chiari_survivor's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.2
- Helpful Votes:1,561
- Reviews Submitted:31
- First Review:May 15, 2012
- Most Recent Review:July 29, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Skeleton Pirates
Get ready for the ultimate battle against vicious skeleton pirates.
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
Where Dead Pirates seek Treasure! 5 star Awesome fun!
PostedJuly 29, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Skeleton Pirates
Where Dead Pirates seek treasure!
Based on demo and purchase but not completed
This game is awesome fun!
Very similar to Plants vs Zombies as likely everyone is going to say, though this game is powered by Torque Garage Games, afb Games. Great Job developers!
Music is catchy. The sounds & music are adj as is the full screen option. The various chests, cannons & weapons pulse throb to the music. Skeletons have beautiful smiles with nice white teeth, and they also bob to the music. The phrases the skeletons say are pirate appropriate, “Where’s the treasure”, “Blow me down” and “Yo ho ho”. Once the skeleton has taken their allotted damage they collapse into a pile of bones with one eye landing in the open month. Too hilarious.
Where Dead Pirates seek treasure!
Based on demo and purchase but not completed
This game is awesome fun!
Very similar to Plants vs Zombies as likely everyone is going to say, though this game is powered by Torque Garage Games, afb Games. Great Job developers!
Music is catchy. The sounds & music are adj as is the full screen option. The various chests, cannons & weapons pulse throb to the music. Skeletons have beautiful smiles with nice white teeth, and they also bob to the music. The phrases the skeletons say are pirate appropriate, “Where’s the treasure”, “Blow me down” and “Yo ho ho”. Once the skeleton has taken their allotted damage they collapse into a pile of bones with one eye landing in the open month. Too hilarious.
You sign in as the Captain of the ship and are safeguarding the treasure maps that the skeleton pirates are trying to get (instead of Zombies after your brains)
To change players Click the Captain button along the lower center of the screen. There are spaces for 10 players. Options and Exit are lower right, Shop and Info are on the lower left. The info button explains, know your friends, know your weapons and know your enemies. Once you choose the weapon, enemy or friend the game shows you the details of that category by clicking the picture of what you would like more information about. Once an item is available you can then click to find out more about it but you can not see what future skills enemies may have in the future levels, or future weapons you will acquire. There are 40 slots for available inventory choices with rope X’s over the ones that are not available yet. The game only shows what items are currently unlocked. Beginning levels have 5 slots to choose your choice of weapons and later levels will have up to 9 slots open so there will be many choices to make once you have earned those items. You do start with only 3 lives and once you have earned enough coins the shop will open, I believe level 1-8 or 1-9 opened the shop for me. Purchasing an extra life, magic box, extra ammo or even extra slots for weapons will be available, as well as birds that will have an umbrella so they can fly in the rain. Once you pay for an upgrade it remains with you in future rounds.
To change players Click the Captain button along the lower center of the screen. There are spaces for 10 players. Options and Exit are lower right, Shop and Info are on the lower left. The info button explains, know your friends, know your weapons and know your enemies. Once you choose the weapon, enemy or friend the game shows you the details of that category by clicking the picture of what you would like more information about. Once an item is available you can then click to find out more about it but you can not see what future skills enemies may have in the future levels, or future weapons you will acquire. There are 40 slots for available inventory choices with rope X’s over the ones that are not available yet. The game only shows what items are currently unlocked. Beginning levels have 5 slots to choose your choice of weapons and later levels will have up to 9 slots open so there will be many choices to make once you have earned those items. You do start with only 3 lives and once you have earned enough coins the shop will open, I believe level 1-8 or 1-9 opened the shop for me. Purchasing an extra life, magic box, extra ammo or even extra slots for weapons will be available, as well as birds that will have an umbrella so they can fly in the rain. Once you pay for an upgrade it remains with you in future rounds.
The information scrolls can be clicked faster if you read quickly and also are not too difficult for early readers to be reading. Additional information is overlaid over the bottom of the screen that can be easy to miss if you are focusing on your game play. The beginning levels start out very simple as they are the tutorial and quickly get more difficult. Level 1-1 you only have the cannon and the little blue bird flying through that will give you a silver star worth 25 points that gives you the funds to buy additional cannons. You do not have to click the blue bird to get the star and it will release its star at some point along the game board row it is flying in. If you miss seeing it or later the yellow bird drops the gold star, the stars will drop to the bottom of the game board and have stayed there or you can click on them while they are falling. I tested to see if it would disappear after a short time and they did not but I also am not sure that future levels may alter that. I was in level 1-9 when I was counting how many strikes a crate would handle (50)from that kind of skeleton and a skeleton takes 9 steps to cross a game square. Anyway, I had focused too much on that task of counting and had gotten behind adding needed cannons and the next surge the skeletons they were able to enter the Captains Chambers. There are even Parrots that help the skeleton Pirates. They fly through and drop their almost acid “business” that damages the crates, cannons and even the chests that give stars. Whacking the parrot gives you parrot heads and once you have achieved the number required on the level you are rewarded with a new tool. The beginning levels require 10 parrot heads. After whacking with a mallet that automatically appears when you click a parrot, the head goes to the inventory and his remaining feathers float down but no other parrot parts and is not gruesome. If you click the bird by accident nothing will happen and also if the bird and a parrot are at the same place when you click the parrot the bird will not be injured.
