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:
Ice giants are attacking citizens as a deadly blizzard arrives.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Another great edition to Mystery of the Ancients series!!!
PostedFebruary 18, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I wasn't especially excited about the concept of the storyline in Mystery of the Ancients: Deadly Cold, but I do think that it flows very well throughout the game. With a pleasant plot, and interesting events every now and then, Deadly Cold is a captivating game. Graphics wise, this fourth game in the acclaimed franchise continues to deliver. The graphics are unarguably cartoons-like; however, they balanced depths and bold colors exceptionally well that all the locations look absolutely stunning on the screen. Additionally, the character animations and cutscenes are extremely convincing as well. Despite the solid story and strong presentation, HOPA fans might be disappointed by the level of challenge in Mystery of the Ancients: Deadly Cold. The game is indeed a very busy game, with tons of tasks to do in a single scene. But for some reason, finding my way from start to finish did not require much brainwork. The majority of the game involves walking back and forth through locations and completing simple, tasks. Nonetheless, the level of challenge was outweighed by the impressiveness of the game's puzzles and hidden object scenes. The hidden object scenes are beautifully drawn, nicely executed and come in a variety of modes. Moreover, the puzzles are very smart and, perhaps, some of the most creative ones I have seen in a while.
The main game of Mystery of the Ancients: Deadly Cold took slightly more than 6 hours to complete, while the bonus chapter was an hour long. Though not groundbreaking, Mystery of the Ancients: Deadly Cold is definitely a fun game presented through awesome visuals and innovative puzzles.
The main game of Mystery of the Ancients: Deadly Cold took slightly more than 6 hours to complete, while the bonus chapter was an hour long. Though not groundbreaking, Mystery of the Ancients: Deadly Cold is definitely a fun game presented through awesome visuals and innovative puzzles.
I recommend this game!
You've been asked to cover a highly anticipated competition in New York City when something goes terribly wrong. Can you escape the world of illusions?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Dangerous Games 2 gets 4.5 stars....
PostedFebruary 17, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This edition is definitely CE worthy, I just think Dangerous Games: Prisoners of Destiny is a difficult act to follow. I love this developer and urge everyone to demo. I played Illusionist until the end and enjoyed every moment.
I recommend this game!
A famous painter finds herself in over her head!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 28 found this review helpful
Excellent edition to Off the Record Series!!!
PostedFebruary 8, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Felicity Adams [you] travel to Austria, where the famous artist Lisa Steiner is in charge of restoring a historical painting “Leda’s Swan” in Off The Record 3: The Art of Deception. When you arrived to Steiner’s hometown, you see Lisa running away, and then find out, that she's being threatened by someone! Looks like an art thief criminal or a gang was threatening her for some reason… but why? Follow the trails of the scared artist you witness her kidnapping and now Lisa’s destiny depends on YOU! Discover where Lisa Steiner is held hostage and free HER. It's an adult theme adventure with a good story, I really enjoyed this one and recommend the other games in this series. The German accent's of the voice overs are superb as well as the graphics. Ever notice the hexagon shapes that float in sun-filled room by these developers? Subtle but there. Eipix is one of my favorite developers, so thank you BigFish for releasing 2 Eipix adventures within one week. xox's
I recommend this game!
A mysterious plague is sweeping through towns along the coast, and you're the only one who knows the truth!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Eipix is singing in the rain over latest release...
PostedFebruary 4, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I urge everyone to play the demo of Sea of Lies: Burning Coast. Most contributor's agree that these developer's are really raising the bar in the HOPA industry. I enjoyed every minute of this adventure, it's a must for avid fans of this developer. They really are Creating Worlds with their games!
I recommend this game!
A stay at a peaceful hotel turns into a nightmare when a witch from the Twilight World takes your daughter!
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 17 found this review helpful
Mystery Tales 2 The Twilight World 4.5 Rating...
PostedJanuary 25, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Even the most powerful witches can be defeated, even witches who lived centuries already, have their weak spots! And you have to find the weak spot of the most powerful one, Zora, in Mystery Tales: The Twilight World CE. Actually you have no choice: the witch has chosen your daughter Nancy as her victim! Zora is planning to use Nancy’s body as her own to gain immortality, so she reaped Nancy’s soul from her body and put it into dreary Twilight World. You have no time to loose: once Zora will finish the rite, Nancy’s soul will be banished forever and witch will gain her body! Along your journey you meet and find allies in the Twilight World, able to help you to defeat Zora in this dramatic adventure sequel! Excellent lip sync and graphics demonstrate what an incredible effort the developers worked to achieve in this exciting dramatic HOPA. The bonus game was really cool too.
