Stusue,  I've restarted  Nearwood,  and am enjoying it all over again.  You mean the guide tells you how many Snoop Sees are in a scene?  I'll definitely check into that.  I didn't even know how many there are!
     This is kind of embarassing,  but has anyone played the "free-to-play"  game,  My Singing Monsters?  It's by far the silliest thing I've ever seen,  so why do I keep going back?    They will,  of course,  allow you to spend real money,  but you don't have to.  Things progress while you're gone,  so there's an incentive to check in often.  I even like the music,  which I turn off in most games.  Just wondered what anyone thought.  Feel free to gnore my comments if the very idea of such an atrocity makes you cringe.
   I'm also playing  The Chinese Healer SE;   another gogeous Eipix game,  and very different,  with the Chinese setting.  Love it so far.

I'm getting a little annoyed with Death and his daughter because they mostly stand around and tell me what I need to do to help them. (Wild Hunt).  How about a litlle help here....?

There are some amusing animations of a gauntlet (armoured glove) skittering about on its fingertips to gather pieces of Death's scythe.

I'm on the last part of the game now, I think, and I can tell you with authority that you will not need to buy the CE of this game for the Strategy Guide. The hints are great and very specific.

Hi Jkuci, you say we do not need to buy the CE for Wild Hunt, but doesn't it come with collectibles and achievements and such?  I would be interested to know if the main game ends conclusively and the bonus chapter is not a continuation of the story.  Anyway, I was planning on getting the CE during a future BOGO sale.

Sandhan, I'm glad you're enjoying My Singing Monsters.  I made a decision not to play any of the "free-to-play" games and therefore have not tried any.  I don't feel that I am missing anything.  I have way too many bought games that I haven't even played, and the list keep growing because I am buying games tomorrow on BP Monday.
   

Thanks for the heads up Lily! I've found so far that this game is very doable (9 Clues). I hardly ever use walkthroughs unless I am playing large file adventure games and become frustrated however even though this game has a lot of locations, so far I haven't had an issue with getting lost. 

Sue
There's a map but last time I tried to use it, it said I was in an area that didn't require map use LOL and Im playing on the most advanced mode. You can change difficulty in the options menu too so its not like you are stuck with it if you can't advance. Id say this game is perfect for inbetween big games like CEs or large file adventures, however its good quality so it could have been a CE if the developers had wanted. I'll let you know once I finish it, what I think but so far I really really like it!

Tirama
So, as Joining Hands 2 is easier than the first one, would you recommend playing them in reverse order, 2 then 1?

jkuci
I'm with Barre, I don't buy CEs for the SG but for all the extras, like bonus chapter, collectibles, morphing objects, music, Bonus Room (that Wild Hunt has).  I'd planned on getting the CE in the next BOGOF sale after the reviews I've read but I'd love your feedback on all the CE extras.  And I wish you a VERY slow read of the Dresden Files.

Barre
I also don't play any of the FTP games and I've also got too many games that I've bought waiting to be played.  And I also have 4 expiring PCCs that I'm using today to fill up 2 cards.    But to all those who are having fun playing the FTP games - enjoy! 

sandhan and lilyr
At the end of the walkthrough for Nearwood, following the bonus chapter, it not only tells you how many Snoop-Sees there are in each scene, but it gives you a screenshot for every scene with them highlighted!  But, as I said, they're not in order so you have to find the scene you're in.  I think they did that to make it harder to find them in the WT so it was harder to cheat.    But I found it an extra challenge and so wasn't bothered by that at all.  I'm glad it wasn't so easy to find them.

Meg and lilyr
Thanks for the info re 9 Clues: The Secret of Serpent Creek.  It's as I thought, a perfect in-between game.