skullfun's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.7
- Helpful Votes:11,503
- Reviews Submitted:649
- First Review:February 24, 2013
- Most Recent Review:January 2, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A time-traveling killer is taking out the Gray family, one by one.
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 60 found this review helpful
"GRIM TALES 14 LEAVES FANS WITH AN ABUPT ENDING AND UNANSWERED QUESTIONS"
PostedFebruary 23, 2018
skullfun
fromWow! Following the lineage of the Gray's and McGray's get really confusing...
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This edition Grim Tales 14: The Time Traveler surpassed all my expectations with its captivating storyline and extraordinary gameplay. The Hidden object scenes and puzzles were executed with tremendous attention to detail and design, but it was the use of inventory items and progression of the story that was most challenging for me. Some of the puzzles are just too dificult. Like the description in the intro you're cast in the role of Aunt Gray and you've been called to the Gray's to a family barbecue when disaster strikes and you get into a car accident. Not only that, but it turns out that your nephew has been murdered by a crazed maniac, and the only way to stop him is to travel back in time and prevent him from achieving his plans. This edition has a back story the involves an inheritance. You will learn about the details when you discuss this with your deceased father. I love the distorted SFX in the voice over of your father Richard Gray during your conversations with him. The story takes an odd twist when you learn the villain "time traveler" thinks the Grays and McGrays have stolen his share of the inheritance. William McGray seems to have had two step brothers, Ralph and Edward Maxwell. Ralph seems to be the suspicious one when he suggests the inheritance belongs to his brother Edward. Then it becomes really confusing when Alfred Gray-Nash (another relative) appears in the story with his relative August Nash. August is enamored with the "time traveler" so much that he develops a chemical formula to allow him to time travel too. His motive is clear. When the "time traveler" lies and tells August the Gray's and McGray's are responsible for his parents death. He wants to go back in time and save his parents from a train wreck that took their lives. It's up to you Anna, to save all involved while simultaneously figuring out this debacle. If not for the help of your deceased father (and the cool SFX voice acting) dialogue exchange you'd be lost.
Good luck with this exciting and engaging new edition. Pay careful to details because the storyline requires it. I was surprised with the ending and fans may feel this way too! I really hope these developers continue with this level of quality with this series, this epic adventure deserves more than just 5 stars... Enjoy!
In this series:
• Grim Tales: The Bride
• Grim Tales: The Legacy
• Grim Tales: The Wishes
• Grim Tales: The Stone Queen
• Grim Tales: Bloody Mary
• Grim Tales: The Vengeance
• Grim Tales: Color of Fright
• Grim Tales: The Final Suspect
• Grim Tales: Threads of Destiny
• Grim Tales: The Heir
• Grim Tales: Crimson Hollow
• Grim Tales: Graywitch
• Grim Tales: The White Lady
• Grim Tales: The Time Traveler
• Grim Tales: The Bride
• Grim Tales: The Legacy
• Grim Tales: The Wishes
• Grim Tales: The Stone Queen
• Grim Tales: Bloody Mary
• Grim Tales: The Vengeance
• Grim Tales: Color of Fright
• Grim Tales: The Final Suspect
• Grim Tales: Threads of Destiny
• Grim Tales: The Heir
• Grim Tales: Crimson Hollow
• Grim Tales: Graywitch
• Grim Tales: The White Lady
• Grim Tales: The Time Traveler
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the townspeople from paying for a dark past?
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 8 found this review helpful
~~ANOTHER MYSTICAL ADDITON TO THIS CONTINUING SERIES!~~
PostedFebruary 17, 2018
skullfun
fromMariaGlorum really know how to create an action packed series that fans continue to love!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Kudos to Mariaglorum for their 7th edition to the Mystery of the Ancients Series! In this latest medieval mystery a man with supernatural strength and speed is out and about murdering folks in the city. You and Detective Duncan must use your expertise to solve these thrilling crimes in Mystery of the Ancients: Black Dagger Collector’s Edition. The story tells of a King who was driven to insanity by dark forces he delved into. The King kills himself with a "black dagger' when the ancient families of the time period discover the King has been participating in these dark forces and decide to take actions against him. Before the King dies from the piercing black dagger he vows out loud to be resurrected which is heard by one of his loyal subjects. Who is this loyal subject and culprit? It seems to be a relative. A relative who is eager to do the King's bidding too in an attempt to resurrect him. There are 3 ancient families who posses ancient artifacts (a ring, bracelet, and a ruby eye) which you and Detective Duncan must locate and use to stop the resurrection of the King. You must also save the 3 descendants of the ancient families who posses these ancient artifacts for the mysterious man with supernatural powers plans on murdering each descendant for their artifact which makes him even more powerful. The task isn't easy but the action packed adventure aspect to this edition engages you to solve this enigma from start to finish. I love this series and this is definitely a 5 star game. Fans of the series are in for a face paced medieval mystery that you don't want to miss. I highly recommend this one for casual adventure lovers and sleuths of every level of play. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did and I hope to play many more of these games in the on-going saga....Cheers!
