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:
Dispel the ominous presence of the Spooky Dwellers!
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 27 found this review helpful
Don't pass this one up
PostedDecember 4, 2022
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
This is a really nifty M3. As well as 3 modes (limited moves, timed and relaxed) it has features some M3's don't always have...the main one that stands out is the light beams to reach the 'spooky dwellers' and get rid of them. You need to clear the field so the beams can get through.
I was glad to see the SE come out...as for various reasons I could not get the CE. (though it offers many more features)..and grabbed this thankfully on sale.
So whichever you choose...CE or SE..it's a fun game and it's good that BFG always release the SE version of their games a few weeks after the CE comes out so we all have access to both prices. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Enjoy story-driven time management in the Wonderland of the past.
Overall rating
5
/
5
35 of 46 found this review helpful
As always...lots of fun and capers
PostedSeptember 24, 2022
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
It would be easy to mark this series down as 'same old' after all this time. But it's not. Whilst the familiar feel of Wonderland and it's characters are here, they have tried to add new features.
The first is instead of paint palettes there is an imp? that pops up and disappears you must click to get your artwork done. And there are many collectables on each level 'chatty flowers' which are shown on the ? third tab bottom right of levels..and these are how you get your puzzle pieces. They will meld together on the right of screen if you have them all.
But what I like is that you can not only change difficulty for each level, but just go back and get your flowers and leave once found. They show on the map too. There is an adventure map which is also artwork as you progress
The story is that Alice is returning to Wonderland, but sleeping sickness has taken over, and the first suspects, the ' sleeping shrooms' are not the ones responsible. So you and doormouse must find the culprit, as no amount of chatting to keep awake works for long. So its light humor shows. And the graphics are colorful indeed and the gameplay very smooth. You also have great choices for able or disable most functions.
Its busy! A great mix of tasks so no boredom. And I often had to go back for my collectables as getting the imp and figuring the gameplay for 'which building'? to do was often all I could manage. I have always loved this series and this one is right up there with the rest. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Battle your way through solitaire challenges to help save the kingdom from ancient beasts!
Overall rating
5
/
5
72 of 80 found this review helpful
This is a special one!
PostedAugust 30, 2022
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
I just LOVE this game. I am not too far into it (only the second chapter), but I have been playing for ages!
Please use the tutorial...with an inflated ego, I skipped over it the first go...and then had NO idea what I was doing. The first levels you have to collect cards that make up to the sum of 13 (8+5, 9+4 J+2 Q+A and K+K)..or just get rid of the kings to the pile.
Once I had mastered this..it became so much fun. And there was a quest with each level to collect shards, which did not even take a perfect game to complete..but you can carry on when it says 'task complete'
The second chapter is totally different gameplay..one up one down..but quests for perfect games, or herbs to collect.
Money is hard to come by, and therefore the 'shop' very expensive, but I have already 'earned' a bonus from completing level 1...so hoping for 'stuff' at the end of each one?
There are some lovely decks to choose from, all great graphics. I am sure if I know this developer there will be HEAPS of levels, and lots of variants of play along the way too. Be kind to yourself and get used to the various ins and outs.
Money is hard to come by, and therefore the 'shop' very expensive, but I have already 'earned' a bonus from completing level 1...so hoping for 'stuff' at the end of each one?
There are some lovely decks to choose from, all great graphics. I am sure if I know this developer there will be HEAPS of levels, and lots of variants of play along the way too. Be kind to yourself and get used to the various ins and outs.
Very happy to have it on my desktop, really makes me think..not just mindless swaps. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Your hometown needs your help building a fabulous World’s Fair!
Overall rating
5
/
5
73 of 83 found this review helpful
Nearly lost me...then got me back
PostedAugust 25, 2022
Joybelle_2
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I got a little worried that one of my favourite series had hit the point of becoming 'same old'. And I really did find the first ten levels such, and very easy. (playing in timed normal)..there is a ' hard and relax' choice.
But after I got past those introductory levels there was some novel features making me think and keeping me very busy. One of my most enjoyable new tasks was having to actually drag settlers (at a price)..out of the saloon to make up numbers. There are also a lot of fires, and your well needs lots of visits, as it not only puts out fires..but those settlers need to go to another storage which needs top up regularly, so they can water trees to supply wood.
I also had to build a ferris wheel, which required several builds to complete and found myself in a very urban environment. I wish there were more attractions more often I must admit, but you do get to build the 'fair' with your earned stars outside gameplay.
Bonuses for discounts are automatically applied as you work through the levels. There is the shoot 'em up every ten levels, and I do find the graphics on this make me smile..kinda colorful sweet bandits lol. The collectable owls are still 'wanted', and one thing I do like about this series is you can access the level guides during play, and even then if you do miss one..you can just go back and get it..then leave.
