ninja226's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:1,277
- Reviews Submitted:359
- First Review:July 23, 2016
- Most Recent Review:April 26, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Restore the magic of Christmas to a mysterious island!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
You cannot suppress the Christmas Spirit
PostedDecember 25, 2017
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I bought this game largely because the 1st YL game was outstanding. This 2nd in the series, unfortunately, does not live up to the promise and outstanding quality of the 1st game.
The game takes place on a deserted island frozen in snow and ice, ruled by Queen Tempest who has outlawed Christmas and whose heart is encased in ice cold fury and resentment. You play Ember who possesses Fire Magic (lower right icon), which is used quite often through the game, and your goal is to bring back the Christmas Spirit. In theory, this should be a great start to a great game, but I found the unfolding story and game development pedestrian, many of the mini puzzles weird and not fun.
There are also technical aspects of the game, which I found lacking:
1--most of the video clips are on fuzzy side and not high def, even though the artwork itself is beautiful
2- the map does not display sites with active tasks or where collectibles remain (I played on intermediate mode, which typically displays these things)
3- No reset button for mini puzzles. I really like this feature on puzzles, esp the more vexing ones
4- the game is quite long, but the ending is abrupt.
1--most of the video clips are on fuzzy side and not high def, even though the artwork itself is beautiful
2- the map does not display sites with active tasks or where collectibles remain (I played on intermediate mode, which typically displays these things)
3- No reset button for mini puzzles. I really like this feature on puzzles, esp the more vexing ones
4- the game is quite long, but the ending is abrupt.
Things they got right:
1- helpful messages are plentiful and specific on easy and intermediate mode, would be difficult to play without these messages on hard mode, as many of the actions to progress are counterintuitive
2- artwork is beautiful and static scenes are clear, sharp, and high def
3- Collectibles consist of morphing stockings which become matching game (find matching pairs under blank cover), which then becomes a wallpaper; and Santa coins which allow you to buy items (dough, icing, sprinkles, cookie cutters) to bake Christmas cookies which go into a collectible cookie box
4- 6 levels of 3D match 3 game where you guide a reindeer to the castle by clearing items along a specific path. This game is new and not a re-hash of games in the main or bonus game.
5- Bonus chapter is a decent length. It still takes place on the island, but makes a little bit more sense.
1- helpful messages are plentiful and specific on easy and intermediate mode, would be difficult to play without these messages on hard mode, as many of the actions to progress are counterintuitive
2- artwork is beautiful and static scenes are clear, sharp, and high def
3- Collectibles consist of morphing stockings which become matching game (find matching pairs under blank cover), which then becomes a wallpaper; and Santa coins which allow you to buy items (dough, icing, sprinkles, cookie cutters) to bake Christmas cookies which go into a collectible cookie box
4- 6 levels of 3D match 3 game where you guide a reindeer to the castle by clearing items along a specific path. This game is new and not a re-hash of games in the main or bonus game.
5- Bonus chapter is a decent length. It still takes place on the island, but makes a little bit more sense.
I personally would have preferred more junkpile HOPs, but there's always a raging battle between HOP aficionados and puzzle lovers. I like the HOPs when they have visually beautiful items to look at. The HOPs in this game are highly interactive and interconnected to one another and becomes a puzzle of sorts.
From a value standpoint, this game is worth the extra for the CE. The game has good points, but compared to the 1st game, it falls short. However, I remain a fan of the new series and hope the devs will live up to the promise of the 1st game in their next project.
I recommend this game!
Travel beyond our galaxy to bring your lost son back home.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Incredible graphics
PostedDecember 24, 2017
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
If it were only about graphics, this game gets 5 stars. If you like science fiction, this game is right up your alley.
However, the story bogs down 1/3 way into the game and figuring out where to go next and what to do is not always logical. I had to use the Hint quite a bit to get through the game. I also didn't particularly care for the mini games, which had poor instructions or had me wondering what the logical end point is.
It is a long game, and just when you think you are near the end, nope, it was a red herring.
