hermitcave's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:407
- Reviews Submitted:240
- First Review:March 27, 2014
- Most Recent Review:October 27, 2016
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Beyond the Unknown: A Matter of Time Collector's Edition
It’s time to solve the secret of this mysterious island!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Beyond the Unknown: A Matter of Time Collector's Edition
PostedJune 30, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
An archaeology expedition has discovered an ancient sarcophagus made of pure gold rumored to hold a great and mysterious power. Is this the legendary Golden Sarcophagus your grandfather was searching for when he was lost at sea years ago? The sarcophagus belongs to the Lord of Time and is rumoured to be cursed for those who try to take it off the island. In an attempt to bring it back to the mainland, the boat carrying it crashes and sinks before it can leave island waters. As a result, four golden eagles that lock the sarcophagus are lost releasing the Guardians of Time and unleashing a massive time collapse. They need to be found and returned to the sarcophagus before time collapses.
You receive a phone call from your uncle who warns you that the island you grew up on may be very different from what you remember. Being born and raised on the island apparently makes you the only one who can set things straight. You will need to contact your ancestors for assistance, find the sarcophagus and the 4 golden eagles and restore the flow of time. On your way to the island, a storm causes your boat to crash on the island but did the storm cause the wreck or was it something else that left handprints on the windshield? The first person you meet is the lone survivor of the wreck, August Tomlin, the archaeologist, who provides some help. you next meet your grandfather when he was a young man and he helps you by video phone during your quest as he has been hurt. You learn from him that a man named Cantello has trapped your grandmother, as a young woman, in his shop as he is in love with her and does not want your granfather and her to marry which will prevent your being born. Confused yet?
The graphics and character animations are very well done, even the dog you get as a helper actually looked and acted like a dog. Cutscenes and voiceovers were excellent and entertaining moving the game ahead. Music was excellent and background sounds were paired nicely with the scenes and changed frequently enough to not become annoying. The hint and skip buttons can be customized and work well.
You have a cell phone that contains 4 apps - Tasks, Notes, Map and Photo Gallery. The map is not immediately available but becomes active after fixing a large antenna. It is a jump map but unfortunately, the screen is so small that the location icons are very small and hard to determine what areas require action. Also, the screen has to be scrolled to see more of the locations.
This game also had a backstory, which was told through the diary of the archaeologist, August Tomlin. Each page of the diary is a jigsaw puzzle that you put together to get the next part of the story. You will find sketches that show a location in a scene that you find and place the sketch on the location causing it to zome in to find an item. Also, some items will have a pawprint above them letting you know that they need your dog's help with those items.
HOS are interactive lists visited twice and are well done and clear. Those who don't like HOS can play Match 3 instead. Puzzles were varied and well done, most being fairly easy. Some even had a "casual" and "hard" setting that changed their solutions.
You also have a camera (in your phone apparently) you use to take pictures of scenes and when you take five pictures of scenes involving key characters, you discover more info about them.
One thing that I did not like was that you had to find all 20 morphing clocks in order to unlock and play the bonus chapter. Most games only require you to finish the game to unlock the bonus chapter.
You receive a phone call from your uncle who warns you that the island you grew up on may be very different from what you remember. Being born and raised on the island apparently makes you the only one who can set things straight. You will need to contact your ancestors for assistance, find the sarcophagus and the 4 golden eagles and restore the flow of time. On your way to the island, a storm causes your boat to crash on the island but did the storm cause the wreck or was it something else that left handprints on the windshield? The first person you meet is the lone survivor of the wreck, August Tomlin, the archaeologist, who provides some help. you next meet your grandfather when he was a young man and he helps you by video phone during your quest as he has been hurt. You learn from him that a man named Cantello has trapped your grandmother, as a young woman, in his shop as he is in love with her and does not want your granfather and her to marry which will prevent your being born. Confused yet?
The graphics and character animations are very well done, even the dog you get as a helper actually looked and acted like a dog. Cutscenes and voiceovers were excellent and entertaining moving the game ahead. Music was excellent and background sounds were paired nicely with the scenes and changed frequently enough to not become annoying. The hint and skip buttons can be customized and work well.
You have a cell phone that contains 4 apps - Tasks, Notes, Map and Photo Gallery. The map is not immediately available but becomes active after fixing a large antenna. It is a jump map but unfortunately, the screen is so small that the location icons are very small and hard to determine what areas require action. Also, the screen has to be scrolled to see more of the locations.
