Hespera's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358
- Reviews Submitted:31
- First Review:July 24, 2014
- Most Recent Review:February 27, 2025
- Featured reviews0
The Christmas spirit is vanishing all over the world, but why?
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
If Your're Gonna Be a Grinch...
PostedDecember 11, 2018
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
..then maybe it's time to stop doing something. It is undoubtedly difficult finding new material with which to work. And if time and talent don't allow for original compositions and development of NEW puzzles instead of the same tired ones over and over and over and over again, then perhaps it is best to give it a rest for a bit.
This is the second OZ Christmas tale in as many years (different developers), so the idea didn't make a big impression. I really had to force myself to finish the game, as I just didn't feel it. There's nothing wrong with the story, and the characters are okay, but the story felt dated because it wasn't a new concept and the puzzles are the same ones we seen in the last four stories. The art and graphics are wonderful and exceedingly colorful.
The voice overs are well done, so it would be an injustice not to encourage everyone to try the game and formulate their own opinion.
The voice overs are well done, so it would be an injustice not to encourage everyone to try the game and formulate their own opinion.
I recommend this game!
In Christmas Wonderland 9 you visit Santa’s workshop, decorate the house, visit grandparents open presents and more. Have the best Christmas ever!
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
MY FAMILY'S FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GAME
PostedDecember 10, 2018
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
My children now start anticipating this annual event right after Thanksgiving. Each year I notice how much more than can do on their own. It's become a tradition in our home to gather around my very large monitor and work on this game together and we laugh, lighten our hearts and have lots of fun. My daughter noticed this year that the children looked younger than last year and I told her that was the price the Mother paid for her new sweater! She just looked at me funny. But seriously, the art in this one did suffer somewhat (I think it has maybe been overworked after nine years). And this year, no math puzzle-one of my favorite things! But there are two good jigsaw puzzles and the usual complement of golden reindeer and lost and found. Even though I hope they can get some new art sometime soon, I also hope they don't get tired of producing a game every year. We would miss it terribly at my house!
I recommend this game!
What lies within the depths of the pitch-black mirror?
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 8 found this review helpful
Never Thought I Would Say "Too Many Puzzles"
PostedNovember 27, 2018
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm really not a Hidden Object person, unless it's a timed game, such as Madame Fate, etc. But I enjoyed the MCFs because the story lines were good and the HOS well done and an integral part of the game. The puzzles were unique, well-placed and always a part of their surroundings. In this and the two previous offerings, it seems that there are puzzles for the sake of puzzles. Before 15 minutes passed from the start, 10 puzzles were presented that required resolution prior to continuation. Really? One can't get a look about the place before the inventory bar has twenty items, and figure out plot or motive. And it all seems so random and disjointed, especially the super puzzles, which seem to be just globbed together - like someone stayed up all night drinking Red Bull. I don't think they are cunning or difficult - only frenetic. The overall result wan't an enjoyable or good one for me. But each to his own. The only way to know for sure is to try it.
I recommend this game!
Margaret needs your help once again! You must repair the railway across 50 time management levels and manage an enormous budget!
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
IF YOU LIKE THEM EASY, THIS IS YOUR GAME
PostedNovember 26, 2018
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I've not played the others in the series; however, if this is a true example, I can state that the game is without much challenge, has no achievements (high scores only) and reminds me somewhat of Royal Envoy in its simplicity and straightforwardness. The graphics are well done but the game play is sort of senseless (run around and pick up lots of mail for money, chop gobs of trees, build bridges, upgrade offices for workers, pick crops, gather freight, throw a switch, weed tracks, etc), then there are sidebar challenges you build with your points. All in all, it's meh - OK as an alternative to a completely boring afternoon if you're totally bored and not up to much else.
I recommend this game!
When a notorious poacher steals every animal off a reserve, FEMA calls in the Rescue Team! Save the day in the time management rescue mission.
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 21 found this review helpful
Rename Animal Rescue
PostedSeptember 30, 2018
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Although the graphics are good and the game play is smooth, if it were any easier and the timer were any longer, the whole thing may as well be untimed. Another sad example of making a timed game so easy, there is no longer any challenge involved for anyone. The achievements have been changed to reflect the non-challenge element as well.
While many will enjoy all the animals (that's whats important in games now, right?) and even though there is an untimed mode, everyone will enjoy the fact they can play in timed mode and still make 3 stars on every level.
It was so easy, the entire game took me 1 1/2 hours to play. That's pretty sad for a Rescue Team game.
While many will enjoy all the animals (that's whats important in games now, right?) and even though there is an untimed mode, everyone will enjoy the fact they can play in timed mode and still make 3 stars on every level.
