Hemene's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.4
- Helpful Votes:102
- Reviews Submitted:17
- First Review:March 24, 2012
- Most Recent Review:June 1, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Return to Nerinia and save the neighboring kingdom Merovina in this epic match-3 adventure! Build majestic monuments for the prosperity of the realm!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Somewhere Between Good and Great.
PostedJune 1, 2019
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Jewel Match has been in my arsenal since it first came out in 2007. My go-to-favorite is Jewel Match: Twilight...I've played it over and over for years. JM Royal: Rise of the King comes close. I liked it and it was certainly worth the money because it took HOURS to play over several days in relaxed mode.
But, I didn't LOVE it. I found the smaller boards took a little getting used to and the tiles often seemed jarring to the point I'd have focus issues finding the matches. It took me some time to get the hang of the Garden Room to get that butterfly each time; and I never did figure out how to get all the matches in the Jewel Room....I just sort of winged that one and what I got was what I got.
Each chapter is HUGE and take time to complete. The castles are beautiful as are the grounds, although they can get a bit busy with the decorations if you use all your stars. (that's just personal preference for me that less is more). In relaxed mode it takes a long time to build up enough cash for the Power Up Shop, so don't expect to gain those quickly. I opted for those I tend to use the most and left the others completely alone. Your mileage may vary.
The game play itself is like the other JM's, with the addition of tiles that you must break by making either a designated number of specific matches or just random matches. That definitely adds to the game value for me as you have to think a bit about how to proceed. I'm a slow player, so I never use the timed or advanced modes...that, again, is personal preference and your mileage may vary.
I'll be honest, I barely paid attention to the storyline...it's not really why I buy Match 3 games, so I can't really say it made any difference to my gameplay. It was there, I had to click through the dialog to move on and that was that. Click - boom - done - move along.
Overall, I liked the game and will likely replay it in the future. I would love to be able to give it 4 1/2 stars because it's better than a 4 star game, but not really quite a 5 star game.
If you like Jewel Match in general, I think you will like this one. Give it a trial and see what you think.
I recommend this game!
My Brother Rabbit is a beautifully drawn adventure set in a surreal world that mixes reality with a child’s imagination
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Gem of a Game!!!
PostedJune 1, 2019
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
My hiatus from BFG brought me to this little beauty from Artifex Mundi developers. What a delightful surprise that was so very reminiscent of the first of the Drawn series that introduced me to this talented development team.
The story can be heart-rending while at the same time hopeful. The graphics were unique, with what felt like a bit of a nostalgic nod to the Samarost games during the gameplay itself. Meaning mostly that there are no directions on how to play and you, as the adventurer, must figure them out on your own. Some are completely obvious and others take a bit to understand that one (or three) other things may need to be done before another can be completed.
Each chapter gets you to the next...there is no moving forward until you've achieve the quest within each one. This creates a good deal of back and forth. But, if you will play this game with patience, it is part of what makes the game.
My only caveat is that although this is a CE game, you don't get a lot of bells and whistles or bonus game for your money. The art work and cutscenes are beautiful and can be downloaded. The hidden object games are replayable, and might actually be worth it as they can be challenging in finding the objects. I'm not entirely sure everyone will feel it's worth the extra cost without a bonus game. That said, I am not upset at having spent my stashed game credits on it.
It took me several hours to complete the game...And, I am quite likely to play it again. The style will not suit everyone. But, I suggest that you at least give it the trial period before crossing this one off the list. You just may be surprised to find yourself liking this little game.
I recommend this game!
Enter an immersive world in the clouds and restore balance to your civilization!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Good, but not Great.
PostedJune 1, 2019
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Having been away from BFG for some time, I was on the lookout for something new or by developers I tend to like. Artifex Mundi almost always fits that bill. And, since I am a big fan of steampunk, I was delighted to find this offering and bought the SE after the trial was completed. (Since all the bells, whistles, trophies, and morphing objects are not my fancy I seldom buy the CE's unless reviewers rave about the bonus game...not many of them are worth double the price of the game for me.)
Does it break any new ground or bring us a new, exciting, and different storyline or gameplay? No. But, it did bring me several hours of a comfortably familiar manner in which to pass my time. I have lots of game credits available after my hiatus, so I may as well use them on a developer whose games I tend to enjoy even when they aren't surpernaturally fantastic.
