Archive for the ‘Puzzle’ Category

Jewel Quest Myteries-Curse of the Emerald Tear Review

Action, Adventure, Hidden Object/I Spy, Match, Puzzle, Seek and Find | Posted by Zeke
Mar 10 2010

jewel-quest-mysteries
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Looking for lost treasure would get old by now, right? Jewels Quest Mysteries-Curse of the Emerald Tear is just as exciting and fun as all the Jewel Quest series, and you are still looking for lost treasure. Go figure. In this Mac game youJewel Quest Mysteries2 have the hidden object play with a match game and an early game board puzzle.

The main play is the hidden object one with a little twist to it. Instead of getting helps automatically you must search for 3 gold coins in order to get hints for your game. In addition to the usual list of items located on the left side, you need to search for gems scattered throughout each location. The gems will buy you upgrades to your game so it is important to find as many as possible in each area.

Jewel Quest Mysteries4You are in Egypt and the map takes you to various locations in your search for treasure. Also watch out to not click randomly on items or you will be deducted time. There are 2 modes of play for the hidden object game, Regular Time and Extended Time. The choice is yours.

In Jewel Quest Mysteries you have the familiar story of searching for gems in this case the Emerald Tear, Rupert and Jewel Quest Mysteries5Emma Pack and in a place like the Valley of the Kings, Egypt. Of course, not to mention the fabled power of this gem to do great things is another draw to investigate this unique game. All this sounds all too cliché, but Jewel Quest is consistently good with all their games and this one is no exception. The graphics and sound effects are excellent, and the play is enjoyable. This game combines the Jewel Quest match games with a hidden object play in the best possible way.

Features of Jewel Quest Mysteries:
-18 Backgrounds
-Exotic Hidden Object Games
-Mini Games
-Jewel Quest Mystery Storyline

Play more Jewel Quest games: Jewel Quest 1, 2, 3, 4 & Solitaire

Rating: ★★★★☆

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Shutter Island Review

Hidden Object/I Spy, Puzzle, Seek and Find | Posted by Zeke
Mar 09 2010


Shutter Island is a well publicized new chilling psychological thriller movie made by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio based on a 1950’s story written by Dennis Lehane about paranoia, delusion, grief and denial. It is set in a New England asylum for the criminally insane where one of their dangerous patients is missing. Two federal marshals are called in to investigate this disappearance. Shutter Island, the Mac hidden object game of the same name, follows the movie script (follows the novel) very closely.

It is summer of 1954. Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) and Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) arrive in Boston’s outer harbor to capture a violent female escapee, Rachel Solando. At Ashecliffe Hospital you search through cemeteries, doctors’ offices and the many rooms within and outside of the asylum to solve this mystery. You also will talk to patients, guards and doctors to get more information. You are Teddy so you never see DiCaprio but you will see many familiar actors like Ben Kingsley as Dr. Cawley. These encounters will give you clues and move the tale along with the hidden object scenes. The many mini puzzles and games are all intertwined in the story line, but can be skipped if you do not wish to play them. Patient files and paranormal appearances will also give you information needed in the story.

All this is done well in Shutter Island the Mac game. The artwork stays close to the movie scenes especially the dining room set. In the promo for the movie they show this scene and the game’s room is very similar. I don’t know if I’ll go see this movie since it got mixed reviews, but the Mac game is so engaging with its many hidden object/seek and find scenes and mini games, you want to keep going to find out what’s really happening on this strange island full of hidden secrets and personal demons. I thought the game captured the feeling of the movie and did a great job conveying it through the game. The sound effects and music were also dramatic and helped increase your involvement in the story. You can get into this hidden object game and find out the gripping twist to this story.

Features of Shutter Island:
-Based on the Movie
-Great Visuals
-Immersive Game Play

Rating: ★★★★☆

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Saqqarah Review

Adventure, Match, Puzzle | Posted by Meg
Mar 07 2010

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The ancient quest for buried treasure and wisdom can be found beneath the ground in Egypt. Saqqarah is a story of ancient gods, good and evil, riches and knowledge. You are to unveil and conquer what lies beneath the Pyramid of Saqqarah put there 1000 years ago.

Your journey begins at the Temple of Isis. All the other temples are locked until you complete the necessary levels. The temple has been ruined by Seth, the evil god who was placed below the pyramid of Saqqarah. The puzzle is a match 3 or more colors and light up the entire board. You click on a color to swap position with another piece and make a match of 3 or more gems. If time runs out you lose the level and must start again. You will be assisted by Khufu a blue talking primate. Every 5 moves Khufu will charge one of the tokens with explosive power. By destroying the obstacles you will finish faster. Matched gems fall to the ground and the scarab sweeps them away for Khufu to cast helping spells. If you want the scarab to work faster, click on it and see it scurry.

If you are stuck and cannot make any more matches, click on the shuffle button, but be wary that the next time you need it, it will take longer. When you have combos your score is higher. The token of Seth will block your moves, and you must destroy them if you can. After completing a level you will come to the Bonus Rounds. The Glyph of Magic will have you matching hieroglyphics at the bottom of the screen with rows of options above.

Each temple offers different types of puzzles. One is making a pattern with the gems to light up the boards and the other is to make the longest chain of the same color with the gems instead of swapping.

