nextgengranny's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.3
- Helpful Votes:1,479
- Reviews Submitted:129
- First Review:May 1, 2016
- Most Recent Review:October 14, 2018
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Uncover Poseidon’s ancient secrets hidden under the town of Black Water!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Not Too Shabby
PostedJune 4, 2016
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I rate this game 3.5-4 stars because of the variety present in the mini-games, & the fact that the "collectibles" all vary in appearance. Replay value is something I feel strongly about, & the quality of the mini-games, for me, is a big part of that (the only time I replay them outside of the context of the game is if I'm stumped). For me, this game has replay value. Also: One reviewer referred to areas of the game becoming closed off...this isn't actually the case (there is, however, one collectible you can only get the first time you enter the area). It confused me @ first, too, because your map becomes locked for a brief period, until you "back up" sufficiently to unlock it. The graphics in this game aren't great, but they aren't horrible...the HO scenes are barely interactive, but they're few...the map is excellent (transports & indicates active areas)...& the bonus play is decent, in terms of length & content. So, all in all...not too shabby. Get it on a deal, & you'll be straight.
I recommend this game!
Explore the abandoned house and search for the missing heir!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
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PostedJune 2, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game isn't my usual cup of tea at all, but I would probably consider it the perfect HO-centric game to relax w/ (as opposed to being challenged), if it weren't for the constant "loading" between areas, the duration of which is anywhere from 5-30 seconds. Enter a room...loading. Use one object, receive one object, exit the room...loading. Go to the next room...loading. I've never seen anything like it. I thought the graphics were perfectly suited to the style of the game, & liked the way the story was told...also, the fact that there wasn't a lot of hand-holding. The map, I found completely useless, as areas aren't labeled (this is one of the first HO games I ever played, & it wasn't 'til a year or so later that I bothered to look at a map again...I assumed, based on this one, that they were just fluff). The game also proved to be a little glitchy; I quickly learned to save, exit, & reload as soon as things started getting sketchy, something I would have to do four or so times over the course of the game. The level of interaction in the HO scenes is limited to two or so instances where objects must be assembled, such as putting the arms & head on a doll. As far as mini-games go, the pickings are slim, but surprisingly, I didn't mind that. It really is too bad this game wasn't better built; I don't like to play HO-heavy games on a regular basis, but this one appealed to me enough that it would be an exception to the rule if it played better. (Also, it may be worth noting that I can afford to be somewhat sanguine about this game's flaws because I didn't pay for it...if I had, I'd probably rate it lower.) (Reviewed after revisiting.)
It's up to you and your canine companion to save the city!
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 15 found this review helpful
Only Average
PostedMay 30, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game seems like it had the potential to be much better. Given how central the "Ring of Destiny" is to the theme, you'd think it's abilities/activation costs would have been fleshed-out better. For example (SPOILER ALERT), one "ability", used only once, simply involves observing something passing overhead...really??? The "activation cost" for another ability is herding four dots of light into a circle...another is completing a small connect-the-dots puzzle. The HO scenes are old-school, w/ only minor interaction (the one played early in the demo has the most interaction, which I find misleading, as it's the only time you'll see that in the entire game). While there are a few good mini-games to be had, this game is actually quite sub-par compared to other offerings, including previous games from the same developer. I got the CE on a deal, so I ain't mad, but over-the-top gaming goodness, this isn't.
Release the characters from the witch's curse and find the portal home!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Would've been a 5...
PostedMay 28, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
...if not for the developer's chosen "theme" for chapter 5. Very few reviewers have mentioned (SPOILER ALERT) that it involves a "corrupted" child who now delights in tormenting a/o neglecting her (previously beloved) pets. This isn't the kind of content I want in my games, & it's put me on notice to subject other efforts by this developer to closer scrutiny (via video walkthroughs) prior to purchasing. That said, other than the objectionable content & certain foibles covered by other reviewers, I enjoyed this game a great deal...didn't even mind the HO scenes being visited twice, as they were well-enough done that I didn't feel "short-changed". The puzzles/mini-games were excellent in terms of variety, varying levels of difficulty, & providing some fresh takes on some old standbys. I do think the developer put a lot of thought & effort into this product, & as such, it has replay value (something else I feel strongly about). I do recommend this game, but also recommend that buyers check-out a video walkthrough of the beginning of chapter 5, prior to purchasing, if they think the afore-mentioned topic matter might be a deal-breaker.
I recommend this game!
