graceland9's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:959
- Reviews Submitted:102
- First Review:April 22, 2012
- Most Recent Review:March 17, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Plunge into an adventure full of mystery and danger. Unique Match 3 mechanics will give you a fresh perspective on the genre.
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Unique Macth-3 Game
PostedJune 13, 2016
graceland9
fromHey little alien guy!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
In this game, you make matches to move the little glowing alien along a path to the end. Chaining 3 or more matches moves the cute little guy along until he releases the light.
Of course there are obstacles along the way, like blocks and energy balls. You have to make matches near the blocks or time the energy balls right to make it through the obstacle while making your chains.
It's a unique idea - I just didn't connect with the idea. I prefer trying to set up huge chains or matches, but that's just me. Maybe it's for you - give it a try!
I don't recommend this game.
Carve a path through an unforgiving wilderness to rescue a hero trapped by a villain!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Save Altair, Save the World!
PostedJune 2, 2016
graceland9
fromBrewing the meds for cold, hard cash
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I loved everything about this soft adventure / strategy game. Layered with different tasks and mini-games, Finders offered not only a wonderful storyline but hours of fun gameplay.
You're on a search-and-rescue team out to find Altair, a hero who will save the world. It all goes south when there's a crash, stranding you and your team on a cliff. This requires you to a) survive and b) find Altair.
Along the way you find water, food, and construction materials. You earn rent from the tents you build (a bit illorgical, but just go with it!) You can also build a kitchen and sell the recipes you make, including tea and medication.
There's a mine, where you play Match-3 games for gold and ore until your water runs out. As well, there's a fishing hole at the first location where you play a fishing game - plus puzzles pop up from time to time as you purchase more tech in the shop.
You also have to solve a continuous stream of challenges, such as finding 30 herbs and cooking 5 medications, or buying cement via the truck (which travels to a local department store, I guess!)
As some reviewers have said, it's true the directions are scant. However, I enjoyed the lack of hand-holding, preferring to find my own way - as though I were a real explorer, not a stay-at-home mom on the couch in my flip-flops looking for snow to melt down for my camp.
Just by clicking around I found it's possible to do a bunch of actions, which I won't mention here due to spoilers. Click on the Forum if you're stumped.
I really hope this company keeps these games coming. I'm really enjoying Finders - it could be my game of the year.
Instant buy for me!
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
57 of 64 found this review helpful
The Train's Coming!
PostedMay 31, 2016
graceland9
fromThe train always shows up when I'm really busy, though.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I loved this TM game, complete with whistle stops, sawmills, and big burly lumberjack types running around. What's not to like?
You play as Margaret, a firecracker businesswoman who's taken out a loan. In order to repay, she has to build an entire town!
No problem. In order to bring in the goods, you have to collect mail for cash, let the train come through (for more cash) and sell lumber. Oh yes - more cash!
The game isn't fancy, but I loved keeping an eye on the train tracks and letting the train through. I also loved the challenges on each level. Each successfully played level on the Timed version lets you build more in Margaret's town.
I also enjoyed the Wild West atmosphere, although I had to turn the sound down on the music after a while. Still, this little gem was great fun.
I recommend this game!
Help young Finn and princess Dalla reunite in love! Explore, gather, produce, trade, build, repair and work for the wellbeing of the Kingdom.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Vikings in Love
PostedMay 30, 2016
graceland9
fromPlus Finn is just so ripped.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Finn has to rebuild the kingdom in order to win Princess Dahla before the evil Ohla catches her! In order to complete the task, Finn has to build cottages, repair roads, build farms and workshops, all with an unlimited number of workers.
If you've played this developers' TM games before, you'll recognize the elements in this one. There's a hidden treasure in each, and you find it by clicking on the sparkles (always fun!) Collect rent for money and for special tasks like rebuilding memorials.
You have to meet all the tasks within 'Odin's Time' to get the full star. There are money wheels to try your luck on, gold to be mined, and bridges for repair.
I always enjoy these TM's. Even though they're challenging, I don't feel stressed out since there are always unlimited guys to carry out your tasks.
My only complaint was the lack of Viking-specific tasks, although those might come along later in the game. I'd love a few Longships to launch or Valkyries to build temples for, but maybe I just didn't reach those levels yet.
If you enjoy TM's with lots of construction and logical ordering of tasks, this is a definite Must.
I recommend this game!
