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
Can you save the young starlet from the wicked doll's curse?
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
I Expected SO Much More...
PostedApril 11, 2018
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is the first poor review I have given a Big Fish Game, but I was very disappointed in the overall quality of the game, the storyline and the unevenness of the games within the game...including a lack of instruction on several of them.
I found the graphics to be dark and muddled even having turned up the brightness on my screen. The storyline was unispiring, and, while I finished both the main game and the extra game in the Collector's Edition, I did not enjoy them.
To my mind, the first of these Puppet Show games was the best and the remaining ones downhill from there. I won't begrudge the credits used to purchase the game, yet do not feel it was worth the time spent on playing. I finished it, but it will definitely not be a replay for me. It might be time to retire this series.
I don't recommend this game.
Redemption Cemetery: Bitter Frost Collector's Edition
Stop the bitter Spirit of Cold from killing your ancestors!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
On the Redemption Cemetery Fence
PostedJanuary 15, 2014
Hemene
fromJust a little South of Normal
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
As a huge fan of ERS and the Redemption Cemetery games this one will go down as my least favorite of the series. I didn’t hate it, but neither is it going to be on my top 10 list. That said, I found myself liking the bonus game over the main game and wished ERS had made it the focus of this Christmas Eve game.
Still, the whole cemetery on Christmas Eve theme didn’t bother me as I anticipated the ending to fit a redemption story along the lines of Scrooge. Saving your own ancestors was an interesting change in dynamics and I quite liked that. What better Christmas present to give yourself than the continuation of your family line.
The graphics were, for the most part, not bright and colorful. But, as you are visiting the past it seemed to fit. On the other hand, some of the snow scenes were quite evocative to giving a realistic feeling of bitter cold to the game…I almost felt as if I should be bundled in hat, gloves, scarf and winter parka with my hands wrapped around a hot cup of cocoa to play and liked that. I don’t play with the sound on so whatever lack there was in ambiance or voice-over was not problematic to me. My very active imagination is good at creating my own sense of how the tone should feel.
The HO’s were a pleasant change and having the choice to swap to match-3 appreciated for a change of pace. Having those match-3’s be of a different ilk was also a nice surprise. I skipped a number of the mini-games that were not a good match to my skillset, but overall they were not a bother and some were pleasantly fun.
The challenge for me was that the game flow did not feel at all intuitive…the story itself did not feel as if it helped move things forward beyond the basics of saving a soul. I found myself often frustrated by running/jumping around without much clue and ended up using both the hint and, to a more minor degree, the strategy guide to figure out what to do next. As an experienced gamer I don’t need my hand held, but I do like to have an inkling. There was also the case of having to visit a character up to 3 times to get things that could have been given on the first or second interaction even so it may have required carrying around for a bit. It felt as if the length of the gameplay was being padded and added to the run around factor.
Overall, the game was OK. But, if I hadn’t purchased it on sale with extra punches I would not feel the snowflakes and achievements made it CE worthy. On the other hand, I liked the short bonus game with its ending surprise well enough that no stars are deducted for that. My 3 star rating comes from the general “meh” feeling about the game as a whole.
Games are liked or not based on the feelings of the individual at the time they are playing…give it a trial and see what it says to you.
Detective Quest: The Crystal Slipper
Push your detective skills to the limit in a fantastical faraway land and find a prince's lost love.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Make a List
PostedJanuary 12, 2014
Hemene
fromThe South
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
In the old days of adventure gaming one made their own maps with items of interest/need noted for each area searched. Today gamers have come to rely on the jump maps to do that for them. This game’s interactive map does AND does not. It does show you where things need to be done and even the objective within that location...BUT....the gamer needs to remember (make a list) what missing item(s) are required in each location. And, there are a lot of locations in this game.
