Merlina McGovern
Staff BioWhen I’m not copy editing high-tech research (yes, that’s about as exciting as it sounds) or relaxing with my wonderful family, I love whiling away a rainy afternoon playing adventure games (the spookier, the better). Now that my daughter is a toddler and possessed with an all-consuming desire to rearrange Tupperware and pots and pans, my life has essentially become one big adventure game. Let’s see, what combination of items will best soothe a crying baby? Hm…there’s a Curious George here, but he’s missing his hat. And, the logical place for that hat would be, ah ha, right here inside the sauce pot under the counter. Click hat on monkey, click monkey with hat on baby, and voila . . . happy baby!
Articles by Merlina McGovern:
The Trace review
With a high body count and low puzzle count, this mobile exclusive is a light but enjoyable murder mystery.
Nancy Drew: Sea of Darkness review
The teen sleuth's 31st adventure is a chilling Icelandic mystery, though it doesn't shine as brightly as some of her best.
Nancy Drew: Labyrinth of Lies review
The teen sleuth's Greek mystery plays like a familiar chorus, but it's undermined by some tragic puzzle tedium and disorienting storylines.
Evil Pumpkin: The Lost Halloween review
Puzzle lovers may want to bag this seasonal casual adventure that serves up plenty of brainteasing goodies.
Nancy Drew: The Shattered Medallion review
It's Nancy Drew-meets-reality TV in a weak installment that only shines in bits and pieces.
Tengami review
Its story is paper-thin, but this beautifully meditative pop-up adventure book is a page-turner of a different kind.
DEVICE 6 review
This iOS text adventure's unique presentation and gameplay mechanics are sideswiped by a story that's a little too surreal for its own good.
Nancy Drew: The Silent Spy review
With spy gadgets galore, the teen sleuth's 29th adventure offers a surprising glimpse into the previously secret Drew family history.
Alone in the Park review
Blending text and graphics framed entirely within a journal, this treasure hunt with off-color humor may tantalize, but the gameplay is rather pedestrian.
Nightmare Adventures: The Turning Thorn review
The first two Nightmare Adventures may be casual in nature, but both prove to be a puzzle-lover's dream.
Nightmare Adventures: The Witch’s Prison review
The first two Nightmare Adventures may be casual in nature, but both prove to be a puzzle-lover's dream.
Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall review
The haunted Georgian mansion isn't very scary in Nancy's 28th adventure, but you'll have fun puzzling your way through ghosts and family skeletons alike.
Year Walk review
This haunting, surreal journey is a short but intriguing step in the right direction for iOS adventures.
Reality Show: Fatal Shot review
This lite but entertaining murder mystery from ERS helps bridge the gap between casual and full-fledged adventures.
Twilight Phenomena: The Lodgers of House 13 review
This surreal lite adventure is beautifully designed, but the story is a head-scratcher and puzzle lovers are out of luck.