Do I regret purchasing the game? No, the artwork and special effects are phenomenal. It may be a game I enjoy the 2nd time around. It has a lot to offer, but probably geared towards expert level players.
I recommend this game!
Can you save the holidays before it’s too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Don't forget to invite the witch
PostedDecember 24, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the perfect game to get you in the spirit of Xmas, a la Oz. 90% of the gameplay is logical and intuitive, but gets a little more ambiguous towards the end.
The graphics are beautiful and a visual feast. All the usual characters from Oz are back, with the addition of the witch and some villainous munchkins.A few of the video clips are not as sharp as I would like, but most of the game has sharp and high def scenes and videos.
The ending is abrupt and could have been better in my opinion. The storyline is easy to follow and in the spirit of Christmas.
CE or SE? Definitely the CE is the way to go. Collectibles consist of finding 60 emeralds hidden throughout the main game AND bonus chapter, which allows you to buy hand blown xmas ornaments in the form of characters seen throughout the game, which decorate the xmas tree.
There are also firework sparklers hidden throughout main story and bonus chapter, and you can set these fireworks off (they form images like butterflies, xmas stockings, Santa Claus, etc). This is one of the better collectibles IMO.
Finally there are book pages scattered through the game, which form a mini book about certain characters encountered. Not so exciting, but it's there.
There are also the usual wallpaper, concept art, replayable videos, HOPs and mini games, which don't excite me at all.
This is a long game, and the Bonus chapter is separate from the main story, but is a nice chapter on Christmas in Oz.The mini games in the Bonus chapter are more vexing than in the main game, which are mostly easy. However, you do have option of playing Easy or Hard for all mini puzzles. And there is the Strategy Guide if you need help.
This is a beautiful game that is easy to recommend.
I recommend this game!
Can you clear her name before it’s too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
A really fun game to play, but abrupt ending
PostedDecember 16, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I loved playing this game, which takes place during Elizabethan (the 1st) age. The protagonist is a Lady Jane and she has a dashing helper Louis who helps with manly tasks during their journey. The action is quick paced, with an even mix of puzzles and HOPs, which are all pretty easy, but not boring.
Honestly, I can't remember the point of the story, except the ending is very abrupt, which I did not like.
I was able to play the game on hardest mode, which allows Hint and Skip, which I really like. Highly recommend this game. The voiceovers are good with voices matching the characters on the screen, and with decent British accent. This is one of the few games in which the voiceovers matched the written captions, and was not too slow or too fast, and just the right pace.
I recommend this game!
Jane Angel has mysteriously vanished and it's up to her sister to untangle the sophisticated conspiracy and uncover the truth about the family's ancient past.
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Farfetched story, average gameplay
PostedDecember 15, 2017
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is one of the strangest stories for a HO game. You start on a Spanish ship, then snap back to 21st century, then back to the Spanish ship.
The graphics are clear, but look computer generated and unnatural.
HOPs are the standard junk pile. Mini puzzles are mostly easy. You can still get Hint even on Hard mode, but no helpful messages. Voiceovers don't gel with the characters (not a good match).
The story is the weakest point of the game, and the other elements are not sublime enough to elevate the game beyond average.
I would recommend this game as a free credit or you will feel your money has been wasted.
The graphics are clear, but look computer generated and unnatural.
HOPs are the standard junk pile. Mini puzzles are mostly easy. You can still get Hint even on Hard mode, but no helpful messages. Voiceovers don't gel with the characters (not a good match).
The story is the weakest point of the game, and the other elements are not sublime enough to elevate the game beyond average.
I would recommend this game as a free credit or you will feel your money has been wasted.
I don't recommend this game.
Uncover a secret from the past to save your dying father!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
A new legend is born
PostedDecember 12, 2017
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a game about Elvens vs Humans. The graphics and settings are exceptionally beautiful, creative, and marvelous to look at. The gameplay is just OK for me.
Hardcore mode doesn't allow Hint, Skip, helpful messages, map clues, etc. I think it would be a hard game to play without helpful messages.
