synergistician's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.2
- Helpful Votes:109
- Reviews Submitted:38
- First Review:January 31, 2014
- Most Recent Review:January 25, 2016
- Featured reviews0
Shattered Minds: Masquerade
Stop the villainous Visage from ruining Mardi Gras in Shattered Minds: Masquerade, an incredible Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Leaves a lot to be desired
PostedMarch 6, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Not a bad game for the casual player but somewhat boring and not much of a challenge for the accomplished player. The puzzles are fairly simple with a couple of exceptions. In general, the actions are closely tied to the current or very recently visited scenes diminishing the challenge of the game. A couple of the scene 'actions' are not based on reality. A few of the scenes were just pass thru without any action while the scenes that did have action components only had 1-3 actions resulting in a somewhat simple and minimally challenging run thru. Some of the dialog is missing some of the spoken words and in a few cases, the wording is misspelled which is more nuisance than anything. No map for overall progress aid and none of the scenes have identifying location names. The best feature of the game is the HOGs where there are numerous objects (18) for each challenge, some of which are interactive. Plus, the HOGs seem to get more difficult to solve the further you progress in the game with some of the objects cleverly concealed or blended into the background. IMO, the storyline lacked any real substance and the ending was abrupt and disappointing.
I recommend this game!
Botanica: Into the Unknown
Use your botany skills to survive the strange new planet of Botanica. Can you find your way back to Earth in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure?
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Not as good as the sequel
PostedMarch 3, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Regrettably, I played 'Into the Unknown' after I played 'Earthbound' which is the sequel. While Earthbound was ok for the average gamer, 'Into the Unknown' failed to meet expectations based on the sequel. The dialog scenes were somewhat hokey and the ending was a big disappointment. Facial expressions of the characters (smiling) usually didn't fit the dialog (angry, concerned, yelling, etc.) which really killed the storyline. The game was somewhat disjointed and some of the puzzles lack guidance on what to do. Clue action sequences were at times weird and illogical. There was a variety of puzzles of varying degrees of difficulty coupled with incremental segments but some of the puzzles were illogical and guessing rather than thinking was the order of the day. Overall, a decent game that I recommend solely for the casual player but not one that I believe the more astute player will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Botanica: Earthbound
Play as both Ellie and Ian, two scientists stranded on Botanica. Can you save your friends and find your way home?
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 16 found this review helpful
Enjoyable Overall but a word of comment and caution
PostedFebruary 23, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Interesting approach with a dual path of game play (2 different characters involved in multiple segments). There was a wide range of puzzle types including logic, HOGs, and object assembly, some of which were interactive while some were just straight solution. They varied significantly in terms of complexity and methods of solution. Some were very easy to solve while others somewhat difficult, some were sensible while some were sort of off the wall thus the game certainly presents a wide variation of challenges. There was an acceptable level of scene interaction (back and forth) but once you leave a segment, you never return to that segment. The story line was cohesive albeit somewhat typical of such games. The ending wasn't as contrived and short sighted as others I've encountered so there was a modicum of closure. My only complaint involved 1) a couple of scenes where the action didn't seem sensible for the situation (e.g. shooting a lever with a gun when you couldn't reach it to activate it) and 2) a couple of puzzles which proved impossible to solve given the configuration I was provided, thus the Skip button or referral to a walk-through guide was required to move the game forward. One puzzle involved a wiring connection puzzle where all nodes were to be lit but 4 of the nodes were designated as 0 connections so it was not possible to solve the puzzle. A second puzzle required ordering liquid containers lightest to heaviest where a means of weighing the containers was provided, however, all containers checked showed they were of equal weight, thus solution was achievable only by a lengthy process of elimination or some other means. I chose to discover the correct sequence via a walk-through guide. All-in-all, it was a fun game to play despite the idiosyncrasies I encountered. Whether those idiosyncrasies were unique to my downloaded copy or generic for the game itself, I have no way of knowing.
I recommend this game!
Dark Parables: Curse of the Briar Rose
Help a detective explore a rampant briar growth in Scotland, and discover the true tale of the real Sleeping Beauty!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Fun at times, boring at other times
PostedFebruary 16, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
My first experience with a Dark Parables game. The graphics and story line were mediocre. All HOGs consisted of three parts broken into subparts which was challenging due to the blending into the background but after a while, became monotonous due to lack of variation. Each scene was generally limited to one or two actions which seemed to require more movement than challenge thinking. There were a couple of other puzzles but they were simple and sporadic. There was no name for the multiple locations and the map was of minimal use in getting around, most of the determination was by hunt and seek although the map did give locations as an end goal. There was limited use of notes which were themselves of limited value. Back and forth scene interaction wasn't bad but wasn't spectacular either. Ending was abrupt and disappointing and almost seemed unrelated to the context of the story line. As for a game recommendation, I am recommending it but generally only for the casual player who doesn't mind drudgery and likes piecemeal put-together HOGs.
