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:
Scale the heights of Sunhook Spire, rescue the Enchantress and uncover the tower's mysteries as Queen Sophia's journey continues!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Keeps getting better and better
PostedNovember 24, 2014
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Finally made it to the 5th episode and I enjoyed it the best of all. Some other reviews mentioned it was the final episode but apparently not. There are two more episodes that I will eventually get. Not sure if they will be the last.
There are some new and different things in this episode that I liked. One was the new HOS where you have to find different colored objects that are only visible when you change the color of the screen - red objects with red screen etc. Water scenes had reactions to clicking on the water or objects in the water. There were multiple matching pairs and pictoral matches to be done. There are a lot of minigames many with little direction and I found a few I skipped as I could not figure out what needed to be done.
There are a lot of puzzles to figure out to advance the game and move to the next chapter. most are fairly easy to figure out but if you get stuck just click on the goals tab and the owl will give you directions.
There is a map but I found it easier just to travel to locations on my own as the labels were written in some language and you had to hold the cursor over a location to see the translation. The pocket dragon is back and in this episode he can be changed to do different things like fire, cold, wind, etc.
Fun Game
There are some new and different things in this episode that I liked. One was the new HOS where you have to find different colored objects that are only visible when you change the color of the screen - red objects with red screen etc. Water scenes had reactions to clicking on the water or objects in the water. There were multiple matching pairs and pictoral matches to be done. There are a lot of minigames many with little direction and I found a few I skipped as I could not figure out what needed to be done.
There are a lot of puzzles to figure out to advance the game and move to the next chapter. most are fairly easy to figure out but if you get stuck just click on the goals tab and the owl will give you directions.
There is a map but I found it easier just to travel to locations on my own as the labels were written in some language and you had to hold the cursor over a location to see the translation. The pocket dragon is back and in this episode he can be changed to do different things like fire, cold, wind, etc.
Fun Game
I recommend this game!
Discover the fate of your exiled kingdom, save your people, and end the ancient evil that started it all!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4th in the series and by far the best
PostedNovember 1, 2014
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
I made the mistake of playing the third installment of this series first (Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom) which tainted my feelings about the series. But now that I have played the first 2 installments and finally this 4th installment, I find the series exceptional.
In this episode, Sophia finally returns to her parents home and must free some of the subjects that helped her parents hide and save you from their fate. you still hope to be able to save them learning more about the curse with the help of your owl and pocket dragon helpers.
This was by far the longest episode packed with many puzzles and things to do. there is an interactive map but I found it of very little help. The music, voiceovers and graphics are excellent and lend a lot to the game. I did find some difficulty in figuring out what do to next as the goals list just gives a basic " do this next" guide. I found that you had to pixel search each screen or you would miss the tiny spots that contained clues or items needed to move ahead. It seemed that you have puzzles within puzzles to finish before you could move to the next area. There were some HOS throughout the game but mostly puzzles and things to do that required you to fix something.
There are 2 more episodes that are available and I have purchased the next one and will get the last one soon.
If you like a lot of puzzles then get this one.
In this episode, Sophia finally returns to her parents home and must free some of the subjects that helped her parents hide and save you from their fate. you still hope to be able to save them learning more about the curse with the help of your owl and pocket dragon helpers.
This was by far the longest episode packed with many puzzles and things to do. there is an interactive map but I found it of very little help. The music, voiceovers and graphics are excellent and lend a lot to the game. I did find some difficulty in figuring out what do to next as the goals list just gives a basic " do this next" guide. I found that you had to pixel search each screen or you would miss the tiny spots that contained clues or items needed to move ahead. It seemed that you have puzzles within puzzles to finish before you could move to the next area. There were some HOS throughout the game but mostly puzzles and things to do that required you to fix something.
There are 2 more episodes that are available and I have purchased the next one and will get the last one soon.
If you like a lot of puzzles then get this one.
I recommend this game!
After awaking from a century long slumber, Princess Sophia finds a world that is devoid of people! Help her find her friends!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A nice followup to Dreamless Castle
PostedOctober 17, 2014
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
In this sequel, you pick up where Dreamless Castle leaves off and begin looking for your family and the rest of human kind. You enter Moonfell Wood, the domain of the Fairy Queen, with the help of a fairy guide. You seek help and information from the Fairy Queen but first must get to her. You meet various goblins along the way requiring your help with something before you can advance which often included finding certain items and doing some tasks. There is a goals list that is helpful in keeping on the right path.
