Joybelle_2's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:7,892
- Reviews Submitted:176
- First Review:October 23, 2019
- Most Recent Review:October 30, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Help Hercules catch the fastest creature in the land and put a stop to its wave of destruction in his latest strategy adventure!
Overall rating
3
/
5
98 of 106 found this review helpful
Oh No..I have gone backwards
PostedMay 2, 2020
Joybelle_2
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have always held this series quite beloved, but this offering has really disappointed me on quite a few levels.
The new tutorial style of annoying blue arrows pointing at your next move as a substitute for a decent strategy guide is just really rubbing in how many features that made this series mighty have been lost.
It may be innovative to make us garden and pick flowers in order to find the puzzle pieces, and it may be such to hide them under sheep or various other items, but to me it was just annoying. I got so distracted looking for the puzzle piece so I could get my value from the game and be able to complete the jigsaw puzzle levels that it took all the rhythm and enjoyment out of my gameplay.
I had to go outside the game and find a 'puzze piece' walkthrough as there was one after I had been gardening for a few levels that was actually in the water. That's when I saw the next one was under a sheep!! Much too distracting clicking all around the screen and on every item to find them.
With only wallpapers as the extra's and a few more levels, I don't see this offering as CE worthy at all. It is the least fun I have ever had with this once fantastic series. We deserve a stategy guide, choice of music and collectables we can find (even if told where) when the cost is double an SE offering
The game IS ok.. but its quite hard on some levels, though I refuse to turn those horrible arrows on. Please developers, we let you know last time we did not like the arrows, but at least our puzzle pieces were able to be found, and you used to bother to put hidden objects in too. I still like the game but I have always loved it in the past.
I want to smile and race the clock and have fun...not be clicky clacking all over the screen. I am holding back from recommend or not, because as a game its just ok..as a CE I do not think it is worthy.
If you are a virtual bird but love adventure too, this game is just for you.
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 42 found this review helpful
I didnt know this series was so good till now!
PostedApril 30, 2020
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I haven't played this series before and so glad I found it. Its very much like the little cousin of the hidden object/puzzle games we love to go camping and cruising with lol
The graphics are lovely and not just flimsy cartoon drawings and the puzzles are a lot of fun and all doable for me.
You play each level several times, having to remember a particular article you must find (which gives you a fact about the object), peace signs and eightballs which pay the big bucks for your score. You can go back and get them if you forgot but may have to play through a few levels to have another go at them.
The levels play differently each time you go into the scene (which you become quite familiar with and pretty good at once you have done it a few times) Sometimes its straight words, sometimes jumbled, missing vowels, find the pairs or outline shapes.
The puzzles are colourful, match 3, mahjong, spot the diff, swap the blocks, wordsearch and jigsaws. (and I really loved the jigsaws, nice size pieces but a good challenge) There is one after each level, but you can skip them.
There is a 'gift' shop where you buy artifacts with your level score..There are several levels of play, relaxed with no mishit penalty and a 5 second hint recharge..one with a 10 second hint recharge and a click penalty and a timed level.
Honestly, try the demo if you like those other hidden objects games with the puzzles and the gift shop lol. This is going to keep me busy for absolute ages so I think its CE worthy. The instructions are clear but you must read them to know how many collectables or what your 'fact' object is before you go flying into the level. (and remember what you have to get because its not shown again on the screen)
So glad I have discovered this, and will be playing the London game next. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Scale new heights of adventure with brothers Everand and Boromere and sisters Helga and Brunnhilde as they pursue an evil sorcerer!
Overall rating
5
/
5
94 of 101 found this review helpful
Loads of fun. Lots of levels
PostedApril 25, 2020
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Most features in this game you have come across before, but there are so many of them it never gets boring. There are enemies to get rid of,(who just change position not disappear).. collection of resources, upgrading, repairing, altars, magic and lots of running around.
Its the graphics in this one are just spectacular! Recources float down from the clouds and things float off in other directions. And as well as that they are deep and rich making it beautiful to play. So while the mechanics are similar to others you absolutely don't feel you are playing a repeat game
One new feature though is whilst button pressing is not new..collecting sheep to stand on them is! And how many you have is in a window onscreen. Our squirrel friend is back collecting the food only he can, and there are gems and magic spells to cast using them. Once you activate Brunhilda's cottage. All our old friends are back also doing the tasks each one can only do. Their are piers and boats and sea debris to remove to access islands to get to which is fun.