In this series:
• Mystery of the Ancients: Lockwood Manor
• Mystery of the Ancients: Curse of the Black Water
• Mystery of the Ancients: Three Guardians
• Mystery of the Ancients: Deadly Cold
• Mystery of the Ancients: Mud Water Creek
• Mystery of the Ancients: The Sealed and Forgotten
• Mystery of the Ancients: Black Dagger
• Mystery of the Ancients: Lockwood Manor
• Mystery of the Ancients: Curse of the Black Water
• Mystery of the Ancients: Three Guardians
• Mystery of the Ancients: Deadly Cold
• Mystery of the Ancients: Mud Water Creek
• Mystery of the Ancients: The Sealed and Forgotten
• Mystery of the Ancients: Black Dagger
I recommend this game!
Recover the artifact that contains the secrets of H.E.L.P.'s past.
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 62 found this review helpful
HIDDEN EXPEDITION 14 MAY SPARK NEW INTEREST FOR FANS OF THE SERIES!
PostedFebruary 13, 2018
skullfun
fromEipix finally give fans who love Hidden Expedition the action packed and intriguing edtion they've been waiting for!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I completed this outstanding adventure and I am proud to once again be a recruit of Hidden Expedition League of Preservation (H.E.L.P) where as before I wasn't so thrilled because I haven't enjoyed this series since Hidden Expedition Dawn of Prosperity (Editors Choice). Eipix has raised the bar for "The Golden Secret" which may satisfy the expectations for some fans of the series. Since this is the 16th edition to the series some may be burned out while others may find that this edition will once again spark enthusiasm for the series; you just never know until reviewers give a rating after completing the entire game beyond the demo. This is one of the best Hidden Expedition editions offered in the series to date and it is a heart-pounding chapter in this beloved series. H.E.L.P. HQ interrupts your ski vacation with an important request: travel to Geneva to purchase an ancient artifact called the "Golden Wheel" that could very well hold the secrets to H.E.L.P.'s long history. But it won't be easy. You'll have to be the winning bidder in a high-stakes auction. Fortunately, H.E.L.P. is footing the bill as you travel to incredible destinations in Switzerland, Germany, and El Dorado South America. The storyline is fantastic, full of surprises and well written by the developers. So many questions from previous editions are answered in this game. The only question left...Can you unlock the secrets of the mysterious Golden Wheel, or will H.E.L.P.'s origins be lost to time forever? You must play "The Golden Wheel" in order to reveal the unknown. I literally could not stop playing until the conclusion of this thrilling and engaging mission. This edition has a runtime at approximately 4 or 5 hours, with another hour for the bonus adventure. The CE bling is typically the same as in most CE games with some variation, so to include that in this review would be reductive. I do hope this edition will generate a renewed interest in this ongoing saga and that casual gamers who love adventures will enjoy playing this installment as much as I did. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
Can you save the young starlet from the wicked doll's curse?
Overall rating
5
/
5
18 of 21 found this review helpful
~THIS EDTION OF PUPPETSHOW IS A RETURN TO THE SERIES EARLY YEARS!~
PostedFebruary 11, 2018
skullfun
fromPuppetShow 13 redeems itself with the latestest installment. It reminded me of when Puppetshow was original and unique!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Curse of Ophelia is the 13th installment of Puppetshow Series by AMAX Interactive though it reminds me of previous editions developed by ERS.
Your cousin Angela (lead actress playing the lead lady in the theater production of Ophelia) has been attacked recently and left in a comatose state and doctors are unable to find the source of her condition. You receive a letter from Angela's husband Leroy who believes she's been cursed after receiving a Puppet Doll! Time to investigate the theater, so you ask Beatrice (Angela's best friend at the theater) for more info. When you arrive at the theater you learn Beatrice is the replacement for Angela in the role of Ophelia. During questioning, Beatrice describes the incident including a description of a "cursed doll". She also tells you of her own experience with the curse and how the curse left her with strange looking birthmark on her arm with symbols that quickly spread over her entire body.