It was so easy, the entire game took me 1 1/2 hours to play. That's pretty sad for a Rescue Team game.
Venture beyond the kingdom and solve the riddle of an ancient pirate map in this exciting time management game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 21 found this review helpful
The Sweetest Kingdom is Here!
PostedSeptember 17, 2018
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Just to be clear, this is NOT a Royal Envoy game. Nor is it a sequel to Kingdom Chronicles. The game is by the makers of Sweet Kingdom-Enchanted Princess which is one of my favorite Builder/Resource Management games of all time. The graphics are great, the dialogue truly precious and the game play is smooth throughout. And even though I wish it were more challenging, I must say I enjoyed playing and experiencing the game. It is superbly done and once you get above Level 20, things will get a bit tricky. I didn't have to replay any levels to get 3 stars, but came really, really close on some of them.. I can't speak to the strategy guide as I don't look at them. I play games my way, which is what suits me. Well done, developers! Thanks for a great game. <3
Discover new lands and gather resources with brave Vikings in search of their stolen queen!
Overall rating
5
/
5
31 of 38 found this review helpful
A New Age of Vikings
PostedAugust 7, 2018
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Gone are the boring sing-song vikings you used to know. These guys truly rock. This may be a first-time game for this developer and I think it is an amazing job. And once you get used to the game play, which you have to do with any new game, it's quite easy to fall into the rhythm of things. It requires quite bit of strategy and thinking outside the box, which I think is wonderful and refreshing. And you don't have to always click to collect rent, when it accumulates, you can just swipe it to collect it. I am overjoyed to see anything new in Time/Resource Management and or Strategy Games and I'm really enjoying it very much. Bravo, developers! I do wish it had achievements; however, it does have high scores and it's not a CE. So, there's lots of fun at half the price! The graphics are very good and everything works quite well. I'm currently on Level 25, with all gold. I've not had to replay anything yet, but I do study a bit before I start playing.
I recommend this game!
The great Archimedes’ latest invention has destroyed the beautiful town of Syracuse! Guide Archimedes and help rebuild the beautiful city!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
Archimedes Rules - Literally!
PostedJuly 5, 2018
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
My favorite mathematician finally comes into his own. This game is definitely a timed strategy game. To get 3 stars on all levels can be quite challenging and you have to think and rethink how you do things. There is a strategy guide for those who use them, but I prefer to do things on my own, which makes the game lots more fun. And then after making three stars on all the levels, you can go back and attempt to beat the developer's records, which is even more fun. The graphics are great, the game play is very fluid, and I found nothing amiss. I always turn the music down on such games because I find it disturbs my thinking, but I absolutely loved the game. I thought it stimulating and challenging and the best I've seen in the past couple of years as far as new, challenging and worth the money in play time.
I recommend this game!
Can you keep the past from destroying the present?
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 7 found this review helpful
A Vast Improvement Over the Past Several Years
PostedJune 28, 2018
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Here, at last, is something that can merit the name "Mystery Case Files". To those unfamiliar with the first installations (i.e. Prime Suspects, Huntsville, Madame Fate, Ravenhearst) the games were straight hidden object scenes (Prime Suspects, Huntsville) with mini-games added (Madame Fate) and then whacky door locks (Ravenhearst). All were timed games (which made them worth playing) and all were fairly well whack for their time. The developer followed the genre fairly well, only, I thought for this day and age, they really could have improved on the formula, and I thought the game relatively lazy in the ease and repetition of the mini-games and sometimes rather insulting at the simplicity, copy-cat and multiple occurance of them. Yes, they are taking characters from past games and bringing them together for a reason, but did they have to copy the mini-games as well? And I thought a jigsaw puzzle at every level end for 10 levels was way too many jigsaws. I was so tired of them!
As for achievements, they are disappointing as well. One of them actually encourages to skip mini-games - 3 of them! How absurd! Who would want you to skip mini-games?
On the other hand, another achievement is to play all of the hidden object scenes in less than 120 seconds (2 minutes). I promise, you won't find this a problem.
So all in all, I give it a 10 for creativity, but only a 5 for originality. Developers - by now you should know better than this.
Gnome Garden 3 - a new chapter in this exciting fantasy/strategy game. Head off into unknown lands and defeat the warlock!
Overall rating
1
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
Gnomes Garden - Enough!
PostedJune 17, 2016
Hespera
fromTexas, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The first one was buggy, the second one was identical to the first, minus the bugs. The third added different characters and merrymakers, but was entirely too easy. The first two at least offered some challenges in finishing the levels. The third is so easy my 6 year old can get through it. And the trophies remain senseless (things you have to accomplish during regular game play) and even though Big Fish advertises the trophies, they don't include them.