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:
Follow an up-and-coming agrarian on the adventure of a lifetime!
Overall rating
3
/
5
90 of 90 found this review helpful
Its a 50/50 split...some good, some bad
PostedSeptember 4, 2021
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is a great improvement on the first offering. However I feel it still needs quite a bit of tweaking to make an outstanding or really fun game. Some elements are great and some just plain painful lol.
The graphics are good, and its a straightforward gather, produce, and make money TM. You are able to switch on any level without losing progress to relaxed from timed, and there are boosters to help you along. There is a strategy guide and music extras. Sounds fine..but some of these features really need improvement. The game to me also totally lacks the warmth of any 'characters' you can connect with.
So firstly the strategy guide..very basic, no hints on upgrading, and whilst there are jigsaw puzzle pieces...they are not marked on the guide and I had to go back after finishing nearly every level to find it. They do show on the map once you have got it. The second time in..it seemed more visable, and you can leave once you find it. But very difficult to see..and annoying having to start every level again.
There are boosters you can buy with your stars that speed things up or make things cheaper..but they only last for 30 minutes. Then you need to buy again. And a warning...I bought more than one for a task at first...and they all showed up...and I had wasted them. One at a time was not explained.
There are achievements ..and they are ok..mainly how much you have gathered or built. I found this game has all the makings of what could have been good, but I also found on timed it got way too difficult, way too soon. On some levels I just could not see a way to complete in timed and that spoilt it for me. (we need an 'easy' obviously lol)
It has all the bells and whistles..it looks good, the tasks are varied but I found the upgrading and having to keep buying upgrades constantly, and figuring out where to spread my money more of a headache than fun. It just needs small tweaks, and if you play in relaxed you may in fact find it quite fascinating. Is it worthy as a CE? Well the strategy guide does not come into play...the 15 extra levels may help..but in all if it had not been a BOGO weekend I would be waiting for the SE.
Nothing so wrong that the game is awful, but nothing overly exciting and the difficulty needs a midway point. Its one of those games that "almost' really pleases. Try the demo and see what you think. I find it a bit of a shame that its so close but not enough. If you play in relaxed mode..I recommend this game, but for timed just too much to cope with.
Only Hermes can close the Gates of Hell and save the world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
29 of 31 found this review helpful
Classic TM fun...a few new features
PostedAugust 21, 2021
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
This is a fabulous series! And this one continues it's good reputation. It is a very classic gather, banish, upgrade, demolish type TM...but very user friendly, moves smoothly, and mixes the tasks up continually.
It has three modes, novice, expert and relax and it has a both numbered and written strategy guide. You get some bonuses to improve and speed things up from earning points as you play the levels that build a city of the gods and give you these. (you dont need to stay there while they build, you can go back to the game..but they are a bit quicker in this one anyway)
One new introduction however on the onscreen bar bonus was some of the new characters. 'Lost souls' who can keep it powered up. These are also sometimes part of the level goal. (I had to repeat an early level not from game play, but because I could not see one of them!) They appear briefly, then disappear ..and you must click on them when you see them or you will be waiting for the to reappear for a bit. They are fairly hidden and blend into the scenery. I also received deliveries from Olympus via a chariot that dropped well needed resources on some levels too.
And I must not forget the 'devourer' who sat on my olive grove eating my stock until I got the store up and bought what was needed to banish the blighter! lol. There are a lot of familiar features from other episodes...building alters, asking the gods for help with a general task list. But it's a really feel good game. Starts of so easy...then ramps up quickly.
Is it worth the CE? There are 50 regular levels and 15 bonus levels, collectables, the strategy guide, wallpapers and soundtrack. So yes, I think it passes the test. But as a TM tragic I find this one of my favourite to play and would never pass it over. Bright graphics..good storyline (you can skip if you want)..and just a totally enjoyable mix of strategy and fun. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
In the debut release of Big Adventure: Trip to Europe, tour 10 amazing countries while you find hidden objects and complete challenging minigames!
Overall rating
4
/
5
44 of 57 found this review helpful
Almost 5 stars...just missed!
PostedAugust 4, 2021
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
Well this is another 'Adventure' ...its not a big city one..its not a trip..but it is almost a total copy of one of our favourite HOG series!
You will search for trash, hidden areas that sparkle, items that are hidden within others and silhouette shapes beside the trash. There is also a giant sized raccoon to collect on each level
I was impressed (if you can be with a game that mimics another?)...but then I got to the minigames. I not only found them difficult to complete, and just as it goes... had a time countdown to wait to skip...but the solution was never presented! So I didn't get to see what I should have done had I been smarter. There was also not just one sometimes...but several in a row ..when all I wanted to do was get back to the hidden object scenes.
Its a good little game..even if its not an original composition..but it still needs to get the minigames under control. The graphics are good quality and the dialogue on each scene a little long although they do relate some European facts too. So try the demo...as a stand alone game its pretty good. Just not good enough for full stars. More imitation finesse needed lol. Enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Join Catherine Ragnor’s adventure with the Flying Dutchman help her retrieve the three legendary treasures in this high-seas match-3 adventure!