There are many creative aspects making this game still feel similar to Plants vs Zombies but this game, can totally can totally stand on its own. I purchased with a PCC prior to even the demo hour completion. I was looking for a game for our grandson and have gotten pulled into it for myself also. I like that it starts out simple enough for beginning players though has quickly become entertaining for adults who also enjoyed PvsZ. I think this game I enjoy more, as sometimes the music and sounds in PvZ can stress me out with the impending sounds it has, and I have not felt that yet with this game (yet) but I am only in the 2-2 level now. The first level had 9 or 10 pirate attacks. If you are loosing and back out of the game to start over it will cost you a life otherwise your game will be saved from where you were.
I have had 3 times that while clicking it the game I popped out of the game but it had saved at the very spot so it was not a problem to just click continue game and go on but did want to at least make a mention of it.
Give it a try it is awesome fun though the people who can not continue on in a casual mode may be disappointed.
I recommend this game!
Mahjongg: Legends of the Tiles
Ten new ways to play this classic tile game.
Overall rating
5
/
5
293 of 361 found this review helpful
Play like YOU want to play! timed/un-timed; Choose style of play, layouts, background & tile, Even create your own! AWESOME, Thanks Developers!
PostedJanuary 25, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
BFG Review-Mahjongg Legends of the Tiles
128MB RAM; 111 MB Hard drive
Import your own pictures and create your own boards
15 spaces available for Name, 5 player slots, name will be on lower left of screen
128MB RAM; 111 MB Hard drive
Import your own pictures and create your own boards
15 spaces available for Name, 5 player slots, name will be on lower left of screen
After entering your name you have a screen Listing Adventure, Zen Mode, Options, Create Layout, Achievements, High Scores & Quit.
Options has music & sounds on sliders & a box to un check for full screen if desired. The volume does not slide adjust, it is more of increments of adjust-ability I would have liked turning down one more notch before the music went silent as I did like it just not quite as loud with my ear bud.
Achievements are symbols of 25 Ancient Chinese emblems such as gong, dragon, swords, lanterns & bells to name a few and were given for completing in a set amount of time, not using hints, not having to shuffle, receiving the highest score etc. You could click achievements to see the awards you have won.
I started in Adventure which had a timer that immediately started in the upper right corner (counting up not down) and had me concerned at first, but I had no need to worry with this game. I had many choices and had the freedom to play Mah Jongg in the way I wanted to play.
As I finished a layout the achievements I earned flashed up on the screen & the score board for that layout was posted, my new score added. You then can choose to replay to try to improve your score & increase your achievements or you can continue to the next layout. Since there are at least 7 top scores for each layout(sorry I forgot to count for the exact number), you will see the score board after each time you play for a while, but it does not take long to move onto the next layout.
I played about 6 levels in Adventure mode & along the bottom of the screen it showed # of matches available, Undo, Shuffle, # of tiles remaining & Hint. If there were no more matches a small bell sounded to let you know there were zero matches available and our options were to shuffle or undo. A few times I missed the bell, so be sure to keep an eye on that area so you don't waste time looking for matches that are not there, or just turn the volume up so it is not as easy to miss the bell. If you must shuffle you have a certain amt of points removed from your score but I was able to re shuffle how ever many times I needed to be able to complete the board. The timer never stopped you. Your score for the layout was just effected depending on the amount of reshuffles you required as well as the time you took. The backgrounds were beautiful scenes from around the world that varied greatly from ancient pyramids to South of France beaches and villas, the tiles used were clear and easy to recognize as a familiar common Mah Jongg tile.
I then went to Zen Mode where I was able to choose game variation between Solitaire, Memory, Doubles, Waterfalls, Flip it, Nanjins, Hide & Peek, Four Rivers, Golden Dragon & Collapse. After choosing the style of play you want to try you then choose one of 30 layouts with up to 75 layouts that will unlock later. You then choose the background to play the layout on and again you have 30 choices with up to 75 that will become unlocked. Then you choose the tiles you wish to play with and 6 start out unlocked with a total of 15 types of tiles that will unlock. A few of the names of the sets were Chinese Legends, Arabian Night, Wild Wild West, Hindu Script, South of France, Chinese Garden, Middle Ages & Lost Atlantis. All tiles seemed clear and the few I tried were easy to play with.
The backgrounds are beautiful scenery from around the world. Scenes that I could enjoy looking at but never seemed to distract me or make it hard to make matches either. Then there is part of the program for you to download your own pictures for your back grounds and for those who enjoy creating layouts that is also a possibility with this program. How fun! If I am understanding it all correctly that would mean we could download the pictures from our CE's with those options then play these existing layouts or create our own layouts to use on top of them. So when we need a break from the current game we are in we can come here and have parts of that other game here also.
I most definitely recommend this game to those who enjoy Mah Jongg. My plan is to use one of my PPC's after the first of the month, now if more games come up by the first I just may fill another card by the first and get this one immediately!! Give it a try and see what you think!
Options has music & sounds on sliders & a box to un check for full screen if desired. The volume does not slide adjust, it is more of increments of adjust-ability I would have liked turning down one more notch before the music went silent as I did like it just not quite as loud with my ear bud.
Achievements are symbols of 25 Ancient Chinese emblems such as gong, dragon, swords, lanterns & bells to name a few and were given for completing in a set amount of time, not using hints, not having to shuffle, receiving the highest score etc. You could click achievements to see the awards you have won.
I started in Adventure which had a timer that immediately started in the upper right corner (counting up not down) and had me concerned at first, but I had no need to worry with this game. I had many choices and had the freedom to play Mah Jongg in the way I wanted to play.
As I finished a layout the achievements I earned flashed up on the screen & the score board for that layout was posted, my new score added. You then can choose to replay to try to improve your score & increase your achievements or you can continue to the next layout. Since there are at least 7 top scores for each layout(sorry I forgot to count for the exact number), you will see the score board after each time you play for a while, but it does not take long to move onto the next layout.