This game also had a backstory, which was told through the diary of the archaeologist, August Tomlin. Each page of the diary is a jigsaw puzzle that you put together to get the next part of the story. You will find sketches that show a location in a scene that you find and place the sketch on the location causing it to zome in to find an item. Also, some items will have a pawprint above them letting you know that they need your dog's help with those items.
HOS are interactive lists visited twice and are well done and clear. Those who don't like HOS can play Match 3 instead. Puzzles were varied and well done, most being fairly easy. Some even had a "casual" and "hard" setting that changed their solutions.
You also have a camera (in your phone apparently) you use to take pictures of scenes and when you take five pictures of scenes involving key characters, you discover more info about them.
One thing that I did not like was that you had to find all 20 morphing clocks in order to unlock and play the bonus chapter. Most games only require you to finish the game to unlock the bonus chapter.
I recommend this game!
The Big Secret of a Small Town
Find out what is hidden behind the mysterious disappearance of the Mayor.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Simple story with simple graphics and very tiny items to find
PostedJune 30, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The game starts out with the Mayor being kidnapped by an unknown villian from a room with only one door that was guarded by security the entire time. You are a detective called to this small town that has a mysterious source of energy powering an industrial complex. You must find out how the Mayor disappeared and if he disappeared of his own free will or was really kidnapped.
The only reason I would call this a hidden object game is that you do have to find items on a list but many are so tiny that you see a speck in the scene and click on it in the hopes that it will be an object you are looking for. Play consists mostly of solving puzzles. You have to find clues scattered about and there is no journal so make sure you take notes. You have to figure out what the clues mean and then how to apply them. Most puzzles are solved by using these clues and collecting missing (very tiny) items. Even when you make notes of symbols encountered that are used later to solve a puzzle and you finally get there and try to solve the puzzle, you discover that the symbols that solved the puzzle were not the same as the clue or at least they appeared different. So you wind up entering those you can and trial and error the rest. Can be frustrating.
One particularly frustrating puzzle was a leaky steam pipe that you are told that a piece of tapestry could be used to stop the leak but when you click on the tapestry, it zooms in and shows you the full length of the tapestry. Clicking on the tapestry anywhere in that zoom-in does nothing so you naturally assume that it is the wrong tapestry. however, if you dont click on the tapestry and get the zoom-in and only click on the very bottom of the tapestry, you obtain a piece from it that can be used. Very poorly designed interaction.
There is a hint system with two levels that is only different by length of refill and for the most part does an adequate job of nudging you in the right direction. Graphics are extremely simple comic book 2D with colors in mostly yellows and browns. At different spots you click on an area and get a cutscene that gives some of the story behind the town and the mayor. There are some voiceovers and background sounds but nothing great.
There are apparently some achievements to earn although i never saw anything that explained what they were or how many were to be collected. One apparently was sketches of elephants which I only discovered by accidently clicking on one.
For those looking for something simple in graphics but not simple in solving puzzles and looking for very tiny objects, then this is the one.
The only reason I would call this a hidden object game is that you do have to find items on a list but many are so tiny that you see a speck in the scene and click on it in the hopes that it will be an object you are looking for. Play consists mostly of solving puzzles. You have to find clues scattered about and there is no journal so make sure you take notes. You have to figure out what the clues mean and then how to apply them. Most puzzles are solved by using these clues and collecting missing (very tiny) items. Even when you make notes of symbols encountered that are used later to solve a puzzle and you finally get there and try to solve the puzzle, you discover that the symbols that solved the puzzle were not the same as the clue or at least they appeared different. So you wind up entering those you can and trial and error the rest. Can be frustrating.
One particularly frustrating puzzle was a leaky steam pipe that you are told that a piece of tapestry could be used to stop the leak but when you click on the tapestry, it zooms in and shows you the full length of the tapestry. Clicking on the tapestry anywhere in that zoom-in does nothing so you naturally assume that it is the wrong tapestry. however, if you dont click on the tapestry and get the zoom-in and only click on the very bottom of the tapestry, you obtain a piece from it that can be used. Very poorly designed interaction.
There is a hint system with two levels that is only different by length of refill and for the most part does an adequate job of nudging you in the right direction. Graphics are extremely simple comic book 2D with colors in mostly yellows and browns. At different spots you click on an area and get a cutscene that gives some of the story behind the town and the mayor. There are some voiceovers and background sounds but nothing great.
