Recent reviews by Jill of Trades

A short, fun game that can be enjoyed by all ages. The music is beautiful and relaxing, the gameplay is simple, and the story is a bit cute. The only problem is the dialog is kinda cheesy. Otherwise, this game is worth playing, even if the experience is a short one.

Okay first off, don't get me wrong. This is a great game. However, I am giving it a low rating due to lack of settings.

Hook is a simplistic puzzle with 50 levels. Your goal is to connect paths in order to make straight lines to collect by clicking on the big dot. The puzzles range from very easy to very hard. Even for a person who isn't into hardcore puzzles, this can be done without any help.

The reason for the low rating is because of the following:
-When launching the game, you are straight in the game. That's it. No menu.
-Automatically fullscreen. No option for windowed mode.
-In order to select levels, you have to use the arrows at the top corners. So lets say you started from level 15, and want to go to level 30. You would have to click the right arrow 15 times.

Because of the lack of settings, this categorizes as a plain "flash game" that you can just find on the web and play for free. If you don't mind these faults, get the game. If you're picky, I'd stay clear.

Pneuma: Breath of Life is an exploration puzzle that uses one unique way to solve puzzles: vision.

Graphics:
First off, the graphics are gorgeous, beautiful, and detailed! I appreciated every area I walked into and was always impressed to what was coming next. The atmosphere makes it look like a holy ground in a Roman era...but very polished and detailed!

Music:
I love how relaxing the music is and doesn't keep looping on the same track. Very nice!

Gameplay:
This game goes to the direction that no exploration or any puzzle has ever implemented as far as I know: sight. In order to solve puzzles and progress, you have to manipulate viewpoints to get doors to open and bridges to form. There are a few mechanical puzzles and some that require action like jumping. I would say, since I'm not a hardcore puzzle person, you can probably get through 75 percent of the game without any help...of course it would take a while. Otherwise, each puzzle is unique and different each time you progress through the game.

Controls:
Not much to say about controls. You just jump and use a mouse/controller to interact with some objects like buttons. Most of the gameplay is based on vision, though.

Story:
It begins with sight...someone is excited and narcissistic and believes the world evolves around them. They become philosophical while still feeling important-as if they were a god. Feelings change overtime, however...

Voice Acting:
I have some mixed feelings about the voice acting, but most of it lean towards good. With a game like this, I pictured it more of a monotone voice acting with questions. The acting is more energetic and bragging. Otherwise, It gives a unique experience.

Overall:
Pneuma: Breath of Life takes a journey of a new being with a narcissistic mind while the main gameplay of the game is manipulating sight in order to reveal paths. Some of the puzzles are a bit difficult, however. With beautiful graphics, interesting story and viewpoint, and ways to solve puzzles, this game can be enjoyed by anyone who likes both puzzles and exploration.

Pros:
-Graphics
-Story
-Unique puzzles
-Simple controls

???:
-Voice Acting

Cons:
-Some difficult puzzles

Parcel is an action puzzle game where you unlock various characters with unique abilities to help you get through a variety of levels. While the concept is amazing, the game was poorly executed.

Graphics:
I love the coloring of the graphics. It gives a nice, dark retro feel that reminds you of the 80s/90s in an overhead visual.

Controls:
The controls are stiff at times which may sometimes require extra input. This makes it a bit of a problem since one mistake can cost you an entire level. It's highly recommend you use F5 to quicksave and F9 to quickload if you know what you're doing.

Music:
The only annoying part of the music is the title screen. It's just more bland and is just there to annoy you. Most stage music, however, is pretty good (especially the "final" boss music). I like the relaxing "Special Place" music. Sometimes though, the title music replaces the stage music...which of course is annoying.

Story:
There isn't much of a story, but you can understand the environment and atmosphere of the game when you collect "dataspheres," which are like diary entries by the digital beings. Most of it describes the feelings between being in the digital part of the world and the "human" part of the world. Some entries are "deep" while others have a wild mind.