Skyland's graphics are excellent as is the game to player interface. The HOP's, puzzles, and other mini-games are typical and not overly taxing. (I do admit to skipping the games using the gauntlet...I am unable to visually track those, but others my like them just fine.) There is often a lack of explanation as you figure out what one is supposed to DO in the mini-games, but a little trial and error usually finds the solution. I come from old school text based gaming where trial and error is the ONLY way to find out things unless you go for a walk-through....so this doesn't bother me. I'm not out to play my games as fast as I can get through them.
The storyline itself is adequate...you're the hero, there's a villain, you need to save the world from that villain. It's interesting enough to read through (I turn off the sound) or listen to the dialog. You sometimes learn helpful information for the game. And, there IS a little bit of an unexpected plot twist later in the game.
There is a great deal of back and forth in the game...it's just part of the gameplay and not something I'd necessarily knock the developer for. The interactive map helps with if you are frustrated by the to and fro. Yet, I often still found myself trekking back and forth manually, mostly because I liked the graphics and because I often see something I missed the first time or two through an area.
All in all, this is a nice, solid 4 Star SE game worth the time any money spent on it. I enjoyed it and would recommend anyone who likes steampunk to at least give it the trial.
I recommend this game!
Step into the shoes of Emily Patterson, follow the trail of the captor and thwart his evil plans.
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
I Liked It...But, I Didn't Love It....
PostedMay 5, 2018
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Steampunk games are generally one of my favorites, and for the most part this one fits the bill. Also, when I see that the developer is Artifex Mundi, I expect a lot and this one mostly met that expectation. It was not an overly challenging game, but I wan't in the mood for that when I bought it; so, it was win-win for me.
Was everything perfect? No. Some parts were easy to predict...we have a young heroine who does some dumb stuff that we that we know we are going have to get her out of. Some of the HO's were dark enough (even when I lightened the screen) and not clearly drawn such that I had to use the hint to find them. The puzzles I mostly skipped cuz I don't like having to do things 3 times to get / open / find what ever is on the other side. I'd rather do a single slightly more difficult puzzle, but that's just me.
The stuff I did like included the fact that the game is slightly linear. You do stuff in a chapter, you move on, and then begin again...which means the back and forth was not as big a pain as some games. The jump map came in handy as did the fast charge on the hint when I needed to use it.
The storyline was OK. It got muddled here and there, but nothing so frustrating that I wanted to toss the came. The bonus game was a continuation of the story, but, you see it coming as you finish the game.
I felt like the game flowed well and even when things took several different locations to find all the pieces, they rather fit into how you might truly have to hunt for something hidden by people who did not want you to find their stuff.
This one of only a few games that I will go back and attempt to get all the "atoms" as I believe they open either a mini-story or at least a puzzle that I find I might like to solve. (I won't spoil by telling what it is.)
So...overall I liked the game, will play it again to catch all the atoms, and then move along to the next game. I like Artifex Mundi and already have a few of their titles on my computer. I'll likely check out more of them.
Do try the Demo and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the townspeople from paying for a dark past?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Finally...A Game I Can Say I Mostly Liked...
PostedApril 25, 2018
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I looked at this game based on another reviewer's recommendation and almost didn't get past the opening chapter. It didn't flow well and felt clunk, but I decided to continue on....and I'm glad I did. I won't say it's the best game I've ever played, but it is the best I've played (and deleted) in the last two weeks.
The things I didn't care for were, once again, the repetitive find the key, find the emblem, disks etc. That said, the developers made fun of themselves, which actually improved my mindset. I still skipped a lot of the puzzles for the same repetitive reason...connect the wires, rotate the disks, move the boxes...I'm not interested.
The HOPA's, however are where this game shines for me. Slightly different....interactive moves among the lists, find something use it with another object, puzzles within the HOPA. That was fun and it was creative. Thank you for that.
My favorite chapter was in the hospital. Everything you do makes sense. When you do have to go back and forth, that also makes sense. And, that part of the storyline was the tightest of all the chapters.
The graphics were nicely done, although there are a few places and a few HOPA's that are dark enough or not clear enough to be just a tad frustrating. But, those did not deter me.
The bonus game was a sort of continuation based on "well...what if he didn't really die?" But, I didn't mind that because it was also a redemption chapter (maybe).
Overall, I liked the game and will actually recommend this one. It is not overly long or overly hard so beginners and early intermediates shouldn't get frustrated. Super experienced folks might not end of with the same kind of gameplay, however. I will say that the demo does not do justice to the rest of the game.
I recommend this game!