There are apparently some achievements to earn although i never saw anything that explained what they were or how many were to be collected. One apparently was sketches of elephants which I only discovered by accidently clicking on one.
For those looking for something simple in graphics but not simple in solving puzzles and looking for very tiny objects, then this is the one.
I recommend this game!
Help Sara find her missing husband and stop an evil pirate's ancient curse in Mystery Case Files: 13th Skull!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Where did the 13 skulls come from?
PostedJune 16, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Marcus Lawson is reading a bedtime story to his daughter, Magnolia, when they hear something enter the house and climb the stairs. Marcus opens the door and is abducted by a ghost according to Magnolia. Sara Lawson, Marcus's wife, has hired you as a master detective to find her husband. The Lawsons had recently moved into an old plantation mansion in the swamps at the sourthern tip of Louisiana that was apparently willed to them by a distant relative. Local folks have many stories about the old mansion mostly dealing with a famous pirate and his buried treasure. Locals say Marcus had become obsessed with the legend and reportedly spent much of his time searching for the treasure of the notorious Phineas Crown. All of this provides the backdrop for the story.
Graphics and sound effects are top notch with each character in the story portrayed by a live actor placed in the scene with appropriate sounds for each scene. Music was a collection of different instruments such as banjo, harmonica, fiddle, etc playing short pieces. This music was also played during HOS which did become distracting as it changed every minute or so.
During the game, there are remarks made by characters that I assume were intended to keep you moving through the game but I found them annoying. There is a setting in the options that sets these remarks' attitude to snarky, southern and normal. I didn't like any of them and found them unnecessary. They became especially annoying at the end of the game during the final puzzle.
The journal was very informative in providing the back story of the pirates but also stored important information that was often needed to help solve puzzles so check it frequently. Also, an objective set will be in your tool bar containing objects that need to be collected to finish the objective to continue. Some found this annoying but I think it was a nice feature.
Few of the puzzles have directions but most can be figured out in a few minutes although the solution may take much longer. One puzzle involved a coffin full of water that needed to be drained and only by a chance click did I move an object in the water that I discovered what to do. Another puzzle involved eavesdropping on a phone conversation through the door with a glass. It required finding an exact spot several times as the person talking apparently is pacing so the spot moves around. Only when you hear a specific phrase does it complete the objective.
There is a 3 level hint system that provides progressive help with the third hint being a skip choice. Each level requires a short recharging before the next is available and you can skip the first and second and go to the skip puzzle if you want.
There are plenty of HOS as each location is done twice with the second time showing all of the items again and the list even having some of the same items found before on the list to be found again. Most are very messy as this is backwater swampland with a lot of junk piles. Most items are easily found though.
There is no map so you have to remember your way around but the number of locations are limited so that is not a problem You do find a map of the area at the beginning but it is missing 18 pieces that you have to find by solving puzzles throughout the game. The map becomes very important at the end of the game as it is used to solve the final puzzle to end the game. Many apparently had problems with using the map to solve the cannon locations but it really was finding the section of the map that included the specific pieces of the map and finding a roman numeral on that location and entering it on the cannon. Each cannon has a symbol that corresponds to the map section. I found the puzzle an enjoyable one.
I was slightly surprised at the ending and finding out the true reason for this family being here but the appearance of the ghost was predictable.
Graphics and sound effects are top notch with each character in the story portrayed by a live actor placed in the scene with appropriate sounds for each scene. Music was a collection of different instruments such as banjo, harmonica, fiddle, etc playing short pieces. This music was also played during HOS which did become distracting as it changed every minute or so.
During the game, there are remarks made by characters that I assume were intended to keep you moving through the game but I found them annoying. There is a setting in the options that sets these remarks' attitude to snarky, southern and normal. I didn't like any of them and found them unnecessary. They became especially annoying at the end of the game during the final puzzle.
The journal was very informative in providing the back story of the pirates but also stored important information that was often needed to help solve puzzles so check it frequently. Also, an objective set will be in your tool bar containing objects that need to be collected to finish the objective to continue. Some found this annoying but I think it was a nice feature.
Few of the puzzles have directions but most can be figured out in a few minutes although the solution may take much longer. One puzzle involved a coffin full of water that needed to be drained and only by a chance click did I move an object in the water that I discovered what to do. Another puzzle involved eavesdropping on a phone conversation through the door with a glass. It required finding an exact spot several times as the person talking apparently is pacing so the spot moves around. Only when you hear a specific phrase does it complete the objective.
