Vandykat18's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:66
- Reviews Submitted:17
- First Review:March 21, 2019
- Most Recent Review:December 19, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Investigate bizarre mysteries by finding clues and solving puzzles!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Another super fun HOPA from FiveBN
PostedDecember 19, 2024
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am one of those who has been playing HOPA games since you had to buy them on disk (like Myst and Riven), and today FiveBN is one of the few that can put out a game I look forward to playing.
I don't understand graciesmith7's complaint - you CAN REPLAY the game. I have already done it - you just start over. And it seems severe to trash the entire game based solely on an option that has no impact on the gameplay itself. Especially when you admit you didn't even play the game. Why bother writing a review??? Personally, the only time I've ever used the multiple profiles is when my kids wanted to play the game before I had finished and it allowed them to play the game asynchronously without messing up mine or having to wait until I was finished, but that's exceptionally rare. Anyway...
Sunnyglow has shared many of the game details so I'll skip that part. I like the 3 chapters in a game structure - it keeps it interesting while offering a lengthy game. The puzzles continue to be a decent challenge (not so easy I'm bored, but still very doable), and I like that FiveBN goes to the trouble of making sure they are appropriately aligned within the storyline (not just a random HO or mini-game thrown in somewhere). Additionally, the items the gamer has to find and use to progress make sense - not the lazy "run back and forth to find a knife you had 2 screens ago" approach you find so often today that has driven many of us away from buying games. FiveBN's integrated approach takes extra time and thoughtful design work, and as someone who owns a consumer software dev company, I know exactly what takes time/funding and what doesn't. I appreciate FiveBN going the extra mile to produce games worth playing instead of looking to maximize profits and putting out junk on regular basis.
I recommend trying this game for yourself.
I recommend this game!
From smoke and fire, a hero emerges.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Love the game. Hate the crash
PostedApril 23, 2024
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on some of the demo. I have played the previous games in the series and enjoyed those. I really liked this one, but the game keeps crashing when I complete the nest puzzle (tried playing and skipping).
I agree with other reviews - if you like puzzle/ adventure heavy games and enjoy thinking/ figuring things out a little, then you'll enjoy this series.
I hope they release a fix so I can complete the game - if they do, I'll buy it.
Try it out for yourself - maybe you won't have the same technical issues I encountered.
Try it out for yourself - maybe you won't have the same technical issues I encountered.
I recommend this game!
Overcome ever-present horrors in a haunted house full of mysteries!
Overall rating
4
/
5
fun and different indy game
PostedJanuary 3, 2024
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
(Based on demo) Figure what you have to do to go to bed (parents, this will resonate with you ;) ). First few levels were overly simplistic, but don't worry... it's gets tougher. I found the levels to offer a variety of challenges - much of the fun coming from figuring out what you have to do just as much as doing it.
My only issue was a small delay in registering the click which wasn't really an issue except for the level where you play a "jump" game on the phone and I had to get good at triggering the jump a little early each time.
I'm really enjoying this game and will be buying it. I'd like to see more indy type games like this. It doesn't have to be fancy to be fun :)
I recommend this game!
A recent expedition uncovered unique, priceless artifacts, but at what cost?
Overall rating
5
/
5
Thoroughly enjoyed it and would play again
PostedOctober 26, 2023
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I don't usually watch the cut scenes or care much about the story line, but this one was interesting - I actually watched all of it. The puzzles were good - the right combination of interesting twist and effort to make it fun. Good length. Only found 1 bug - I opened the van door without taking the fragment from the bumper and then couldn't ever collect it so I had to restart the game to make sure I collected all 3 fragments to finish the necklace.
I recommend this game!
Embark on a daring rescue through time!
Overall rating
2
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
So Sad
PostedDecember 9, 2022
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I too experienced technical issues that I couldn't get past (just like Moon Train). So sad because it seems to have real promise. Possible that the developers built for iOS/Mac and didn't use UI libraries that are fully compatible with windows OS???
I don't recommend this game.
A mystery-filled ride to unknown cosmic shores!
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 23 found this review helpful
So much potential, just couldn't get past the glitching
PostedJuly 30, 2022
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I tried. I really did. I really like these kinds of alternatives to the traditional HOPAs, and I really want to support the efforts of game developers who focus on the entertainment factor, but this program really struggles with the zoom zones. I tried to work through it, but after 20 minutes, almost every zoom zone was glitching (which actually added a new level of challenge to some of the puzzles, and I like a challenge).
The music is a little cheesy (ha! ha! mouse joke), but it's ok. Graphics are fine. I like that the objects make sense for their purpose.
Even though you can find objects at will, you can't take/store an object until it's time (as indicated by the object's monochromatic image in the upper right-hand corner). At first I thought I would have preferred being able to take/store at the point I find an object, but then I realized I liked the little added challenge of having an object become needed later and remembering where I saw it.