One schtick involves adding certain items to a grappling hook in order to progress through certain areas, and the new tool requires playing a match-3 type rune game, which starts out easy but becomes increasingly harder in 2nd half of game. Items to find in order to progress aren't always logical, requiring Hint. HOPs are standard fare, and puzzles are nothing special.
I give the devs kudos for exceptionally beautiful game to play, but they tried to be too smart by measures when it came to the mini puzzles, which I didn't enjoy all that much. The story is OK, but not memorable. I still recommend the game because it's a beautiful imaginary world that is fun to explore.
I recommend this game!
A sudden murder overshadows the writing opportunity of a lifetime.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Best of the Dead Reckoning series
PostedDecember 10, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is by far the best of the DR series, which largely lacks common sense when it comes to actions needed to progress. I was able to play this game on hardest mode with only a few hints needed.
The story premise is an Agatha Christie type setting with 5 authors invited to Rupert Welles estate, and then you're off to hunt for whodunnit and why.
The Welles mansion is mid-century style and reminiscent of Hitchcock's North by Northwest. I thought it was very well decorated and loved wandering the rooms.
The ending is not as spectacularly good as the buildup, but having so enjoyed the game and the house interiors, I rate this game excellent and fun. There are quotes from literary greats interspersed among the cinematics and excellently written murder notes sprinkled through the game as a tribute to literary giants and people who enjoy fine literature.
I recommend this game!
Your new dream home has become a deadly nightmare!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
11 is the new 13
PostedDecember 9, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You and your family are driving to your new home and discover belatedly that it's a house of horrors with 11 ghosts roaming the house. Your kids become trapped behind a bedroom and you have to find 11 keys to free your children.
This is quite an absorbing game despite being a paranormal mystery having to wander around a haunted house (not what I would do in real life), but strangely fun for this game.
It's a long game, having to solve 11 murders. There are many puzzles to solve, some I had not encountered before, such as playing pool online. Most puzzles are easy, with a few exceptions. The actions to take are logical (when helpful messages available). The Reset button for puzzles is a tiny little icon at bottom left (helpful hint). Your cell phone also vibrates when it's time to locate ghosts or ghostly items with the aid of your phone, a nice extra HOP feature for the entire game.
The ending didn't make sense to me, but overall, this is an excellent game that gels well in terms of cinematics, varied puzzles and HOPS, and logical progression of action. It is more spooky and violent than most BFG offerings, but PG rated (as opposed to the usual G rating).
I recommend this game!
Act as Adam Wolfe, an investigator of the paranormal. Discover an occult world hidden in modern San Francisco!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Count me a fan
PostedDecember 6, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
My response after completing game--WOW.
This is one of the best games I have played on BFG. The story is intriguing, gameplay is immersive and true to life, action oriented, and logical (from a supernatural standpoint). The setting is contemporary and the characters entirely relatable. Voiceovers are completely believable.
There is a comic book bete noir feel to the game that is mesmerizing.
The mature content label to the game refers to violence (blood spatter, actual gunshots) and a pseudo bad word. It would rate a PG-13 rating at the movies. It is not a creepy, crawly or spooky game at all.
If you enjoy detective stories similar to those shown on TV, this game should be right up your alley. It's one of the few HO games from standpoint of a guy protagonist.
The game has two complete stories or episodes in one game, and amounts to two games, even though it is an SE version. It's a nice bonus not seen in most HO offerings. Just another reason to buy the game.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Highly original story and excellent gameplay
PostedDecember 5, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is one of the better stories around and different from most HO games. It's a game that once started, you want to keep going in order to see how it ends. The title of the game is apt, as you will see when you complete the game.
Most puzzles can be solved without reading instructions, if you are an HO expert, but has just enough variation to be interesting.
The story has a complete ending that stands on its own. I would have given 5 stars, but I felt the graphics are just OK, despite being clear and sharp. The voiceovers and cinematics are excellent and enhance the ambience and theme of the story.
I recommend this game!