It seems as though there's something really strange about this "cursed doll". Rumor says that someone sends the Puppet Doll before the play premiers and causes any actress who plays the role of Ophelia to eventually Die!!! Who is behind this mysterious curse and why are they targeting actresses at the theater?
Here are the character's you encounter in this wonderfully weird mystery:
Here are the character's you encounter in this wonderfully weird mystery:
◾Angela
The protagonist's cousin who works as a stage actress at the town's theater. She fell under the curse that targets all the women who played the role of Ophelia.
◾Leroy
Angela's husband. He aids the protagonist in the investigation
◾The Theater's Director
A mysterious man who owns the theater that Angela works for.
◾Beatrix
Angela's co-worker who wants to play the role of Ophelia herself.
◾Doll Assistant
A mysterious doll given to Angela. She is rumored to be cursed.
◾Spider Puppets (missing from this edition).
The protagonist's cousin who works as a stage actress at the town's theater. She fell under the curse that targets all the women who played the role of Ophelia.
◾Leroy
Angela's husband. He aids the protagonist in the investigation
◾The Theater's Director
A mysterious man who owns the theater that Angela works for.
◾Beatrix
Angela's co-worker who wants to play the role of Ophelia herself.
◾Doll Assistant
A mysterious doll given to Angela. She is rumored to be cursed.
◾Spider Puppets (missing from this edition).
I was really engaged in the story of this edition and the wacky gameplay mechanics. I think casual gamers and fans of this series will enjoy this latest chapter in the on-going saga of the Puppetshow series. Cheers
I recommend this game!
When detective Gingertail is called home by ex-girfriend Barbara, he could never imagine it would be the investigation of his life... and her death.
Overall rating
5
/
5
47 of 50 found this review helpful
~~~THEY'RE COMING FOR YOU BARBARA!!!~~~
PostedFebruary 11, 2018
skullfun
fromI couldn't resist quoting "Night of the Living Dead" in the review title! LOL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It’s quite the rush to find the culprit and solve the mystery, but the game as a whole needs to keep you invested from start to finish, as well as feature a nice cast of character in order to make the whole thing feel believable and engaging.
Noir Chronicles: City of Crime is a gritty adventure game with puzzle and hidden object elements, in which you play the role of a detective named Gingertail. The game features the usual gameplay mechanics found in casual HOPAs, so you shouldn’t go in looking for original concepts or anything of the sort. However, at least the riddles can be pretty challenging every now and again.
Noir Chronicles: City of Crime is a gritty adventure game with puzzle and hidden object elements, in which you play the role of a detective named Gingertail. The game features the usual gameplay mechanics found in casual HOPAs, so you shouldn’t go in looking for original concepts or anything of the sort. However, at least the riddles can be pretty challenging every now and again.
The whole thing starts when Gingertail (Fox) is called to the house of his ex-girlfriend Barbara, where he finds out that she has been murdered. You must conduct the investigation and find the clues to lead you to the culprit, as well as make sure that the detective doesn’t take his revenge too far in the process. The story is not groundbreaking material, but there are enough engaging scenes to make you forget about it. The gameplay formula is as classic as it can get if you are a veteran of the genre, which means that all you have to do is examine every scene carefully and pick up items. These items can then be used to open the way to the next scene, as well as solve the occasional puzzles. Speaking of which, there are all sorts of mini-games when it comes to the puzzles, each one of which requires either coordination or a bit of critical thinking. I could do without the mini-games where you punch the opponent. I just think that's a little juvenile for a mystery adventure. Lastly, the graphics are the same pre-rendered scenes with hand-drawn artwork on top, but they look gorgeous most of the time, and the artists were free to add as much detail as they wanted without impacting the performance. In addition, there’s excellent voice acting for dialog scenes, as well as carefully-chosen sound effects to go along with the action on the screen. Brave Giant may really have a great new series in the works and I'd like to see more games in this series. Hopefully you will too. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
The contract must be fulfilled, but your girlfriend will pay the price!
