Vacation Paradise: California Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

184 of 205 found this review helpful

THIS IS A HOG DONE RIGHT!

PostedFebruary 20, 2021

pennmom36

fromHOG's were popularized in 2005 by the dominant publisher, Big Fish whose audience was primarily made up of women 40+ They evolved to HOPAs with an open world gameplay but player discomfort demanded that the games remain more linear.

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I'm thoroughly enjoying this HOG (Hidden Object Game) the graphics are really good, the scenery is interesting, and there's a ton of different features and collectibles and fun facts for each scene location. Point8Games are the developers who brought us the Adventure Trip series (another awesome HOG)

There are 5 different Hidden Object Modes, Listed Items, Silhouetted Shapes, Missing Vowels, ...Show more

I'm thoroughly enjoying this HOG (Hidden Object Game) the graphics are really good, the scenery is interesting, and there's a ton of different features and collectibles and fun facts for each scene location. Point8Games are the developers who brought us the Adventure Trip series (another awesome HOG)

There are 5 different Hidden Object Modes, Listed Items, Silhouetted Shapes, Missing Vowels, Riddle Descriptions, and Scrambled Letter. You can replay the scenes AND you can choose which mode you want to play or simply follow the default which gives you a different mode each time you replay the scene.

You will receive extra points when you find objects Quickly, and you will receive 14,000 points when you don't use the Hint and another 14,000 points for 100% Accuracy. You can play in an Easy Mode which gives you 15 second Hint recharges and no Misclick Penalties, a Medium Difficulty with a Misclick Penality, and a 35 second Hint Recharge, or a Hard Mode with a Misclick Penalty and a 60 second Hint Recharge.

The scenes will have either a Hidden Bear or a Hidden Flag that will be shown at the top and beforehand as a silhouetted shape, Some of the scenes have an 8-Ball as well (60 each) Finding all 60 Bears will Unlock the Unlimited Play, and collecting all 60 Flags will Unlock the Bonus Mini-Game section. The Diary holds all the Fun Facts about each location, and there is 19 Souvenir that is actually Achievements. Each scene has 14 Items to find and some of the scenes have Sparkle Zoom Zone areas that disappear once you find all the items. Items in Blue Text require an Interaction to complete such as dragging gazebo parts to fix the roof. The only feature I wasn't happy with was the Magnifying Glass which disappears every time you click on an object, and you have to click on it to use it again, which is kind of annoying.

After playing a few Hidden Object Scenes, you will play a various Mini-Game such as Spot the Difference, Mahjong, Match 3, Word Search, a Memory Card Game, or Sudoku.

You will visit familiar Vacation destinations throughout California, such as Santa Catalina Island, Death Valley, the Golden Gate, the Hearst Castle, Hollywood Boulevard, the Joshua Tree, Cable Cars, Lake Tahoe, the Lighthouse, Mammoth Mountain, the Monterey Aquarium, Napa Valley, the Observatory, the Palace of Fine Arts, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, the Cali Zoo, and Yosemite National Park.

The Collector's Edition version has 14 additional scene locations that are incorporated within the regular locations and are marked with a CE rosette. Come join us at my new forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net Show less

I recommend this game!

+163points

184of 205voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

58 of 61 found this review helpful

DAGNABIT, WHERE'S THAT GLOVE?!

PostedFebruary 20, 2021

Volauvent

fromHigh Desert, CA

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I really wasn't in the mood for a Hidden Object game this morning, but this one had a few things going for it: two 5 star reviews, it was designed by Point8 Games, and... it's about California!! My state! How could I possibly resist?

Completely drawn in, I played the entire demo and clicked on BUY.

The graphics are really great, and there is no peering around to find tiny objects (though I ...Show more

I really wasn't in the mood for a Hidden Object game this morning, but this one had a few things going for it: two 5 star reviews, it was designed by Point8 Games, and... it's about California!! My state! How could I possibly resist?

Completely drawn in, I played the entire demo and clicked on BUY.

The graphics are really great, and there is no peering around to find tiny objects (though I do wish devs would add magnifying glasses to games for those of is whose sight is diminishing).

The Collectors Edition scenes are included right there with the rest of the scenes, no waiting for the end to access the extras.

Easy (Casual) level is available which suits me just fine as I like to get up and do bits of housework then come back to the game as a reward for cleaning up this or that corner.

One feature I especially like about Point8 HO's is that they move things around plus insert and remove/substitute various items. I have a tendency to memorize locations pretty quickly (unlike my offline self who can't remember... uh, what?), so I'm usually frustrated the 2nd or 3rd time around on any one scene and archive the game 'cause I already know where everything is.

Whether you're a first timer or an old hand, you will definitely enjoy searching around California in this great HO game :D Show less

I recommend this game!

+55points

58of 61voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

82 of 99 found this review helpful

Take A Little Trip

PostedFebruary 20, 2021

HeavenBound7729

fromOcala, Florida

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

I like this type of game as a relief from the stresses of the day and COVID-induced boredom. Always reliable entertainment. I don't believe a HOG is ever worth the CE price. It has excellent replay value so, for me, playing the game again is as good as getting the extra locations.