There is a 3 level hint system that provides progressive help with the third hint being a skip choice. Each level requires a short recharging before the next is available and you can skip the first and second and go to the skip puzzle if you want.
There are plenty of HOS as each location is done twice with the second time showing all of the items again and the list even having some of the same items found before on the list to be found again. Most are very messy as this is backwater swampland with a lot of junk piles. Most items are easily found though.
There is no map so you have to remember your way around but the number of locations are limited so that is not a problem You do find a map of the area at the beginning but it is missing 18 pieces that you have to find by solving puzzles throughout the game. The map becomes very important at the end of the game as it is used to solve the final puzzle to end the game. Many apparently had problems with using the map to solve the cannon locations but it really was finding the section of the map that included the specific pieces of the map and finding a roman numeral on that location and entering it on the cannon. Each cannon has a symbol that corresponds to the map section. I found the puzzle an enjoyable one.
I was slightly surprised at the ending and finding out the true reason for this family being here but the appearance of the ghost was predictable.
I recommend this game!
Uncover Poseidon's ancient secrets hidden under the town of Black Water!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Blackwater Town has a curse and it is black water
PostedJune 11, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Excavations of some ancient ruins near Blackwater Town appears to be linked with all the water being turned black and you have to figure out why and fix the problem. Local authorities have evacuated the town but 2 archaeologists that remained behind to continue the excavation have disappeared. When you arrive, you are attacked by giant tentacles that seemed bent on preventing you to enter the town. As you progress, you discover that a kraken has been awakened and is the cause of much of the trouble including the black water. The kraken is the guardian for a temple of Poseidon hidden near Blackwater town. You also find a book that tells of the battle between the Gods and Dagon, Horror of the Deep and dagon is about to be released again and you have to stop it.
I thought the storyline was very good, suspenseful and revealed nicely during the game and there was plenty of backstory on the myths in your journal which was actually in two parts recording current things and the story of the battle. The graphics were superb and the music was subtle and spaced so it was not constant. The puzzles were good. There is a very nice jump map that is actually two maps in one. There is an overall map of the entire town and specific parts of the map that shows parts of the town and the locations in that part. Clicking on a part and then a location in the part jumps you there. This is nice as there are a lot of different areas to explore. Task locations are also indicated on the map. During your exploration, you obtain a crystal that is used to help fight anomalies caused by the curse of Dagon. The crystal has to be charged by special power crystals before it can be used.
The HOS were well done, clear and sharp. They were of the type that required things to be done in them where you used one item on something else to complete it. They were only presented once. The game play and the ending did answer most of the questions. I really enjoyed the game.
I thought the storyline was very good, suspenseful and revealed nicely during the game and there was plenty of backstory on the myths in your journal which was actually in two parts recording current things and the story of the battle. The graphics were superb and the music was subtle and spaced so it was not constant. The puzzles were good. There is a very nice jump map that is actually two maps in one. There is an overall map of the entire town and specific parts of the map that shows parts of the town and the locations in that part. Clicking on a part and then a location in the part jumps you there. This is nice as there are a lot of different areas to explore. Task locations are also indicated on the map. During your exploration, you obtain a crystal that is used to help fight anomalies caused by the curse of Dagon. The crystal has to be charged by special power crystals before it can be used.
The HOS were well done, clear and sharp. They were of the type that required things to be done in them where you used one item on something else to complete it. They were only presented once. The game play and the ending did answer most of the questions. I really enjoyed the game.
I recommend this game!
You came to the town of Brownville, Louisiana hoping to find a new job. But you weren't expecting to stumble upon a strange adventure in a world filled with beauty and danger!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Trapped in a card game that you have to survive and win to get out
PostedJune 8, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Times are hard in the big city so a college friend suggests you come to the small town of Brownville, Louisiana as there is plenty of work available there. You travel there by bus to meet your friend at Simon's Club that is owned by the owner of the local garment factory where you will be working. Arriving there, a woman materializes from thin air and warns you not to stay as Brownville is dangerous. You decide to stay and enter the club where your friend Ben and his wife Louise and your new boss, Simon are waiting. Strangely, Simon wants to play a game of cards before he tells you about the new job. When you turn over the first card, you are suddenly teleported into the scene on the card. You are now trapped there and must play the game and survive in order to escape. Your friend Ben and his wife are there also and you all have to survive the game. Simon is controlling the game and must have players to increase his power. You find a deck of power cards that can be used to help you during your play but they must be charged before they can be used.