I played about 6 levels in Adventure mode & along the bottom of the screen it showed # of matches available, Undo, Shuffle, # of tiles remaining & Hint. If there were no more matches a small bell sounded to let you know there were zero matches available and our options were to shuffle or undo. A few times I missed the bell, so be sure to keep an eye on that area so you don't waste time looking for matches that are not there, or just turn the volume up so it is not as easy to miss the bell. If you must shuffle you have a certain amt of points removed from your score but I was able to re shuffle how ever many times I needed to be able to complete the board. The timer never stopped you. Your score for the layout was just effected depending on the amount of reshuffles you required as well as the time you took. The backgrounds were beautiful scenes from around the world that varied greatly from ancient pyramids to South of France beaches and villas, the tiles used were clear and easy to recognize as a familiar common Mah Jongg tile.
I then went to Zen Mode where I was able to choose game variation between Solitaire, Memory, Doubles, Waterfalls, Flip it, Nanjins, Hide & Peek, Four Rivers, Golden Dragon & Collapse. After choosing the style of play you want to try you then choose one of 30 layouts with up to 75 layouts that will unlock later. You then choose the background to play the layout on and again you have 30 choices with up to 75 that will become unlocked. Then you choose the tiles you wish to play with and 6 start out unlocked with a total of 15 types of tiles that will unlock. A few of the names of the sets were Chinese Legends, Arabian Night, Wild Wild West, Hindu Script, South of France, Chinese Garden, Middle Ages & Lost Atlantis. All tiles seemed clear and the few I tried were easy to play with.
The backgrounds are beautiful scenery from around the world. Scenes that I could enjoy looking at but never seemed to distract me or make it hard to make matches either. Then there is part of the program for you to download your own pictures for your back grounds and for those who enjoy creating layouts that is also a possibility with this program. How fun! If I am understanding it all correctly that would mean we could download the pictures from our CE's with those options then play these existing layouts or create our own layouts to use on top of them. So when we need a break from the current game we are in we can come here and have parts of that other game here also.
I most definitely recommend this game to those who enjoy Mah Jongg. My plan is to use one of my PPC's after the first of the month, now if more games come up by the first I just may fill another card by the first and get this one immediately!! Give it a try and see what you think!
I recommend this game!
Mahjong Royal Towers
Play Mahjong and experience royal generosity for yourself! Complete over 100 unique levels in 6 locations, earning points and trophies.
Overall rating
4
/
5
34 of 41 found this review helpful
Medieval or Castle theme: Beautiful graphics, nice music, 8 tile choices
PostedJanuary 21, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Mahjong Royal Towers
512 MB RAM, 48 MB Hard drive
6 player slots
Options: includes sliders for music/sounds, check boxes for full screen & cursor.
8 tile options represented by a red dot, #1, head armor, sun/moon, flower, cooked turkey, sword, & a kings crown.
Credits: Producer- Roman Artyukhin; Art Producer- Daria Edokova
512 MB RAM, 48 MB Hard drive
6 player slots
Options: includes sliders for music/sounds, check boxes for full screen & cursor.
8 tile options represented by a red dot, #1, head armor, sun/moon, flower, cooked turkey, sword, & a kings crown.
Credits: Producer- Roman Artyukhin; Art Producer- Daria Edokova
12 Trophies- One for completing each of the 6 fields (Tournament Field, Royal Garden, Armory, Castle Yard, Refectory also called a dining rm, & Throne Rm) which are all shown in the center picture on the game page, then 6 other trophies for over 100,000 pts, 25 crowns, removing 1000 pairs, using bonus 50 times, achieving X5 index, & completing 30 levels w/ highest score.
Main screen has Choose player, Play & Exit
Each of the 6 fields has 20 boards =120 total. Once you complete a board the next will unlock & light up. Once you complete all 20 in the Tournament Field, the next field will unlock. Each of the field pictures is the back ground while playing the 20 boards for that field.
Each of the 6 fields has 20 boards =120 total. Once you complete a board the next will unlock & light up. Once you complete all 20 in the Tournament Field, the next field will unlock. Each of the field pictures is the back ground while playing the 20 boards for that field.
Each board can earn 3 stars.
1st- for matching the number of gold tiles listed,
2nd- accomplishing in the set number of moves &
3rd- completing it in the set amt of time.
1st- for matching the number of gold tiles listed,
2nd- accomplishing in the set number of moves &
3rd- completing it in the set amt of time.
You can not turn off the timer but the game allows you to take as long as you need, you just will not get that final star. As long as you get at least 1 star you will advance. Would still be better if the timer could be turned off totally according to each players preference.
The music is a calm relaxing instrumental piece w/o sounding like a lullaby or can be turned off.
All tiles are medieval/ castle themed. Graphics are beautiful,they were sharp & clear with very detailed pictures. I played games w/ several tile sets. A few were so detailed, that it did slow me down on finding their matches. There is no story besides what the images themselves tell.
Once you start playing the first level, you are forced to go through a tutorial by clicking the tiles that the arrows are pointing to. You can not click anywhere else but where the arrows point. I have not seen a button to turn off the tutorial but it is possible that I just missed it.
For each board the goals for each level are first shown to you in the center of the screen & once the board is started then they are shown at the top of the screen. Starting at the upper left is an arrow taking you back to the main screen, then came a box with the number of gold tiles to be found, number of moves you have used on that board, then the timer for that board & finally the points/ money you have won. At the bottom of the screen, the lower left has a gold lion on a blue back ground that highlights the available tiles & the lower right has a symbol that means to shuffle the tiles. When you run out of possible moves a text box automatically pops up for an OK to shuffle the remaining tiles.