Gameplay:
During the game, you come across a variety of characters and the puzzles become increasingly difficult. First is Blockster(Yellow), who carries and picks up blocks. Magna(Red), who attracts blocks and can destroy enemies for you. Hackman(Green), who can activate green switches which can block or allow enemies and lasers. Porter(Blue), who can teleport theirself with other characters and blocks up to three times. Clobber(Purple), who can destroy any blocks up to three times. And finally, Shade(Orange), who can skip over blocks up to three times. (BE SURE TO UNLOCK HIM AFTER THE BOSS OFFICE FOR A SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT!)

Right, so this is where it ended up me not recommending this game. The regular levels of the game (Common Place): most of them are difficult. After completing those, you unlock the "Special Place" areas, where most of them are much easier than the regular levels. In my opinion, why do you make the the extra levels easy and leave the regular levels hard? Oh...and the final stage is a complete joke. How much of a complete joke? The solution is from the second part of the game (Factory)...out of six parts. You would think the ultimate test would be at the final battle.

Conclusion:
Parcel is one of those games that had a lot going for, but due to the unorganized levels and final part, it just went downhill. The characters, gameplay, and concept are great...but because of the switched difficulty in some areas makes playing the game like a bumpy roller coaster. If you don't mind these faults, get it and you may enjoy it. Otherwise, if you aren't a hardcore puzzle solver like I am, it's a pass.

Pros:
-Graphics
-Variety of gameplay and stages

???:
-Story up to own interpretation.
-Music

Cons:
-Somewhat stiff controls which can ruin a level for you...especially a long one.
-Levels are disorganized, which can lead to easy>very hard>very easy>impossible>easy>very hard, etc.
-...You call that a final stage by the way?

Closing March 18. Don't play.

Not as scary as the first game. It categorizes more as a mystery than a scary game. I have to say the ending was much better than the first game, and the story was pretty good. Differences between this game is there are no sanity, you can use the lantern most of the time (no oil required), and the only menu you have is your journal. Is it worth getting? If it's on sale, yes. Otherwise, don't expect too much from this game.

"What would you do with little time left?"

TIMEframe is a walking simulator where you uncover creations made by the people who reside there. Your goal is to discover all landmarks and piece together a story. Snippets of stories range from art to discoveries to feelings to religion. Relaxing music, beautiful atmosphere, and a quick game to just enjoy.

Shutter is a short game that has an interesting take on the horror genre. You pilot a small robot to unlock clues and send supernatural pictures to your agent while investigating a haunted cabin.

The only problems I have with the game is that it sometimes glitch, resulting in restarting the game and interfering with the speed-run achievement. The controls take time to get used to as well. Overall, a pretty good short game to play through.

Would I recommend it for the story? Yes. Would I recommend it for the gameplay? No.

Kidnapped follows the story of Sebastian, told as a camp story. You search the areas to find your way out of settings. The person behind this kidnapping leaves clues of their mental state and past. Lockpick your way out, search areas for clues, and piece together a mystery that is up to you.

This game has a lot of bugs, like being stuck by small objects and sensitive clicking to the point where you can waste a bullet (though they are pretty generous in the game) to monsters that just walk in place.

If you're looking for a game to "play" as in shoot targets and such, this isn't it. If you're looking for a game just for the story and explore, then this is it.

"Doorways: The Underworld" is a continuation of "Doorways: Prelude." The goal of the game is to see yourself through many psychological scares by finding items and hints while collecting notes and relics. If you have played "Doorways: Prelude" and enjoyed it, then expect to enjoy this one as well.

You follow the investigation of a neurosurgeon who performs morbid experiments on humans. Half of the setting is claustrophobic and includes expansive disgusting places and alternate reality. It also has a few more jumpscares than the previous game.

Overall, a good continuation of the game and must have if you enjoyed the first game. Once again, horror done right in my book.