I recommend this game!
Underneath the big top, people aren’t always what they seem.
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 25 found this review helpful
Twilight Phenomena The Incredible FREAKSHOW!!!
PostedJanuary 18, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Reveries: Soul Collector Collector's Edition
(42)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Save your sister from the circus’ slavery in Twilight Phenomena: The Incredible Show CE! You and your sister Judith Armstrong were on usual annual visit in the Strauss Circus from Rome, which always coming to your town at Thanksgiving. But suddenly Strauss himself asked Judith to assist him during next performance! He put Judith in the box, make her to disappear and then – to reappear. Everything seemed good… but Judith never returned to you, neither during the show nor after it. And trying to find her you uncovered horrible truth about Strauss! He’s holding his actors as a slaves and Judith may become next! ERS has created another thriller for the Weird at heart. I loved everything about the adventure; Judith could easily have been Jessica Lange. Horror fans of this series are going to really enjoy this one! xoxo's
I recommend this game!
The Lost Lands are in danger again... There's only one brave soul who can face the four evil horsemen to save it – you!
Overall rating
5
/
5
64 of 79 found this review helpful
Lost Lands 2 leads you into another Epic Journey!!!
PostedJanuary 15, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am totally impressed with how fantastic and realistic this adventure played out. I believe this is the best HOPA Bigfish has offered this year thus far. You are summoned to the Lost Lands by the powerful mage named Maaron, member of the ancient Order of The Keepers, protecting Forgotten Lands from any possible threat. Maaron has chosen you as the person, able to defeat the Four Horsemen, deadly creatures, coming to the Lost Lands from the edge of chaos. One of them spreads fire around him, other – spreads ice, third – darkness and fourth – death. In the Sphere of Fire you saw possible future – Lost Lands completely burned and destroyed! You MUST find a way to defeat the horsemen and prevent such destiny. I plunged into this engrossing macrocosm adventure; easy to see why it was chosen for Editor's Choice. I recommend the first game as well, released this time last year.
I recommend this game!
In this scarier-than-ever story, find out what really happened on prom night, 1964...
Overall rating
5
/
5
60 of 69 found this review helpful
Phantasmat 3 ranks along side original thriller!!!
PostedJanuary 11, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Phantasmat: The Endless Night Collector’s Edition is a time-traveling hidden-object game developed by Eipix Entertainment. Like other casual games, the horrific story begins with a mother taking her beloved daughter to prom for the class of 2015 until the car gets into a wreck. Awaken and alarmed by the sudden collision, the female protagonist notices the absence of her child before seeing a sign for 1965 when the huge tragedy occurred in the town. Eipix takes you on a wonderfully strange quest for the truth, while encountering a host of creepy dead people who need your help throughout the adventure.
Embarked on this chilling tale, single-players will also experience new features that’s not available in the standard version:
•Experience a different perspective in the bonus game
•Watch the behind the scenes video
•Integrated Strategy Guide
•Bonus Hidden Object games
•Downloadable Concept Art
•Downloadable Wallpapers
•Downloadable Soundtrack
•Movies
•Experience a different perspective in the bonus game
•Watch the behind the scenes video
•Integrated Strategy Guide
•Bonus Hidden Object games
•Downloadable Concept Art
•Downloadable Wallpapers
•Downloadable Soundtrack
•Movies
Some of the HO's begin with Morphing objects which I'm not a big fan of, yet they add to game. I found the game difficult enough to really challenge me, just like the original Phantasmat! Enjoy this new edition of the cult classic!!!
I recommend this game!