Something a little different from the norm is always good. Graphics are cartoon type but very well done with bright colors. Game play was moved along with some nice cutscenes with good voice overs. Music was ok but became annoying after a while. There is a journal and task list a locking Inventory bar and a jump map that was helpful especially toward the end when you had to visit multiple sights to finish the game.
Along the way, you meet and help various creatures including one that becomes a magic companion that you get to name and that does various things for you. You also meet that woman that warned you at the beginning that you ignored who also helps you.
The HOS are very interactive lists with most of the interactions requiring more than one step. Items are clear with most being easily found and some faded or partially hidden. Puzzles were varied and most were fairly easy.
A very enjoyable game with a sensible ending.
Something a little different from the norm is always good. Graphics are cartoon type but very well done with bright colors. Game play was moved along with some nice cutscenes with good voice overs. Music was ok but became annoying after a while. There is a journal and task list a locking Inventory bar and a jump map that was helpful especially toward the end when you had to visit multiple sights to finish the game.
Along the way, you meet and help various creatures including one that becomes a magic companion that you get to name and that does various things for you. You also meet that woman that warned you at the beginning that you ignored who also helps you.
The HOS are very interactive lists with most of the interactions requiring more than one step. Items are clear with most being easily found and some faded or partially hidden. Puzzles were varied and most were fairly easy.
A very enjoyable game with a sensible ending.
I recommend this game!
Your favorite professor summons you to the island of Castle Rock. He wants you to find the philosopher's stone and save the world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Was an ok game but could have used some help
PostedJune 4, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You are summoned by your mentor, Professor Gordon Child, to come to the island of Cannon Rock as he is in danger and needs your help. He has been researching the old manuscripts and believes he has found where the legendary Philosopher's Stone is hidden. You are magically transported to the island of Cannon Rock but you are not alone on this island. When you arrive, you discover the professor missing and a madman destroying the island killing many of the residents. You need to find the professor, who the madman is, and the parts of the medallion sent to you by the professor. The key to the Philosopher's Stone is in the medallion. During the game, You find 9 ancient prophecy scrolls about the Chosen One will find the stone and you are apparently that person.
The graphics were ok and used cutscenes with real people. The use of real people in the beginning was well done but other scenes later in the game were bizarre with extreme closeups of people's faces and eyes. It provided nothing to the story as far as I could see. Music was ok. There is a journal and a hint system that does refill quickly. This is your basic seek and find inventory items, play HOS that are interactive, and complete puzzles. There is no map and there is a lot of back tracking so a map would have been nice. Most of the time it was pretty clear what you were supposed to do but, unless you kept notes, trying to remember the places where you might use the object could be a problem. I also thought some objects needed to collect other items were not logical such as a shovel handle to retrieve a valve from the water or pliers to cut rope. Also a painting of children in the school house that showed the colors to use to paint a picture did not match.
The ending was not a surprise but was ok. I was glad when it did finally end.
The graphics were ok and used cutscenes with real people. The use of real people in the beginning was well done but other scenes later in the game were bizarre with extreme closeups of people's faces and eyes. It provided nothing to the story as far as I could see. Music was ok. There is a journal and a hint system that does refill quickly. This is your basic seek and find inventory items, play HOS that are interactive, and complete puzzles. There is no map and there is a lot of back tracking so a map would have been nice. Most of the time it was pretty clear what you were supposed to do but, unless you kept notes, trying to remember the places where you might use the object could be a problem. I also thought some objects needed to collect other items were not logical such as a shovel handle to retrieve a valve from the water or pliers to cut rope. Also a painting of children in the school house that showed the colors to use to paint a picture did not match.
The ending was not a surprise but was ok. I was glad when it did finally end.
I recommend this game!
Unlock the mystery of the Sculptor's tragic fate!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Getting plastered can be hazardous to your life!
PostedJune 4, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The local doctor in Partha, a beautiful coastal town in Greece, has contacted you, an investigative reporter, because of what he feels is a suspicious double death that is being called an accident. He does not agree. He has asked you to find the truth. Sculptor Elias Kostas and his wife Maria were found in his studio encased in plaster by a plastering machine Elias invented. You arrive at the doctor's office only to find him as a statue. Others are found during your investigation. Your investigation seems to point the finger in every direction, especially at the biggest suspect, Elias's assistant. The big question is why are they being killed?