Really hope they resolve the zoom zone glitches and republish!!!
I recommend this game!
Can you keep your first solo detective case from becoming your last?
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
A Good Challenge
PostedJune 18, 2022
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Adera
(120)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This one is good if you like a challenge. For the most part you can get 2 stars on the first try, but you'll need to think to get 3 stars (as it should be IMO). Also, unlike some other TM games, you can actually get stuck if you choose incorrectly on some levels. No big deal - just restart the level and figure it out. I like this - no pandering to my ego here :)
I agree with the others - there's not much in the way of explanation for what makes which resources or what some of the bonuses do, but you can figure it out if you're willing to replay a level a couple of times.
There's also a little badge/ puzzle piece to find on each level. A fun little extra. Spoiler: if you don't find it the first time, you can revisit the level to find it and just exit the level when you do; it retains the "found" status even if you don't finish the level.
I actually like a game that's not so easy that I can breeze through it on my first try. I like to get my money's worth and this one does that for me. I got through the first 9 levels in the demo time (including replaying a few to up my stars), but I'll be going back to see if I can get 3 stars on all the levels.
Happy Gaming!!!
Happy Gaming!!!
I recommend this game!
Experience an original coming-of-age story in a magical realm!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 18 found this review helpful
Fun Hidden Object Adventure
PostedOctober 22, 2021
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Beyond the Invisible: Evening
(72)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
[Based on Demo]
Explore the scenes to find a problem (which triggers the items you need to collect to solve the issue and progress). For example, you can't collect the fish food until you click on the fishbowl to discover you have to feed the fish to get him to come out. Some items are obvious; others take a little "eye spy". I like that if you click on an item in the inventory a small picture displays to remind you where that item (once all the pieces are collected) will be used.
Explore the scenes to find a problem (which triggers the items you need to collect to solve the issue and progress). For example, you can't collect the fish food until you click on the fishbowl to discover you have to feed the fish to get him to come out. Some items are obvious; others take a little "eye spy". I like that if you click on an item in the inventory a small picture displays to remind you where that item (once all the pieces are collected) will be used.
There are also "bonus" puzzle pieces to find which activate jigsaw puzzles that fill in the back story. Of course, you can't start collecting the puzzle pieces until you get a little ways into the game to find the book they go in.
Collect blue leaves to "recharge" the hint. The hint only drains if you used it in the scene where there is something to do (if it just directs you to move to another scene, it does not drain/ need to be recharged). I only had to use it once when I had a little trouble locating one of the rings. I also like that the programmers were thoughtful enough that the blue hint leaves are only available to find if you need them (i.e. when your hint is full, there are no more blue hint leaves to find).
The graphics are clear and the navigation is easy. The music is simple, but appropriate. The cut scene/ text is just enough to explain the story, but not so much that I felt like I was clicking through trying to get back to the game play.
There are puzzles are sprinkled through the game which I found fun (medium difficulty, but can be skipped after a bit if desired). I came across 4 puzzles in the demo. They were twists on familar favorites with themes that matched the scene/ storyline.
I personally like adventure games where you explore and figure out what you need to progress so this one is right up my alley. :)
If you're looking for something off the beaten path, I recommend trying this one. Happy Gaming!
I recommend this game!
A mysterious invitation promises rare treasures but exposes dark secrets!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Definitely one for my replay list
PostedSeptember 18, 2021
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Return to Mysterious Island
(36)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've played thousands of computer games... starting back when you had to buy the disk set ;) Once I play them, my favorites go onto a "play again" list, and then there are a few within that group that make it to the "best" subgroup. This is one of those rare games along with games like Adera, Facility 47, Cabinets of Doctor Arcana, and Beyond the Invisible - Evening that made it to my best catalog. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Return to Mysterious Island
Use your survival skills to uncover artifacts, solve ancient technologies, and explore the Mysterious Island.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Oldie but Goodie
PostedMay 21, 2021
Vandykat18
fromNashville, TN
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I was worried that going back to a game created almost 15 years ago would even be compatible with today's PCs, but YAY! it was.
A bit overwhelming at first to figure out the navigation and overall "rules" of the game, but so worth it! The variety of item combinations allowed makes for a truly absorbing game. So glad I found this little nugget!
[especially in a time when it seems the bulk of HOPA games being produced are watered down, hand-holding versions produced for novice masses who don't mind if there's no real imagination required]
A bit overwhelming at first to figure out the navigation and overall "rules" of the game, but so worth it! The variety of item combinations allowed makes for a truly absorbing game. So glad I found this little nugget!
[especially in a time when it seems the bulk of HOPA games being produced are watered down, hand-holding versions produced for novice masses who don't mind if there's no real imagination required]
I recommend this game!