Overall rating
5
/
5
31 of 35 found this review helpful
~~CADENZA 5 CONTINUES TO CAPTIVATE FANS OF THIS POPULAR SERIES!~~
PostedFebruary 9, 2018
skullfun
fromMad Head surprised me with this game and it was a "must buy" for me to complete the collection!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The fifth chapter in the famous Cadenza series is here and the stakes have never been higher. Theo is about to propose to his girlfriend, Elaine, when a masked man appears out of nowhere and kidnaps her in the restaurant and is holding her hostage. You play Nathaniel in this edition a family friend to Theo and Elaine. You soon learn that Theo is the undersign of a devious contract created by this masked villain known as the Phantom of the eternal dance. The adventure quickly becomes fast paced as you race against the clock to find the written enchanted melody of the eternal dance and play it with a violin in an attempt to save Elaine. The Phantom warns you that the eternal dance will NOT BE DENIED, but the music in your heart has the power to free everyone. The storyline is unique and I love the eye candy graphics. I love the awesome voices of the characters who do not just dry read the script but instead puts emotion in their voices. I feel more involved in story with great voice overs. The cryptex gadget that you use in the piano is a clever and useful tool that adds an extra surprise to the adventure too. I can say nothing negative even though it was a very short game.
You know the old saying: “You can please some of the people all of the time and you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.” I think it's the appropriate metaphor for the Cadenza Series as a whole. While Cadenza continues to maintain an average 4 star rating, some editions are better than others. Fans of the series may be undecided during demo play but are likely to enjoy this one if played from start to finish. I did and I look forward to more Cadenza games in the future. Cheers!
You know the old saying: “You can please some of the people all of the time and you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.” I think it's the appropriate metaphor for the Cadenza Series as a whole. While Cadenza continues to maintain an average 4 star rating, some editions are better than others. Fans of the series may be undecided during demo play but are likely to enjoy this one if played from start to finish. I did and I look forward to more Cadenza games in the future. Cheers!
In this series:
•Cadenza: Music, Betrayal and Death
•Cadenza: The Kiss of Death
•Cadenza: Havana Nights
•Cadenza: Fame, Theft and Murder
•Cadenza: The Eternal Dance
•Cadenza: The Kiss of Death
•Cadenza: Havana Nights
•Cadenza: Fame, Theft and Murder
•Cadenza: The Eternal Dance
I recommend this game!
When a Myth Seekers agent goes missing, you’re called in to discover the truth in this hidden object adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
~~A ROMAN MYTHOLOGY MYSTERY YOU MUST EXPERIENCE!~~
PostedFebruary 5, 2018
skullfun
fromKudos to Sunward Games and Artifex Mundi on the release of Myth Seekers: The Legacy of Vulcan!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
In the first episode, The Legacy of Vulcan you play Amelia who works for the Myth Seekers agency. Journey to Italy where an ancient Vesuvian Codex helps you uncover a two thousand year old mystery that revolves around the Roman God, Vulcan and stop the evil Bellona Conti from enacting her scheme with catastrophic consequences. Travel to Rome, Pompeii and other beautiful real life destinations on your mission and come face-to-face with four mythological figures and their powerful artifacts. The Goddess Maia and her Cornucopia, The God Mars and his Helm (Helmet) Goddess Venus and her Tiara, and the God Janus and his Key. You need all of these items to aid you along the adventure as you encounter unexpected dangers! This game is a must-buy for me. It has a great plot, fantastic hidden object scenes and challenging puzzles. I give it 5 stars for it's original concept and imaginative creativity! Casual gamers of every level and lovers of ancient mythology will enjoy every moment of gameplay. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
Can you survive the island and save your brother?
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 14 found this review helpful
THE INNOVATIVE MINDS OF MADHEAD RETURN WITH SHADOWPLAY 3!
PostedFebruary 4, 2018
skullfun
fromIt might not be the developer's best work, but it sure helps solidify Mad Head Games as the leading innovator of the HOPA field.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the third edition of the fantastic Madhead series Shadowplay and it's a fascinating to play as the other releases in this series. You play Erica Harris and you are employed by the Corp Tex Corporation to investigate a secret project where a toxic waste accident contaminating Ambose Island has occurred leaving multiple workers dead and one missing...your brother Mark! Once you arrive on the island you mission leads you to the Corp Tex lab where a strange beacon noise emanates from the main building. The building itself is a challenge to enter even for experienced casual gamers. Could the beacon be an experimental device causing this contamination? Has your brother been infected? Have you been deceived by a hidden agenda? Find out in this incredible thriller that will make you jump out of your seat!!! There aren't many games quite like Shadowplay – it is dark, twisted and incredibly engaging. Another thing that Mad Head Games always excels at is the production. You'll appreciate the amazing visuals; all the scenes are sharply rendered and look nothing short of stunning. Further, the menu and the inventory bar are smartly and cleanly designed so that they fit perfectly with the environment and do not distract players from the game. The quality of the soundtracks in Shadowplay are impressive too and they effectively build up the suspense of the game. Shadowplay thrives when most games don’t because it delivers and develops the plot in such an interactive and creative fashion through fun tasks and cool features. This was a must purchase for me and I think most fans of Mad Head will agree. I had an awesome time playing this 4 hour sci-fi adventure and another hour with the bonus chapter. Cheers!