One thing I really like about this game is that whilst your production building turn over resources on a timer, if you don't pick them up they still continue to add to the count in front of them. So if you say haven't picked up stone for a while, the number in the icon will be quite high..and that's how many you collect, unlike other games where if you don't pick up, you miss the next production cycle.
There are collectable owls who are tiny but not too hard, and you can go back and get them if you miss them. But you wont know you did until you get a gap in your collection as they are not marked on the map and only show up every few levels. There is the tavern with its mahjong (yawn)..but I guess some like it. Personal taste. There are the regular wallpapers and music etc and three modes of play including relax. (but you cant toggle between them, only play side by side if you like to work things out first) The strategy guide is both numbered and verbal and can be accessed from the 'star' on the main menu screen.
All in all 54 normal levels and 16 bonus, plus achievements and collectables make this CE worthy in my opinion, but try the demo always. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
It’s the Garden Season, whenever you want! Have hours of challenging solitaire fun in the garden!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Clear and easy
PostedApril 25, 2020
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I am coming in late with this review having bought the game and played a couple of sections. I find this one of the most 'easy on the eyes' of the heaps of solitaire games I own
Its not fancy, very basic, but I wanted to come in about the 'wild' cards. I too could not pick up a wild card when I wished to use them. If I had a mix of totally wild cards and some numbered ones in my stash...I had to use my expensive totally wild (though I picked them up free during the game)..ones first BEFORE it would let me start using my numbered wild cards. Bit of a rip, and I wont be happy if that is the case with any totally wild card I buy. The game is easy enough not to have bought any yet.
So..I keep my wild bunch free of cards mostly until I need to buy a single card of numbers and it works fine. Still disappointing enough to take a star off ! I own so many games, but I find this very basic simple no frills one very pleasant to wind down with before sleep. There are no graphic tricks that make it difficult to see the cards and its almost like actually having a regular real deck in your hands.
Please try the demo, but I hope the wild card situation is clear now? The only point I don't like in this game. If you want a huge challenge, this may not be the game for you.
I recommend this game!
Alice heads off on a new time management adventure to face a new foe and save her friends!
Overall rating
5
/
5
67 of 76 found this review helpful
Lots of Fun..fast and smooth
PostedApril 11, 2020
Joybelle_2
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Well I enjoyed the first of this series and I am loving this one too. You cant really call it a 'standard' TM even though it is a gather, trade, upgrade and complete task gameplay, everything is just a little 'curious' in this world that just makes it feel different to everyday TM's
Alice is back and only she can collect imagination needed for some tasks and exchanges, and to speak to the myriad of characters you meet along the way. The tweedles are back doing their share of the tasks, but I really notice they are much speedier in this one, in fact the game moves at a really good pace before any bonuses show up.
You will collect candy from alters and from the factories, wood from the sawmills, gold from the mint..but you will also exchange your goods at imagination bushes, candy shrubs, and tree candy swaps. Alice needs to learn various spells along the way from books she must read. Some give resources..some just allow you to speak to characters or finish your tasks.
The collectables: On each level there are puzzle cups that allow you to complete a jigsaw, and this time a colour palette that when you collect enough you can paint an artwork. If you miss these you can go back after getting your stars and take your time looking for them, as not only are they tiny..they both disappear if you don't grab them quickly! Your best star score will still stay on the level. The only quibble I have is the picture just fills in, and I would have loved to have been able to actually paint it myself.
You will earn your bonuses and powerups in what they call knowledge points (experience)..and the better you do the faster you will get there. Some are just applied, and others pop up again in the also disappearing bonus wheel at the bottom. You get to know what they are. More speed, Candy piles, wood piles and you may need them to complete.
There's plenty to do, the graphics are totally feel good fantasy, and your upgrade and direction strategy is important. So a standard TM with curious features and language, collectables that really are fun to find, and according to the spiel, 12 bonus levels (though don't know the base amount?) art to keep. There is a relax, timed and hard mode and yay..you can skip the dialogue too. Super smooth play and a delight for the eyes. Its going to keep me busy for a while with a smile on my face. Enjoy!.
