GAMEBOOMERS provides you with all the latest PC adventure computer games information, forum, walkthroughs, reviews and news.

GB Reviews

Latest & Upcoming Adventure Games

GB Annual Game Lists

GB Interviews

BAAGS

GB @ acebook

About Us

Walkthroughs

free games galore

Game Publishers & Developers

World of Adventure

Patches

GB @ witter

GameBoomers Store

Print Thread
Heaven #546455
09/12/09 09:37 AM
09/12/09 09:37 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,525
oldmariner Offline OP
Addicted Boomer
oldmariner  Offline OP
Addicted Boomer

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,525
Heaven

I normally do not include opinion in games I review. As I said before who cares what I think. You want to know what the game is like. Does it work? Are there glitches? What is wrong, what is right, etc. But I will start with this, I hate puzzle games! Give me a good story with interesting characters not a bunch of puzzles for the sake of puzzles. I bought this game on preorder and within a short time before I finished it I put it up for sale. That certainly speaks well for the game doesn't it? Not really, because as I said I hate puzzle games and this thing is not exactly Gabriel Knight 1-2 or 3. You can tell Myst is not in my collection, there is no room on the shelf between Gabriel, Tex, April and Phoenix for this. With that out of the way and the bias kicked aside, lets look at the game. I managed to sell it a few hours before I finished it. Luckily the post office is closed on Sunday so I kept banging at it.

The Graphics are great with the game flowing easily without glitches and your grandmother looks great. This is in first person, point and click with 3d interface. You can look in any direction you want. There was no quick sudden scene changes common with first person 3d. That gets a plus, quite a few things get a plus. It is a good looking game, oh I said that. Those of you who complain about conversation will love this game. Besides God bless you or Praise Jesus there are not a lot of wasted words. There is a lot of humming though. But the burning question the one that has all the opinions flying around. Is it really short? No easy answer there, it depends upon how quickly you grasp the puzzle mechanics and what you have to do. There is some help with the compass and the guide saying, "go that way." But truthfully without it you may not ever figure out what you are trying to do. I consider that another plus. There were no mazes but walking back and forth over and over again may well be considered a maze. There are many interesting views to be had but not a lot to investigate or examine closely. This frustrated many who commented on the game.

The object of the game is quite simple, you died and went to heaven as evidenced by your grandmother looking like Barbie and now serving as your guide. If you think about it, things could be worse. You need to advance through the six levels of heaven to reach the seventh, the pearly gates. To advance you have to solve a puzzle to open that gate. What is maddening is you have no inventory. That is not so bad in regard of hauling everything you see all over the place but! It is nasty that when you pick something up to use in a puzzle you can't see it. You can in fact think you picked up said object walk some distance to find you don't really have it.
Click to reveal..
One puzzle and I won't give it away, too much, requires the use of two machines, one to acquire what looks like a bowling ball, another to use for placing a picture on said bowling ball. Then when you haul the thing over a dozen screens or so, to give it to Barbie. She loads it up and then you have to find another machine to set a link. Then if you did everything correctly a catapult fires it through the air into a hoop. If you messed up it gets mangled and you start over. You need to match picture with proper color and proper catapult with proper link.
Now then nobody tells you exactly what goes with what, you have to search around looking for clues to sort all of this out. Now is that an easy puzzle? Some have complained of how it was elementary. Me it took three days.

There are in all five puzzles with the added bonus of one that you don't know is a puzzle. That is until you float around and around sitting behind Barbie to discover you are going in circles. Barbie suddenly tells you "we should go there." Then you think, "Oh I gotta do something! You mean I'm driving from the back of the horse?". To answer the question is this game as short as some people have complained. Yes and No! Big help, it simply comes down to how well you anaylize puzzles. This game took me longer than several others that were of mid length. But as I said I am slow with puzzles, I don't like them. I only finished this because it infuriated me to a point I decided this thing ain't gonna win. There was no walkthrough, no hints no nothing. To get even I wrote a walk through which may be seen soon, then again?

What about the preaching we hear infuriates so many. I say it is about going to heaven and if they let you in don'tcha think some angel is going to say "praise god?" Seriously though, your grandmother says, praise God and spits out some platitudes every so often. With that said it is not a revival meeting. Come on be serious, complain about things like that when video games raise mayhem featuring blood and guts. We have vampires, axe murders and all kinds of violence. To tell the truth with that in mind Heaven does not look so bad.

