Haunted Legends: The Queen of Spades Collector's Edition
4.3
5
31
31
No need for CE on this one!!
The game was good, another good HOG. But you don't need to buy the CE! The bonus chapter was very short and really just a commercial add for the next game in the series!
I recommend the ordinary edition of this one!
August 3, 2012
Very good game
One of my christmas presents from my husband and I could not stop playing it. Very good hidden object scenes, loved the music and the story held your interest right until the end.
Loads of rooms to explore. i would certainly replay this game over and over and fully recommend it.
December 27, 2011
slow--no hints except in hidden object scenes
Did not care for this game--could not use strategy guide, and no hints available except in hidden objects scenes--got stuck and had to quit !!
February 21, 2012
Meh.
Overall, Haunted Legends: The Queen of Spades CE was barely worth the price. Some parts were good, some not so good. While I didn't particularly enjoy HEQS, I don't think I would recommend the SE for those who rely on hints or a map during game play. Neither exist in this game (after further review, hints are available during HOS...and that's it). I tend to have large gaps in between playings, so I often forget where a particular puzzle is located when I find the piece for it, so I like maps or hints that help refresh my memory.
Positive
The game play was very linear. When I would check in on the strategy guide during game play, I was usually right where I needed to be with little to no back tracking needed. The strategy guide was built in, so the lack of a map or hints weren't required.
Neutral
The strategy guide reset every time you exit it. No, not just the game, the guide. When you take three minutes to scroll through to find where you are, if you need to click out and click back in again, you have to find that same spot. It was a little aggravating.
Negative
Some things were mislabeled in the HOS. For example a hammer and a butcher knife were labeled as '2 axes'. Really? Do you not know the difference between the primary usage for a hammer and an axe?
The story lines for both the main game and the bonus material was flimsy at best in major parts. You initial role in the game is fuzzy and grey until you read on your own.
While I would not recommend this game to beginners, I would suggest that all others give the demo a try and see if you like it. What you get in the beginning is what you get in the end.
July 4, 2012
This was a really cool game!
I loved this game! I thought it was fun and had an interesting plot. There were fun puzzles to solve, some challenging and one or two that I had a hard time with. All numbers tallied, it is a great game and I recommend it!
November 24, 2011
It was on sale
I've been with Big Fish for quite sometime and this was my first game for a Mac. First - the pros of this game include striking visuals and scenery. Long gameplay. The collectors edition provides a bonus game that add's additional play value. The negatives - have to revisit some past scenes to look for necessary tools. This is frustrating when you don't know where to start looking and you come across a scene that clearly needs something you haven't got yet in your inventory. I found the need to complete the card deck rather frustrating as well. When I got to the last bit of the game and was advised I had to have a complete deck (something that is not referred to ANYWHERE in the game up to this point), I realized that I would have to revisit every scene to look for that card. Thank goodness I could refer to the included strategy guide - but I still had to read through it to find where my missing card could be found. I didn't appreciate this cheater's approach - but wasn't going to waste time looking here and there that had already been overlooked.
Overall - I would recommend this game, but you are forewarned - check EVERY part of the scenery to find your cards for the deck.
July 15, 2012
Too much running around
The HINT button doesn't work during gameplay and there isn't a map. I found this to be OK at first until the number of scenes multiplied. Then, unless you have a great memory or take copius notes, it's difficult to figure out what to do next which is usually many scenes away from where you are and then it's many scenes away from where you find an object to where it's needed. Placement of objects needed is not intuitive either - half an oar in a birdcage! To avoid clicking around, I had to use the SG.
The HOS are good, the artwork is good and the music has a catchy tune that I liked but grew tired of hearing after the 1000th time. The story is poor and confusing. The extra chapter is OK but not worth the CE price. The SG isn't the best, telling you where to go but not how the get there at times. There are so many scenes that remembering where everything is is difficult especially if you don't finish the game in one sitting.
I don't recommend paying for the CE version, but maybe the SE.
June 12, 2012
not there best
I love ERS games but if the SV does not give you any hints I do not buy the games. Normally you get hints during the game but not this time. No real help in other areas either. Will not buy.
February 23, 2013
good but what a run around
I never thought I would be sick of HOS. This one was fun and you get your monies worth. I did not think the game was focused enough.
a lot of running around back and forth.. Good for brain memory exercise.
June 30, 2012
Gruesomely Fun!! Explore an Old Mansion!!
Review based on Standard finished game play. Wish I had purchased CE as I liked the game that much and may still purchase. The Countess IS the Queen of Spades and you, the Detective are exploring actually 2 mansions to gather evidence regarding reports of Missing Persons as well as a missing colleague.
There is a deck of "enchanted" cards you must collect along with other objects within the game. In fact, the reason for some people disappearing is that they, too, ventured into the Mansion in an attempt to collect the enchanted card and never returned! It has been reported than even just one of these enchanted cards will enhance any hand you are playing. This could really come in handy if you're a gambler. Off to Vegas!!
Part of the fun and challenge for me was moving from room to room to explore and make certain you've gathered all 51 of 52 cards until your final scene where you collect the very last card of the deck. Don't watch the game video which spoils the ending somewhat. I did not and received quite a jolt along with other jolts in the game, hence, the gruesome parts!! It is all in good fun, however, as I am a Haunted Legends fan and wish to play more of their games.
Some scenes are dark and foreboding and cluttered. That is the nature of the game and it's all fun and do-able. I enjoyed playing (at night) on an old IBM Think Pad Laptop. Do-dah-do! Do-dah-do! Enjoy! - Mama Mia -
June 10, 2012