I recommend this game!
Join the Park Rangers at TWO National Parks, find hidden objects, complete challenging puzzles and spot 100’s of animals!
Overall rating
5
/
5
71 of 81 found this review helpful
You just have to love it
PostedApril 4, 2020
Joybelle_2
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Rarely I give 5 stars when there is not a darn thing new in a series, or there is not great CE value, but I just love these games!
The camera and your photos are here, the puzzles are here, the brilliant graphics are here, the wildlife and the trash collection is here. The shop and the achievements are here. Absolutely nothing has changed.
There only appears to be about 3 extra CE levels to the game which really isn't enough. There is a wildlife book with this one. There is music and wallpapers and some extra puzzles that seem to make up the CE content.
Do I think it is worth the price of a CE..probably not. Why did I give it 5 stars then? Because the game keeps me engrossed for hours on end, because the puzzles are all doable and if you don't like them at least you can skip them
Also because the graphics are delightful and the action is not a walk in the park in the challenge sense (bad pun) and can be a relaxing game or challenging depending on what setting you choose from casual, timed or hardcore. It's simply feel good.
It would be a purely personal decision as to whether you buy this release straight up, wait for a good sale, or wait for the SE. The game itself I love. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Get lost on a tropical match-3 adventure and put your puzzle skills to the test!
Overall rating
1
/
5
49 of 54 found this review helpful
How annoying! Everything!
PostedMarch 31, 2020
Joybelle_2
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Apart from being very sickly sweet, this limited moves (there is a relax) M3 is perhaps one for the kiddies? The graphics are very cutsie and the game is quite generous with the rewards, but nothing will allow me to get over a game that actually stops you winning a level.
Besides being really quite easy, the annoying bit to me was on some levels there are 'time bombs' waiting to blow up and make you fail the level. They count down in various numbers of time. You can remove the very small ones (ready to blow) by using a booster..BUT..sometimes you are ready to knock them out with a 'matching color' tile..AND..the game actually hold you up while they count down telling you that you are 'unbelievable' or 'fantastic' while the timers tick away..and then kapow!
I couldn't find anyway to turn any of this off. The options screen only gives you game mode and sound and music levels. So constantly you will be prompted by the game to make certain moves..forever!
You can buy outfits, decorations and items with your loot...but they take a while. You can up your boosters with the gems you get each time you make a shop purchase. But all in all. This game is not enjoyable at all unless you like lagging, prompting and interruption. One of the worst really IMHO. Give it a wide pass.
I don't recommend this game.
Help the King and his assistants restore peace in the Kingdom.
Overall rating
5
/
5
46 of 50 found this review helpful
Just delightful in every way!
PostedMarch 21, 2020
Joybelle_2
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Well I loved the first one, and I love this one! It is a beautifully designed TM and the graphics are really eye pleasing and fun to work with. You will build and gather, clear and upgrade, banish bad folk and dig stuff just like most standard games. However the features in this one are often centered around a lot of trading and exchange thus adding another level of thought. Even some of the production buildings require a ‘swap ‘ of resources rather than just pumping out the product. (some do)
One of the new features in this game is that the druid that restores withered food bushes (after you build his tent) can also change one building to another if it has an ‘exchange alter’ attached to it. This means you may perhaps have a sawmill..but it can be changed to a quarry and back again etc. So more strategy for you to master.
Another is the bard tent where he gives you speedy boots when you check in is also supplemented with little lightening bolts scattered around and also coming up on alters that whizz you along when you pick them up. You get to decide when you use some..and some are collected within the game design in order to clear the road.
Another is an ‘observation tower’ that reveals hidden resources. This is your best friend lol. Once you activate it all manner of things appear on the screen to grab!, including the auto collect feature that does not wear off. (good one)
There are pirates that have cannons to blow up things, there are leprechauns that trade for gold, hunters that chase monsters and collect gold, gold and crystal mines..lots of stuff to do. If people are ‘frozen’ you must thaw them out by lighting fires.
Try the demo of course, but this is an absolute feel good game that has a great strategy guide with actual hints like ‘don’t bother removing that’ if you want three stars.' Always check your goals carefully as some things don't need to be removed and snavel your resources.