The gamer must also be willing to visit these areas multiple times as there are numerous what I will call mini-quests in each area. Meaning that certain things need doing to open the next avenue of progression but they are not necessarily done one after the other. You WILL be back. (Note that the hint button tells one EXACTLY what needs doing where, but this gamer dislikes relying on the hint button even while admitting to its use....multiple times after not making said list early enough in the game)
Overall, I liked this game. As a slow player who stops often for other things, it played out at 6 or more hours over 2 days. That it was purchased as a daily deal made it well worth the price. And, for an SE I was impressed by both its length and the photo collectibles. (Of which, I missed several so will likely play it again.) I can add nothing useful to the already well written reviews of the graphics, gameplay, sound etc. However, while the basic plot was adhered to throughout the game, the sheer size of the world often left this gamer hunting without much logical flow other than get to the next map location to see what follows. I did not mind the HO’s or the mini-games, though I did skip a few because I am just not good at them (a follow the thimble game near the end, for example). I did quite like the water cup game once I figured out what I was doing…something a little different from the connect the pipes game so often used.
On a side note, you can find your relation to a previous princess in one of the mini-games twice visited in the first chapter of the game. It is not, howsumever, required to know this in order to progress…just a note for those trying to figure out the connection.
Being an older style gamer (Sierra, Lucas Arts, etc.) this adventure was quite up my alley and I recommend a trial to see if it fits you as well.
I recommend this game!
The Far Kingdoms
Help Princess Arianna save her kingdom and defeat the Dark Witch in this clever hidden-object adventure and match-3 game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
A Nice Afternoon Game
PostedNovember 21, 2013
Hemene
fromThe South
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Drawn: The Painted Tower
(183)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on completed game.
The beginning tells all you need to know about the overall story...Evil Queen takes over the Princess' empire while she is on a journey....Princess comes home and has to save her world.
The games is one of explore to find the needed items and defeat the magic holding you back. Once done a portal opens for you to complete the next quest. Nothing is overly challenging and I found myself looking forward to the Match 3 games vs the hidden object, even so they were not that hard.
Played on the easiest setting the sparkles were sometimes easy to overlook...pay attention to your magnifying glass. The hint button (King of Frogs) works nicely, fills quickly enough if you need to use it, no click penalty...works as direction hint in regular game play...but, you shouldn't need to use it often as each "world" is relatively small and a quest must be completed before you move to the next one.
The graphics were lovely even so there's not much animation. The cartoon quality seemed perfect for a fairly tale type world.
Since I play with the sound off so as not to disturb my housemate I can't speak to either the quality or repetitiveness...my imagination is plenty for me.
This is not one of those games that totally immerses you into it so that you will remain at your computer until you've completed it...it's a pleasant way to spend a few hours on an otherwise dull afternoon. I played it over the course of 2 afternoons, so I can't say how long the game would be played in a single setting. As a very casual game player I'm slower than most.
Overall I liked the game and since it was a sale day yesterday I definitely feel I got my money's worth.
I recommend this game!
Grim Facade: Sinister Obsession
Can you uncover the truth before you become the next page in the killer’s diary?
Overall rating
3
/
5
Love - Hate Game
PostedMay 11, 2013
Hemene
fromThe South
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
9: The Dark Side Of Notre Dame Collector's Edition
(72)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
ERS is one of my favorite developers and overall I liked the game itself. As an old school adventure gamer I don't mind a bit of back and forth without much guidance...although a map with available actions would serve as a nice hint system since the in game hint system wasn't overly helpful.
Their artwork is always well drawn even if not strikingly colorful. (It was a murder mystery afterall.) I love that there are often skillful animations in unexpected places.
I liked the hidden object games that were slightly interactive and most of the puzzles so I have no complaints about that. It was a nice mix of lists and find the silouhette. I didn't even mind the weird things that went together to make something else as it kept me on toes not to anticipate what was used where. I thought that was clever.
I found the story to be a little loose, though I didn't mind that it was scattered along as you played the game. It started out well enough, but hinting to multiple involvement even so the sinister figure was obviously (to me anyway) not the right build was confusing. And the end simply stunk.
Bam...there's the murderer and it was just...over. I clicked play again thinking it was a glitch. Nope.
Then I was miffed thinking that the rest of the story was likely on the CE and was about to join the "shame on you" group who feel like we're so often now being led down the path of having to buy the CE's just to get the whole story. (I'm not a big fan of all the extra's that I don't get value from just to get the bonus play...I want the story and the game and that's about it.) To find that the CE purchasers are not much happier with the ending is at least mildly comforting though still aggravating to think they spent the extra money for not much better than the SE version.