Basically it is a good looking game that plays without glitches. There is no conversation tree, no mazes, no timed puzzles, no action based quick reflex stuff. There is of course the infurriating issue of only one auto. Save at closing, one that overwrites itself. When you re-engage you start where you left off, no do overs. You have one save, that's it. But I bet the creative in you have already figured out the work around, havn't you? I won't give it a grade because it is not fair since I hate puzzle games. But it is not bad, really it isn't. For me it was not short for you it depends on how you relate to puzzles. There are seven levels five with a not too easy puzzle to solve, some with a real brain teaser and a sixth that is hardly a puzzle. With that definitve answer and the fact it took me close to twenty hours because I'm slow witted I will give it a thumbs up, if you can get it on sale because the premium price is troubling.


Last edited by looney4labs; 09/12/09 07:31 PM.
Re: Heaven [Re: oldmariner] #546460
09/12/09 09:56 AM
09/12/09 09:56 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,717
london uk
chrissie Offline
Addicted Boomer
chrissie  Offline
Addicted Boomer

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,717
london uk
Thanks oldmariner for an interesting & insightful review. thumbsup I'm a little behind with games at the mo - I don't think it's going to be a priority! smile

Re: Heaven [Re: chrissie] #546467
09/12/09 10:07 AM
09/12/09 10:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Darleen03 Offline
Graduate Boomer
Darleen03  Offline
Graduate Boomer

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Thanks, oldmariner..

Nice Boomer review..I also will pass on this game..


Luv Dar


GameBoomers
"Games Are More Enticing Because Of Our "MaG"nificent Efficient Radiant Site"
Re: Heaven [Re: Darleen03] #546517
09/12/09 12:06 PM
09/12/09 12:06 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 48,905
Alabama
looney4labs Offline
Sonic Boomer
looney4labs  Offline
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 48,905
Alabama
thanks Oldmariner

It's always great to know what a game is like before one buys it. wave


"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."
-Roger Caras
Re: Heaven [Re: looney4labs] #546627
09/12/09 06:31 PM
09/12/09 06:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,827
land gal just wanna have fun
Sherryah Offline
Addicted Boomer
Sherryah  Offline
Addicted Boomer

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,827
land gal just wanna have fun
Thank you so much Oldmariner, since I am waiting for it to arrive in my mailbox on the 15th in Ireland, I now know what to expect.

Like you I also don't like all puzzle games. Yikes the worst part of your review is no dialogue tree. I love conversations and never complain there is too much in a game. Really disappointed we don't get to explore Heaven's nook and crannies, gosh that would have been fun.

I for one would really appreciate to see your walkthrough. I love that you got even and finished the game and wrote a walkthrough. I am really impressed.

I am with you when it comes to the games you mentioned I love games with characters who have personalities.

One of the reasons I bought the game is because the graphics are eye candy, so very beautiful. Glad to hear there are no glitches in the game.


Last edited by looney4labs; 09/12/09 07:04 PM.
Re: Heaven [Re: Sherryah] #546644
09/12/09 07:32 PM
09/12/09 07:32 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 799
Tel Aviv, Israel.
T
Tomer Offline
Settled Boomer
Tomer  Offline
Settled Boomer
T

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 799
Tel Aviv, Israel.
I like puzzle games - and I'm still passing :-)
Thanks.


There's definitely definitely definitely no logic to human behaviour.
Re: Heaven [Re: Tomer] #546704
09/13/09 01:32 AM
09/13/09 01:32 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Mad Offline
Sonic Boomer
Mad  Offline
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom

Many thanks for your review, oldmariner grin

I have the game - although I've yet not started it - but from what you say in your review, it seems I will very likely be searching out your walkthrough once I do start it wink

So please tell .... Where is your walkthrough ?? lol


Time : The Most Precious Commodity
Re: Heaven [Re: Mad] #546783
09/13/09 09:51 AM
09/13/09 09:51 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,947
Land of 10,000 Lakes
MrLipid Offline
Addicted Boomer
MrLipid  Offline
Addicted Boomer

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,947
Land of 10,000 Lakes
For what it's worth, here's a review of Heaven from The Christian Developers Network Forum:

http://talk.christiandevs.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2330

Re: Heaven [Re: MrLipid] #546793
09/13/09 10:46 AM
09/13/09 10:46 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 48,905
Alabama
looney4labs Offline
Sonic Boomer
looney4labs  Offline
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 48,905
Alabama
luck Mad, you'll have to come back and give us your opinion when you play it. wave

thanks MrLipid, an interesting read puppy


"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."
-Roger Caras
Re: Heaven [Re: looney4labs] #546795
09/13/09 10:54 AM
09/13/09 10:54 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,947
Land of 10,000 Lakes
MrLipid Offline
Addicted Boomer
MrLipid  Offline
Addicted Boomer

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,947
Land of 10,000 Lakes
looney4labs,

Glad you found it interesting.

