Zanna_P's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:86
- Reviews Submitted:13
- First Review:March 30, 2013
- Most Recent Review:February 3, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Something wicked has taken over Fate’s Carnival!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
So happy
PostedFebruary 3, 2017
Zanna_P
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is probably the best value SE I've bought in a long time. The game is like an adventure game in that it's long and takes some dedication to finish, but the emphasis is more with the tasks than the story. There are HO scenes, puzzles and super puzzles. I loved the super puzzles. Really good job!
I recommend this game!
Help Angela escape from the treacherous Dreamscape and find her missing cat, Felix! Navigate a maze of puzzles and find your home!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Angela Young 2
PostedOctober 18, 2015
Zanna_P
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
For a game geared for younger players, there were quite a few spelling errors. I guess it's supposed to be a fun game, more than educational. It did help my pre-teen to concentrate.
Overall the hidden object scenes were cute and I quite liked the game. Some minigames were a little strange for children, like putting zodiac signs in the correct order (actually, even I couldn't do it..! we decided to skip.)
The hint system didn't work very well, There were hints in hidden object scenes, but when you had to use an object somewhere, the hint was inactive, there were no sparkles, nothing. Sometimes we would click randomly for ages before finding the correct place to use the object.
All in all it was an ok game, but be prepared to help at times.
I recommend this game!
The Institute - A Becky Brogan Adventure
An eccentric doctor’s unconventional treatment methods have Becky Brogan scouring the grounds of a spooky Institute!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
Dark hidden object adventure
PostedOctober 14, 2015
Zanna_P
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
For some reason, I like this Becky Brogan more than the first, only Meane Manor was a little more colorful. In this game, many of the hidden objects are very hard to find. Don't get this game if you are looking for something relaxing!
As an improvement, hidden object scenes don't repeat, and there is no penalty for wrong clicks.
It's quite a strange game, and I didn't like it instantly. About halfway through the demo, I found myself getting sucked in by the story, which was quite creepy.
The story is about an abandoned hospital for mentally disturbed children. A nurse and a doctor have gone missing. Little by little, you discover information about them and some of the children. It's not a big story, but I found myself driven to find out what happened, enough to want to plough through the challenges.
And there are many. As mentioned, the hidden objects are very well hidden. However, you can collect teddy bears and use them as extra hints. They were cute, and added a little welcome lightheartedness to the game. The hint recharge time is ok, not super quick but not too slow.
Some of the scenes were a little dark, but there were some more colorful scenes further along the game. Some scenes were "spot the difference" instead of HO. Puzzles were mainly jigsaws, and they could also be quite challenging.
For me there was something a little hypnotic about the music. This is a very eerie, dark kind of game, nice for Halloween. Another time of the year I'm not sure if I had liked it as much..!
I recommend this game!
Redemption Cemetery: Clock of Fate Collector's Edition
Can you undo the past and set the trapped souls free?
Overall rating
2
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
The weirdness continues
PostedOctober 1, 2015
Zanna_P
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
When I first started playing I was very happy. I have been as anxious as anyone to see ERS back in form. Their Puppet Show series is great, as well as the Redemption Cemetery series so far. I actually enjoyed the strangeness of "Bitter Frost".
I guess many people share this sentiment because I've read a few reviews that basically don't seem happy with the game but give it 5 stars. I get it, but...
I have to say that the game was buggy for me. Bubbles appeared that were supposed to show some action, but they were just empty bubbles for me. i was able to proceed by clicking randomly inside the bubble with an inventory item, but it soon got annoying. I have Windows 7. I've had the same problem with other new ERS games. I hope it's something they can fix. you'll see during the demo, maybe it's not a problem for everyone.
I didn't like the unnecessary gore. It didn't add anything to the creepiness (which I guess it was meant for), it was just pointlessly unsettling.
Yet another thing that put me off was the little girl's voice actor was clearly a grown woman, I found myself skipping the cutscenes and then what's the point of purchasing, there being so many of them, if you spend money on a game you want to be able to at least enjoy them.
I have to give props to ERS for trying out new stuff and keeping things exciting, I'm looking forward to their next game!
Unlock the mysteries shrouding the creatures of Oxbridge University!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
I liked it
PostedJuly 20, 2015
Zanna_P
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I purchased the game because after playing the demo I really wanted to know where the story was going. At first it was a little difficult to understand, but I got intrigued and in the end it didn't disappoint.
This is a story-driven game, with lots of reading, it's almost more than the actual gameplay. But the stories are great. I couldn't wait to find all of the book pages, to finish reading all of the stories.
A little minus for the lack of a diary (?) and IMO the game ended too soon. I wished the end had been more conclusive, but I'm hoping there will be a sequel.
This game is a little different for sure. It really isn't a game where you want to skip conversations. I chose the advanced mode and the puzzles weren't too hard, so it's not a very difficult game. The game took me about 4 hours to finish.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious artifact has been uncovered, opening a portal to another world!