You're the last hope to stop the ancient curse!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 stars...but just
PostedMay 22, 2016
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Good visuals, good length, reasonably fun to play...& the map is far & away the best I've seen. LOTS of collectibles & morphing objects, also a plus. Interactive HO scenes, which is my preference. Bonus games & puzzles (not to be confused w/ the bonus chapter a/o "replayables"), an unexpected boon. Unfortunately, the bonus chapter bored me breathless, & didn't maintain the level of quality present in the "main" game. Due to all the afore-mentioned, I'm still glad I got the CE, especially since I got a steal of a deal & enough punches for another coupon...but that bonus chapter really was a let-down. Looks like I won't bust for the CE of Four Horsemen, after all.
I recommend this game!
The Lost Lands are in danger again... There's only one brave soul who can face the four evil horsemen to save it – you!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
ASTONISHING
PostedMay 18, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
...that I found a game that I'm actually rating 4-5 stars. This game gives so much bang for the buck that it's not even funny. WARNING: If you're into old-timey list-style HO scenes, this isn't the game for you. They are all highly interactive, to the point where they're almost more like mini-games (my terminology for what most folks refer to as "puzzles"). I liked this game so much that I played it straight through, & then turned right around & played it straight through again...it's just that good. 'Nuff said.
I recommend this game!
Something pulled your son into a shimmering portal. Dive into a magical world to find him!
Overall rating
2
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
Ugh.
PostedMay 18, 2016
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game would've scored higher w/ me if (a) the graphics had been better, & (b) there had been no junk heaps (please note, I don't have a problem w/ list finds, per se...just w/ absolute junk heaps). I'm at a loss to understand how this game scored so many high reviews, unless it's a question of reviewers becoming so saturated that they're no longer very selective...ie, a "this pile of cr@p looks better than that pile of cr@p" kind of thing. The graphics were inferior to those being done by other developers years previous, something I would have forgiven if it hadn't made items difficult to distinguish in the interactive HO scenes I encountered. Some of the mini-games (puzzles) were just plain bad; for example, the "turtle constellation" one you see in the video (hint: the clue & the result are two entirely different things...rendering the clue pretty much useless). In a bass-ackwards kind of way, I'm glad this series launch did as well as it apparently did...if it hadn't, we wouldn't have been blessed w/ it's follow-up (Four Horsemen), which I personally rate at 4-5 stars. This? Meh. I give it credit for having interactive HO scenes (muddy though they were) & some okay mini-games...lacking those, I would have suggested tossing it on one of the afore-mentioned junk heaps.
I don't recommend this game.
Solve the mysteries of Stoneville and escape with your life!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Charming Relaxation
PostedMay 11, 2016
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I should start by saying I don't normally go for SEs, as I've a penchant for my collectibles & bonus play...I got the SE this time because COUPONS! That said, I enjoyed this game enough that I expect to purchase the CE. As w/ other recent MG efforts, it has a lot of visual appeal, & elements I find charming (to illustrate what I mean by "charming", a chessboard on a park bench constitutes charming...a cutesy little creature does not). These 2 factors are probably causing me to rate this game a little high; 3.5 stars would probably suffice. There's a certain fair amount of what could be considered filler; for example, "fragmented finds" which consist of small windows where one finds 5-6 fragments of a pitchfork, sword, or whatnot (I counted 9 of these, & 10 fully-developed HO scenes). The mini-games are proportional in #, & while pleasant enough, represent nothing I haven't seen before, & very little challenge; some can be solved w/ literally 6 or so mouse-clicks. For me, this games provides a few hours of charming relaxation. I don't want that as a steady diet, but when I do, this game will fill the bill nicely.
I recommend this game!
It's up to you and your canine companion to save the city!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Ice Is Maybe Not The Only Dog Here
PostedMay 1, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
My initial response to this game was quite negative, as it isn't state-of-the-art for 2016 in terms of gameplay, particularly the "interactive" HO scenes (remove a cloth from a cage to find an owl...? okay...). The collectible dragons were also a let-down, as I love a good dragon, & these turned out to be snout-nosed "dragonlings" (also, unless I missed something, there's no way to tell, as you go, if you've missed any, as the game doesn't track the cumulative # found). There are a few good mini-games, & while it's not great, it isn't horrible...thus, I gave it an actual rating of 2.5. This seems more like a release from a few years back than something new. I won't go so far as to not recommend it, but I do recommend that if you get it, you get it for cheap.
I recommend this game!