The Smithsonian Castle’s secrets lie in a Civil War past.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Eipix blows my mind in this latest Hidden Expedition HOPA
PostedJanuary 6, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
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
4
/
5
The adventure opens with a lady scientist in the 1800s having a science-like breakthrough. Hooray! But then of course her children ruin everything, with her Darwin Award-winning daughter gleefully wandering up to the dangerous electrical device to get sucked in, and the scientist destroys the device in a fit of despair, so it was nice while it lasted, I guess. Back in present day, you and your fellow H.E.L.P. agent are called to the Smithsonian Castle, the Smithsonian Institute's administration building, when a strange power outage reveals an intruder making a strange theft. It quickly becomes apparent this ain't your average burglary, however, and your thief ain't your average thief either. It's a wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey adventure as you uncover a love and a caper that spans centuries. You'll hunt for items through a variety of hidden-object scenes that change how they play, solve so many puzzles and minigames it's a wonder anyone at the Smithsonian can get anything done, and learn that the Smithsonian's insect cabinet was built in the 17th century and assembled from walnut, oak, and fruitwood, and... wait... I feel... weird. What's happening to me? Am I... learning? Is this an... educational game? NooooOOooOOoo! Someone fetch me some episodes of The Real Housewives of Wherever, STAT!
Okay, so while Hidden Expedition: Smithsonian Castle clearly has a vested interest in trying to make you S-M-R-T-er, it at least does so in a way that keeps you engaged rather than bashing you over the head with factoids every two steps. In addition to the fact cards you can find and peruse at your leisure, the game also knows when to slip in some subtle information as you explore, both about the Smithsonian itself and other people, places, and items of historical importance. Smithsonian Castle has a tremendous amount of puzzles and minigames scattered throughout that keeps things fresh and interesting, and while many of them are simply different presentations of familiar concepts, they fit into the story and setting nicely... making fiber matches to date a letter, for example, or aligning markers for a facial recognition system. There is admittedly a lot of backtracking, but the fast-travel map takes much of the sting out of it, and of course the highly customiseable difficulty settings means just about anyone can enjoy the game the way they want to.
The gameplay actually feels like it's taking precedence over the plot in a big way, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The story isn't bad by any means, it's just sort of there... there's no real emphasis on any sort of foreshadowing or surprise, you're largely going to figure out what's going on and exactly what will happen very quickly. There are a few minor surprises, and a lot of discussion about the potential impact of time travel on present day, and even a mini-game where you struggle to open a door while someone else tries to pull it shut which I believe is a first. It's a comfy narrative, to be sure, it's just sort of there as padding for a more engaging amount of gameplay. Though the game still is beautifully illustrated (apart from some weird facial expressions# and well acted #... mostly... ) this is definitely a game that puts substance over style. It's not just that it's long, although it'll likely take you around four hours or more to get through the main game, it's that it's constantly throwing up a wide variety of puzzles and clever minigames at every turn, which balances nicely against the more traditional "use item X on obvious place Y" point-and-click elements. Hidden Expedition: Smithsonian Castle is fun, smart, and mentally engaging in all the right ways, and the perfect lazy afternoon accompaniment.
I recommend this game!
Another bloodcurdling tale ripped from the pages of history. This time, the horrifying legend of Elizabeth Bathory is yours to discover!
Overall rating
5
/
5
68 of 76 found this review helpful
Vampire Legends 2 is just as good as the first adventure!
PostedJanuary 2, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Surprisingly, The Untold Story of Elizabeth Bathory is one seriously bloody game. Corpses pile up left and right, literal bathtubs of blood are found... it's actually weirdly refreshing considering how rarely casual adventure games are willing to toss the red stuff around, but it feels appropriate here given the source material and subject matter. While the voice acting is hit and miss, the story that unfolds is actually fairly compelling, providing a few twists on the well-known historical tale and bringing a great sense of cinematic camp to it all. The potion mixing is a nice touch, while the psychic visions add a macabre flair. The downside is that in a lot of ways, the game feels very rough around the edges. A lot of the visuals look grainy, the interface can be clunky and sluggish, and it's also glitchy in a strange way... some items you gather won't stay gathered, forcing you to go back and pick them up again when you actually need them. It's not game breaking, it's just weird and honestly, the game probably could have used a bit more polish.
Still, for fans of vampire stories that are more ghastly than romantic, Vampire Legends: The Untold Story of Elizabeth Bathory definitely fits the bill. It's a meaty game with a lot of content in the main game, and a satisfying amount and variety of puzzles, which sort of makes up for the overly simplistic and repetitive scrambled pictures that make up solving psychic visions. The atmosphere is tense and moody, though never actually scary, and there are enough twists to the story to keep you guessing throughout rather than just falling back on "Elizabeth Bathory. How messed up was she?" Fans of iconic vampire legends and grisly tales will want to check out the demo, and if you can overlook its rough edges, this is an appealingly gruesome casual adventure with just enough bite to it.
I recommend this game!