The graphics are very good with vibrant colors and bright scenes that provides a nice coastal Greek village setting. Music was ok and changed with the scenes but was repetitive during each scene. Voiceovers were good and most dialogue could be click through. Ambient sounds were great. There is a diary that is updated frequently and an interactive map that shows where available tasks are and helps in traveling around.
Early in the game you find and feed a kitty that becomes a companion for a few scenes and is then left with another kitty after it has been helped. Items needed to complete action areas are relatively simple to find in order to move forward. The game is logical with clear directions to follow most of the time but there were a few times when it was not easy to determine what to do next. Even the map sometimes did not provide an area of action indicator.
HOS were of two types, interactive list and silhouette, with each being used twice. The tutorial indicated that green written list items were hidden behind other items and yellow written items required some interaction or combination with other items however they were actually reversed. The silhouette type required the use of items found to find other items. Most items were fairly easy to find but a few were not easily identified such as a trowe as it was at such an angle that it was just something it the scene. Some of the items found in HOS were used to complete action areas but I did find some that stretched logic such as a gold bangle used as a chain link in one scene. A couple nice puzzles that I enjoyed was the dollhouse story that gave some background information and the broken vase puzzle. The ending turned out to be a surprise and answered the question why and did reveal the murderer and the antagonist.
The graphics are very good with vibrant colors and bright scenes that provides a nice coastal Greek village setting. Music was ok and changed with the scenes but was repetitive during each scene. Voiceovers were good and most dialogue could be click through. Ambient sounds were great. There is a diary that is updated frequently and an interactive map that shows where available tasks are and helps in traveling around.
Early in the game you find and feed a kitty that becomes a companion for a few scenes and is then left with another kitty after it has been helped. Items needed to complete action areas are relatively simple to find in order to move forward. The game is logical with clear directions to follow most of the time but there were a few times when it was not easy to determine what to do next. Even the map sometimes did not provide an area of action indicator.
HOS were of two types, interactive list and silhouette, with each being used twice. The tutorial indicated that green written list items were hidden behind other items and yellow written items required some interaction or combination with other items however they were actually reversed. The silhouette type required the use of items found to find other items. Most items were fairly easy to find but a few were not easily identified such as a trowe as it was at such an angle that it was just something it the scene. Some of the items found in HOS were used to complete action areas but I did find some that stretched logic such as a gold bangle used as a chain link in one scene. A couple nice puzzles that I enjoyed was the dollhouse story that gave some background information and the broken vase puzzle. The ending turned out to be a surprise and answered the question why and did reveal the murderer and the antagonist.
I recommend this game!
A terrible legend has become reality. The legend of a terrifying creature returned from hell.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman, and yes, Ichabod Crane also.
PostedJune 1, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
New York, 1799, Constable Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of 5 murders that has the local area in an state of panic. Rumor has it that they were caused by the Headless Horseman seeking revenge.
During your investigation, you meet various people and ghosts of those killed who all want you to help them with something. As the story unfolds, you discover that there has been a new will made and a secret marriage performed that is somehow related to the murders. You have to find out how which leads you to why the Headless Horseman is here. You also find scrolls throughout the game that provides the legend of the Headless Horseman and it is recorded in a part of the journal. There is no map but one is not needed as each chapter usually blocks areas finished so you only have the new areas to visit and items are usually found and used within a few locations so there is little backtracking. There are some items that need to be combined with other items to get the finished item that will be used. There are a lot of intricate steps and items used for some of the action spots.
Graphics and voiceovers are well done as are the ambient sounds in the background. The HOS are well done with all items visible although some may be somewhat faded or at an odd angle. Each is used twice once for a list and the second time to locate objects by silhouette. After you find them you then need to find one more special item which will go in your inventory.
There are golden horseshoes in all the locations and in the HOS that can be collected and used to buy trophies if you are into that sort of thing. Many are easily seen but about a fourth are so well hidden that they were only found by running the cursor over the entire scene.
One thing I liked was that tombstones of the victims appear at the title screen where you press play after you discover their murder. Just added an extra touch to the game. One thing I disliked was when you tried an item to see if it was needed at a action spot you received the phrase "Hmmm I need to think about this." I found this very annoying and wish they would have just told me that something else was needed here.
The ending was abrupt but did seem to answer the questions that brought Ichabod here in the first place.
