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:
During the finale of The Maze, the transmission is mysteriously stopped. Now it's up to you to find the missing contestants!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Few games hold my interest through the entire game but this one did
PostedApril 7, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I like games that provide both an adventure (even if the story is not that strong) and puzzles with HOS that actually provide something to the game and not just be there for the sake of filler. I think this game does both. I was surprised at the length of the game - just when I got to where I figured the game was over, there was another final part to complete leaving a twist at the end. Have not seen a sequel as yet so not sure if there will be one. It was definitely set up for one at the end.
The basic story has been detailed by others so a quick recap is that there is a reality show called The Maze airing the finale when the transmission is mysteriously stopped and contestants have disappeared. You are hired by the families of the missing contestants to find their loved ones and discover what really happened during the taping. You explore various locations and have to figure out how to save the contestants.
The graphics and sound are excellent with some haunting music in places. There is a jump map that is quite handy although you are never more than a few locations away from any point so it may not be required by all. With 6 levels to explore, a new map is presented as you finish one level and move to the next. Places where some action is needed are shaded in green so that helps if you get a little lost in what to do. I did find that if your map shows no locations requiring action, it usually means you missed something in one of the locations and you should carefully review them again.
There are many puzzles (more then HOS) that range between easy and difficult and require some thought but there is a speedy skip button also, if needed. Most puzzles, when solved, provide one item that is used almost immediately somewhere nearby. Items in HOS are well camouflaged but can be found by careful scrutiny. Some are interactive. Because it held my iterest, I found it fairly fast paced. I do take my time when I play to enjoy the experience and do not rush just to get to the end and chalk up another completed game on my list.
The basic story has been detailed by others so a quick recap is that there is a reality show called The Maze airing the finale when the transmission is mysteriously stopped and contestants have disappeared. You are hired by the families of the missing contestants to find their loved ones and discover what really happened during the taping. You explore various locations and have to figure out how to save the contestants.
The graphics and sound are excellent with some haunting music in places. There is a jump map that is quite handy although you are never more than a few locations away from any point so it may not be required by all. With 6 levels to explore, a new map is presented as you finish one level and move to the next. Places where some action is needed are shaded in green so that helps if you get a little lost in what to do. I did find that if your map shows no locations requiring action, it usually means you missed something in one of the locations and you should carefully review them again.
There are many puzzles (more then HOS) that range between easy and difficult and require some thought but there is a speedy skip button also, if needed. Most puzzles, when solved, provide one item that is used almost immediately somewhere nearby. Items in HOS are well camouflaged but can be found by careful scrutiny. Some are interactive. Because it held my iterest, I found it fairly fast paced. I do take my time when I play to enjoy the experience and do not rush just to get to the end and chalk up another completed game on my list.
I recommend this game!
Azada’s saga continues when its precious elements are stolen!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Was not what I expected
PostedApril 3, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I bought this game based on the other three in the series that I enjoyed very much. I was not aware of the company change and was looking forward to a similar style game as before. I was greatly disappointed and do not consider this a true Azada game.
Graphics, music, voices, etc were all fine and acceptable. What I disliked was the annoying, useless creature that would pop up periodically. I saw no future in naming it, clothing it, giving it a history or putting up with it but as i could not delete it, I had to let it do its useless thing. Another thing was the map that required you to confirm that "yes, you really wanted to go there?" Very annoying. The magic bottle appeared to have been placed in the game as a way to direct the player on a specific path and was really not a good tool as far as I was concerned. Another useless filler was the book of creatures that you "collect" along the way. I saw no purpose for this other than a filler to make it a CE.
As for recommending this game, I do for the puzzles and HOS but not as an Azada game. Just another "cutesy pet" game that offers little of the original game series.
Graphics, music, voices, etc were all fine and acceptable. What I disliked was the annoying, useless creature that would pop up periodically. I saw no future in naming it, clothing it, giving it a history or putting up with it but as i could not delete it, I had to let it do its useless thing. Another thing was the map that required you to confirm that "yes, you really wanted to go there?" Very annoying. The magic bottle appeared to have been placed in the game as a way to direct the player on a specific path and was really not a good tool as far as I was concerned. Another useless filler was the book of creatures that you "collect" along the way. I saw no purpose for this other than a filler to make it a CE.