Overall rating
1
/
5
18 of 22 found this review helpful
Way too busy
PostedAugust 4, 2014
Zanna_P
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I only played through some 30 min of the demo, and that was a stretch.
The constant stream of achievement and objective updates flashing across the scene got too much. Is it not possible to make these optional, since you can customize just about everything else?
As a further annoyance, every time you turn a corner, the game zooms into some area of interest, and then immediately back out, as if saving the player the "trouble" of noticing things themselves. This is even on the most advanced level.
So, because of these two things the game was a no-buy for me. I was looking through the customize menu to try to find a way to switch off the messages, but I couldn't find a way to do it.
I don't recommend this game.
It’s time to prove again that you are truly a master of riddles in Asian Riddles 2!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Good value for money
PostedJanuary 25, 2014
Zanna_P
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
IMO this is better and more difficult than the first Asian Riddles.
The style is simple but as the puzzles got harder I thought actually it was a good thing.
Like a previous reviewer I was a little annoyed that I had to resort to guesswork a couple of times, but so far that was only two of the puzzles.
I think this game is really good value for money. I bought it about the time it came out and I still have way to go. It's hard to remember how you solved a puzzle the first time so you can play the same puzzles many times over.
Although World Mosaics are more colorful and more "fun", I liked this one a lot. There's a new one out, Mystery Riddles, that also seemed very good, but I don't think that one's out on Big Fish yet.
I recommend this game!
When a new romance blossoms, the door to mystery opens in Love Alchemy!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
2 hours flew by!
PostedJanuary 1, 2014
Zanna_P
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I haven't felt so entertained by one of these games in a long time. Once you accept the silliness of the premise, this game is really a lot of fun. However I was glad I didn't pay full price. The game is, for one thing, pretty short. For another, it's pretty simple compared to a lot of the newer games. No achievements, no voice overs (that I recall), in other words, no bells and whistles - but right about now that actually feels refreshing. I recommend this game with a caution. For old shcool HOA lovers this is a find, some may not like it.
I recommend this game!
Delve into legends lurking in an English mansion! As Nancy Drew, find out what hides in Blackmoor Manor.
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Tough game!
PostedAugust 24, 2013
Zanna_P
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Time Management, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Wow, this game was tough. I would recommend this to anyone who complains about HOPAs being so dumbed down and "cookie cutter" these days. Blackmoor Manor takes no prisoners. It's one tough puzzle after another, with a mystery to solve at the same time. I would have been totally lost at times without the walkthrough. But making it to the end was the best feeling! I was complaining that Shadow Ranch was a tough one to start playing Nancy Drew with, well I'm just glad I didn't start with this..
Even though Nancy takes lots of notes (in Junior level at least) it's best to scribble down as much as you can on your own. There are about 5 things going on at the same time at any given time and most of the challenges take some thinking through.
The storyline is a bit fantastical but the characters are realistic enough and fun to interact with. I have a few minor complaints: the navigation was a bit clumsy, and I wish the interior of the manor had been a little prettier. In a phone call to Nancy, one of the characters actually says something about the Manor having seemingly been decorated by a Medieval monkey, which was really funny and accurate! I only wonder why they made it that way..
I would recommed this game to anyone who loves Puzzle games, and anyone who loves a challenge and long game play. Taking breaks, it took me 3 days to finish Blackmoor Manor with occasional help from the walkthrough.
I recommend this game!
Take a wild ride into terror and trickery to rein in a ghostly secret! Discover the truth from the ghost stories before it's too late!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Slow-moving adventure, with good storyline
PostedAugust 18, 2013
Zanna_P
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Overall I liked this game, but maybe I made a mistake in choosing Shadow Ranch for my first Nancy Drew. I often wasn't sure what to do, even with extensive notes and a task list. I liked the concept of having to think ahead and plan things, and I'm definitely going to try another Nancy Drew after this!
I was immediately in love with the ranch and all the characters, but there was a terrible lull in the middle of the game that almost made me want to quit. All I seemed to do was ride around looking for arrowheads, with no hints as to where to look. I finally managed after checking out the game forum.
The sense of adventure was dampened a little by the constant saddling the horse and bringing the saddle back. The inventory box took up half the screen and you had to keep opening and closing it all the time while doing this. Also the tasks were very household-oriented (feeding animals, baking, sewing...) and they required some studying first. I enjoyed learning about horses, and a bit about Arizona.
Exploring the ghost town of Dry Creek was my favorite part, as well as talking to people to collect clues. There aren't many wild west -themed games so it was a change from the usual. Having lived in a city all my life, spending time on the ranch talking to cowboys was fun. I enjoyed the barrel-racing game which a few people seemed to complain about in the forums! I guess the problem is you can't move on until you beat that game and it took awhile, but then EVERYTHING in this game takes a while.
I can't wait to try another one of these. I was happy to come across something different and more challenging than the usual HOPAs.
I recommend this game!