Overall rating
2
/
5
37 of 52 found this review helpful
When is a timer not a timer? When it doesn't move with any challenge.
PostedAugust 2, 2021
Joybelle_2
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
For a long time we have been asking this dev to provide a timer with their games that in fact have lots of features and things to do. But if the timer moves at a snails pace..and is constantly pumped up by making matches...that's not really a timer!
Putting a timer on a game is in fact a skill...it requires testing by players and average times worked out...and in general...some more work and finesse to provide it. Not just putting one on for appearances. It was so slow, I even created a second profile just to make sure I had not agreed to a 'relaxed' game!
So once again it is a pass for me on what probably could be seen as as an ok game. But this one also seemed to run so very slowly? There is a feature of battling with another ship to get treasure which was quite fun...but then I also realised there was not much pattern to where things landed even hitting the same level of timer on the bar? I also really enjoy games where you build cities or islands etc. And this was probably the only part of the game I found up to par. Quite nice.
If you just like moving slow tiles, being offered a pretend timer, too many bonuses up front it's fine. For those who also in the past have enjoyed this dev's games and like a relaxed (boring)...pace. This one will probably appeal to you. I am sorry I just don't understand where the fun is? But we all have different needs so try the demo. I am actually a little insulted no proper effort was put to the timer issue.
I don't recommend this game.
When a dark force threatens the realms, heroic Vikings must rise!
Overall rating
5
/
5
55 of 61 found this review helpful
Nice game...good challenge.
PostedJuly 24, 2021
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game just scraped in for 5 stars as I didn't really come across any exciting new features, rather just familiar features wearing new outfits. However it also has great colourful and warm graphics, a good strategy guide, collectables, wallpaper achievements and 50 main levels and 15 extra as CE.
I am playing in timed normal..and finding even on low levels I am having to repeat sometimes although mostly it is just getting used to what's required to be rid of some enemies or what swallows my resources savagely, rather than a too tough timer. There is relax and hard mode too.
I found the first few levels a little dull, but once I got to the prehistoric levels..I loved it. Raptors that take lots of attacks to actually be rid of them..and they jump position and block what you think you have cleared. (this is an old feature from these devs in the form of a new enemy lol) It makes it really challenging. There are chests, and road clearing, wells, gems, food, gold etc and our familiar heroes all needing you to build their house for each task only they can do.
There is a numbered and written strategy guide...and at first I was really miffed and ready to slash stars as the collectable owls are not circled on either the map nor the SG! But then I realised the first words on each level guide tells you if 'there is an owl on this level'...so if you miss one at least you have some idea where it is. However I just think it would not have been too hard to at least mark them on the map so you dont have to check the guide to see if there is one on a level each time!? And without them being circled..you still may not find them anyway!
As I said it just scraped in for 5 stars as there was nothing greatly new, and the owls gave me anxiety lol...but then the gameplay is just so fun I couldn't penalise. Old friends...familiar gameplay, and great graphics..plenty of levels. So whilst there are some annoyances...the gameplay is so enjoyable....I recommend it. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
A mysterious portal spells trouble for a lost squad of Roman soldiers!
Overall rating
5
/
5
107 of 119 found this review helpful
WHOO HOO...these Dev's never dissapoint.
PostedJuly 15, 2021
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I adore the games in this series and what these developers give us constantly. With this one..think Britons...think New Generation..and mix them up.
It is almost an old familiar friend but a little dressed up in some areas. Not exactly new features but tweeking of some. Instead of a numbered or written strategy guide...there is 'autoplay' and they are video walkthroughs. You need to go to the extras tab...and scroll down to find them.
There is also a 'cache' guide for your hidden object that show rainbows if you mouse over them, but you must play the level first to access the 'cheat' guide. And if you do go back for them, you can't just leave..you must repeat the whole level.
It is such an enjoyable game, and in this one a bit of a laugh as the 'enemy' so far are rats..and who knew..they are destroyed by beer after you build your barracks lol !
There are the usual food, gold, wood buildings and altars, and the usual bonuses, (extra worker, speedy boots etc) that either appear on the road or on the bonus bar.
There are the usual food, gold, wood buildings and altars, and the usual bonuses, (extra worker, speedy boots etc) that either appear on the road or on the bonus bar.
There is a relax as well as easy, hard and multiclick mode. I have learnt with this series in the past that timed easy is plenty hard enough for me...as they start off tame, and get quite difficult and you cant toggle.
So if you are a TM tragic like me you will love the quality of this game even though it takes a little getting used to what you are actually doing! My reference for games...I am grinning as I play. Do try the demo and make sure it plays, I did get a security warning I had to clear on first download? Also that it plays on your particular computer. But then..Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Join Morgan and Jack to solve unusual cases around London that lead them to a dark conspiracy in this match-3 mystery!
Overall rating
3
/
5
38 of 54 found this review helpful
Just when you thought they had listened. No Timer again!
PostedJuly 14, 2021
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
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is a quite nice, visually attractive M3. But I simply cannot see the value of playing this genre without the challenge of a timer or limited moves. I don't want to just sit there moving tiles around for the heck of it?