As for recommending this game, I do for the puzzles and HOS but not as an Azada game. Just another "cutesy pet" game that offers little of the original game series.
I don't recommend this game.
Crack codes, pick locks, comb crime scenes for clues and solve clever puzzles in this thrilling retro detective drama!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Another 9 hits the spot
PostedApril 1, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is my third in this series and they continue to be good games. The winner is still 9: The Ward though.
Yor receive a phone call from Helen, your reporter friend, to come and help her solve the goings on in Serpent Creek which is having a snake festival. She is staying at the Rattlesnake Hotel. When you arrive, you encounter a strange alien-type creature. The hotel clerk gives you a room free after helping him with an injury but is not very helpful. You discover that Helen has disappeared and no one seems to remember her there. Everyone is acting strange, there are snakes everywhere, the mayor has a strange speech impediment, and the ground shakes with violent tremors. See a theme here?
The graphics are cartoon-like with cut scenes and music that is non-obtrusive. Dialogue is self-completing even though it says to click to continue. At first you will miss some dialogue because you did as instructed so DON'T click to continue. It will continue on its own. Your character has no dialogue.
The Detective Mode, which occurs at times, continues to be less developed as in 9: The Ward. In the scene, you find clues in highlighted areas that show up on a list and then you provide a step-by-step description of what is believed to have happened.
There is a jump map that is helpful visiting the various places you need to return to for completing some action. A journal keeps track of the people you meet and the objectives you must reach.
Yor receive a phone call from Helen, your reporter friend, to come and help her solve the goings on in Serpent Creek which is having a snake festival. She is staying at the Rattlesnake Hotel. When you arrive, you encounter a strange alien-type creature. The hotel clerk gives you a room free after helping him with an injury but is not very helpful. You discover that Helen has disappeared and no one seems to remember her there. Everyone is acting strange, there are snakes everywhere, the mayor has a strange speech impediment, and the ground shakes with violent tremors. See a theme here?
The graphics are cartoon-like with cut scenes and music that is non-obtrusive. Dialogue is self-completing even though it says to click to continue. At first you will miss some dialogue because you did as instructed so DON'T click to continue. It will continue on its own. Your character has no dialogue.
The Detective Mode, which occurs at times, continues to be less developed as in 9: The Ward. In the scene, you find clues in highlighted areas that show up on a list and then you provide a step-by-step description of what is believed to have happened.
There is a jump map that is helpful visiting the various places you need to return to for completing some action. A journal keeps track of the people you meet and the objectives you must reach.
I recommend this game!
Find the festivalgoer abducted by the gargoyles of Notre Dame and uncover the cathedral’s dark past in this reimagining of the Victor Hugo’s classic tale.
Overall rating
4
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
Not a bad game to spend some time with
PostedApril 1, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played a later game in the series called 9: The Ward that I thoroughly enjoyed and was hopeful that this one would be as well done. As for the story, graphics, music, etc. it was good but not as good as The Ward. I guess the creators got better with each new game. The detective mode was in very early stages in this game and no where near as well developed as in The Ward.
You are in Paris during the Festival of Fools and the gargoyles of Notre Dame Cathedral suddenly animate and abduct a young lady that apparently is the daughter of the mayor. You are hired by Inspector Charmant of the Paris Police to quietly investigate this matter that the town believes was part of the festivals activities. You are aided with a guardian amulet that can reveal secret magical glyphs and a small gargoyle that helps reach things out of our reach.
A well-produced, interesting story and setting with lots of puzzles and HOS. There is a jump map that speeds up moving between the many places you visit.
The detective mode was only used a few times to provide a "what happened here" kind of story but was not as well done as in The Ward.
You are in Paris during the Festival of Fools and the gargoyles of Notre Dame Cathedral suddenly animate and abduct a young lady that apparently is the daughter of the mayor. You are hired by Inspector Charmant of the Paris Police to quietly investigate this matter that the town believes was part of the festivals activities. You are aided with a guardian amulet that can reveal secret magical glyphs and a small gargoyle that helps reach things out of our reach.
A well-produced, interesting story and setting with lots of puzzles and HOS. There is a jump map that speeds up moving between the many places you visit.