During your investigation, you meet various people and ghosts of those killed who all want you to help them with something. As the story unfolds, you discover that there has been a new will made and a secret marriage performed that is somehow related to the murders. You have to find out how which leads you to why the Headless Horseman is here. You also find scrolls throughout the game that provides the legend of the Headless Horseman and it is recorded in a part of the journal. There is no map but one is not needed as each chapter usually blocks areas finished so you only have the new areas to visit and items are usually found and used within a few locations so there is little backtracking. There are some items that need to be combined with other items to get the finished item that will be used. There are a lot of intricate steps and items used for some of the action spots.
Graphics and voiceovers are well done as are the ambient sounds in the background. The HOS are well done with all items visible although some may be somewhat faded or at an odd angle. Each is used twice once for a list and the second time to locate objects by silhouette. After you find them you then need to find one more special item which will go in your inventory.
There are golden horseshoes in all the locations and in the HOS that can be collected and used to buy trophies if you are into that sort of thing. Many are easily seen but about a fourth are so well hidden that they were only found by running the cursor over the entire scene.
One thing I liked was that tombstones of the victims appear at the title screen where you press play after you discover their murder. Just added an extra touch to the game. One thing I disliked was when you tried an item to see if it was needed at a action spot you received the phrase "Hmmm I need to think about this." I found this very annoying and wish they would have just told me that something else was needed here.
The ending was abrupt but did seem to answer the questions that brought Ichabod here in the first place.
I recommend this game!
Travel to Red Lake Falls to track down the latest Dark Dimension!
Overall rating
4
/
5
When is wax more then wax?
PostedMay 28, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You are the lone survivor of a car crash that killed your entire family resulting in your attunement with the spirit world so you are sensitive to Dark dimensions.
Dark Dimensions are places suffering from such great emotional torment and anguish that they have psychically altered the landscape. They are caused by dark matter that cannot be seen by the human eye and are difficult to detect. When absorbed into the eye of the dark Dimension, places are displaced from time and space.
A devastating earthquake in 1918 triggered a dark dimension in the city of Red lake Falls, Michigan causing it to disappear. After your success with the City of Fog, Silvertown, Maine, the book of black magic suggests the next dark dimension can be found in the Michigan area. When you arrive, you see a ghost of a beauty queen that pleads for you to "save us from the wax." She must be the key to stopping this dark dimension. Earth tremors continue which hinders your progress.
Luciana Costello, beauty Pagent Queen, twin brother Sebastian, who goes to work for the Waxmaster, Madame Holloway, Waxmaster and her daughter Zoe are the main characters but you meet others during your investigation that require some help.
The graphics/music/sounds were great with ambient background sounds that were ok but the muffled whispers got old after a while. I loved the undulating wax hands lock on the gate near the beginning. Some really interesting location scenes with excellent animation. The cutscenes were very well done and voiceovers were good and were delivered with pauses that some felt were distracting but I think they were delivered appropriately for ghosts.
Although you find a child-drawn map at the beginning of the game, there is no actual map to lead you through the town so you do a lot of walking. I feel this game could have used one even though there were not that many scenes but you had to visit some of them a lot. When looking for action items, some hot spots in a scene were fairly large, #probably because too many people complained about those being too small in the past# which could be confusing if you don't pay attention to what is around it.
The journal recorded papers and pictures you find throughout the game and your personal notes on each page were also very helpful. There are times when it is vague on what to do next and checking your journal should usually put you on the right path but not always in this case. Sometimes the hint button does not help either and i found this usually meant there was an HOS somewhere.
The HOS were fairly well done. Some of the item names were vague or different from what most english speaking people would expect but most were fine. HOS scenes contained some items that required you to find other items in the same scene to complete it. You do each HOS scene twice and there are interactive objects to find in all of them. I thought they were clear enough to find though some required a bit of thinking to figure it out. I also liked that when objects are found in HOS scenes and you return to it again #each is used at least twice#, those items remain gone which is a nice feature creating less clutter.
I did notice one minor glitch at the beginning which involved the first journal entry that contained a repeated part of the last sentence - something about missing her family. Not sure if there was to be another comment or not.
The ending was ok but a bit abrupt but I do feel most questions were answered.
Dark Dimensions are places suffering from such great emotional torment and anguish that they have psychically altered the landscape. They are caused by dark matter that cannot be seen by the human eye and are difficult to detect. When absorbed into the eye of the dark Dimension, places are displaced from time and space.
A devastating earthquake in 1918 triggered a dark dimension in the city of Red lake Falls, Michigan causing it to disappear. After your success with the City of Fog, Silvertown, Maine, the book of black magic suggests the next dark dimension can be found in the Michigan area. When you arrive, you see a ghost of a beauty queen that pleads for you to "save us from the wax." She must be the key to stopping this dark dimension. Earth tremors continue which hinders your progress.