Thought it might be worth hearing from someone who is part of the game's target demographic.

Re: Heaven [Re: looney4labs] #546836
09/13/09 12:19 PM
09/13/09 12:19 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
Jenny100 Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Jenny100  Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
Originally Posted By: looney4labs
luck Mad, you'll have to come back and give us your opinion when you play it.

Me too, Mad. I'd like your opinion of it.

Originally Posted By: MrLipid
Thought it might be worth hearing from someone who is part of the game's target demographic.

Thanks, MrLipid. Interesting find, and not a bad review.

Re: Heaven [Re: Jenny100] #546854
09/13/09 01:49 PM
09/13/09 01:49 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Mad Offline
Sonic Boomer
Mad  Offline
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Could be a while before I get to it. folks rolleyes
I already have three adventures and an RPG on the go scared


Time : The Most Precious Commodity
Re: Heaven [Re: Mad] #546878
09/13/09 03:14 PM
09/13/09 03:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Darleen03 Offline
Graduate Boomer
Darleen03  Offline
Graduate Boomer

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Ok ..MaD

I will wait....I always love the GameBoomers Members review of a game... thumbsup


Luv Dar


GameBoomers
"Games Are More Enticing Because Of Our "MaG"nificent Efficient Radiant Site"
Re: Heaven [Re: Darleen03] #546919
09/13/09 05:36 PM
09/13/09 05:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,525
oldmariner Offline OP
Addicted Boomer
oldmariner  Offline OP
Addicted Boomer

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,525
MrLipid

I can't disagree with anything the review link offered. The game is not a total loss but will disappoint many Adventure gamers. Though it shows potential. For me it has nothing to do with the theme. The theme is a legitimate avenue to explore though it seems many are offended by religious offerings. I don't quite understand that considering some questionable issues portrayed in some games get a pass. My difficulty was the presentation where they incorporated puzzles demanding exact order of multiple objects. Rather than straight forward puzzle presentation found in games they used subtle clues and then led you through them. In addition to that there was zero character development and no story.

Last edited by oldmariner; 09/13/09 05:37 PM.
Re: Heaven [Re: oldmariner] #546936
09/13/09 06:36 PM
09/13/09 06:36 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Darleen03 Offline
Graduate Boomer
Darleen03  Offline
Graduate Boomer

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Story for me means absolutely nothing...Game play is everything...Graphics I can do without all the Hoopla...Years ago with many games Graphics were not that good...I always loved the games...

If a Game has no Substance...Like Inventory & Adventure searching...Then Its just a puzzle game with alot of "EYE CANDY"...

duh


Luv Dar


GameBoomers
"Games Are More Enticing Because Of Our "MaG"nificent Efficient Radiant Site"
Re: Heaven [Re: Darleen03] #547322
09/15/09 01:48 AM
09/15/09 01:48 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Mad Offline
Sonic Boomer
Mad  Offline
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Here's what I tacked onto the end of a thread by Mordack on the Discussion Board yesterday :

Well about 30 minutes ago I started Heaven - just to get a taste, really - and find it to absolutely be one of the most weird games I've ever come across !!

I've made significant progress already, in just 30 minutes, but only because I've been led around by the nose ....
Click to reveal..
and the little compass
.... NOT because I have much idea about what I'm actually doing lol

Maybe by the next time I report back I will be more "au fait" with things. Who knows think

________________________


Now is my "report back" time and I'm just about to uninstall the game after which I will take it over to the Trading Post.
Nowhere near finished but I've had enough yes

For me this is not an adventure game, it is more a guided tour through some (admittedly) beautiful scenery - with evangelistic style speeches delivered to me by my guide at strategic points.

[I'm quite sure plenty of people will enjoy the experience but I'm afraid I'm not one of them duh]

Last edited by Mad; 09/15/09 01:52 AM.

Time : The Most Precious Commodity
Re: Heaven [Re: Mad] #547365
09/15/09 06:29 AM
09/15/09 06:29 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Darleen03 Offline
Graduate Boomer
Darleen03  Offline
Graduate Boomer

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Thank You , Mad

That's why I always would like a developer to give us the opportunity to play a Demo first.

It would certainly save us a lot of aggravation & money.


Luv Dar


GameBoomers
"Games Are More Enticing Because Of Our "MaG"nificent Efficient Radiant Site"
Re: Heaven [Re: Darleen03] #547450
09/15/09 12:15 PM
09/15/09 12:15 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
Jenny100 Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Jenny100  Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
How many people would have bought it if they'd played a demo?

