I bought this without trying the demo, as I have all the other Travel Mosaics games and love them. What a huge disappointment :-( The whole look and feel of the game has changed beyond recognition; it now just seems like an endless procession of mosaics with nothing to break up the monotony. Even worse, the puzzle at the end of every 10 levels has gone; it's been replaced by endless facts about whatever part of Amsterdam the family happen to be in.
The mosaics themselves are as bright and colourful as ever, with 4 levels including a 'Zen' mode (I think the penguins have exerted their influence here!). Gameplay-wise it's pretty much the same but has lost the fun and imagination of it's predecessors.
I can't understand why the developer would change a game so drastically when the previous games were so popular. Like the other reviewers have said, I won't be buying any more of this series if it continues in this vein. There's an old but true saying...."if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
I agree with pennmom; this constant use of the 'robot helper' has turned what was a really good mosaic game into something that's just repetitive and frankly a bit silly. Awigor are capable of much better than just repeating this procession of silly stories. This is the 7th game in a row with the robot helper and whilst I have bought all the others, this will be the last one. I'm tired of the well meaning but basically gormless robot.
The colours are lovely, the graphics crisp and clear, the choice of tiles excellent and you can choose between 2 modes of play. The penguin mosaics give 3 choices and this game would benefit from a 'normal' mode, rather than just offering 'easy' or 'hard'. The addition of a 'hidden object' scene now and again would be better if the objects were actually hidden.
There is nothing wrong with these games but it's just lazy to keep on offering the same old thing with only a change of story. The dev is capable of much better than this silly 'Helper Robot' storyline.
I'm disappointed with some of the criticism levelled at this game. Not enough time to complete a level? Try playing in 'easy' mode; it has no timer. The first few levels are too easy. So they were in the first game; by the end some were almost impossible without a guide. The colours are too bland; better that than playing with garish pinks, blues and purples....or so some reviewers would have you believe.
I bought this without trying the demo as I loved the first game and this one doesn't disappoint; at least it doesn't disappoint me. I agree the tasks can be repetitive early doors but don't be fooled into thinking it will be the same all the way through. I've already had to restart a level because of using up all my wood before I got to build the sawmill...and I'm only on level 16.
Personally I think some of the criticism is a bit unfair and likely based on the first few levels. They don't give a true picture of just how challenging this game will become. I gave it 5 stars; it's a game that doesn't feels like a copycat of dozens of others.
I'm really surprised at the number of reviews that call this game 'boring and slow'. Granted the characters don't rush themselves but there is a speed booster which will make them run faster.
As for waiting too long for resources, there are 2 ways to increase both the amount you pick up and the time to wait. It's just a case of knowing what the various booster buttons do and when to use them.
I have just reached the icy lands after playing 35 levels, so it's not short on gameplay! The main characters are so cute and very well drawn, as is the game in general. No complaints about the graphics from me.
The main buildings can be a bit slow to produce their goods but yet again there is a not only a way to speed them up but also to increase their output. I think those that say it's all too slow need to look at the boosters, of which there are several!
This is one game I'm finding very addictive! I've no idea how many levels there are but there are a lot of them! I'd recommend this game to those that love a challenging builder- type game along with the Viking type theme. And dragons!
It seems the devs of this game listened to the comments, most of them negative, about this game and have tried to improve some of the elements.
For me the biggest 'thank you for listening' award goes to whoever decided that saying 'OK' every time the workers did anything was not the best idea, so got rid of it. What a relief!!
To be honest I can't remember much about the first game apart from the irritating 'OK's' but I like this sequel enough to actually consider buying it! It does need some thought; taking a wrong path will stop you advancing because of the lack of a resource, so there is some strategy involved.
Graphics are basic but not unattractive. You can choose from 3 levels of play and there is a guide, although I didn't look at it during the 43 minutes I played of the 60 minute demo. I didn't lose interest at all during that time, which is always a good sign!
As there's a sale today, I will opt for the CE version of this little builder game; I think I'll enjoy it!
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
1/ 5
What have they done to Rescue Team?? Why do developers think they have to make changes to a tried and trusted formula; the original games were miles better than this newest update. The game play is so cluttered it's hard to tell what to pick up next. There are too many gadgets, too many different characters and the shop is the worst addition ever.