Once you have matched the final gold tile the game stops & gives you your score. You can then either choose to replay the level by clicking the picture of that board layout again or choose the next board that would now be unlocked & lit up. If you would rather clear all tiles from the board then it would be important to remember to leave at least 1 gold tile un matched so you could continue to match the reg white tiles until they are all matched then complete the game by going back & matching that final gold tile. Again this would be much easier if the player could choose which way they like to play Mahjong, instead of trying to work around the way this one plays.
You are permitted to match gold tiles w/ white tiles, only part that needs to match are the symbols. They even allow a kings crown to match w/ a queens crown but does NOT allow the North, East, South & West coins to match the others. Flowers to flowers yes...just determine if the rules are the same as you have generally played in the past & check the help section if you need more help.
I am sure there is more info than this, to this game. When you start the game you have FPS-60 and UPS 3000 & I do not know what these refer to. After you choose Play on the first screen, you are then on the 2nd screen. They have listed Contest, Trophies, Options & Help..I am unclear on if there is more to the "Contest" as no real details have been given. Take a look at the center picture shown as each of these is the background for the boards you would play for each field.
If this sounds like a game you might enjoy give the demo a try. For me I enjoyed my demo though I was having a very difficult time getting all 3 stars, but my choice of tiles was also effecting my speed as I was trying tile designs that looked nothing like the tiles I generally use to play mahjong with.
I recommend this game if you have demo'd it to try it for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Ancient Rome 2
Get land to build cities with houses, schools, markets, farms and a network of roads to improve the quality of life and the economy of the Roman Empire.
Overall rating
2
/
5
63 of 77 found this review helpful
Warm up your clicking finger & break out the magnifying lens
PostedJanuary 7, 2013
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Ancient Rome #2, I have never played #1 so can not compare the two.
Requires 1024RAM 154 Hard Drive, Available for Mac&PC.
Slots for 7 players
Options: sliders for Music, Sounds, Music is a choir, repetitious loop. To me it did not seem to fit the game, but can be turned down/ off
Boxes to check /uncheck- you can choose to mute the talking but keep the nature sounds, Full screen, Screen resolution choices from 800X600 up to 1360X768.
30 Levels
Each beginning level taught you the basics, Instructions were given in a box but for the size of the box the lettering is tiny, since the box is a decent size they had room to make the font larger. This is going to be a major problem for players with vision problems. My vision is good but, even I, needed to bring the lap top closer. I imagine there will be players that need to bring out the magnifying glass when they play this game. The lettering is not just a problem during instructions but also once a building is built, for instance a cluster of 4 tents you must click on the cluster, to find out what other services need to be available close to a home...from wells, wheat, medical services & markets.
Requires 1024RAM 154 Hard Drive, Available for Mac&PC.
Slots for 7 players
Options: sliders for Music, Sounds, Music is a choir, repetitious loop. To me it did not seem to fit the game, but can be turned down/ off
Boxes to check /uncheck- you can choose to mute the talking but keep the nature sounds, Full screen, Screen resolution choices from 800X600 up to 1360X768.
30 Levels
Each beginning level taught you the basics, Instructions were given in a box but for the size of the box the lettering is tiny, since the box is a decent size they had room to make the font larger. This is going to be a major problem for players with vision problems. My vision is good but, even I, needed to bring the lap top closer. I imagine there will be players that need to bring out the magnifying glass when they play this game. The lettering is not just a problem during instructions but also once a building is built, for instance a cluster of 4 tents you must click on the cluster, to find out what other services need to be available close to a home...from wells, wheat, medical services & markets.
One area I found missing in the instructions were details like how close does a well need to be to a house or property to be used, or how often do you place a market? When building the various buildings do you have to have a road completely surround it or on 1 side? This answer seemed to change as they started one level with 4 groups of homes together in a square so each section had 2 sides with roadway available but when I placed a single set of 4 tents close to a section of water, road was on 3 sides the program had red square under it until you found an appropriate location then turned green, but when I placed it there, the program kept telling me that the homes needed additional services. I finally had to delete/move it to a new location.
Main Goals for each level are in upper Rt Hand corner. Example: Build 3 Homes to a level 4, but does not explain what makes it a level 4. Click house & read tiny lettering of what it needs.
As each task is finished it removes from the list. When certain items are gathered to send elsewhere you must click SEND once the supplies are together.
As each task is finished it removes from the list. When certain items are gathered to send elsewhere you must click SEND once the supplies are together.
When level is completed your screen states "ANOTHER THRIVING CITY OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE IS HERE THANKS TO YOU!" then another screen loads where you create a villa one part of a task at a time. You can choose the order to complete but no choice of different fountains or building architecture. Nothing unusual or exciting about the space. Your building a property with Villa-25 levels, servants-10, Gazebo-5, Fountain-10, Stable-10, Fence-10, Garden-6. The beginning levels seems to give you 2 tasks for each level.
Then by level 6 the fires started, a lot of fires, that are put out by clicking the buildings very fast. If not fast enough, long enough or soon enough, it burns down.There is a fire tube next to the burning building showing how close it is to destruction and they seem to burn down fast.
The money aspect is another area that was not explained well enough, when I spent too much money, instead of my purchase being denied, Caesar gave me a loan, no penalty that I know of, so why bother with money if there is no limitations? Yes, they did advise to be more careful.
Over all the game was OK but nothing new or different, graphics were basic Roman Architecture, story line was forgettable literally, more information was needed in several areas even if just added on a help page. A zoom in/out was desperately needed. The choir music did not seem to fit the game. People had little detail that identified a person.
