hopqueen's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:804
- Reviews Submitted:68
- First Review:May 10, 2018
- Most Recent Review:January 30, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A bone-chilling mystery that will leave you questioning everything!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Great Creepy But Beautiful Game!
PostedJuly 16, 2022
hopqueen
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Another winner from Domini, this time with more of a creepy feel!
As usual, Domini's graphics are fabulous, very detailed, and vivid. Their design of faces, both making them all unique and realistic, is constantly improving. They've really mastered adding natural lines to faces to age them, something not many developers have achieved well or gracefully. The realism of the designed characters is improving all the time. Sometimes I just marvel at it.
This game has a creepy vibe but not overly so. It isn't an asylum vibe or anything, and in a new twist, the "horror" involves swimming pools! There's a lot of attention to detail, and if you click around on random objects in scenes, you'll find a good jump scare or two and fun little movements, something that has become an entertaining hallmark of Domini games.
The collectibles are sometimes tricky, sometimes easy, all findable. In general scenes, we need to find dolls and runes (they kind of look like matis/Greek evil eyes to me), and both kinds morph. In the closeups, it's snapshots.
I really like the concept behind this game and the plot. Really nice change and a good combo of factors involved. I won't spoil it for you.
And now for a PSA: If you don't like Domini Games, stop playing them. The complaints are the same over and over again. The developer is what it is, and that's not going to change. These are never going to be some Elder Scrolls-level games with brand-new items and concepts in every game, so don't expect something other than what you know you're going to get. Part of the problem seems to be that so many developers' games aside from Domini got negative reviews from many of these same people and for many of the same reasons (they like to say all old games are better than the new ones, but they complained about the same things in the past on other developers' games), that most developers have jumped ship. In all past games, no matter the developer, we've needed to find screwdrivers, we have had broken keys in locks, and we've needed a valve. That's just how it is. Because of these ongoing complaints that started years ago and have included most developers' games, all we have left now is pretty much Domini and poorly remastered games—don't ruin it for all the many people who still love Domini. If they stop making HOPs, Big Fish will have no HOP developers left.
Reviewers are so busy raining down fire on Domini Games simply for the purpose of hating on the developer (note: when they first called themselves Do Games, the reviewers were much kinder and more generous and liked the game; when they figured out Do Games was Domini, the hate became unreal), they missed the actual mistakes. There were a couple of sloppy mistakes in this game, which is why my rating dropped from 5 stars to 4 stars. For example, a repeated line of spoken dialogue that replaced what was supposed to be a different line, and something in our inventory called the wrong name (I think it was a scoop being called a spatula). These aren't game ruiners, they just mean the developer could use some more careful quality control.
This game is a fun one—judge for yourself in the demo instead of reading the broken-record bad reviews. Keep it up, Domini.
I recommend this game!
Can you take on Goldilocks’ mantel and protect the kingdom?
Overall rating
2
/
5
22 of 31 found this review helpful
Nostalgic But Far Too Easy, Nothing Exciting
PostedJune 16, 2022
hopqueen
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a "remastered" game from the past. I think its strongest point is the nostalgia factor, but what I really wish is that the developer would focus on making new games instead of remastering old ones!
The story is a good one, a nice play on Goldilocks. I think most people will appreciate the different take on a classic story.
Other than the story, this is a flop for me, aside from the nostalgia factor. Keep in mind, this game was great in its day, but nowadays, it plays as dated, easy, and boring.
As I said, the game plays as an old game. It's too easy, everything is handed to you. There are "puzzles" where you can't figure it out for yourself because they insist on giving you a hand icon where they want you to click and no place else...so the answer is literally handed to you. No challenge and doesn't even count as a game/puzzle. The HOPs have this feature as well, making them irritatingly easy. Let me find it by myself, don't give me a hand that tells me where it is if I accidentally pass over it with my mouse!
The HOPs are in that old style where you don't need to look at the list of things to find—they stick out like a sore thumb. Just look for anything that seems like it wasn't naturally designed into the scene. Again, this is a common feature of old games that has been fixed in newer ones. I'm not a fan; it's too easy.