These developers did put a timer on their last offering..and I bought it. This one will be a pass again, it seems they were not listening after all?
Nice tiles, smooth action, decent story, multiple profiles and if you are a player that only plays in relax this will be a good offering for you. For those who need the joy of a challenge and I suspect the majority of people do expect multiple modes in this genre...forget it.
Bring your match-making skills to this bright and colorful puzzle game filled with fun challenges!
Overall rating
3
/
5
29 of 33 found this review helpful
This is probably a good game..but I have no idea what I am doing!
PostedJuly 7, 2021
Joybelle_2
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
From the developers of 'dig the ground' comes a very alike game except this is a regular M3 and not a 'chain match 3' The aim of the game is the same...clear a path of liquid to the squares containing vials in this case. (each game has a different theme trapped in the boxes)
It is essential that you read the tutorial box marked with a '?' up top...to have any idea what removes what. However having said that..each time I thought I had understood (as in previous games)...it seemed I was wrong and the game decided how many matches I had made? What worked one time to lower the number of matches suddenly didn't work the next time. So I just kept plunking away ...creating as many adjacent matches, colour matches and explosions...for what seemed like an extraordinary time until I could move on.
And having said that...is there a timer on this game?? To me it seems not...had I spent so long on each level as I do on this one in other games...l would have timed out each time..not so here. So I DO find it all a bit confusing...wheras past offerings I just found tough to win.
I also noticed in the instructions that if you use the hammer provided to smash a tile...you will not get the reward for the level...so what's the use of it?? Talk about read the fine print!
Try the demo..see if you are more capable of working out all the mechanics...and I guess it is probably a pretty good game. One small hint, I found most times is it was quicker to get rid of tiles on the other side of the screen or some obstructions than your immediate pathway to clear a way through. So to me...probably an ok game that I personally can't get a good handle on...but am winning...because it does not seem to time out on me? So if you just like clearing paths and making bombs...this will be for you. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
Can you keep your first solo detective case from becoming your last?
Overall rating
5
/
5
47 of 51 found this review helpful
A superb intricate hybrid TM!
PostedJuly 3, 2021
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
If you are a TM buff I think you are going to love this game, not only for its smooth gameplay and great graphics, but also the reminders of so many games you have played sometime lol. We have a bunch of Riddley looking detectives, we have dynamite that will explode if you don't disarm it in time, and we have a wonderland of building choices, and collectables.
Whilst the buildings are still a bit cartoon like, the background graphics make you think you are playing within a hidden object game, and on each level there are detective badges that give you jigsaw puzzle pieces (and they show on the map)..and disappearing palettes to grab for artwork stored in the folder at the bottom of the screen.
There are so many choices in this game, including 3 modes of play..and hooray..you can toggle! If it gets too much in timed you can just replay in relax to move on. You can totally disable the dialogue or just skip it level by level. There are the usual TM objects, upgradable buildings, factories, carts, coins, and food and store pantries ..but there are also 'insight books' that can be traded at the 'buildings' for the resource you need. I started playing in timed..but toggled a few times just to wrap my head around the very intricate choices! There is a choice of bonuses on a wheel.
There is a good numbered strategy guide, that even tells you the best bonus to use, and if you work along the buttons shows where the puzzle pieces are too.
I am so impressed by this game. If you love TM I think you will not only enjoy the game for what it is, which is really a mystery to solve...but also the reminders of games you have loved before too. But always try the demo first. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
A careless accident causes big problems when Hercules breaks time itself!
Overall rating
5
/
5
32 of 34 found this review helpful
A better offering than the last few.
PostedJuly 1, 2021
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
I have not been able to give full stars to the last few games in this series. They are good, but either too hectic, or too many button bonuses on the ground and hard slog rather than strategy.
This game has gone a bit more old style. Its quite strategic in that on each level you really must look at your goals and not be distracted by paths or resources that won't help you achieve those. On most levels there is often a lot of resources you must just ignore to beat the timer. (And this game is all about time lol)
There are still a few niggles, but not enough for me to penalise, the guide is still silly blue arrows you must follow if you do need to consult the guide. (that's not really ok with me)..and there are flags that show you where the puzzle pieces are placed around. I must say I cant object to that as I still struggled a couple of times to find them. One time I had to destroy some scenery to find it. (yes the skyrocket animals and disappearing flowers and items are there to amuse those who like to blow things away) But at least they occasionally serve a purpose in this.
All in all the game seems to have nothing I haven't seen before..go down the pit...upgrade buildings, free the heroes..free the prisoners to get workers...gather resources...but it is a lot more fun without trying to put too many bells and whistles in the gameplay as has been done of late. And the scenery is pleasant and not too junked up. There are still bonus buttons on the ground as well as the side bar...but not as many. There is relax, casual and Expert modes.
So really...an old friend returns really. There are 50 regular levels and each of the five worlds has a bonus game if you collect all the puzzle pieces and do the jigsaw. Do try the demo, make sure it plays on your machine, but It does seem more old style so perhaps all will be in luck no matter what size 'bit' machine they are running? I am enjoying it...I hope you do too.
I recommend this game!