If you are desperate for something new and you have played all the other TM's and you have a pcc available then this may suit your needs ....but personally it made me just want to re-play, The World of Zellian's, and save my code and the frustrations that would come in trying to understand the rules and the small print instructions. The Zellian's you can actually tell what the little people's jobs were as the firemen/women carried their own hoses, doctors in lab coats & even mad men who rip up roadways in their fits before the doctors come and help them. Plus you use strategy to fit all the buildings into the allotted space. In Ancient Rome #2, I did not make it far enough to know if space planning would become an issue. In comparison the people in Ancient Rome #2, the people looked like little more than colored ants if even that and there are only 30 levels instead of the Zellian's, 45, so it is 33% shorter that World of Zellian's.
I will pass on purchasing or using a pcc but do try it for yourself and then try the World of Zellian's if you have not yet tried it for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Wonderland Mahjong
Rescue the queen from evil Rasmos and save Wonderland! Conquer 60 mahjong levels with four special friends and helpful mini games!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
TIMED, NO Casual & keep your cursor off the M3 board
PostedDecember 7, 2012
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Wonderland Mahjong
512 MB RAM, 30MB hard drive
512 MB RAM, 30MB hard drive
TIMED mahjong, NO casual setting. Timer starts beeping last 10 seconds.
60 levels of bright, colorful, simplistic graphics, characters are cartoon in form.
60 levels of bright, colorful, simplistic graphics, characters are cartoon in form.
I played the demo on both a pc and a notebook, it did not change the game play in any way.
I thought that maybe this was aimed more for children because the graphics were simplistic and basic but the timing is much too short for a child to accomplish the boards. All 7 levels I played each had 4 minutes to complete the board. The timer DOES stop while you move to a M 3 board to earn a shuffle, and automatically turns back on, the second you make the final M3 that earns the shuffle. The shuffle does not always produce a match either, so often you may end up playing 5 or 6 M 3 boards to finish that 1- 4 minute mahjong board. I probably would have made it to level 8 or 9 if the computer had not frozen, twice while playing the Match 3 portion.
****The key to preventing the freezing is to click the tile you want to move and then move your cursor off the board until all matches are finished moving and clearing.****
There are 6 areas with 10 levels in each area they were Wonder Woods, Wonder Mountain, Wonder River, Wonder Beach, Wonder Palace and Imperium Rasmos.
All levels can be replayed to improve your score or your time.
All levels can be replayed to improve your score or your time.
Options includes sliders for music & sounds quiet to loud, often it was bird chirping and other sounds of nature. When the music was playing I wanted it turned low. The nature sounds were OK though.
check/un check boxes for full screen, mouse cursor, OK to return to main screen.
lower right along the bottom of the screen you have buttons for Player, Credits & Exit. Player allows you to add or delete up to 7 players Names, level finished and number of points earned are recorded for each. As a person becomes the highest scorer on this computer the information is listed under Champions, just under the start button.
check/un check boxes for full screen, mouse cursor, OK to return to main screen.
lower right along the bottom of the screen you have buttons for Player, Credits & Exit. Player allows you to add or delete up to 7 players Names, level finished and number of points earned are recorded for each. As a person becomes the highest scorer on this computer the information is listed under Champions, just under the start button.
I am not even certain what all the images even are on the tiles, plus some look very similar to others, so great attention to detail is required in this game.
Rasmos an evil sorcerer from the darkest depths of Kandor has evil plans for the Wonderland Kingdom. While Queen Arowine is calmly strolling through the kingdom, Rasmos sets a trap and kidnaps her away. That very day he send a message to King Argon demanding for him to step down as king, humble himself and crown Rasmos as the new King within one week or else Queen Arowine would be no more!
4 of the Kings most trusted heroic friends join you in your journey to rescue the Queen. Brave Brunos, removes troublesome tiles, Titanic Lancelus shuffles the tiles creating new possibilities. Lucky Lancelus removes 2 pairs of tiles of your choosing, and the forth is Excalibaro, he destroys up to 6 tiles.
The help button helped to understand what each friends special power is, but it would have been more helpful, if when you clicked on one of them if it told you their skill. As you set out to start looking for Queen Arowine a trail of stones is found. Queen Arowine had thought quickly of how to help her husband to be able to find her and help to return her once more to her beloved kingdom and Argon.
If you like timed and have no need for the casual level of play, then this is a game you may enjoy.
If you HATE the timer and not having the option to play at your own rate, stay away from this one!
If you HATE the timer and not having the option to play at your own rate, stay away from this one!
World Mosaics 6
Stop an infamous cat burglar as you solve pictographic puzzles and travel through time.
Overall rating
5
/
5
77 of 87 found this review helpful
Calling all World Mosaics game lovers...#6 has arrived!!!
PostedDecember 4, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
World Mosaics 6
Also known as nanogram, picross, griddlers, paint by number, and any other name that refers to logical number games. Similar games available here at BFG are World Mosaics 1-5, Gemsweeper, World Riddles: Animals, & Arizona Rose & the Pirates Riddles. In past WM versions you restored the Atlantis World Museum,then went on as an apprentice and had schooling in chronology. Traveling through time seems to be a trait of each edition. This version you are gathering evidence against a cat burglar named LaForge who has stolen the hour glass from the Atlantean Museum, LaForge taunts you by leaving these puzzles behind as clues to where he is traveling next.
Also known as nanogram, picross, griddlers, paint by number, and any other name that refers to logical number games. Similar games available here at BFG are World Mosaics 1-5, Gemsweeper, World Riddles: Animals, & Arizona Rose & the Pirates Riddles. In past WM versions you restored the Atlantis World Museum,then went on as an apprentice and had schooling in chronology. Traveling through time seems to be a trait of each edition. This version you are gathering evidence against a cat burglar named LaForge who has stolen the hour glass from the Atlantean Museum, LaForge taunts you by leaving these puzzles behind as clues to where he is traveling next.