I won't give up on ERS, but I will definitely read all the reviews carefully before buying. Overall they are an excellent group of talented developers whom I hope will take our comments to heart and work on making a strong game with a good story and sterling mix of puzzles, HOS and adventuring.
I'm going to give this a so-so recommendation based on the abrupt ending even so the rest of the game was well crafted.
Nightmare Adventures: The Turning Thorn
What dark and powerful secrets are hidden within the A.R.C.A.N.E. agency's old research base? Kiera Vale returns to find out.
Overall rating
4
/
5
54 of 60 found this review helpful
Adventure Game
PostedJanuary 26, 2013
Hemene
fromThe South
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Surface: The Soaring City Collector's Edition
(148)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This review is based on playing the demo.
First thing I liked is that in Options you can choose the brightness level of the game. Thank you Developers for listening.
The game gets off to a slow start. Reading everything helps understand the previous chapters of Ms. Vail's interaction with ARCANE, but I don't believe you NEED it to play the game itself. Just gives you background from the earlier game.
The story proceeds slowly in the demo, building up info to use as you move forward without giving away the farm...works to draw you in. I like that...keeps me guessing and wanting to play more of the game.
So far this is mostly a figure out what you do next game with puzzles thrown in to get you from one level of play to the next. As an Old School game player (think Sierra and Lucas games) I don't mind that you have to look around to figure out what happens next. There's a bit of back and forth, but again as an old school adventure gamer I'm used to that and it's not bothersome to me.
The puzzles are not too hard/not too easy. I couldn't always make it do what I knew it should, but that's my bane and in the demo I don't want to waste my play time trying to make it work. I save that for when I've purchased the game and play at my own speed. The hint/skip button comes in very handy if you just can't figure it out. It recharges quickly to boot.
Usually play with the sound off, but decided to turn it on for this game. Background effects seemed appropriate for the mood being set. The music in the demo was appropriate, sparse and unobtrusive to me...I like that. The voice acting was OK, but based on the demo I'm not sure the actors were sure of the tone they should set. I did like that the character's mouths did NOT move. Short of using live actors it's a waste of animation in my book.
I liked the graphics...smooth and moody to the game. But, I'm an easy player...even cartoony games don't bother me if the gameplay is good. At any rate they seem standard for games these days and I have no complaints about any uneven switches between styles.
What I did find interesting is the subtle humor interspersed if you click several times in the same area. Gave it more of that old time adventure game feel (think Space Quest and the "Two Guys from Andromeda" design team.)
The hour went buy quickly and I like this game well enough to purchase it to see where the story goes. It's a bonus buy weekend so why not.
All games are subject to the mood of the player. I liked this game and think you should at least give it a demo and make up your own mind.
I recommend this game!
The Crop Circles Mystery
Jane's wheat cultivation has been tampered with in the midst of a thunderstorm. Help her solve The Crop Circles Mystery!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Nice Way to Pass Saturday Morning Coffee
PostedMarch 24, 2012
Hemene
fromThe South
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
9: The Dark Side
(139)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
As a casual HOG it is not a great game nor is it a bad game...it's a nice little game to play if you have a little downtime or just need something easy to occupy your mind for a bit.\
Based on the screen shots I did not expect high quality rendering...it is much like a nice comic book or kid's book so I was not in any way disappointed with that aspect. With the sound off I am not distracted by noises, voices or music in the background, so I can't speak to any of those issues.
The storyline is a little predictable, but not so much to take away from the overall enjoyment of the game. I did like the dual line of the story, though.
Some of the hidden objects were small or dark for my eyes, but the little alien hinster found them for me and that was fine.
The little mini-games and quests within the hidden areas were mostly fun, fairly intuitive and not too hard...perfect for a quiet Saturday morning.
At the Game of the Day price it was just right...a worthwhile expenses for a couple of hours play....I play slow so it might not be as long for the fast players.
All in all I got what I paid for and enjoyed the time spent and would recommend this game for folks, young and old, who just want something easy to pass some time.
I recommend this game!