I recommend this game!
Left in the Dark: No One on Board
Discover what connects the ship’s disappearance with Devil’s Island and a family’s unsolved murder!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
If You Have Nothing Better To Do
PostedFebruary 15, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Game is mediocre in terms of its challenges, screen visuals, storyline, and puzzle difficulty. While enjoyable for the casual player, not a real challenge for the HOG/puzzle enthusiast. Graphics are somewhat grainy and HOs are a combination of evident and not-so evident. Scene interaction is limited with occasional requirements to make a significant shift. Clues are fairly evident and require little thinking. Storyline and dialog is somewhat corny and more of a fill in than an integral part of the game. Action scene interruptions are somewhat distracting and disconnected from the flow of the game. The game itseIf is of average length and play.
I recommend this game!
9 Clues: The Secret of Serpent Creek
Crack codes, pick locks, comb crime scenes for clues and solve clever puzzles in this thrilling retro detective drama!
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 14 found this review helpful
Barely a 2
PostedFebruary 11, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I've played many good games from Artiflex Mundi but this one was not one of them. In summary: graphics are mediocre at best and in some cases, barely passable; action scenes are not smooth, rather they are more along the lines of spastic movements; HOs are not very hidden, in fact, most objects are in plain view; puzzles are generally simple in nature and solution; little scene interaction other than a couple of times where some real movement was required; story line was contrived/corny/cheesy; character lines were short, numerous, and distracting; non-cryptic clues generally tell you what to do, no thinking required in most cases; notebook fragmented and of little use, and at times, the pace is along the lines of drudgery. All-in-all, low entertainment value for those that don't want to think to hard or be too challenged.
I don't recommend this game.
Mystery Case Files®: Fate's Carnival
Something wicked has taken over Fate’s Carnival!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
From A to Z
PostedFebruary 9, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is the most A to Z game I've played. I say A to Z because it goes from being really simple to being very complex in regards to the HOGs, puzzles, logic, etc. In some cases, you go back and forth in scenes only a move or two away and in other cases, you go back and forth almost to the beginning or the end of the game depending on your progress in the game. The inclusion of puzzles in the notebook is unique and the use of interactive puzzles is fun. I like challenges but some of the interactive puzzles are so complex as to defy logic. I'm not a novice, nor an expert, but I had to use the hint button on numerous occasions to even figure out what to do or do next. I only played the 2nd of the 4 'hardness' levels of difficulty and I find it almost unbelievable that anyone could play the hardest level and ever solve the puzzle or at least solve it in any reasonable time. While at times it was somewhat enjoyable following the clues to solve the puzzle, at other times, it was somewhat frustrating. Some of the clues were quite clear while some of the clues were confusing at best. In one case, I solved a puzzle that was the right solution but wasn't recognized by the game. Only by achieving the same result by a different sequence was I able to move forward. The map was very useful to determine what to do next as it wasn't obvious a fair portion of the time. Some 'next moves' were sensible while other 'next moves' were out of left field. In some cases, the inventory tool made sense and in other cases, it made some sense only after using the tool and thinking about it as a remote possibility. It was by far one of the longest games I have played so considering all of the above, it certainly was good value for what was paid. For anyone playing this game, be prepared for an A to Z game experience regardless of what level of difficulty you choose.
I recommend this game!
Spirits of Mystery: Song of the Phoenix
Reunite the Dragon and Pheonix Kingdoms to stop the evil witch!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Somewhat enjoyable.
PostedJanuary 31, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Entertaining but at times somewhat monotonous. A couple of solutions defied reasonable logic. Puzzles ranged from really easy to somewhat challenging. Graphics were okay but not overly impressive. Storyline was somewhat predictable, not a lot of surprises. Dialog was sporadic and seemed to interrupt play more than it contributed to it. Fun to play and takes a fair amount of time. Puzzles a mixture of match, puzzle matrix, logic, and the like for a varied assortment. Inventory, with a couple of exceptions, usually is utilized without going back more than a couple of screen shots which diminishes the challenge of the overall solution. Game end was abrupt and unsatisfying where you expect a big finish and you end up somewhat deflated. Pathways to end solution somewhat linear which diminished the solution challenge. Overall, not a bad game to play and enjoy but I've enjoyed others more.
I recommend this game!