The detective mode was only used a few times to provide a "what happened here" kind of story but was not as well done as in The Ward.
I recommend this game!
Save the souls of prodigy children and their caretaker who disappeared during the fire in The Agency of Anomalies: Cinderstone Orphanage!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
A surprisingly enjoyable game with an engaging story
PostedMarch 26, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You are at your desk reading your newspaper when a wind blows over a bottle of ink spilling it on the paper. Suddenly, the spilled ink stain becomes an apprition that asks for your help to find out what happened to the preceptress and the children at the Cinderstone orphanage for paranormal ability. There was a fire that damaged part of the orphanage some time ago and it has been struggling to continue operation since then.
The storyline and character depth were excellent with interesting character interaction that gave it a substance not often found in a game. As you investigate the orphanage, you discover pages scattered throughout that help provide the backstory through cutscenes. During your search you meet ghosts of children with different abilities that you interact with to gain their trust and by helping them find peace and these abilities are then transferred to you and help you to further your investigation. Examples of the abilities are to enlarge small things, see through walls, telekinesis, restore objects and make picture subjects real. Really quite a nice touch and useage of abilities.
The hidden object screnes were primarily of two types: Find obects and place objects. Both were well done and the puzzles were nicely intergrated into the story and were not overly hard. The graphics were very well done giving the feeling of being in a rundown, struggling institution that had suffered a catastrophe and was barely surviving. The music was repetitive but not unpleasant and the voiceovers were well developed to the character.
I have recently purchased the other three in the series and am looking forward to playing them.
The storyline and character depth were excellent with interesting character interaction that gave it a substance not often found in a game. As you investigate the orphanage, you discover pages scattered throughout that help provide the backstory through cutscenes. During your search you meet ghosts of children with different abilities that you interact with to gain their trust and by helping them find peace and these abilities are then transferred to you and help you to further your investigation. Examples of the abilities are to enlarge small things, see through walls, telekinesis, restore objects and make picture subjects real. Really quite a nice touch and useage of abilities.
The hidden object screnes were primarily of two types: Find obects and place objects. Both were well done and the puzzles were nicely intergrated into the story and were not overly hard. The graphics were very well done giving the feeling of being in a rundown, struggling institution that had suffered a catastrophe and was barely surviving. The music was repetitive but not unpleasant and the voiceovers were well developed to the character.
I have recently purchased the other three in the series and am looking forward to playing them.
I recommend this game!
Push your detective skills to the limit in a fantastical faraway land and find a prince's lost love.
Overall rating
4
/
5
If you like games based on fairytales, then you will like this one.
PostedMarch 16, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Loosely based on Cinderella, a man shows up on your doorstep asking you to track down the woman he loves. It would be just another "missing persons" case, except the only thing you have to go on is a crystal slipper... and the man is a prince from a mysterious, faraway land. Ok you got the picture. It strays from there to include themes from other fairytales and finally winds up in the bonus chapter saving the kingdom and couple from an evil challenger by proving her pedigree.
The game has all the bells and whistles you expect now in games. The special feature is that you are given a camera at the beginning that is used to create a photo album of the exotic "fairy-tale" creatures you encounter. Not much of a challenge as your cursor changes to a camera when you're supposed to take the picture. Once you have done this you are finished. If you miss one you can't go back.
Not a real "turn on" for me but many will like it.
The game has all the bells and whistles you expect now in games. The special feature is that you are given a camera at the beginning that is used to create a photo album of the exotic "fairy-tale" creatures you encounter. Not much of a challenge as your cursor changes to a camera when you're supposed to take the picture. Once you have done this you are finished. If you miss one you can't go back.
Not a real "turn on" for me but many will like it.
I recommend this game!
Bring an end to Mr. Dudley's reign of terror!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
An excellent final episode to an outstanding series
PostedMarch 16, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played all three in the series and each one just got better. It was an intriguing story that was wrapped up very nicely in this final episode. The first part of the game wraps up the main story and after completing it you are presented with a nice back story laying out how the main story began which is unusual for a standard edition game. The additional addition made for a nice length.