The find items on a list HOS are few but there are a lot of find so many of these type with some pretty good puzzles. There is a version of solitaire that you play also at frequent intervals. A pocket dragon assistant is found and travels with you providing ways to light candles, fires, etc.
The graphics are excellent and the music not overpowering. There are nicely done voiceovers for cutscenes. Storyline was well done and it is hard to believe that the third in the series (Goblin King) was done by the same company. I played it first and was disappointed but the first 2 in the series have been excellent. I am presently playing the Skyward castle and have purchased the Sunhook Spire.
The find items on a list HOS are few but there are a lot of find so many of these type with some pretty good puzzles. There is a version of solitaire that you play also at frequent intervals. A pocket dragon assistant is found and travels with you providing ways to light candles, fires, etc.
The graphics are excellent and the music not overpowering. There are nicely done voiceovers for cutscenes. Storyline was well done and it is hard to believe that the third in the series (Goblin King) was done by the same company. I played it first and was disappointed but the first 2 in the series have been excellent. I am presently playing the Skyward castle and have purchased the Sunhook Spire.
I recommend this game!
After Awakening in a mysterious castle it's up to you to collect clues and items needed to solve perplexing puzzles and escape!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A very nice game that was fun and easy to play
PostedSeptember 30, 2014
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played the Goblin king first and didn't enjoy it near as much as this one. The storyline, though simple, made sense and was easy to follow. Most of the HOS were finding a number of items in a scene with only a few actual list types. There are a lot of puzzles that were fairly easy to do with adequate directions to play. There were a few times that understanding where to go next and what to do was vague as there was no goals list. There was a journal but it seldom gave any direction on where to go as it primarily recorded various items found that could be used later in puzzles.
The music was repetitive and I eventually turned it off. There were a few voiceovers that were done well. The graphics were some of the best I have seen. A fun game that held my interest.
The music was repetitive and I eventually turned it off. There were a few voiceovers that were done well. The graphics were some of the best I have seen. A fun game that held my interest.
I recommend this game!
After overcoming the Dreamless Castle and Moonfell Wood, you have come to the rugged, mountainous snow-peaked Goblin Kingdom!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
My first game in this series and was somewhat disappointed
PostedSeptember 26, 2014
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
After all the hype from the reviews, I was a little disappointed in the game. I have had this game for some time now and finally decided to play it. I did not know it was the third in the series when I bought it and even though it was playable without having played the first two episodes, I found that it would have helped understand the storyline better if I had. I did not fully understand why she visited the goblins for answers since no human had been there in over a century.
The graphics and music were very nice but the music become tedious after a while and was turned off. The voiceovers were only in certain places and were ok. There were only a few HOS and all were easily finished. There were so many minigames that I began to hope the game would end soon. I like a game with some minigames and usually finish them but there were so many with very vague directions just on what to do to even try and do the puzzle that I did skip some. I don't understand why providing guidance to solving puzzles has become tabu in games today. You had to play a mini game to complete most tasks.
I had purchased the other 4 episodes prior to playing this one and only hope that they will be more fun to play then this one was. If you like puzzles with little direction then this one is for you.
The graphics and music were very nice but the music become tedious after a while and was turned off. The voiceovers were only in certain places and were ok. There were only a few HOS and all were easily finished. There were so many minigames that I began to hope the game would end soon. I like a game with some minigames and usually finish them but there were so many with very vague directions just on what to do to even try and do the puzzle that I did skip some. I don't understand why providing guidance to solving puzzles has become tabu in games today. You had to play a mini game to complete most tasks.
I had purchased the other 4 episodes prior to playing this one and only hope that they will be more fun to play then this one was. If you like puzzles with little direction then this one is for you.
I recommend this game!