So there is much of the same familiar stuff, repair stations, ports, buy workers, trade with merchants, cut trees etc, and I also admit I miss my Indians and their teepees, but I can't mark down for a developer who is attempting something else. I am probably sitting on 4.5 stars. The game itself is a very good quality TM. Always try the demo..but it is keeping me hooked and giving me things to think about. Enjoy!
Help Celene save the elven race from a terrible threat!
Overall rating
5
/
5
59 of 73 found this review helpful
A great little game...seems to remind me of something
PostedAugust 6, 2022
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
4
/
5
This is a fast paced quality TM. It moves fast and smooth and has lots of tasks and strategy to keep you on your toes.
There are morphing pallettes to collect with which you complete artwork when you have clicked and collected enough. It has brothers who look like tweedle dee and dum, it has collectables to complete a jigsaw puzzle, and a magical feeling to it.
Does this remind you of a series we have loved in the past under another name? Well it should..it is identical to those games and the artwork would show you that immediately. It's a 'Wonderland' lol.
A new feature in this game is however...not static teacups to collect...but several 'morphing animals' in each scene (sometimes up to six) to keep an eye out for as they appear and disappear. They show on a side bar you need a full compliment of to get your puzzle piece, and they show on your map too that the levels have been completed. They also show on the strategy guide (the ?) if you click through where they will actually appear.
There are the usual production buildings for wood and food etc and upgrades. I did have to repeat an early level as I needed all of one type of building on the screen to make it and had not built that combination. So there is strategy straight away. This game is a lot of fun and if you liked similar games you will like this too. Enjoy!
Guide the Rescue Team to save your city from disaster!
Overall rating
4
/
5
36 of 40 found this review helpful
Wowser...a sharp learning curve!
PostedMay 28, 2022
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I almost don't know where to start lol. This is not the Rescue Team we have been used to. I have spent quite a few hours getting to just know my way around. I think this probably as I get more and more used it will be a FIVE star game, but for now it's just so complicated that there is a bit of stress going on.
When I first started I felt lost and then realised...there is a base where you must first build your training centre or building to get ready for the next level coming up. After that you click the 'radar' in the bottom right where your next mission will be visible (and hopefully your rescuers trained)
On this there is also an 'archive' tab. That is where you will find levels you have done and can try again if you want full stars.
On this there is also an 'archive' tab. That is where you will find levels you have done and can try again if you want full stars.
I have only done three levels in timed..mainly because they are so long (and I am still not sure how you know if you are on track or not?). But I am also beginning to think it is quite fabulous in it's own right. I am just not comfortable yet.
It is now up to you to choose which buildings you wish to build in order to complete your mission, and they must all have an electricity supply. (It can let you build or repair only to find out there is no power)...meaning you can either demolish an old building and put it there in the breadth a station you already have that can reach it..or build another power station. (I found I had to build a couple by level 3) and demolish other buildings to get extra banks or burgers etc. You work it out just like the old games if one resource is lagging. I just built another bank or burger if I needed money to purchase or burgers to move along.
You also have to hire workers in order to even get some buildings up..they will only be offered if you have enough hero's on the payroll.
It's complicated, its immersive, and an hour or two had just flown by before I knew it. The only thing I struggled with was how small the screen got in order to get a full view, and I could not see the animals I needed to rescue unless I scrolled it to large and moved around to find them. On one level I missed my full stars because I just could not find the last animal to rescue.
So give it a go. It's not a standard TM. It's a new kid on the block. I remember a certain Spanish building 'trilogy' I once had to learn...and then I loved it forever! So do try the demo. You can also toggle in this from timed to relaxed without losing progress to repeat a level...but not sure if you still get stars? Give it a chance...don't attempt it if you are not able to sit for a while with it...and see how you go. I think it will be a winner in the end. Enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Who is the mysterious ally supporting the Roman soldiers?
Overall rating
5
/
5
84 of 93 found this review helpful
So worth getting the Collectors Edition!
PostedMay 19, 2022
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game and it's developer never fail to come up with quality games. This is quite similiar to the first 'Portals', but it does have a few new features (types of mechanisms), and as I have not played a long way in, I am sure there will be more.
It was a shock with the first of this series that the resource buildings only gave a small amount of goods compared with other games by the developer, but you soon get used to it, and if anything it does make you rush to build your buildings to make sure you get enough stock in time. There is lots of strategy and if you go the right way, the game moves along at a good pace. If it does not..it's almost telling you 'are you sure you are on the right path first?'
