merlinarcane's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.7
- Helpful Votes:1,393
- Reviews Submitted:47
- First Review:December 10, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 18, 2015
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The long-awaited sequel to Burger Rush is here! Help Heidi open her own cooking school to create flavorful dishes in this Match 3 mix.
Overall rating
5
/
5
44 of 55 found this review helpful
Fun and Challenging Mixture of Match 3 and TM
PostedFebruary 8, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
The idea is not unique: serve the meals that the customers want through Match 3 on timed levels; however, the challenges and format are pretty great for such a small file game. Within each of the levels, there are seondary challenges to be met for extra points and money. What makes the game fun and challenging is how to go about doing it and developing a bit of strategy. The graphics and music are great and the characters (customers) are too humorous - from the workmen to the opera singers! Their reactions and motions are amusing, as are their comments! You get through the game through completing different levels (either regular or arcade mode). You can upgrade your food products and equipment to gain extra money, buy recipes for the different types of restaurants (American, Chinese, Italian, etc.), buy music to play within the levels to help calm the customers, and much more! I've returned to this game many times and have thoroughly enjoyed it each time. Another unique feature is that you can replay the game and keep the recipes and upgrades from previous games to improve your score and restaurants; also, there's a High Scores board (missing from a lot of games)! It's a great little game!
I recommend this game!
Concoct mouthwatering recipes in a global adventure incorporating your best hidden object and time management skills.
Overall rating
5
/
5
108 of 120 found this review helpful
Great TM Way to Cook Around the World
PostedFebruary 5, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I bought this game since it was a different way to go through a combination arcade, hidden object, and time management game. I usually find that the action/arcades games are too demanding and stressful on the point and click or drag action for each level; I tend to just give up and never return to the game again. This game, although it has timed levels, is not really like that at all. The game has around-the-world locations with you as "chef"-testant with famous chefs (and you are not, of course!), all of whom want to win the Chef of the Year Award. As you go through each level, you cook the dishes for the judges by clicking on the ingredients and cooking them in the correct apparatus. Your success is dependent on how many you can push through during the given time. It's also nice that, once the time is up, you can finish the dishes of the characters already on screen. The characters and their interactions with you are great little scenarios between levels -- filled with humor and puns. These scenes also set up the storyline for the game. I liked the way that this game had a lot of minigames between levels, gave out trophies and awards, and provided upgrades of equipment depending on how you did on the levels. It's a nice little game that you can win and achieve all awards/rewards as well. Although it's not important to me, there are recipes that you can print and actually use for each of the levels. All in all, I like this game and have returned to it many times.
I recommend this game!
Relax and Refresh in Sally’s Spa and melt away the stress by giving your customers Facials, Hot Stones Massages and much more!
Overall rating
5
/
5
171 of 198 found this review helpful
Great Little TM Game!
PostedFebruary 2, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Current Favorite:
Supermarket Mania ® 2
(19)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I was tempted not to even bother with the game, since it seems to be such a small file game; however, as with others of this series, this is really a great game! With 50 levels involving 10 spa locations, the goals of each location are achievable in three modes: reached, expert, perfect. The miniskills games that are part of each service that you provide in the spas are cute and different. The concept of the game is to develop the spa locations by buying upgrades or hiring personnel to help you along. One of the unexpected goodies of the game is a "side" challenge of developing not only the spas but yourself as a retail magnate of salon products. Gaining expertise and promotions based on how well you can figure out which products to sell is a bonus for the fun of the game. The game has great graphics and a sense of humor about its characters and their actions and reactions. I highly recommend this game and the other two in the series; they're all high quality fun and can be won and/or completed without being a mouse-clicking maniac dragging characters all over the screen!
I recommend this game!
Join Sally as she travels the world helping people feel their best! Warm up on the beach, find balance at a retreat and lots more!
Overall rating
5
/
5
61 of 62 found this review helpful
Great Little TM Game
PostedJanuary 30, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
At first I thought that such a small file game wouldn't have much to offer - wrong - there are 50 levels! The graphics and ease of movement of the cursor are definitley pluses for the game. Going through each level of the game is pretty easy at first, but things get a little hectic once things get rolling. You are tasked with providing services in your salon for all different types of clients who have different patience levels. Adjusting for patience levels depends on how fast you can upgrade your equipment and hire staffers to do specific tasks. Even though you hire others, you still, however, have to do part of the service yourself -- and that's what's fun about the game. You're not just dragging people around the screen and clicking like a maniac to get people to their next station; there are little miniskills games to accomplish that! There are trophies to be won, but there is no score board at the end to record whose score was the best and so on. All in all, I really like the game and was enticed to buy others of this series!
I recommend this game!
As the entrepreneur, it is up to you to build a thriving potion empire and climb the ranks of the Fairy Godmothers operation.