Garish colours and too much hand holding just make this game a mess. The worst of the old RT games (RT8) is still streets ahead of this latest offering and its predecessor. The story line is just too silly, even for a game.
Please go back to the original template and scrap this awful, cheap looking copy. And lose the shop.
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
The last NY game (Deer Hunter) was, in my opinion, not up to the standards set by other games in the series. I love the NY games but never finished the last one; it was just boring. However I'm pleased to see a return to the top-notch game we know and love!
Excellent graphics as usual; beautiful colours with crisp, clear details. Seamless game play with no issues; I see someone gave the game one star because they got a blank screen but I would suggest they re-install as mine works perfectly, The challenge remains the same throughout these games; you make it as easy or as hard as you want by choosing the mode to play in. I always play in relaxed mode first to get a feel for the game, then move on to normal mode to challenge myself.
Plenty of levels to work through, along with bonuses available during the main game. First one I played was 'Battleships' but not played the others yet. The characters remain consistent throughout the series but with some new additions to give the game a slightly different feel. This time you have a green elf that can move very heavy items after a boost from a potion made by Mary. Max the dog is also back to bark at strange creatures that appear during the night. And the jeans-wearing skeletons make the occasional appearance too!
Another winner from this developer who, along with a partner studio, make excellent TM games. Bought straight after trying the demo and I'm looking forward to seeing how John and Mary (and Max!) manage to change Greek history!
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I've been waiting an age for this sequel and it doesn't disappoint! The first Beyond The Kingdom game was a huge favourite of mine, which I replayed many times while hoping for a follow-up. Finally it's here :-)
There are some differences but the basic gameplay remains the same. Build the usual sawmills, farms, gold mines etc. while fighting off man eating plants and crystal monsters, all with the aid of your druid friend, who luckily has magic at his disposal.
The one thing that is missing is the Bard, whose lyre music inspired the workers to run and work harder. I must admit to being a bit sad that he has been replaced; instead the workers pick up lightning bolts placed around the playing area. These have the same effect as the Bard but for me just aren't as nice. Maybe they'll find him on another island!
There are 3 modes of play, including relaxed and extras include a built-in SG (which you access via the ? at the top left of screen) and bonus levels, In the last game there were 3 more islands to play so hopefully this game is the same!
The graphics are of a high quality and the overall game is a lot of fun. It retains the charm of the first episode and adds enough differences that you don't feel as though you're just playing the first game over again. An instant buy for me!
Not a bad little game; a bit repetitive for the first few levels, which was as much as I could tolerate.
Pretty basic builder-type TM, which I won't buy as a CE because it's not different enough. The usual wood/food/stone producing buildings, along with a lab and an HQ. The usual collecting wood/food/stone to reach certain goals. 3 levels of play including relaxed and you can turn off the tutorial; you won't need it anyway. You do get two bases to work from, which is a slight change but otherwise nothing to make it stand out from the crowd.
The reason I won't even buy the SE is that every time you send a worker to do anything, they say 'OK. Every time they pick up a resource. Every time they remove an obstacle. Every time they build or upgrade a building. Send 2 or more workers out to do something and you get an 'OK' chorus. After about half a dozen levels, it got so irritating that I had to stop playing. I don't want to turn the entire sound off as it spoils the atmosphere of the game but there's no option to stop the workers from speaking. This could have been a good game but unfortunately it's just repetitive and annoying.
I have all these Travel Mosaics games and bought this one without bothering with the trial. Having lived all my life in England, I was curious to see if the 'facts' about London would be correct. So far I've discovered that Tower Bridge is 'the most recognisable symbol of London'. Really?? Big Ben is far more recognisable, not to mention much more photographed! Incidentally, it's the bell that's called Big Ben, not the clock.
I've also discovered that Buckingham Palace is 'home' to many of the royals. It's not. A few of them have apartments or offices there but have main homes elsewhere. The Queen lives there only semi-permanently; she prefers Windsor Castle or Balmoral.
The game is the same as all the others, which is just as it should be; don't fix something if it's not broken! However they have changed the sounds, which is not a change for the better. Now it sounds like someone scrunching up paper rather than the pretty chiming sounds from previous games. The puzzles seem far too easy and the items to buy are disappointing stereotypes.
I like to play on the hard mode, which is very challenging but much more fun! As ever this is a good quality game but don't believe some of the London 'facts'; they're a bit outdated!