I got to the 3rd temple quite quickly and am anxious to find out what kind of puzzles with its many levels await me. This Mac game has great graphics and appropriate music, but I did not enjoy the announcer every few minutes talking loudly about each event. It was okay a few times, but after that it became annoying. I did like the fact there are 7 different kinds of puzzles in this one game. It gives you a variety of plays in one location. More bang for your buck.

Features of Saqqarah:
-Over 500 Levels
-7 Different Puzzle Game Mechanics
-Earn Ranks, trophies, Magic Powers
-Hidden Object Bonus Rounds

Rating: ★★★½☆

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Mystery Stories: Island of Hope Review

Action, Adventure, Hidden Object/I Spy, Puzzle | Posted by Meg
Mar 05 2010

Island of Hope
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Mystery Stories: Island of Hope is a sequel to the great hidden object game Berlin Nights. Michelle Deanfield, the courageous reporter, is feted with accolades on her recent coverage of the mystery in Berlin and is offered a lavish, relaxing vacation in the tropics awaiting a possible Pulitzer nomination.

Little does Michelle know that another mystery awaits her on the Caribbean island. Her fun in the sun is suddenly Island of Hope 2brought to a halt when the professor of the local museum and a Mayan artifact disappears. Knowing Michelle, she cannot let this matter go and must investigate every nook and cranny of different buildings, dive into the crystal clear, warm waters of the sea to find answers to all the strange happenings of this paradise.

The play is similar to Mystery Stories: Berlin Nights with many interesting hidden object scenes. In addition to finding the listed items you must at times perform acts such as putting film in a camera (anyone do that anymore in this digital Island of Hope6world?) or fill a case with gold coins. The scenes are all pertinent to the story and all are interesting places with intriguing objects to discover. To solve the mystery you must solve the tasks. Some things are difficult to see and you may have to move objects to look behind them. The cursor will change to a hand for you to be able to move an item.

In each level there are hints you can find in the scene. The speed search will display many of the objects at once for a limited time, and the stop bonus will stop the clock for a limited time. Bonus points will double the amount of points for each hidden object found for a limited time only.

Also like in Berlin Nights there are the different types of hidden object play such as searching for items by viewing Island of Hope5silhouettes or by their sounds. The mini puzzles like the moving pieces to access the lock and others are interesting but can be skipped if you wish to get back to the main play.

Even though the games are similar to Berlin Nights, the scenes and atmosphere of the Caribbean isle is engaging and Island of Hope3interesting enough to play. The music is dramatic and appropriate for the story. The graphics are great with deep intense colors. The story is not as engaging as Berlin Nights but maybe it isn’t fair to compare the 2 stories with its different locations and circumstances. Also the mystery may increase as the levels go up. With 87 levels it’s bound to peak anyone’s curiosity of the mysterious disappearance of the professor and the precious artifact while playing some fantastic hidden object puzzles.

Features of Mystery Stories: Island of Hope
-87 Levels
-8 Bonus Games
-Secret of Ancient Dream Island

Rating: ★★★★☆

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The Tudors Review

Adventure, Hidden Object/I Spy, Puzzle, Seek and Find | Posted by Meg
Mar 03 2010


“The Tudors,” a fictional, historic Mac hidden object/seek and find game, is based on the popular TV show of the same title starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII. The game represents the show well with its lies and political intrigue. It begins after the beheading of Anne Boleyn, second wife to the king and marriage to his new wife, Jane Seymour, 10 days later.

The main play is a hidden object game within the castle and other locations in England and Europe. You are Elena Sedgrave, daughter of William Sedgrave, a diplomat to the king. Elena approached by the king after saving a life of Charles Willoughby, a loyal assistant to Thomas Cromwell, is recruited to spy on enemies to protect England and the king. She travels with her father to foreign lands in search of information and clues. She searches monasteries, castles and other locations appropriate to the time period. Not only is she creative and intelligent, she uses disguises to blend in in the rooms she is searching. The many objects you need to find may be placed in your inventory to use to progress your play. There will be times when you need to enter locked doors and you will need to find a key or an object to break the lock. In addition, you may need to go from one room to another and back again to find what you need. You will encounter royalty, religious figures and other spies. You cannot trust anyone.

There are many interesting scenes in this game. However, the indoor scenes are often dark and hard to view the objects, but there is a hint button to help you along. Mini games are throughout this game. One is to find the queen’s jewels thrown out the window. Another is to make potions where you will mix different color potions to create a new color. There are many puzzles to play in between the seek and find plays.

However, the main draw to this game is not the hidden object/seek, and find (although good), mini games or its puzzles, it is the historic and dramatic story of King Henry VIII’s court , its many political enemies, the many conspiracies, assassination attempts and the threats against the king and England. Also a big plus is the characters in the game are the stars from the television show and not the people depicted in art pieces in museums. In other words, Jonathan Rhys Meyer is a lot better looking than King Henry. I definitely recommend this game to try out especially if you are a history buff, a TV fan and a hidden object player. Why is Thomas Cromwell so suspicious and nervous?

Features of The Tudors:
-From the TV Series
-Hidden Objects and Mini Games
-History of King Henry VIII

Rating: ★★★★☆

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