Can you save Dupin from a malevolent murderer in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Another One That Misses The Mark
PostedApril 25, 2018
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The Edgar Allen Poe series from this developer has been hit and miss from the beginning, but I have usually found them to be reasonable to play.
What I find with The Pit and the Pendulum, is that this is so far removed from the original story that the only thing that ties it in is 2 scenes with a pendulum to be escaped. It was quite disappointing.
I found this an incredibly easy and boring game. The HOPA's were ok, but the puzzles (which I mostly skipped due to the constant repetition) were tedious and, did I mention, repetitive...as was the consistent find this key, emblem, etc. C'mon, guys...a little creativity would really be appreciated.
And, I really expect more out of a bonus game than 15 minutes that just continues or, in this case, ends the story. Shame.
I bought this with long unused credits, so I won't begrudge that. But, had I paid money for it, I would be wanting it back. This will be the second BF game I have deleted from my computer today. Not only do the developers need to step up their game...BF needs to do so as well and expect more from them.
Please do play the demo and decide for yourself. What I don't care for may not be the same as yours. But, I wouldn't recommend it to my friends.
I don't recommend this game.
Why has the Everlast returned after twenty years at sea?
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
A Bit Disappointed
PostedApril 25, 2018
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This review is based on having played the entire game..but not the bonus game as it did not seem to work. I really wanted to like this game, but found that I really do not. I don't hate it...but...neither do Iike it. If I could give it 2 1/2 stars, I would.
It still has a variation of the original HOPA's that I so loved in the first two of this series. I skipped almost of of the puzzles because they were tedious and repetitive (which seems to be the norm for games these days.) I was not particularly engaged by the story line nor the rather washed out look of the graphics. I find that I much prefer the colorful, well-drawn cartoonlike graphics of the first game better than this. I do not play with the sound on, so cannot speak to that.
Overall, I'd say play the demo and decide for yourself. That said I will be removing yet another BF game from my computer this morning.
I don't recommend this game.
Explore kingdom ruins and meet the exiled Salt Princess.
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
I Didn't Hate It - But, I Didn't Love It Either
PostedApril 22, 2018
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The early days of the Dark Parables series was one I enjoyed playing and enjoyed the twists they put on the fairy tales. This one just didn't get me excited about playing it. I don't mind a story unfolding over time, but it seemed as if there were too many going on in this one for it to flow nicely. Which is a disappointment.
I've always liked the FROG's and this one has a LOT of them. After a while it got tedious and some of them were very dark and rather faded or grainy. I don't mind having to really look for things, but the muddled art had me using the hint more often than I care for. I'm not a newbie so it was frustrating.
The puzzles are repetitious. I skipped most after the first half dozen as they add nothing to the gameplay for me.
I seldom play with any of the sound activated, so I cannot speak to that and will not complain about having to read everything.
Since this was the SE version, the map is not transportable. I did miss that since there is so much back and forth. I'm not one to race through a game to see how fast I can finish, but I would not mind if the game was slightly more linear. All the back and forth adds time to the gameplay, but it does not add anything to the immersion factor one wants when they are playing...it was there in places...just not enough.
As I say, I did not hate the game and, I don't regret playing it. But I will not be replaying it; nor will it stay on my computer.
Still, I always advise people to play the demo and decide for themselves if it is a keeper or not.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save yourself and your daughter in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
I Suppose It Could Be Worse.
PostedApril 20, 2018
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Sadly this review is based only on the demo. Normally, I play a game all the way through. This one I struggled to finish the demo. And, it will be the second Surface game I have deleted from my computer today.
i did not care for the storyline. The graphics were dark even after lightening the screen making the HOP's a frustrating time waster waiting for the hint button to refresh for most of the HOP's.
This game was completely frustrating to play and I am not a newbie at this. I am quite disappointed as the first couple of Surface games were excellent. It might be time for Elephant games to either retire this series or to step up their act.
I don't recommend this game.
All the adults have vanished. Is this a child's dream, or nightmare?
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Not What I Hoped For
PostedApril 20, 2018
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The original Surface game was one of my favorite games when it came out. Sadly this one does not measure up. I had to force myself to play to the end hoping it would improve.
I found the video quality to be both dark and poor compared to the first one. The HOP's, in particular, were hard to see even with the brightness turned up on my computer.
The storyline itself felt forced and uninteresting. The bonus game was better than the main game.
Elephant Games has been a favored game developer in my time on Big Fish and it saddens me that the overall quality of this game left me wanting. You can do better.
I don't recommend this game.