There are three level modes inc relax, and achievements. It starts off quite easy but it does keep ramping up the challenge. It is a CE worthy game but strangely you must wait until completion of the main game to access your wallpapers, music and soundtrack.
Also don’t be worried if on completion of each level your map becomes gigantic , just wait a few seconds and it will recede. Something to do with the ActiveX download it uses. You will be prompted for this and it will check if you have it already or not.
It’s a buy for me for sure! Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The Spellarium series is back with a magical new puzzle adventure and Eric needs your help to restore order to the world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
46 of 49 found this review helpful
Always a winner.
PostedMarch 16, 2020
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have played every M3 this developer has put out. The Spellarium series is my favourite. It a bit like a goldilocks game, not to hard, not too easy...just right!
The game is easily recognisable if you have played others. The tiles are mostly new, but some from recent other games by this developer. There are the usual frozen coins, the cannons, droplets to unfreeze coins or create an explosion in the bottle, the fire, the keys seeking locked coins, and the bonus rockets and dynamite.
One the new features is a 'toggle' switch. Some parts of the board are faded out...and you may need to get to then to finish a level..or to get your keys moving to the coin on the far side. Sometimes you have coins going in different directions and it is challenging to figure out how not to let one upset the other as you use the toggle and they pass in the night. You may clear a path for one but send the other back.
There is also a 'permenant bomb' which requires sometimes an explosion..or 'many' matches next to it to remove it from blocking your path. The usual minigames are there (they never change.. yawn...(Find the difference, cards etc)
The tiles are big and colourful, the challenge is certainly there, although I did notice that if I had to repeat a level whilst getting used to 'how things worked'..the tiles seemed to be kinder to me the second time, and I am sure it was not just my imagination! Many more bonus seemed to fall or appear from nowhere?. See what you think.
So all in all, and old familiar friend with a few new challenges but as always just a lot of fun to play. I don't always give full stars to games that are mostly the 'same', but the developers always change up the board layouts so they are more 'familiar' than the 'same'. Try the demo, and remember this game is about getting rid of coins not necessarily clearing everything on the board. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
A giant creature is causing chaos around the world! Join Dracula as he embarks on an extraordinary quest unlike any he has experienced!
Overall rating
4
/
5
39 of 46 found this review helpful
I wish I could have given an old friend full stars
PostedMarch 10, 2020
Joybelle_2
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I guess most people will be giving the game a 5 star rating, as this series is right up there among the very best as quality games. This one is also, but a few things were just not quite right for me.
Its is standard Drac and the gang racing around, collecting resources, crafting items, appeasing townfolk and this time as the setting is about renegade sea creatures, the mermaids are here of course. (and they have children!) , some really cute (although they are supposed to be nasty) jellyfish, porcupine fish, sea sludge, clams and coral. Even Nessy showed up despite it being salt water. And don't forget the pirates either!
There are the usual sellers of items, and there are lots of other items, springs, hooks, etc for your crafting. but even the penknife was already made and waiting to be picked up..I have always crafted penknives, it felt odd. lol!
There are three modes of play including relaxed. I played in timed casual (not hard)...and that's where I really noticed a difference in the game to usual. It just wasn't as hard. I wont say I wasn't racing the timer to get stuff done, but the resouces just seemed to be at my fingertips. Oh I need a medicine..oh theres one, oh I need some wood...oh lucky I have just finished building the sawmill because its all I could do etc. You can go the wrong way..but I felt kind of led due to not being able to go another way sometimes. I was racing the timer..its as tough as usual, it was just the usual strategy was not there that most of the other games have had.
I had one issue with a little lagging too. I had picked up a clock quite a long time ago and it took a while and several clicks for the character to accept I had it. Some other ones the same. Not drastic but not as smooth as usual either. I also nearly didn't update the BloodDonalds when I could as I had turned the tutorial off...and the upgrade arrow was very hard to see against the background to let me know I was up to that stage.
Maybe because its an SE and there is no strategy guide they may have made it a bit more user friendly, it just depends on the level of challenge you like. I am also not at the end either and may have to eat my words..but the only tough thing so far is the timer not the game.
I do love Drac..its a great little game and for sure I know it will receive some rave reviews, I am just giving it a really good fun game status. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!