In this series:
•Shadowplay: Darkness Incarnate
•Shadowplay: Whispers of the Past (intended for mature audiences).
•Shadowplay: The Forsaken Island
•Shadowplay: Darkness Incarnate
•Shadowplay: Whispers of the Past (intended for mature audiences).
•Shadowplay: The Forsaken Island
I recommend this game!
It's more than your average survival show...
Overall rating
4
/
5
15 of 17 found this review helpful
~~THE UNSEEN FEARS SEQUEL IS A FAR CRY FROM THE ORIGINAL!~~~
PostedFebruary 4, 2018
skullfun
fromWill fans of this series enjoy this sequel as much as the original? Find out when more reviews are submitted!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the follow up to The Unseen Fears: Body Thief. I would recommend you to play the first installment which is intense and because there are some good and spooky moments that seem to be missing from this sequel. Do you recall and remember what The Unseen Fears: Body Thief was about? It’s about a private detective with some special skills who is called for help in Amsterdam. The authorities are facing a seemingly deranged killer that leaves their victims skinless and they have a feeling that it might be a bit supernatural. In The Unseen Fears: Outlive, your mission is entirely different. A new reality show is entrancing the globe, but not in a good way. When strange things start happening on the set of the nation’s most popular show, it’s up to you to save the contestants and yourself! With dark forces around every turn, do you have what it takes to save the world from a horrible fate? Find out in this sequel to the successful The Unseen Fears: Body Thief! This mystery game allows you to battle supernatural forces and defeat all sorts of spirits and demons while you attempt to save the world. The game does not feature new gameplay mechanics or anything of the sort, which means that if you already are a HOPA fan it should be easy to get down to business from the first minutes of your adventure. The story starts with a TV shows that goes wrong and starts spreading some kind of curse around the world, while simultaneously putting the contestants in danger. Your job is to save everyone and deal with the evil spirits in the process, although you also receive a bit of help on the way. The story is about as straightforward as it gets, so don’t expect anything out of the ordinary in this regard. This edition may not live up to casual gamers expectations; unlike the first edition. As far as the puzzles are concerned, all you have to do is find the required items in order to unlock them, as well as solve the mini-games that challenge your wits. Sometimes you just have to place the right item in a slot, while other times you have to find the correct pattern in order to unlock a container or a door. There is a lot of variety in this regard, even if most mechanics boil down to the same thing in the end. I really enjoyed the scenery even if a bit cartoonish at times. Thankfully, the scenery is quite good at distracting you, given the fact that you are always exploring interesting environments. The artwork is very detailed and in tune with the story, and the same can be said about the characters you meet along the way. There’s even voice acting for cut-scenes, as well as spooky sound effects to help with the atmosphere. It's your typical supernatural adventure game and I wonder if fans of the series compare it the original? All in all, nothing really sets The Unseen Fears: Outlive apart from the rest of the games in the genre, but that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy the trip. Hence, you can easily spend a few hours solving quests and defeating monstrosities. I enjoyed this game and played with an open mind though I found myself comparing both editions. Demo and give this sequel a chance. Who knows? Some casual gamers may like this edition just as much as the first, if not more so. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
Donna’s childhood friend is overwhelmed by a cursed tree that poisons everything it touches!
Overall rating
3
/
5
12 of 12 found this review helpful
~~FANS HAVE "HIGH EXPECTATIONS" WHEN REVIEWING MADHEAD GAMES!~~
PostedFebruary 4, 2018
skullfun
fromMad Head's Donna Brave sequel gets mixed reviews from fans who love the series and fans who expected more. Will the next edition compare to the original?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Madhead did a great job with the first edition with the release of "Donna Brave and the Strangler of Paris" but this sequel has a predictable storyline which wasn't interesting enough to entice me into purchasing it. It's difficult not to compare this edition to the original Donna Brave and killing a deadly tree just didn't cut it for me. I do think that Madhead developers deserve credit for the efforts put forth into making this series and I hope that the next chapter of Donna Brave will be equally exciting as the "Strangler of Paris". This series has great potential but fans have "high expectations" from the developers at Madhead and a 2 or 3 star rating isn't typically what reviewer's give when rating any of the other incredibly interesting games Madhead creates. Demo this chapter of Donna Brave with enthusiasm for the series and decide for yourself. Cheers!
I recommend this game!