A missing girl has been lured away by evil music! Stop the young prodigy and save everyone from the evil Maestro!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Enjoyed this game more then its prequel Better story line and more of a challenge
PostedSeptember 17, 2014
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
5
/
5
This time as the inspector, you are called to the German border where the mysterious illness continues but with a new twist - music seems to make things grow creating barriers. As was seen in the last episode, a young boy was given a violin by the old woman and he is now causing the music for this episode.
You meet a boy who wants you to help find his sister that was abducted while they were picking apples. They heard music and followed it to the basement where the sister was taken. Your attempts to free her are plagued by the boy and his music.
The game plays the same as the first one with many HOS that are visited twice but with different lists to find. The puzzles were fairly easy and items to advance the game are scattered within a few screens usually although some were of some distance from where they were used.
The only complaint I had was at the ending where you have to free the girl from the shadows holding her. There was no indication or hint on how to get the shadows to let her go. Only by shear luck did I discover that her hands and feet highlighted when the cursor passed over them.
Of course the ending left it open for the next sequel which I have purchased and will play soon.
I enjoyed the game and recommend it for both beginners and intermediates.
You meet a boy who wants you to help find his sister that was abducted while they were picking apples. They heard music and followed it to the basement where the sister was taken. Your attempts to free her are plagued by the boy and his music.
The game plays the same as the first one with many HOS that are visited twice but with different lists to find. The puzzles were fairly easy and items to advance the game are scattered within a few screens usually although some were of some distance from where they were used.
The only complaint I had was at the ending where you have to free the girl from the shadows holding her. There was no indication or hint on how to get the shadows to let her go. Only by shear luck did I discover that her hands and feet highlighted when the cursor passed over them.
Of course the ending left it open for the next sequel which I have purchased and will play soon.
I enjoyed the game and recommend it for both beginners and intermediates.
I recommend this game!
Stop a mysterious illness that is causing an entire village to rapidly age! Find the cause and find a missing young girl!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Good story line easily followed with nice HOS and puzzles
PostedSeptember 5, 2014
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You are an inspector called in to help in an investigation regarding a mysterious epidemic that is plaguing the locals on the outskirts of Paris . It is spreading fast and people are dying from accelerated aging. The military has quarantined this part of town preventing anyone from entering or leaving but it has not stopped the spread. You find a crying woman named Mrs. Smith who is trying to enter the town because her daughter, Emily, is in the town at their house on Union Street. She asks you to find Emily who was left in the care of her governess. Thus your journey begins by figuring out how to enter the town. You catch glimpses of Emily throughout the game who repeatedly asks for help and you also see an old woman (the governess?) who warns you to leave or she will deal with you herself.
There is a journal that receives frequent updates that you should read as needed for clues for solving some of the adventure parts. There is no map but you seldom have to backtrack more then a few screens to find or solve puzzles so that should not be an issue. There are plenty of HOS and puzzles with most objects fairly easily found. You do visit eash HOS twice but for different objects. The main problem I had was that sometimes the objects were somewhat distorted forms so you have to look at each and if it looks somewhat like the name of the object it probably is it. The distortions seemed to be intentional as the graphics were excellent. The music was nice, mostly violin but could be irritating to some. The ending sets it up for a sequel and I have purchased both episodes to be played soon.
I enjoyed the game and recommend it for both beginners and intermediates.
There is a journal that receives frequent updates that you should read as needed for clues for solving some of the adventure parts. There is no map but you seldom have to backtrack more then a few screens to find or solve puzzles so that should not be an issue. There are plenty of HOS and puzzles with most objects fairly easily found. You do visit eash HOS twice but for different objects. The main problem I had was that sometimes the objects were somewhat distorted forms so you have to look at each and if it looks somewhat like the name of the object it probably is it. The distortions seemed to be intentional as the graphics were excellent. The music was nice, mostly violin but could be irritating to some. The ending sets it up for a sequel and I have purchased both episodes to be played soon.
I enjoyed the game and recommend it for both beginners and intermediates.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
A nice game for those new to hidden object adventure games
PostedAugust 28, 2014
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The story involves ghosts looking for help to solve a crime and you are the one trying to solve what happened. The ghosts provide some direction in the game and there i9s a journal with a limited goals list. There is no map but you only have to visit a few locations in each chapter so it is pretty easy to not get lost. The trouble is that you have to really pay attention to the ghosts and your goals list as many items you need to find appear only after specific events. Most of the objects are in locations with only a few actual hidden object screens and there are a lot of puzzles many with little direction on how to solve them. The graphics were very good and the music was ok. The intro has voiceovers and sets the stage. Not a bad game but fairly easy if you follow the story.