Requires 1024 RAM and 72MB hard drive. On the main page along the bottom of the screen are the following: Options, Credits, Bonus, Tips, & Quit, the Play button is in the center of the screen. Options, allows you to set a slider for your music & sounds. Then there are boxes to check or un check for Disable Hints, Custom Cursor, Right Click swap, Show selection of Numbers, Full Screen and Stretch screen which allows you to customize the game to your own preferences. Bonus content is 150 bonus puzzles in addition to the 100 puzzles in the main game.
Upon completion of each puzzle your time used, hints used, mistakes made are listed so you can replay to improve your performance.
A few sounds are reused from the past versions, but the majority of the music is new, to me it sounds like Jazz detective music, I liked it, but for those who don't, the slider can easily turn it off for you.
The first location was in one of the old Soviet countries and involved ***[color=#ffffff]guards, barbed wire and nuclear weapons being launched.[/color]**** There were 10 boards in that section & all were 10X10, the picture in the background was dreary, to say the least. Each completed board earns you a puzzle piece but the game puts them together, not you, which was a lost opportunity in my opinion. The second area had 10 boards also, & was a past Dutch Olympic location.
Two of the sample boards on the BFG game page show 15X15 boards so they will get bigger but I had almost finished the second group of 10 when my demo time ran out, and had only solved 10X10 boards so far. Hopefully there will be larger boards and SOON. Up to now the boards have been rather easy.
I will be purchasing with a pcc.
I will be purchasing with a pcc.
I recommend this game!
Secret Diaries - Florence Ashford
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
Too Short, Too Easy, Too much Hand Holding, but Worth $2.99 DD
PostedNovember 28, 2012
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Secret Diaries of Florence Ashford.
Florence’s family has fallen on some hard times and all possessions that are not absolutely necessary have already been sold to protect the families good name but was still not enough. The Marquis Henry Buckleburg, has agreed to pay off the family debts and restore the family fortune, in exchange for their daughter’s hand in marriage. The Marquis sent his carriage to bring Florence to Buckleburg Manor. Florence arrives with a letter of introduction from her father which the butler has her leave on the entry table and Florence settles into her room and prepares to freshen up after the long trip so she can make a good first impression on her future husband. While combing her hair and applying more face powder in front of the fireplace mirror, her excess face powder discloses a hidden message left on the mirror, stating that her family has been deceived, and that there is additional clues and evidence in the very room she is staying in.
Florence’s family has fallen on some hard times and all possessions that are not absolutely necessary have already been sold to protect the families good name but was still not enough. The Marquis Henry Buckleburg, has agreed to pay off the family debts and restore the family fortune, in exchange for their daughter’s hand in marriage. The Marquis sent his carriage to bring Florence to Buckleburg Manor. Florence arrives with a letter of introduction from her father which the butler has her leave on the entry table and Florence settles into her room and prepares to freshen up after the long trip so she can make a good first impression on her future husband. While combing her hair and applying more face powder in front of the fireplace mirror, her excess face powder discloses a hidden message left on the mirror, stating that her family has been deceived, and that there is additional clues and evidence in the very room she is staying in.
Game requires 512 MB RAM, 95MB hard drive. The video clip is important to watch and listen to, as the music played during the clip, is throughout the game. The clip also shows several game highlights. I found the music pleasant and relaxing to listen to, but too repetitive. This is a hidden object/ light adventure game. This review is based on the completion of the game in both casual and in expert. The first time on casual took me just over 3 ¼ hours & the second time on Expert took me just 2 ½ hours, and I'm not considered a fast player either.
As the game progresses Florence must write her father immediately for his advice about the deception as well as to help locate the additional information throughout the Bucklebury estate as the mystery of the lost ancestor and hidden pages of a will are found and secrets are revealed. Game takes place all in one afternoon and the horses, carriage and baggage remain in the front of the Manor throughout the game.
The Options page allows the adjusting the music, sounds, checks for full screen, custom cursor, button to go to the credits and a return to game button are available to select. Option to play in casual or expert but can not be altered once you have started your game. Casual required a 50 second recharge for hints and 90 seconds for the expert level to recharge, the expert level did back off on the sparkles but all clues in dialog or at the top of the screen remained there even in the expert level. Hints are just that, hints to help you figure it out, not to give you the answer, unless you choosing to skip a puzzle. Across the top of the screen will tell you your current goal and even in the expert level it remains there so those of you who do not like to have your hand held or to be told what to do and how to do it will likely choose to pass on this game.
Bucklebury Manor has beautiful Statues and art but the graphics of the people are flat one dimensional and a bit cartoon like. One scene they show 2 people moving across a room and up the stairs and they are shown with color streaking out behind the figures to show the implied motion which was very unimpressive. Thankfully that only happened once but in my opinion that should not have happened even that one time.
Florence is without her ladies maid and the woman who is the cook and housekeeper helps Florence when she can but she also needs Florence’s help, which would have been unrealistic for the place and times this game is suppose to depict but this is after all a game trying to make HO scenes and mini games fit into a story line so I am cutting them a break.
There are approx 10 traditional HO scenes and 30 or so types of mini games though the game. The 30 mini games involved some adventure combinations that had to be accomplished so this number will vary on a persons view point of which actions would be a mini game and which were just a combination of actions that needed to be done but did not fall into the mini game category in their own viewpoint. Items in HO scenes though clear and sharp a few were rather small but were still do-able. Tasks were reasonable such as locate paper, ink and create and sharpen a feather pen, plus melt wax and color it with dye to make wax for sealing of personal correspondence. Instructions were not always adequate to know what to do to progress in the game or even getting proper instructions for the mini games were lacking. Several times an item could not be picked up in one scene but could 3 scenes later. Two or three times an instruction sheet could also be found laying in the vicinity or tacked up near the scene. Be sure to check every drawer and each location thoroughly as there is not an over click penalty.