The game attempts to keep you occupied with little bits and bobs to click on along the way, mostly pointless time wasters. Basically you'll enter a close-up scene and have a bunch of pieces of glass scattered around. You click each one, and the game puts it into place. Pointless, just something to occupy your time and extend the gameplay. I'm not a fan of that, but some people may enjoy it.
Most puzzles are so easy, you don't need to look at the instructions. Today's games have added more complications to the puzzles you'll find here. For example, you simply put pieces in their place (very easy to spot) instead of having to rotate them and also find their place. Super easy.
There are two kinds of collectibles: morphing "runes" (they are actually morphing objects of all sorts that turn into runes after you select them) and sprites that are blue and a bit transparent. Most of them are pretty easy to find, but some of the morphs are a little tricky. If you're not sure how many collectibles there are in the scene, click on the little diamond on the left-hand side of the screen to see. I really like that feature.
All in all, this wasn't worth remastering. It would be way more worth the developer's time (and our money) to build a new game, start a new series—anything new and challenging.
I don't recommend this game.
Can the twin detectives stop another murderous evil?
Overall rating
5
/
5
42 of 51 found this review helpful
Much Anticipated Next-In-Series!
PostedJune 2, 2022
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I've been waiting for this, and finally it's here! I love Twin Minds, and this one is no exception. It's not an easy game—you do have to think a bit—and the HOPs are a little more creative, which I really enjoy.
We flip back and forth between the brother's and the sister's perspectives, and that's one of those things in HOPs that I look forward to. If you're not into that, you won't enjoy this.
The atmosphere is dark but not horror dark, despite the ghost/vampire things going on. Slightly gritty cop dark. Great graphics, good music.
There are 3 collectibles: the brother's things in general scenes, movie posters in general scenes, and tickets in closeup scenes. The brother's things can be hard to find, very small in some places. The movie posters are pretty easy, and the tickets vary, sometimes being obvious and sometimes blending into the background.
Make sure to click around on random objects in this game because a lot of them react! I always love that feature that so few developers include.
This game is quite a good one, and I recommend it. Very fun.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the paranormal from terrorizing an award-winning winery and hotel?
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 11 found this review helpful
Short But Fun Paranormal Game!
PostedMay 1, 2022
hopqueen
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is one of my favorites in this series, and I've played all of them! I do miss Rick Rogers and very much hope the developers will resolve his storyline at some point. The bonus game includes more of what's going on with him, so hopefully we're getting there!
The main game is a bit short, but it's addictive and has a good storyline. It's an interesting concept and a nice mystery, a bit different. The graphics are good, the atmosphere is appropriately dark, and the voice acting has improved.
The bonus game is great, and I love that both the main game and the bonus one have hidden villages. Really it's a pretty diverse environment throughout both games.
Some of the instructions for puzzles aren't great, but you can figure out how to play them anyway.
The HOPs were enjoyable and varied. There are two collectibles to find: a hidden eye in all scenes (some are hard!) and some scenes but not all have a doll.
Overall one of the best in the series!
I recommend this game!
A breathtaking voyage through dreams, reality, and places in between!
Overall rating
2
/
5
9 of 13 found this review helpful
This isn't new and refreshing, it's old-style
PostedApril 2, 2022
hopqueen
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
A lot of reviewers seem to think this is a brand-new style of game that doesn't handhold. If you haven't been playing HOP games for very long, I can see why you think that, but really this is very old-style. There are hundreds of games on this site that are just like this—old graphics, guessing at what to do next, terrible lip movements, cheaply made. You can play those any time, they're not a brand-new type of game.
When reviewers are saying there are new puzzles or HOP types, that's not true either. It's exactly the same as always, and honestly it's a little too easy. There are just fewer instructions. I think everyone is so down on Domini, they'll compliment literally anything else, no matter the quality.
What was good about this game? Not a whole lot from my perspective. This games takes several steps backward to games from about a decade ago. However, after the first scene, there are some very attractively designed areas. It does get better after the first scene is (finally) over, but really it's nothing special. Again, this game is old-style, like the developer never caught up to modern times.
I don't recommend this game.
A mysterious bartender gives extraordinary guidance to those in need.
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Spooky Horror!