Luciana Costello, beauty Pagent Queen, twin brother Sebastian, who goes to work for the Waxmaster, Madame Holloway, Waxmaster and her daughter Zoe are the main characters but you meet others during your investigation that require some help.
The graphics/music/sounds were great with ambient background sounds that were ok but the muffled whispers got old after a while. I loved the undulating wax hands lock on the gate near the beginning. Some really interesting location scenes with excellent animation. The cutscenes were very well done and voiceovers were good and were delivered with pauses that some felt were distracting but I think they were delivered appropriately for ghosts.
Although you find a child-drawn map at the beginning of the game, there is no actual map to lead you through the town so you do a lot of walking. I feel this game could have used one even though there were not that many scenes but you had to visit some of them a lot. When looking for action items, some hot spots in a scene were fairly large, #probably because too many people complained about those being too small in the past# which could be confusing if you don't pay attention to what is around it.
The journal recorded papers and pictures you find throughout the game and your personal notes on each page were also very helpful. There are times when it is vague on what to do next and checking your journal should usually put you on the right path but not always in this case. Sometimes the hint button does not help either and i found this usually meant there was an HOS somewhere.
The HOS were fairly well done. Some of the item names were vague or different from what most english speaking people would expect but most were fine. HOS scenes contained some items that required you to find other items in the same scene to complete it. You do each HOS scene twice and there are interactive objects to find in all of them. I thought they were clear enough to find though some required a bit of thinking to figure it out. I also liked that when objects are found in HOS scenes and you return to it again #each is used at least twice#, those items remain gone which is a nice feature creating less clutter.
I did notice one minor glitch at the beginning which involved the first journal entry that contained a repeated part of the last sentence - something about missing her family. Not sure if there was to be another comment or not.
The ending was ok but a bit abrupt but I do feel most questions were answered.
I recommend this game!
The gates to another world will open soon! You can stop the impending disaster - if you track down the stolen runes!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Was surprised how good this one was
PostedMay 23, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You, Vanessa Helsing, awake from a bad dream about some mysterious gates as a letter is delivered from Archbishop Benedict asking you to come to St Peter's Cathedral in city of Viva in Southern Italy concerning your grandfather, Abraham Van Helsing, who has gone missing. When you meet the Archbishop, you discover that they are part of a secret society called the Order of Light that collect and preserve powerful artifacts. Your grandfather was the guardian of the Gates to the Underworld where a powerful evil is trapped and kept there by seven seals. A traitor has stolen four of the seals and your grandfather was looking for them and the traitor but now has disappeared. As a descendant of the Van helsing line, you possess the ability to travel through portals created by your grandfather to other worlds to find the seals. You find various scrolls (15 of them) from your grandfather throughout the game that provide additional background information. The story progresses through 4 different worlds where you must find and retrieve 4 seals Beast, Time, Death, and Life. During your travels, you discover that someone is trying to construct an Army of Vampires, Werewolves and other such creatures.
Graphics and music are first rate and sound effects and voiceovers are well done. Cutscenes are excellent and move the story along. There is a journal for story information and an excellent jump map that makes travel very easy. The map shows areas where action is needed. The puzzles are typical where items are found and used to advance. The mini games are well done and the HOS are of 2 types, the find from a list and the placement of items back into the scene by asociation. Each HOS was used twice, once for each type.
I found the story engaging and suspenseful and the characters you meet in each world were interesting. I was somewhat surprised at how quick the ending was and it seemed not all questions were answered. It never really provided an answer as to where or what happened to her grandfather although i guess you could assume the worst. Was a nice distraction and enjoyable.
Graphics and music are first rate and sound effects and voiceovers are well done. Cutscenes are excellent and move the story along. There is a journal for story information and an excellent jump map that makes travel very easy. The map shows areas where action is needed. The puzzles are typical where items are found and used to advance. The mini games are well done and the HOS are of 2 types, the find from a list and the placement of items back into the scene by asociation. Each HOS was used twice, once for each type.
I found the story engaging and suspenseful and the characters you meet in each world were interesting. I was somewhat surprised at how quick the ending was and it seemed not all questions were answered. It never really provided an answer as to where or what happened to her grandfather although i guess you could assume the worst. Was a nice distraction and enjoyable.
I recommend this game!