thistle809's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:1,210
- Reviews Submitted:30
- First Review:December 15, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 18, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Find collectible cards and customize your own deck.
Overall rating
5
/
5
10 of 13 found this review helpful
Lighthearted, non-scary fun!
PostedMarch 18, 2019
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based only on playing the Demo.
This is a wonderful, not-at-all-scary, fun game that anyone, of almost any age can enjoy. The story unfolds as Violeta explains in short monologues what the problem is and how you can help.
It is the "one-up or one-down" format. There are nice little "boosters" that will appear as the cards are dealt and some can be tucked away for use at a later time and some are activated when you click on them on the playing "field". You earn golden coins as you play which help buy decorative items for the cemetery or purchases of "boosters". Each level has three hands to be played and if you have to "Give Up" (not clear the board) at the end of a hand, you will need to replay. The only time I had to replay during the demo, I failed on the last (third) hand of the level and discovered that I needed to replay all three hands. That was not a problem, because the game is not the most difficult, it appears. The graphics are simple and very colorful. The music is quite pleasant and appealing. This is not a frustrating, tear-your-hair-out type of solitaire game; it is relaxing, fun and easy to understand. Probably anyone from six to one hundred and six will find this a good way to wind down and get a few giggles.
I'm off to make my purchase.
I recommend this game!
The prince has been turned into a dragon and it’s up to you to reverse the damages in this fun match 3 adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 24 found this review helpful
"Relaxed" Mode still limits time - Not Good for the Fun Factor
PostedAugust 19, 2018
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review based solely on Demo.
I usually love games from this developer, but on this one, I seem to have a different concept of what a "Relaxed" Mode should be. When I see "Relaxed" as an option for the playing modes, I think of unlimited moves and time. I play games like this to relieve stress, not increase it. I think options for limited moves and/or time are wonderful for those who wish to play that way, but a "Relaxed" mode should remove those constraints. With this game, you still have a timer to beat and although there was no problem in the levels I played in the demo, I will not be purchasing this game because I want no timer to contend with as the challenges become more difficult in higher levels.
The story is imaginative and fun and the music is bright and appropriate. The graphics are clear, simple and bright. There are good explanations and instructions. The dialogue is short, helpful and printed. Actual gameplay was smooth and easy. There is a nice sense of achievement as you earn the necessary resources to build and upgrade structures for the town.
If the "Relaxed" mode was truly relaxed, I would have given this five stars and purchased it at the end of the demo.
I don't recommend this game.
A portal has opened, and dark magic is pouring through! Only you can close the gateway and defeat the evil Ice Golem. But you'll need to hurry!
Overall rating
5
/
5
46 of 52 found this review helpful
Lots of "fireworks" and power-ups blasting through levels
PostedJuly 3, 2018
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm happy to see this game at Big Fish. I had played the demo on another site and really enjoyed it. Just to be certain nothing had changed with it being released by Big Fish, I played the demo here, as well. I had absolutely no problem downloading or playing (I play on a Dell Studio XPS 8100 desktop with Windows 10 Professional 64 bit). The action is very smooth and quick, lots of color and explosions (I adjust the sound volume in the options to keep it from shaking the walls) with the requisite sound effects. The music is energetic and appropriate.
You are tasked with collecting energy from runes or scoring a certain number of points and, occasionally, doing an extra task like feeding the "toad" who sits alongside the right border of the board. You are not really penalized if you do not complete the extra tasks, you simply don't get the extra points. You will collect coins along the way for completing levels and after most levels, an assortment of power-ups is displayed to be bought or, if you already own one, it can be sold to reclaim those coins to use for something else. (Those who have played any of the Montezuma's Treasures games will be familiar with this system.)
I had a lot of fun trying it out and have purchased it. Try it; you just may like it!
I recommend this game!
A mysterious plague casts a dark shadow on the people of Persia. The young apothecary Tara must discover the cause of the illness before it's too late!
Overall rating
5
/
5
125 of 141 found this review helpful
Better than many CEs!
PostedMay 21, 2018
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hooray!! Big Fish has finally found this magnificent gem! I was fortunate enough to beta test this many months ago (sent directly from the dev) and have been anxiously awaiting its debut here.
The storyline is fascinating and the characters are absolutely delightful! The dialogue, which is certainly not excessive, is informative, often humorous and takes you along the path to adventure and success. There is no boredom in this beautifully thought-out game. The graphics are dazzling and the instructions for mini-games could not be better. You have special little symbols to find in all the scenes and the HOS are simply great. The music is well suited to the theme and adds that little finishing touch.
The game is longer, more interesting and intricately designed than a great many CEs we have seen in the past few years. I love this developer because they always put such effort into getting things "just right" and this is a stellar example of that attention to detail. Bravo, Artifex Mundi!
Hop on your magic carpet and be prepared for fun and amazement!
I recommend this game!
Save the citizens of Rivershire from a terrible plague!
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 15 found this review helpful
Great fun with lots of options in every area!
PostedFebruary 25, 2018
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on demo only: I really love it! The mini-games are creative and imaginative with clear instructions, there is an option to play Match-3 instead of the HOS, the HOS are varied in format, the plot (storyline) is good, the dialogue is not excessive and gives us the plot as it unfolds, the music is good and the graphics are beautiful. The interactive map has an option to show where collectibles are still not found. Many mini-games have a difficulty option of "Easy" or "Hard". This game gives players lots of options and flexibility.
I thoroughly enjoyed the entire demo and will be purchasing. Thank you devs for a truly enjoyable game!
I recommend this game!
Return to the world of Jewel Match in this beautiful Solitaire adventure with 200 levels, multiple play variants, 5 castles to build, and much more!