PostedJanuary 1, 2022
hopqueen
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It's about time we had a new horror game with a good creep factor! I LOVE games like this and await them anxiously.
The storyline in the first comic book you try is Saw-like. If you've seen the Saw movies, you'll know what I mean. Obviously it's not as gruesome, but the same concept is there. The whole atmosphere is nice and dark, creepy, and perfectly appropriate to the genre of the game. You get to choose which of the remaining two comic books you'll go into once you beat the first one, and that's a nice touch.
At first I thought the graphics were old-school, but as the game moved on, they weren't so old. They looked great. When we hold our hands up, they're kind of plasticky, but that's not a big deal.
You can make some decisions in situations and you can choose your lines in some conversations. This is supposed to affect the game, so choose carefully! I haven't seen a game with this kind of thing in quite a while, so this was refreshing.
There are two types of collectibles: comic books and the Crossroads symbol. Both are in the full scenes, neither are in closeups.
The music is really nice and it's new. It seemed like thought went into choosing the right kind and it paid off.
All in all, I recommend this game and can't wait for the next one in the series!
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a merciless arsonist from destroying San Francisco?
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Great New Series!
PostedDecember 26, 2021
hopqueen
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Domini is always so creative in their games. Even on the start screen, you can click around on all kinds of objects and they move and do things, and as always, that's the way it is through much of the game scenes as well. I always think that adds a layer of detail and creativity.
There are three collectibles to find, and this developer seems to be one of the last to have so many collectibles. To me, the more collectibles, the merrier. As always, they have an area on the side of the screen that tells you if there's something to find.
In one of the first HOPs, you take photos of evidence on a dead person in the street, and for each type of injury or evidence, it tells you what the presumption is. Very cool reminiscent but not the same as Dark City games. Inside the house, you need to collect evidence, and lo and behold, the cop actually helps find things, which I really like.
Domini now has a back button in its games to prevent you from having those issues where you try to get your mouse to turn to the arrow to head to the previous room and accidentally end up clicking on inventory or something in the scene. It does take a minute to get used it, but it's ultimately more convenient.
The colors are vivid, the scenes are detailed, the HOPs can be challenging, and the acting is good (especially after the initial call assigning you to your duty). I'm a fan of this game and the new series!
I recommend this game!
With over 150 Christmas Puzzles for the whole family to enjoy!
Overall rating
1
/
5
23 of 29 found this review helpful
Games Extracted from Christmas Wonderland
PostedDecember 22, 2021
hopqueen
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This isn't an original or new game, it's just all the puzzles—everything except the HOPs—from Christmas Wonderland extracted and put into this game. I love Christmas Wonderland. The cheapness of this really annoyed me. I have to give it a 1 star because if you've bought Christmas Wonderland, you essentially have this game, and there's no creativity here. Just copied and pasted over.
I don't recommend this game.
The bad kids are taking over the Polar Express!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 25 found this review helpful
Fantastic Christmas Game!
PostedDecember 12, 2021
hopqueen
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is beautiful and visually so lovely! A lot of effort was put into making it as festive as possible, and I really appreciate how much work went into it. Absolutely fantastic, lots of fun. Another Domini winner!
I recommend this game!
A vengeful monster has found a way to stop Christmas!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 18 found this review helpful
Perfect Winter Game!
PostedNovember 21, 2021
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I was so thrilled to see this Christmas Stories game out before December! Every single inch of this game is both winter and Christmas laden, down to the tiny details, and it's totally beautiful.
I thought it was a little funny to have a Brooklyn-accented elf character, but then again, why not a Brooklyn accent? Elves would be from everywhere, so I guess it makes sense.
The story takes place in Iceland, so the main characters' names match that, and it's basically a Scrooge retelling. Really the whole point of the game is the wintry iciness and Christmassy beauty of it, and it achieves that easily and with grace.
There are three collectibles: cards that are not in every scene, jigsaw pieces in closeup scenes, and picture parts in closeup scenes. The closeup scene collectibles can be very tricky because some of them are practically transparent, which makes for a good challenge.
The music is nice and the game is overall both enjoying and relaxing. It's the kind you can just keep playing without realizing how much time has passed—just very enjoyable.
I recommend this game!