The graphics are gorgeous, the music tolerable and the voiceovers were excellent. The puzzles were good and the HOS were well done and not annoying. Being fairly easy, it gave you a chance to actually enjoy the game, the characters and the graphics without becoming frustrated or bored. There is a map that shows available actions and makes travel between scenes very easy which was nice considering the length and varied locations.
You decide to visit the house where Patrick disappeared and find Mr. Dudley rummaging through the boy's toys. Before you can catch up with him, he slips away through a magical portal ... and of course you follow and are swept into a weird place between the worlds.
During your pursuit of Mr. Dudley, you find the clown, Louis, (a sad, overweight artist who only wanted the public's appreciation) chained to a machine. You discover that he is no longer evil and became a victim after tragically falling to his death. He now helps you to rescue the boy and defeating Mr. Dudley.
Though the game can be played as a stand alone, I think you would have a better understanding of the story if you played the first two episode first. The second part of this game does provide a good introduction to why some things happened but not entirely.
The graphics are gorgeous, the music tolerable and the voiceovers were excellent. The puzzles were good and the HOS were well done and not annoying. Being fairly easy, it gave you a chance to actually enjoy the game, the characters and the graphics without becoming frustrated or bored. There is a map that shows available actions and makes travel between scenes very easy which was nice considering the length and varied locations.
You decide to visit the house where Patrick disappeared and find Mr. Dudley rummaging through the boy's toys. Before you can catch up with him, he slips away through a magical portal ... and of course you follow and are swept into a weird place between the worlds.
During your pursuit of Mr. Dudley, you find the clown, Louis, (a sad, overweight artist who only wanted the public's appreciation) chained to a machine. You discover that he is no longer evil and became a victim after tragically falling to his death. He now helps you to rescue the boy and defeating Mr. Dudley.
Though the game can be played as a stand alone, I think you would have a better understanding of the story if you played the first two episode first. The second part of this game does provide a good introduction to why some things happened but not entirely.
I recommend this game!
Help detective Ashley Clark uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious kidnappings, and reveal the secrets of the ruby pendant!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Not a bad SE game
PostedMarch 14, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As a detective, you are called to the crime scene of a probable kidnapping, with strange complications. About your only clue is a red stone amulet found at the scene being held by a stone hand. You find out that there have been a series of similar crimes dating back to 1790! When the ruby amulet begins to glow and you take a closer look by handling it, you teleported back in time into a completely different world.
You now have to figure out what has happened and how and why this amulet has been causing the problems. During your investigation you meet many stranded spirits who provide help after you solve their problems and track down the kidnapper. The story is easy to follow and interesting although the conversations can be quite long at times. Although the game is not linear, there are some activities that must be completed before progressing to other tasks. You see many items while moving through scenes that you know will be needed somewhere later but you can't gather them until you finally reach the area they will be needed so you have to go back and get them.
You start with some hints that do recharge and can find others by collecting rubies in the scenes so you are never out of hints.
The graphics are good with easy to spot items in the HO scenes though quite small at times. The HOS are the interactive list & silhouettes types. The dialogue had some problems throughout the game. It was very long and would cut out to print, leaving something of a comic book feeling. Sometimes what was said and what was written didn't match but the gist of what was said was there.
Many reviewers indicated it was a beginner game but i feel it can be interesting to any level for the story.
You now have to figure out what has happened and how and why this amulet has been causing the problems. During your investigation you meet many stranded spirits who provide help after you solve their problems and track down the kidnapper. The story is easy to follow and interesting although the conversations can be quite long at times. Although the game is not linear, there are some activities that must be completed before progressing to other tasks. You see many items while moving through scenes that you know will be needed somewhere later but you can't gather them until you finally reach the area they will be needed so you have to go back and get them.
You start with some hints that do recharge and can find others by collecting rubies in the scenes so you are never out of hints.
The graphics are good with easy to spot items in the HO scenes though quite small at times. The HOS are the interactive list & silhouettes types. The dialogue had some problems throughout the game. It was very long and would cut out to print, leaving something of a comic book feeling. Sometimes what was said and what was written didn't match but the gist of what was said was there.
Many reviewers indicated it was a beginner game but i feel it can be interesting to any level for the story.
I recommend this game!