Originally Posted By: Darleen03
If a Game has no Substance...Like Inventory & Adventure searching...Then Its just a puzzle game with alot of "EYE CANDY"...

Maybe you shouldn't insult puzzle games by considering this as one of them.

Originally Posted By: oldmariner
Rather than straight forward puzzle presentation found in games they used subtle clues and then led you through them.

I don't consider something like that to be a puzzle game. You're not using your mind to find solutions. Where's the puzzle?

Re: Heaven [Re: Jenny100] #547454
09/15/09 12:24 PM
09/15/09 12:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Darleen03 Offline
Graduate Boomer
Darleen03  Offline
Graduate Boomer

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Originally Posted By: Jenny100
How many people would have bought it if they'd played a demo?


Not Many !!! duh

Puzzle games are "Wonderful" But developers should state that...This game was perceived to be an "Adventure Game" Very deceiving... headscratch


Luv Dar


GameBoomers
"Games Are More Enticing Because Of Our "MaG"nificent Efficient Radiant Site"
Re: Heaven [Re: Darleen03] #547467
09/15/09 01:01 PM
09/15/09 01:01 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
Jenny100 Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Jenny100  Offline
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
It's no more a puzzle game than it is an adventure game. As a game, it's incomplete. There's more to any kind of game than graphics and listening to someone tell you what to do.

From what I can tell, the "story" consists of this guy dying when his spaceship wrecks and having his grandmother (who for some reason wants to look like a Barbie doll in front of her grandson) walk him through maybe 4 or 5 "puzzles" he has to solve to get into Heaven. Something about that plotline just strikes me as profoundly silly.

Re: Heaven [Re: Darleen03] #547470
09/15/09 01:13 PM
09/15/09 01:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,525
oldmariner Offline OP
Addicted Boomer
oldmariner  Offline OP
Addicted Boomer

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,525
Jenny, since you brought it up I suppose I have to clarify my meaning.

"Originally Posted By: oldmariner
Rather than straight forward puzzle presentation found in games they used subtle clues and then led you through them."

You have to consider this a puzzle game if you accept it as game at all. You have to solve puzzles to get to the next level. The issue here is the object may be clear, raise sunken island, though you may not know it is a sunken island, you may think it is a bridge. But how to do it is far from clear.

What I was trying to illustrate is the puzzles are not straight forward they are not clear in either their intent and even the parts required to solve it. Therefore they were required to include hints and a guide to lead you through them.

Re: Heaven [Re: Jenny100] #547471
09/15/09 01:16 PM
09/15/09 01:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Darleen03 Offline
Graduate Boomer
Darleen03  Offline
Graduate Boomer

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
I find it very interesting..That on their website it clearly states "This is an Adventure Game"

But gives no description of game play at all.. think

I agree , Jenny...The plotline is silly..

But, Then again I really don't pay to much mind to story..As much as I do the gameplay.


Luv Dar


GameBoomers
"Games Are More Enticing Because Of Our "MaG"nificent Efficient Radiant Site"
Re: Heaven [Re: Darleen03] #547482
09/15/09 01:32 PM
09/15/09 01:32 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Mad Offline
Sonic Boomer
Mad  Offline
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
How can you have an adventure game without a story ??

The whole point of an adventure game for me is to unravel the story via the puzzles grin



Time : The Most Precious Commodity
Re: Heaven [Re: Mad] #547489
09/15/09 01:39 PM
09/15/09 01:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Darleen03 Offline
Graduate Boomer
Darleen03  Offline
Graduate Boomer

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
What I meant , Mad was...

I can take any kind of story...BUT...The game play is most important...

Every game has to have an objective or some kind of ending, but without the adventure & substance & interaction with people, & Inventory...The game to me is worthless grin


Luv Dar


GameBoomers
"Games Are More Enticing Because Of Our "MaG"nificent Efficient Radiant Site"
Re: Heaven [Re: Darleen03] #547498
09/15/09 01:42 PM
09/15/09 01:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Mad Offline
Sonic Boomer
Mad  Offline
Sonic Boomer

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,312
United Kingdom
Darleen03 ....

I've gone over to the Discussions Board to participate in your new thread, now smile


Time : The Most Precious Commodity
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

Moderated by  Draclvr 

Who's Online Now
4 registered members (Orion, OrleansBelle, soot, connie), 261 guests, and 0 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Staff, Mod
Newest Members
PierreLombardo, Dux, WillPowerGoat, Ebalon, J7769mon
9388 Registered Users
Powered by UBB.threads™