In conclusion…I thought the game was too short, too easy, had too much hand holding throughout the game, but was worth the $2.99 sale price as a Daily Deal for the no stress, calming music, just chill out and relax.
I recommend this game!
Fishdom 3 Collector's Edition
Look after and feed fun 3D fish and watch them play and interact with each other as you complete exciting match-3 levels to earn money for decorating your aquarium!
Overall rating
5
/
5
208 of 255 found this review helpful
Fishdom 3 Collector's Edition, AWESOME graphics & upgrades to the familiar Fishdom series!!!
PostedNovember 22, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Not likely to have any disappointment from the fans of this series, with this new release!! Same familiar set up as the other editions in this series, but with many new additions that will entertain and keep you involved whether you are playing the match 3 boards with clear colorful graphics and upgrades that reward you for your more difficult matches or just relax and be entertained while you create as many different fish tanks as you wish, with the money you earn while playing the match 3 boards.
This collector’s edition requires 1024 RAM, 256 hard drive. There are many bonuses, including 100 bonus levels, wallpapers, screen savers, concept art, and relaxing soundtracks. The choice is yours to play timed for bronze, silver and gold or to check the box on the options page and take all the time you need to enjoy each level playing the relaxed game mode. While playing the match 3 board in the timed mode, on the right side of the game board there will be a timing tube with a bobbing floater so you can watch how close you are to dropping down to another level. There are many pages worth of trophies and awards for you to earn. The Collectors Edition also includes a “Fishipedia” to help you learn all about your different new fish tenants that will inhabit the tanks you create.
When you choose a fish to add to your tank, you also choose the gender and name for each of your fish from a long list of name options. The 2 arrow symbols, out to the right of the name, allows you to scroll through the other possible names to choose from.
Each fish has their own personality and the dialog to both you and between the various fish is entertaining. Tina the sea turtle is your helper as she gives the tutorial and other information to help those that wish to have it. There is a skip tutorial for those that are long term Fishdom fans or just prefer to wing it when starting a new game. The option page allows you to set the music and sound options as well as check /uncheck the boxes for full screen, show hints, custom cursor, or relaxed game mode. From the options page you can also click to go see the credits or screen savers.
Each fish has their own personality and the dialog to both you and between the various fish is entertaining. Tina the sea turtle is your helper as she gives the tutorial and other information to help those that wish to have it. There is a skip tutorial for those that are long term Fishdom fans or just prefer to wing it when starting a new game. The option page allows you to set the music and sound options as well as check /uncheck the boxes for full screen, show hints, custom cursor, or relaxed game mode. From the options page you can also click to go see the credits or screen savers.
When on a screen that you are creating a fish tank, along the lower part of the screen starting at the left is the store to buy items for your fish/tanks, then a chest for your inventory, a scroll of your backgrounds to choose from and 3 arrows for the achievements and statistics you have earned. Along the lower right is a pointer, a symbol used to move an item in your tank, a net, sponge to clean your tanks, a fish food container(don’t forget to feed your fish as they do get hungry)and then on the far right is the play button to return to the Match 3 boards to play more levels.
There are 18 different 3D fish to choose from, 150 different tank decorations or play items for your fish to interact with, then there are also the various plants, and back grounds to help you create the fish tanks of your dreams. This edition allows you to customize the various items by making them larger or smaller or to move them around as you make alterations to your various fish tanks, or even sell them all back off if you are making radical changes to your tank. As you progress in not only M3 levels but also the amount of money you have earned, items will be unlocked. Each area will show you all the possible items for sale, for example all 18 different fish are shown but a lock will still be on the lower corner of the pictures that you either do not have enough money for or if you have not gotten to the level to have them unlocked yet. You can still clearly see the fish and can see the price required and it also states when an item is due to be unlocked, at what level, which allows you to plan out the goals for your tanks.
From the Menu page you can choose to resume, re start, go to options page or Exit the game altogether. This edition has many extra details even the smallest of details were payed attention too! For example the developers added a small tank connected to the menu box. It was not needed and serves no purpose besides the added detail and enjoyment that it brings to you the game player. These kinds of added details help make this game have that extra care and creativity that puts this game in a level above all the other games of this genre.
I recommend this game!
Mystery Case Files: Shadow Lake Collector's Edition
The residents of Bitterford, Maine have fallen prey to a terrible curse. It’s up to you to unravel the series of mysterious events that led to the town’s downfall and uncover the evil that was responsible.
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 9 found this review helpful
MCF Shadow Lake, worth a try but might be a bit short for fast players, and a bit too easy.
PostedNovember 20, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You were asked to come meet with Cassandra Williams, played by Lea Thompson, the mother from 7th Heaven days, who is a psychic that also works with a TV show called Ghost Patrol. You arrive in the deserted town of Bitterford, Maine to the small motel you arranged to meet at and you get very little help from the quickly departing ghost patrol crew but they(he) was not impressed with you either especially since you did not recognize him as a ”movie star” that you should want to get a signed autograph from …..thus you begin your journey with the new MCF Shadow Lake.
