Historical Artifacts (scanned)" are actually relics of Henry VIII and at least Two Thousand Years (and about Seventy miles) removed from the Neolithic ledgends they are attempting to recreate here. Lazy, Sloppy and Cheap.
The game itself -
Again this has apparently been two projects that have been slopily spliced together - one an intense and scary Blair Witch type scenaro that has been innapropriatly incorperated into a light and comedic gameplay. The feel of this is awkward and embarresing.
The graphics are georgeous and so it the sound but in no way represent the area they are meant to be taking place in or any historical relevence.
The actual game play is among the slowest and most boring I have ever encountered. It just goes nowhere, and nowhere again, parts of the plot are inconsistent with the video clips and scenarios that are set up are dropped somewhere at the half way point and never picked up.
Final opinion - Lovely Graphics and some rather good acting that has been given to a programming team that has just thrown the bits together in a random way withthout actually looking at it.
I recommend this game!
Mountain Crime: Requital
Someone is killing the guests at a mountain resort, and you could be next if you don't figure out the mystery and solve a Mountain Crime!
Overall rating
2
/
5
Bait and switch BIG time......I'll explain
PostedJanuary 7, 2013
AmethystScorpion
fromScotland United Kingdom Europe Planet Earth The Solar System The Milky Way Western Spiral Arm The Known Universe
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
For people who try the free Demo this would seem to be a good purchase. The graphics are good (but not so good they work on a large screen). The HO scenes are constructing parts of an object that is useful which I like more than Morphing Objects or just finding stuff. The progression is logical for the most part with some gaping holes in continuity that can be forgiven - your escape from a plummet over a cliff in your car but then just walk across the empty space to the Hotel?!?
All in all very passable right up to the end of the free trial about the time you make it to the Third Floor and then.......
All in all very passable right up to the end of the free trial about the time you make it to the Third Floor and then.......
Oh dear oh dear oh dear..........
This is where the rest of the game was obviously given over to a different programming team. The first warning sign is a significant reduction in the quality of the graphics.
Then logic and deduction seem to go completely out of the window and you just wander round the place....erm.....doing stuff that makes no sense. You repair a Lawn mower and mow a lawn!?! You put together vacume cleaner to hoover an abandoned jeep!?! You pack a suitcase full of clothes you find abandoned on a junk pile and just...leave it there?!? EH?!
Then logic and deduction seem to go completely out of the window and you just wander round the place....erm.....doing stuff that makes no sense. You repair a Lawn mower and mow a lawn!?! You put together vacume cleaner to hoover an abandoned jeep!?! You pack a suitcase full of clothes you find abandoned on a junk pile and just...leave it there?!? EH?!
But worse of all are the puzzles because it is LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE to progress without using the SKIP button!!!
For example there is the standard - place the pieces on the chess board in the right order - type puzzle except that the pieces you have and the pieces on the solution code are DIFFERENT PIECES!
Or say a lock that requires the placement of certain symbols in a particular order except that the symbols on the solution code ARE DIFFERENT SYMBOLS!!
Making things worse the instructions for the other puzzles needing to be completed are literally INTELLIGIBLE GIBBERISH.
Or say a lock that requires the placement of certain symbols in a particular order except that the symbols on the solution code ARE DIFFERENT SYMBOLS!!
Making things worse the instructions for the other puzzles needing to be completed are literally INTELLIGIBLE GIBBERISH.
Seriously folks either this is the worse case of programming incompetence I have encountered or there are some students having a jolly good laugh at our expense.
I don't recommend this game.
Scratches Director's Cut
Help writer Michael Arthate explore the Blackwood house! Follow mysteries through the house and dive into secrets of the past!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
Have these people even PLAYED this game?
PostedDecember 13, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am honestly surprised at how many people are complaining about motion sickness in this game because there is an option to play it as a standard "Freeze Frame" adventure.
This won't be for everyone and certainly not for tablet or ipads users as it is one of those games that is a long haul. However when conected to a large screen TV with sterio headphones this is certain to creep you out.
It's difficult to go into details because most actions here are spoilers but I can say the progression is mostly logical with LOTS of reading required. If you are stuck at all it's worth playing the secondary game that comes with this "The Last Visit" to find out what to do but that's all I'm saying here.
The Storyline is your classic "Lunatic in the basement" mixed with African folklaw and ritual, so those of you who have seen old Hammer films such as "The Goule and The Shuttered Room" will know what to expect here.
The voice acting and sound effects are movie quality with the graphics varying from average to exellent and there are no silly puzzles (putting crowns on frogs or finding fried eggs in fountains etc) to spoil the atmosphere of the experience.
It's difficult to go into details because most actions here are spoilers but I can say the progression is mostly logical with LOTS of reading required. If you are stuck at all it's worth playing the secondary game that comes with this "The Last Visit" to find out what to do but that's all I'm saying here.
The Storyline is your classic "Lunatic in the basement" mixed with African folklaw and ritual, so those of you who have seen old Hammer films such as "The Goule and The Shuttered Room" will know what to expect here.
The voice acting and sound effects are movie quality with the graphics varying from average to exellent and there are no silly puzzles (putting crowns on frogs or finding fried eggs in fountains etc) to spoil the atmosphere of the experience.
In conclusion the closest game I can compare this to is "Barrow Hill" but much better done. People will either like this or they wont and "Scratches" is best played in Freeze Frame (slide show option) mode in a dark room connected to a large TV with a good set of headphones.
Enjoy!
Mystery of the Ancients: Curse of the Black Water Collector's Edition
Uncover Poseidon’s ancient secrets hidden under the town of Black Water!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Fun but Childish
PostedDecember 11, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
AHHHHGGHHH.........It drives me crazy! As other people have pointed out here there has been a definite decline in game quality in recent months that has many of us annoyed. What seem to be on the surface well crafted games have the definite sense of being "half finished" and rushed. This is no different
This game sounds promising but again I found the advertising to be misleading. What starts as a really promising game experience for the first two or three screens quickly becomes camp, cartoonish and comedic ruining the atmosphere for the rest of the game. The graphics vary from passable to poor as does the problem solving. Additionally I would estimate that half of the game is just padding to make it seem longer #it's actually quite short#.
Problems like this could be so easily be avoided with a little care and attention to detail. For example why the heck would I want to put a gold crown on an Amazon Tree Frog to get a screwdriver? Moreover what is an expensive crown even doing in an alleyway junk pile? #what is it with HO games and Crowns anyway?!#
Why would I want to draw a smiley face on a box to get a key?
Why would I want to draw a smiley face on a box to get a key?
Programmers PLEASE quit with this childishness in games and have some pride in your work.
I recommend this game!