I recommend this game!
Restore the royal amulet to break an ancient curse and stop an evil witch from regaining her terrible powers!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Second installment of a well-done series
PostedAugust 18, 2014
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This time when you are visiting a museum an amulet on display sends you into a picture hanging on the wall and you wind up in a neglected chapel. Must be that witch again or maybe her sister. All of the people have been turned into shadows and you need to restore them to their human forms again. There is no map but there is a journal that is updated frequently and contains a goals list that is constantly updated as you enter new areas. There is a hint button and you gain more hints by finding mirrors in various scenes but they are only really useful in hidden object screens. There are a lot of HOS to find useful items needed in the locations you visit that help solve puzzles and set the shadows free. There were two basic types of HOS - a list of items to find and a list of items to place in proper places. There are some interactive items in most HOS and most items to be found are visible although some are pretty small or nearly colorless. The items found that are needed go to your inventory and are logical solutions to the situations presented. Be advised that some objects are hidden behind shadow people and only become available after you restore them to their human selves. Music was plesant when there and there were sound effects throughout. Each shadow restoration had a cut scene with voiceovers. Another nicely done game.
I recommend this game!
Reveal an ancient curse and save the kingdom and its inhabitants. The last prince of Orion is waiting for your help!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Nicely done HOSA with a fairly good story
PostedAugust 11, 2014
hermitcave
fromGig Harbor, Wa
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You are visiting a museum concerning castles in the midddle ages when you are suddenly caught in a timewarp and find yourself in the middle ages at the castle of Orion which has been cursed by a witch that has turned the inhabitants to stone. You need to explore the castle and discover how this happened and how to break the spell. As you explore you find various people turned to stone that each have information to be used to break the spell but you first have to change them from stone back to human.
The intro had a nice cutscene that set the story with voiceovers but I didn't encounter any other voiceovers during play. The music was not overbearing and pleasing to listen to. The graphics were nicely done and the hidden object screens were typical for a castle setting but the objects to be found were usually identifiable. There was a combination of lists of items to be found as well as many "find this number of this item" and often there would be a final specific item to be found for use at another place. There were some interactive items requiring some action to expose the item. Most were logical but a few required some thought. There were some mini puzzles often used to open doors to other rooms that I had not encountered before and found them a nice change from the norm. I especially liked the gear and wooden block puzzle.
There is a journal that is updated frequently and a companion mirror that provides comments but there is no map and you will visit locations multiple times to find other objects required some place else and it can become confusing if you do not pay attention to the comments provided by your mirror companion and the text in the journal.
There is a hint button but it is only useable for the hidden object screens. There is a limited number of hints but there are mirrors scattered throughout that give more hints when found.
As this is the first of a series, it does end rather quickly with the message "to be continued." I enjoyed the game enough that I have purchased the other four episodes but have not played them as yet.
The intro had a nice cutscene that set the story with voiceovers but I didn't encounter any other voiceovers during play. The music was not overbearing and pleasing to listen to. The graphics were nicely done and the hidden object screens were typical for a castle setting but the objects to be found were usually identifiable. There was a combination of lists of items to be found as well as many "find this number of this item" and often there would be a final specific item to be found for use at another place. There were some interactive items requiring some action to expose the item. Most were logical but a few required some thought. There were some mini puzzles often used to open doors to other rooms that I had not encountered before and found them a nice change from the norm. I especially liked the gear and wooden block puzzle.
There is a journal that is updated frequently and a companion mirror that provides comments but there is no map and you will visit locations multiple times to find other objects required some place else and it can become confusing if you do not pay attention to the comments provided by your mirror companion and the text in the journal.
There is a hint button but it is only useable for the hidden object screens. There is a limited number of hints but there are mirrors scattered throughout that give more hints when found.
As this is the first of a series, it does end rather quickly with the message "to be continued." I enjoyed the game enough that I have purchased the other four episodes but have not played them as yet.
I recommend this game!