Overall rating
1
/
5
16 of 18 found this review helpful
There is only one castle to build then no purpose to play on
PostedDecember 20, 2017
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I am sincerely sorry to have wasted a PCC on the SE (Standard Edition) of this game. I finished building the castle at the end of level 38. (I played in Relaxed mode.) and discovered that there is no other castle to build and nothing to do with the jewels you would earn on subsequent levels. At that point, I find no reason (unless you simply want to occupy some time) to play on to higher levels.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a dangerous specter from destroying the opera?
Overall rating
4
/
5
39 of 50 found this review helpful
A game to make your heart sing!
PostedDecember 2, 2017
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based only on the demo: I found this to be absolutely fascinating! You do need to take the few seconds necessary to read the dialogue and an occasional item that you find with information about the story to really understand the plot, however.
The music is very pleasant and appropriate, the mini-games are imaginative and have very clear instructions, there are collectibles in most, if not all, scenes and the HOS are varied and quite creative. The collectibles are musical notes and some take a bit of searching to find, but others are right out in the open. There is a ghost, but at least during the demo, it wasn't at all terrifying; just a bit threatening once or twice.
My one point of irritation is one that I have joined many others in asking this dev to change for a very long time: when the map is open and we click on our current location, the map should simply close rather than saying, "I'm already there." All other devs that design this type of game long since made that change and players are much happier about it. This is the only reason I gave this game four, not five, stars.
This will be one of the two CE's I purchase this weekend during the sale. (I have two GCC's saved and this is a great time to use them!)
I recommend this game!
Help Ebbo and Alice collect the materials they need from each of the five nearby islands in this fantasy match-3 game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
32 of 37 found this review helpful
Lots of lighthearted fun while you restore light and order!
PostedAugust 30, 2017
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based solely on the demo: This is fun! The devs have rewarded us with a lovely game that has good graphics, separate volume controls for music and sound effects, an interesting plot, informative/intelligent dialogue (which can be skipped), a Relaxed mode, a sense of achievement in restoring and rebuilding a village, reasonable challenges and handy power-ups. Bravo! Felicitations to Felix for catching this little gem for all the Fishies here in the Pond!
You are working with Alice the Witch (a very nice young lady) and the poor halfling, Ebbo, to restore Ebbo's village after a very nasty war. You need to gather materials to rebuild and refurbish the land. That material comes from the matches you make on the board. The game board lets you continue making matches while the objects that you just matched disappear and are replaced. You have a goal in each level. As you accumulate certain items, you are able to purchase the buildings and other objects that will restore the village. You have power-ups (I had three at the end of the demo) that are recharged as you make matches. There are obstacles to overcome such as chains that must be broken by making a match with the object under the chain. There were also spiders that occasionally appeared to spin webs over squares on the board. The spiders can be defeated by making a match below them so they fall off the board. I believe there will be more "trouble makers", like the spiders, but I did not get far enough during the demo to encounter them.
The game does launch with a pop-up window that gives you an option to play in windowed mode, if you have problems running the game in Windows 10. I play on a Dell Studio XPS 8100 desktop with Windows 10 Professional 64 bit and had no difficulty.
This is a definite buy for me!
I recommend this game!
Help a wizard retrieve the missing artifact and restore life to the world in this magical Match 3 Adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
71 of 82 found this review helpful
Let this one cast a "Fun!" spell over you!
PostedFebruary 27, 2017
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Great fun! The layouts are like one or two other M-3's, but this has a lot of refinement. You have an option to turn the hints off and you can select from three difficulty levels: Relaxed, Limited Time and Limited Moves. (Difficulty can be changed during the game.)
Instructions pop up when a new element is introduced and we have a Reference Guide (book) in the upper left corner of the screen that comes in handy to review what various power-ups do and what type of match produces each one. If you seem to be stuck (and you have not opted to turn off hints), the game will pop up a helpful possibility.
The music is very pleasant (volume of music and sound effects can be adjusted in the Options menu) and the dialogue (written only) is sparse and sets the stage for each level as we progress.
The graphics are clear and colorful enough to be fun, but not overwhelming. There are plenty of explosions and other visual effects to keep everyone awake and quite interested.
Even in the Relaxed mode, strategy needs to be applied to some degree or other without being overtaxing. Some levels are actually much simpler than they first appear.
As you progress through the levels, you collect coins and parts of a decimated civilization are rebuilt. Our friendly mage comes out to let us know, in very brief terms, what is happening and what is needed.
The imaginative and creative devs even provided a break from M-3 action here and there to keep boredom at bay: every so often there is a very short solitaire card game or "find the differences" puzzle. Thank you, devs!
This is absolutely one of the best Match-3 games is quite some time.
I recommend this game!
Can you save reality from the Imaginary World?
Overall rating
5
/
5
79 of 88 found this review helpful
Neutralize those artifacts, please!
PostedJanuary 29, 2017
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I absolutely adore this game! Be prepared to let your imagination have free rein and simply immerse yourself in the story. For anyone who has enjoyed the television show, "Warehouse 13", this will be a delight!
Although this is the second in the series, you will have no problem with the plot even if you have not played the first game. The story line is very good, you have a choice of four difficulty levels (including "Custom"), the dialogue is kept to a minimum (just enough to keep you abreast of what is really happening), the music is quite nice, the voice acting is wonderful, the mini-games are creative and just challenging enough, while the HOS's are varied in type and can be "skipped" by choosing to play a Match-3.
The graphics are clear and crisp with an appropriate and interesting color palette. There are collectibles and the interactive map can be set to indicate when they have all been found at each location.
So, if you are looking for a fun, relaxing bit of HOG play, this may just be the perfect game for you! Be careful out there; those artifacts can be sneaky!
I recommend this game!