A Mahjong Story

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 12 Feb 2014
Described as an “epic makeover” of the ancient tile matching board game, Age of Mahjong (one of the various spelling used for this Chinese board game) combines a series of Mahjong board layouts with a story line that spreads over 56 levels. This Adept Software developed game was originally published by Alawar and now forms part of Avanquest’s GSP games catalogue.

756511 Geemarc CL7400 Amplified Wireless Digital TV HeadseGeemarc CL7400 Wi-Fi Sound

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 10 Feb 2014
Often such devices fail after a few feet, here is one I could leave my lounge, move to front door and then out into the street. Now that is what I call Wi-Fi and unlike some that only work for things with a 3.5mm jack these will work with RCA jacks as well.

753119 mystery_murderers the sleeping palacThe Sleeping Palace

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 8 Feb 2014
Somewhere in the virtual world of adventure game play is the Palace of Laroche. Built to serve and protect the family of De La Roche as they rule their kingdom, Laroche Palace has recently become a place of mystery as everybody within this magnificent building has succumbed to a deep sleep - everybody that is until you awake. Initially you will have no memory as to who you are or how you came to be there. So starts the game of Mystery Murders: The Sleepin

756508 Sonos PLAY 1 Black The Wireless Hi FSonos Play 1

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 7 Feb 2014
I first saw some Sonos speakers around eight years ago, great sound but very expensive and only at that time for Apple. Over the years they have become more affordable and now useable with Apple, PC, Android and IOS.

753110 focus stray souls stolen memorieStolen Memories

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 5 Feb 2014
Set in a nightmarish world, this next title sets a mother against a clown in a battle over a husband and a daughter. Just who will win?

756504 EX 06 Foldable Wireless Stereo HeadseTwo Headphone Units

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 2 Feb 2014
On this occasion both sets are available at almost the same price. Both have wired connections so have at least two things in common. So would I prefer the Giotech EX-06 or the Nine Audio Vega, read on to find which my ears preferred.

750808 Age of Mahjong Epic Escapes; Dark Seas Double PacAdventure at Sea

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 29 Jan 2014
If you are hoping for a relaxing sea cruise with this next title then you could be disappointed as gigantic waves make an appearance.
First from Sony something of a lightweight offering so maybe ideal to take with you out and about the a set of headphones designed to go in an audio outlet for studio quality units but unscrew it and you have a 3.5mm jack.

752570 Roku 3 HD Streaming PlayeROKU 3 for Streaming

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 23 Jan 2014
The thing that enticed me to look at Roku 3 was its ability to stream sound so that you can have no sound from your TV and still hear sound through the ROKU 3 unit to headphones or earbuds, ideal for those who don’t want to disturb others.

749276 avanquest Sacra Terra Kiss of DeatThe Kiss of Death

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 22 Jan 2014
It is time to embark on a task to rescue somebody who has been taken prisoner by a succubus in a Hidden Object Adventure game.
Here I am looking at two sets of small speakers, the first from Creative are a wired Bluetooth unit that is similar in size and shape to the second from Bose, a name I associate with high end audio but here at a cheaper price.

749273 drawn trail of shadowDrawn Part Three

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 15 Jan 2014
Drawn is a magical kingdom with mythical creatures and an on-going battle between the forces of Good and Evil. One defining factor of this land is that pictures play an important role in its existence.

743865 velodyne vQuiet Over Ear Noise Cancelling HeadphoneNoise Cancelling Headset

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 11 Jan 2014
Velodyne, the California based design and development company specialising in audio equipment and responsible for the vFree headset reviewed recently, has a second headset model entitled the vQuiet. Manufactured in China, this new headset offers over-the-ear noise cancelling functionality as you listen to your favourite music in solitude but only if you really want to (see later).
As part of its Signature Series, Creative has developed its T4 Wireless product.