Investigate the dastardly deeds of a wealthy socialite and prove your fiance is not a thief in Snark Busters: High Society!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Piecing Together the Puzzles
PostedMay 29, 2016
graceland9
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Snark HOPAs are all about finding pieces of objects, putting them together, and making new clues for other objects. If anyone has read The Hunting of the Snark, these games fit into the idea of falling down a rabbit hole, getting sucked into a world where you have to dig deeper and deeper to solve the mystery.
I loved the idea of having to navigate the different layers, returning to others when you've found a new object. However, I do think the series could use new artists - with a talented painter, this game would really come alive. The settings are nicely portrayed, the characters... not so much.
Of course, that's just my opinion. If you like piecing together clues in a steampunkish world, this could be a good game for you. Give it a try!
What mysteries are hiding in your family's history?
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
The HOA Version of Brigadoon!
PostedMay 29, 2016
graceland9
fromWilliam needs an Outlander kilt though.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Invert County in Scotland seems to be reliving the same day again and again. Meanwhile, William tries to save his fiancee Elizabeth from a loveless marriage and a terrible fate, which is doomed to repeat itself - until you show up to save the day!
I really loved the gorgeous graphics and Scottish atmosphere, with thistles, weaving, bagpipes, and spinning wheels. The adventure was good, although the gameplay itself seemed to depend on to-ing and fro-ing as well as 'kinda, sorta' interactive HOS.
Still, all the bells and whistles are there, with an interactive map, beautiful cutscenes, custom mode, and morphing objects in the CE. If you enjoy Outlander and Hidden Object Adventures as well as breathless romance, this could be a great pick for you.
I recommend this game!
Use your time-management skills to help Angela win the chance to take over for legendary fashionista Truly!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Angela's on Fleek!
PostedMay 26, 2016
graceland9
fromYum-Mee needs to go too!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Another cute TM from this company, and this one is about Angela as she works her way up the fashionable corporate ladder. You have to serve customers, wrap boxes, make coffee, create earrings, while earning power-ups.
This is all standard stuff, but the imaginative power-ups (like a magician to entertain customers!) as well as Angela's awesome story bring this game over the top. Rarely do I get so invested in a character! I wanted Angela to deliver the smack-down to her cheater ex-husband.
If you enjoy TM's, you should definitely give Angela a try.
I recommend this game!
All-in-One Mahjong is an exciting game where the challenge is to eliminate all pieces from the board.
Overall rating
4
/
5
81 of 102 found this review helpful
Gets The Job Done
PostedMay 26, 2016
graceland9
fromClassic tiles are my fave.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
There are no bells or whistles for this Mah Jong game, but it's a decent solitaire game. You can choose your background, pick one of three tile sets, and work your way through the collection of tile set-ups.
If you need a new Mah Jong game for the pool or beach, this one works. Give it a try!
I recommend this game!
This house is cursed and it has been a haven of evil spirits for as long as anyone can remember. Do you dare to banish them?
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Wicked Good Fun!
PostedMay 24, 2016
graceland9
fromBOOM!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I loved this original and exciting Match-3 right from the start. The House is Cursed, and you have to clear it by making matches, of course. Right from the start there are high-voltage levels requiring you to smash barriers through matches, open trunks, move the key across the board, break the ice tiles, get rid of the bugs...
One of my favorite parts was collecting lightning tiles which, when matched, explode! Sweet! I'm all about explosions.
The graphics are fun, the levels are fascinating and challenging, and you can select just how intense your gameplay is.
But wait - there's more! Every few levels there's an instant game, including Hidden Object, Solitaire, Spot the Difference...
If you like eerie (not scary) graphics and VERY interactive Match-3's, this is the game for you. Give it a try!
The evil witch Mortessa has destroyed the Elven Kingdom and it's up to princess Aerin to restore her homeland. Help her defeat the witch in this time management adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Challenging and Magical
PostedMay 20, 2016
graceland9
fromWhy are underground levels so awesome? LOVE them.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I enjoyed playing this TM game, in which Lady Aerin rebuilds her kingdom after Morissa and an army of orcs have destroyed it. Aerin is helped by griffins, which was awesome. I'm all about griffins.
There are really cool challenges like feeding the orcs, going underground, rebuilding mines and bridges... As usual, you have to collect resources and decide on the order of repair. Some levels are tricky, so you might need to replay them - all adding to the challenge.
As another reviewer said, I was confounded by the unnecessary cutscenes between most of (every?) level. Why? There was really no need for a little movie of what just happened or what was coming up next. Other games use graphics, which work just fine. I'd reconsider all those memory hogging cinematics if the developers come up with a sequel.
I recommend this game!