Discover the secrets that lie buried in the eerie, crooked halls of Mnemosyne Asylum!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A well done detective story that kept me wanting more
PostedMarch 13, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I enjoyed this game as it had a new element for me that I had not seen before - find the nine clues in each part, determine their order of occurrence and then watch the "what happened" video. It was a nice touch.
This detective mode feature is used when you come across a place where a crime was committed (usually a murder) and question marks appear on the screen. Clicking the center question mark starts it and you swap the clues around to the order in which they happened. The square lights up when the clue is in the right place. You then see a short cutscene showing what happened revealing part of the story.
The graphics were well done providing a feel of a neglected psychiatric hospital with a gritty atmosphere throughout the game. The character voices were varied and well done with different accents and realistic emotions instead of like they were just reading a script. The dialogue can be clicked through if you read faster then they speak but it reduces the atmosphere each character provides. Also, don't skip any dialog during the clues as they do help you through the game.
As you need to find the 9 clues to each part be sure to do a thorough search of each area before moving on. There is a jump map that is quite helpful as you visit a lot of places frequently in this game. The map also provides areas of interest so you know there is something to do in that area.
Just when you think you know who the killer is, that person is disqualified.
The game has a good pace and was full of twists and turns adding a nice depth to the game. Just when you think you know who the killer is, that person is disqualified. As more of the story was revealed, the game got better building up to a surprising and interesting ending that I did not see coming.
Clearly one of the better games I have played in a while. I bought the other two in the series.
This detective mode feature is used when you come across a place where a crime was committed (usually a murder) and question marks appear on the screen. Clicking the center question mark starts it and you swap the clues around to the order in which they happened. The square lights up when the clue is in the right place. You then see a short cutscene showing what happened revealing part of the story.
The graphics were well done providing a feel of a neglected psychiatric hospital with a gritty atmosphere throughout the game. The character voices were varied and well done with different accents and realistic emotions instead of like they were just reading a script. The dialogue can be clicked through if you read faster then they speak but it reduces the atmosphere each character provides. Also, don't skip any dialog during the clues as they do help you through the game.
As you need to find the 9 clues to each part be sure to do a thorough search of each area before moving on. There is a jump map that is quite helpful as you visit a lot of places frequently in this game. The map also provides areas of interest so you know there is something to do in that area.
Just when you think you know who the killer is, that person is disqualified.
The game has a good pace and was full of twists and turns adding a nice depth to the game. Just when you think you know who the killer is, that person is disqualified. As more of the story was revealed, the game got better building up to a surprising and interesting ending that I did not see coming.
Clearly one of the better games I have played in a while. I bought the other two in the series.
I recommend this game!
Investigate the disappearance of the chancellor's daughter and uncover the long lost kingdom of the exiled Frog Prince!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Enjoyed the second in the series as much as I did the first one
PostedFebruary 25, 2015
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This one was loosely based on the frog prince fairytale where you as a detective must find out what happened to the Chancellor's daughter after she went for a stroll on the Exiled Prince Path in Black Forest. Of course you have to figure out the story and location of the exiled prince also.
The hidden object screnes are all Fragmented Object Games (FROG - appropriate name for this particular game) where you collect items that are used in various ways -- usually keys, objects used as keys, or objects used in puzzles that usually unlock doors to open up new locations. The map is not interactive but shows where you are, sometimes where hidden object scenes to be done are, and usually where a completed collection of objects may be used.
I found the story engaging and well written and the music was very easy to listen to while playing. The graphics were excellent being clear and easily viewed even in dark scenes. As with the first episode, there are a lot of places to visit many being just once for an iten needed later. There are some cursed objects to be found which apparently has something to do with the hint system. Another winner and highly recommended.
The hidden object screnes are all Fragmented Object Games (FROG - appropriate name for this particular game) where you collect items that are used in various ways -- usually keys, objects used as keys, or objects used in puzzles that usually unlock doors to open up new locations. The map is not interactive but shows where you are, sometimes where hidden object scenes to be done are, and usually where a completed collection of objects may be used.
I found the story engaging and well written and the music was very easy to listen to while playing. The graphics were excellent being clear and easily viewed even in dark scenes. As with the first episode, there are a lot of places to visit many being just once for an iten needed later. There are some cursed objects to be found which apparently has something to do with the hint system. Another winner and highly recommended.
I recommend this game!