There are 4 levels of play, relax, easy, normal and hard. And plenty of bonuses like other workers and speed. There is a bar on the right that shows you how many hidden objects there are on a level and what they look like, and closes when you have them all.
Why it is worth getting the CE is though there is only 8 extra levels.... the absolute lack of frustration is wonderful. The 'extras' tab on the main menu not only shows you where the hidden objects are once you complete a level, it has onboard walkthrough videos. You can choose when to peep, and with the video you don't have to leave the game and go to another site to get a walkthrough. So you have very convenient control.
All games in the Roads of Rome series have been great and Portals is like a familiar friend with a few tweaks. Try the demo. To me it is yet another great quality game. (P.S..the animals are very cute if you click them) Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Can Claire survive the strange world inside the Mysterious Book?
Overall rating
4
/
5
49 of 53 found this review helpful
What a surprise...this game has had a 'series' makeover
PostedMay 5, 2022
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Well I was pleasantly surprised that this game has finally had a good makeover and dragged the series into the expectations of today's games.
It runs really smoothly, you do need strategy, and the graphics have come a long way from previous games. There are 60 levels on the CE, so I suspect the SE will only have 50.? There is a numbered and written strategy guide, music and art as extras. There are achievments and collectables.
You do have to watch how you play, and occasionally I had to hold back, as depending where you get your resources from you may either pay for them or they are free. You can find yourself using all your food just picking up wood if you go to the wrong source.
There are collectables on all levels and they show on the map exactly which one you are looking for. They are also marked on the strategy guide with an exclamation mark !. But the guide is so tiny you may need your specs on to see it clearly lol. This is one reason not full stars for this game.
The other reason is that you cannot skip the opening dialogue on each level, but it does not go for too long. But if you like TM's this game is well worth the purchase. Perhaps not 'top of the tree' like some, but a worthwhile offering indeed. Its pretty much the same style as the others in this series, with open gardens, resource buildings etc, and in this one there are gates that require you standing on buttons or pushing levers (at a cost)..to complete the level or grab a resource.
There are also performance bonuses.. as you proceed, and I got my 'speedy' boots quite early on
All in all a good little game with all the bells and whistles you need, just a couple of small negatives. I am thrilled this developer has made an effort here. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Set off on an adventure in the name of love!
Overall rating
5
/
5
74 of 80 found this review helpful
They just keep making winners!
PostedApril 28, 2022
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
Somehow this developer just always gives this, my favorite TM series just enough mix of old and new to always come up with a winning combination and a totally fun game where strategy is king.
All our old friends are here, John fighting foes, Mary casting spells, max the dog giving baddies a hard time and clearing the noxious weeds...and gremlin, who has extra duties this time. He has taken up fishing too as well as crafting things in the workshop.
This one is full of strategy, and I am glad I have the CE strategy guide which I had to peek at quite early on..go the wrong way...you will repeat. There are many new features, magic brooms needing gold, trees that drop acorns that need food to collect, sludge pools needing wood etc. One of the main new features are the warehouses which are just stocked with free resources. Sometimes I would feel stuck, but had not adjusted my eyes yet to recognize the structures. The graphics are very cute.
But there are all the familiar features like gold bearing trees, manna bridges, skeletons, and the treants etc. I am loving it...three modes as usual, normal timed, relaxed and hard.
There are minigames every so many levels, the puzzle peices which are marked on the level map..and if you miss it..they are on the strategy guide, and you can just go pick it up and leave.
There are an extra 17 levels as the CE bonus content. Nothing alarmingly new that means you are not immersed in a totally familiar game, but gosh you must be on your toes here...its a busy one! Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Build your dream town on a tropical island!
Overall rating
5
/
5
90 of 97 found this review helpful
A Real Delight! Loads of fun and strategy.
PostedApril 2, 2022
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
4
/
5
Hooray...a classic TM that is just so enjoyable to play. Totally filled with strategy, feel good graphics and plenty of variety.
It has everything you would expect from a TM and does include a strategy guide along with wallpapers and art and achievements. It really reminds me of the old Royal Envoy games. Upgrade buildings, chop down trees, hire workers, gather resources to pay off or feed things that stand in your way.. and really just lots of fun.
There is also a jigsaw to complete and the pieces are found in barrels marked on the strategy guide. If you miss one it is marked on the level to show you.
I gave this five stars because strategy is tops in this game..I have had to consult the strategy guide a couple of times on just the low levels...but it does get easier as you work out the style and what's important to upgrade first etc. There is a relax, normal and expert mode to choose from.
I have only one small niggle and that is that you must return to the menu to access the strategy guide, but in the scheme of things..no big deal. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!