The excellent graphics display beautiful, vivid colors for each location and the trivia info is always a feature I ...Show more

I like this type of game as a relief from the stresses of the day and COVID-induced boredom. Always reliable entertainment. I don't believe a HOG is ever worth the CE price. It has excellent replay value so, for me, playing the game again is as good as getting the extra locations.

The excellent graphics display beautiful, vivid colors for each location and the trivia info is always a feature I enjoy. The challenge is quite good, but I never had trouble spotting the Flags and Bears. The music is a catchy little tune that soon became a Johnny-one-note sound that had to go. I love watching the scores escalate as my points are shown at the end of each round. A good incentive for me, as I strive for that perfect game.

I enjoyed the mini-games though few were in the demo which seemed to just fly by, but it was a good sampling of what to expect in the main game. There were no tech issues and response was quick throughout the demo. This HOG plays the same as all the others I own of this nature, so I will be content waiting for the SE to arrive.

I'll leave the in-depth details to the other reviewers who will surely do a splendid job of it. Being a native CA gal, it was fun seeing a bit of it in this game and I'm happy for my memories of its good old days. Show less

I recommend this game!

+65points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

53 of 62 found this review helpful

fun

PostedFebruary 20, 2021

mmdgaston

fromoklahoma

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

these are almost always good games...you can play this game totally your way. love this..and a huge plus for me.....the music is great.....have fun gamers.....

I recommend this game!

+44points

53of 62voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

25 of 29 found this review helpful

Why Get a Burger When You can have Steak

PostedFebruary 21, 2021

mary102696

fromFort Worth, TX

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Arcade & Action, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

These developers put their all into this game. It reminds me of another series when these HOGs were done right and not the cookie cutter same old same old.

This in my opinion is a stellar HOG and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys regular HOGs.

I recommend this game!

+21points

25of 29voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

27 of 32 found this review helpful

Excellent

PostedFebruary 20, 2021

Medbie

fromTennessee

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

This is a classic hidden object game, with nicely drawn scenes, a variety of ways to play, and three modes of difficulty. It does have some mini games, and the collector's-edition-only scenes do contain a couple of puzzles in addition to the classic play. There are lots of levels to play and the gameplay is excellent! It's great to see such a quality classic HO game again!

+22points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

15 of 19 found this review helpful

Great mix of things to do!

PostedFebruary 23, 2021

jimanddelora

fromOregon

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

I am enjoying this game a lot! It has a nice mix of stuff and it makes sense. The items to find are not impossible but still chalenging, I read the other reviews and am not sure what one player meant about taking 2 people, it is a normal one person game. You can choose types of ways to find the objects and it is challenging when you do some of them but you can go out of the scene and choose a ...Show more

I am enjoying this game a lot! It has a nice mix of stuff and it makes sense. The items to find are not impossible but still chalenging, I read the other reviews and am not sure what one player meant about taking 2 people, it is a normal one person game. You can choose types of ways to find the objects and it is challenging when you do some of them but you can go out of the scene and choose a standard word or shape method if it is too challenging.I haven't run into any mistakes either in the description or spelling. One I got a hint on said ship brake lol, it was the anchor, just didn't click! Anyway, I bought with the mystery sale discount because I didn't want to wait for the standard edition, I liked it that much! Show less

I recommend this game!

+11points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

12 of 15 found this review helpful

Enjoyable HOG

PostedFebruary 20, 2021

TJC333

fromSacramento, CA

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

This was a fun HOG game. I'm a Californian, so it is nice to see places in California. What I liked about this game is that you can pick which type of HOG you want to do for each scene, scramble, silhouette, riddle, etc. You also have to find special items in the scene. Fun demo and will probably buy.

I recommend this game!

+9points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

14 of 19 found this review helpful

exremely fun

PostedFebruary 23, 2021

mlivermore

fromalden, ny

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I love this game,, You can choose your level of play and challenge. You can play easy to hard and which level of play you want.

I recommend this game!

+9points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

11 of 15 found this review helpful

LOVE POINT 8 GAMES!

PostedFebruary 21, 2021

Linda_in_Aussie

fromAdelaide, Australia

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

I haven't made up my mind whether I prefer this layout of individual areas or the other version (like the Adventure Trip games) where you do each area in one hit but I guess it does break up the monotony.

The graphics are so clear and loving the magnifying glass when I really get stuck. And the music is so cool especially the funky jazz piano. Glad to see the puzzles have been included ...Show more

I haven't made up my mind whether I prefer this layout of individual areas or the other version (like the Adventure Trip games) where you do each area in one hit but I guess it does break up the monotony.

The graphics are so clear and loving the magnifying glass when I really get stuck. And the music is so cool especially the funky jazz piano. Glad to see the puzzles have been included too.

Definitely an instant buy for me. Show less

I recommend this game!

+7points

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	, share your thoughts about this game! Vacation Paradise: California Collector's Edition Enjoy a delightful vacation across California Heres what your review will look like once it’s posted. Click Submit if you’re happy. Your review should appear soon. To make changes, use the Edit or Cancel buttons. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this game! You’ve already shared your thoughts about this game. Thanks for submitting the review below.