Overall rating
5
/
5
35 of 39 found this review helpful
Great Way to Buy and Sell Potions!
PostedJanuary 25, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game has so many nice features to it. One of the most impressive is its storyline and the gameplay. Your basic challenge throughout the game is to beat out your competition in various villages by selling the potions, buying the ingredients, and upgrading your stores. Although it's a time management game, it's not stressful nor impossible to win! The characters and comments on how you're doing each day are amusing and relaxing. You can also get a few good chuckles on the puns that are used in the scenes between the levels. The Fairy Godmother and her cast of characters are a real hoot! I think you'll enjoy the great graphics and the ease of playing the game (with just a touch of strategy). It's a great game for all ages!
I recommend this game!
Help the enterprising Lavender expand her all-natural, personal care business in this awesomely organic Time Management game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
Relaxing TM Game
PostedJanuary 21, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is my favorite type of TM game! Becoming a mogul of organic beauty products is a different take on things. You get to travel the world to discover new locations, buy ingredients, develop products, and then sell for profit! I like the way that the "laptop" keeps track of the recipes and products so that you don't have to write things down. The mini games styled in a match 3 mode are a great way to develop the product lines. Filling the orders and setting up your factories get increasingly more difficult as the game goes on, but it never gets so hard that you can't be successful. I would recommend this game to anyone who likes games of setting up factories, developing products, and trading goods. The only drawback to the game, if it really is one, is that the graphics are not as highy defined as in some other games. Overall, it's a great game that you can spend hours on and then play over and over again!
I recommend this game!
Rare Treasures: Dinnerware Trading Company
You’ve inherited the Cavendish heirloom china company! Design rare china patterns from around the globe to rebuild the company.
Overall rating
5
/
5
23 of 27 found this review helpful
A Great TM Game
PostedJanuary 15, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Similar to the Chocolatier and Winemaker games, this one builds on how to make china. The best thing about this is that it is not timed; you can go at your own speed. Figuring out how to design and produce the china is one of the most engaging things about the game. You still have to go through setting up the production as you did in the other games.
Supplies and missions are found globally when you are tasked to go around the world in order to fill your orders. Making money and china are relatively easy to do. I like this game and find it relaxing and yet somewhat strategy driven. Taking the time to read about the various china designs and why they're produced in certain countries is also intriguing and educational. I highly recommend this game if you liked Chocolatier or Winemaker games!
Supplies and missions are found globally when you are tasked to go around the world in order to fill your orders. Making money and china are relatively easy to do. I like this game and find it relaxing and yet somewhat strategy driven. Taking the time to read about the various china designs and why they're produced in certain countries is also intriguing and educational. I highly recommend this game if you liked Chocolatier or Winemaker games!
I recommend this game!
Embark on a wild Match 3 adventure and revive a once majestic island while uncovering the secrets of a lost civilization!
Overall rating
5
/
5
48 of 50 found this review helpful
Great Game!
PostedJanuary 12, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I get why others like this game so much. It's totally different from what I had expected from a match 3. The graphics are superb and the storyline is catchy and tight. I like that you can decide to play either timed or untimed levels, which is good if you're new to the game. Setting the difficulty level lets you see just how beautiful the backgrounds are for the puzzles. The mini puzzles are fun and easy to do, once you get the hang of them. I also like the intuitive nature of figuring out just what the game wants you to do, rather than having to go through a tedious tutorial when it's really not necessary. A unique feature of the game is the explanation of the "wildlife" that you discover so that you get to know the environment of each area. Thumbs up for this one! It's a keeper - plus you don't go nuts trying to fast click on everything. I heartily recommend this one!
I recommend this game!
After disaster strikes during a stormy night, you once again face the difficult task of rebuilding your village and farm!
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 32 found this review helpful
Farming Done Differently
PostedJanuary 12, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This was my first try at the Youda games, and I did not really get taken by it. I found the graphics a bit primitive and the storyline not very intriguing. I tend to like the TM games that have higher graphics and more challenge to them. I only lasted about 20 minutes into the trial and cannot say if there were any mini games or trophies or awards within the game. I didn't find the game obnoxious or annoying; I just didn't like the graphics and how you were supposed to do the tasks within the levels.
I don't recommend this game.
You’ve been given the opportunity to prove your mall construction prowess! Entice customers to visit your mall in Mall-A-Palooza!
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 16 found this review helpful
Create a Mall Twin
PostedJanuary 10, 2012
merlinarcane
fromAugusta, ME
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Current Favorite:
Chocolatier 3: Decadence by Design
(37)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game is the same as Create a Mall! I would highly recommend this game to anyone who likes easy TM games that involve building a mall and enticing shoppers! Game play is simple and intuitive. I was relatively disappointed that the game isn't an original and doesn't improve on the original game.
I recommend this game!