745278 focus haunted halls revenge of doctor blackmorRevenge of Doctor Blackmore

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 8 Jan 2014
With the same three main characters, the next episode in the Haunted Halls series arrives to challenge your Hidden Object Adventure game-playing skills.
The first a name that has been around in audio circles for a long time, the second a name I had never heard before. So here two sets of earphones. The first has quality the second has new ideas so the choice is for your ears, neither of them are expensive.

No Avoiding Fate

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 4 Jan 2014
Fate, they say will eventually catch up with you. In the case of Madame Fate Carnival, the catching up could be considered to last over four years as this was the interval between my looking at the original Madame Fate title and the arrival of the sequel in the form of a Collector’s Edition of Mystery Case Files: Fate’s Carnival from Big Fish Games. This gap was more than long enough for my memory to erase any

740721 focus mystery trackers black islFinding Sarah

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 1 Jan 2014
Everything is not how it seems as this next game goes to prove as your investigations take you to Black Isle.

740718 HMDX HX HP610RD JAM Fusion Wireless Stereo HeadphoneJam Fusion Headphones

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 28 Dec 2013
Adding to its expanding range of audio products, HDMX has released a wireless headset.
As with all such devices it is not just a TV but also an entertainment centre so you can send and receive emails, Skype, search the web as well as watch catch up TV all via Ethernet or Wi-Fi so the review period always needs to be longer.

738567 focus the forgotten towThe Forgotten Town

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 26 Dec 2013
Rather than let the “train take the strain”, you can take the train in this next Hidden Object Adventure game and not worry about being punctual because it is a Timeless experience.

742323 Samsung BD F7500 3D Ultra HD Smart Blu ray playeSamsung 3D Blu-ray Player

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 23 Dec 2013
A basic Blu-ray player did just that and played Blu-ray and DVDs and possibly also CDs. Now this offering from Samsung can update any TV that has an HDMI port to connect to the Internet and also connect to iPlayer and ITV Player etc.

736756 the_shivThe Shivah Returns

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 18 Dec 2013
Many modern games strive to be as realistic in the appearance of graphics as possible but some of us can remember when things were different.

736751 alawar Call of Ages Collectors EditioCall of Ages

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 14 Dec 2013
Call of Ages is a new game developed by Playrix and available from Alawar in Collector’s Edition format. This is a match-3 game that has a certain resemblance to some of the earlier titles developed by Playrix but does add one or two extra features to freshen up the concept. Along with the main game you get access to various wallpapers and the music soundtrack which are stored in separate folders plus a number of bonus levels.
It all started with a Family Secret. Later the Palm of Zoroaster took the focus of attention. Now we have the third instalment of House of 1000 Doors entitled Serpent Flame. Originally published by Alawar, House of 1000 Doors Serpent Flame, a Hidden Object Adventure game, is available in Collector’s Edition format from Focus Multimedia.

736755 roku 3 streaming media playeRoku 3 Media Streaming

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 10 Dec 2013
On a recent visit to a UK preview of an American Consumer Electronics Show, I was introduced to a product designed to stream content from various sources. This product is Roku 3.

733997 Velodyne vFree On Ear Bluetooth HeadphoneBluetooth Headphones

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 5 Dec 2013
With the title of vFree you might wonder just what this next product could be. In fact it is a set of headphones.
Not everybody likes snakes, myself included, and this next title has more than enough of this reptilian species for my taste

731282 Haunted Hotel Charles Dexter Ward Childhood Collectors EditioA Hotel with Vacancies

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 27 Nov 2013
Hotels appearing in games tend to be portrayed as establishments where you would not want to spend too much time. The hotel’s reputation is often sullied with tales of misadventure, missing residents, wandering spirits of which many are evil, and even the occasional murder. Take the Haunted Hotel featured in this next game for instance.

731829 Plantronics RIG Stereo Headset and MixePlantronics RIG

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 27 Nov 2013
These are designed for Gamers as their life – or lives – may depend on hearing tiny sounds that most sets of headphones cannot pick up. The result is something that some may think is overkill others may rejoice that they are not killed.
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