Game requires 1024MB RAM and 1564MB hard drive. Option setting allows you to set your music, effects or environmental sounds volume. Check marks for windowed & high def as well as subtitles & hardware cursor. Casual or Expert also known as “ Quit holding my hand” game mode, but I doubt the game will be difficult enough for the hard core expert gamers as the clues are everywhere in what is written or said in dialogs. Extras listed on the main menu page were screen savers, back grounds, Making of … and finding of 50 morphing objects, and you will be able to return to all previous locations to find the items if you still have not found them all by the end of the game, plus the final one or two chapters are also the bonus content.
This game is mostly a light adventure with hidden objects scenes and mini games. Mini games made sense in the context of the story and the process of moving forward in the game. Demo time covers the first 2 of the 11 chapters. The Drive Motel was chapter 1 and the Shadow Lake Penitentiary was chapter 2. The moderators have added the chapter names to the forum pages so a bit of a sneak peek by reading the chapter names.
****Drive Motel, Shadow Lake Penitentiary, The Warden’s House, The School, The Teacher’s House, Downtown Library, The Coroner’s Office, Trestle Road, The Church Grounds, The Relic, & Grimes Quarry.****
The 50 morphing objects seems to be the only really difficult part of the game as I was able to complete the demo time with leftover minutes on the clock and I used only one hint which I had tried using the correct item in the correct way just not the correct spot to use the item. But I did not need to use the strategy guide at all. For me it seemed fairly logical as to what you needed to do to accomplish the tasks outlined in the journal. Be sure to listen to what is said as well as read the journal. Unless you like it hardcore and in that case, try to not catch all the clues.
****In the opening story clip what appears to be an ivory rhino horn with hieroglyphics etched on it seems to affect the different people that it comes in contact with. It’s purpose or intent is not known at this point.****
The psychic uses her gift as a “psychic” and the spirits draw pictures through her. She hands you a stack of drawings and you must locate those pictures lining up the pictures exactly, to the actual scenes. There was only 2 true HOG scenes during my demo time up to the return to the penitentiary and 1 of them actually covered 3 rooms to find the listed items. Many hidden objects required you to move or combine other items. Each location on the map will reveal itself once you have completed certain steps. Once an area is unmasked then you can travel instantly from or to any other location. The hint button works well by giving you just a small hint if you are close to where you need to be, but if you are several rooms from where you need to be it tells you more information to get you back on track where you need to be. The game seems to want you to know WHY you need an item or be past a certain point before it lets you pick up some of the items, not just that it looks like an item that would come in handy in a typical Adv/Hog. If you want an example, highlight to read
****I tried to use the antenna wire to get the guest book but I could not get the book until AFTER I had read the message in the journal plus got the thought message about the guest sign in and a message about whether her phone could still be somewhere close. Until the different parts of the safe’s code is posted in the journal the game did not allow you to put the code into the safe, no guessing in other words. ****
Once you complete the tasks in a location for Cassandra she has a vision and you must move the pictures around to create a complete picture. Moving the pictures around seemed to be difficult and burdensome when it should have been fairly straight forward to accomplish.
Fun and enjoyable though on the easier side of games if it truly is as short as 3 hours then it would not be worth CE prices in my opinion, those who are concerned with game content should wait to see if “dark arts” or rituals are involved as they are not evident through the second chapter. There was a scene where the warden shot a gun at an escaping prisoner so be aware that the game content may not be appropriate for all players.
I recommend this game!
Rune Stones Quest
Build a settlement, restore the Rune Stones and save the Dwarven Kingdom in this pleasant Match 3 game
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 21 found this review helpful
Awesome if you have 3D screen, otherwise FLAT basic graphics
PostedNovember 14, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Rune Stones Quest, 2011
Requires 256 RAM, 119MB
Requires 256 RAM, 119MB
Help save the Dwarven Kingdom. 5 rune stones protected and brought prosperity to the kingdom for generations. Their destruction by a sinister sorcerer has weakened the kingdom and the Army of Darkness threatens to erase what little remains. They need your help to go on a quest prepared by the Dwarven Masters, to help regain ancient knowledge and restore the rune stones. There are 7 locations, the first location the ancient tree is restored then the settlement is rebuilt, from building roads, lumber mills, fountains, getting rid of pests, and collecting honey.
This is a basic Match 3, boards vary in size/shape plus have different tasks to accomplish. The goals for the current board are listed on a small board in the upper left of the screen. It will show a picture of the tile and how many of that tile you will need to clear. The Menu button is in the lower left of the screen. The players name and to switch players is in the upper right of the screen. Once you finish a board the board members that have tasks to accomplish are at the lower part of the screen in the center. If there is more than one person who has tasks to be done then you have a choice which to play first but once you click to see what that persons tasks for you are then you must play that one before looking at what the other people needed you to do.
Players with poor eye sight may find that the lettering is a bit fuzzy and not very sharp making it more difficult to read. The option category allows you to set the graphics settings for your computer, window or full screen views, sound/ music sliders 0-100 in increments of 5’s, plus a choice of custom or standard game cursors. Once you have made any changes push the apply button, (not the return to game button). Once you have applied the changes then you can push the return to game button.
Pictures on the tiles during the demo were easy to distinguish one tile from another. Close to the midpoint of the demo time they then made some tiles very similar. The tiles included a shovel and a pick ax with the same size, color, and length of handles plus they were also laying in the same direction. The other items on the board were 3 rocks: one gold, one light grey and one dark grey. Two were identical in shape and one was slightly different in shape but was the same size as the other two colored rocks. These may make it too difficult for some people to distinguish one tile from another.
No game timer but points are given depending on the amount of time you took to complete a board. I received 2’s and 3’s and assume there is also a 1 but did not get one myself and nor did I get a 4 when I intentionally tried to go very slowly. Each board may have hidden items to find under the tiles or you may need to clear all the darkened tiles on the board, as is normal in other M3 games. On the completion of a board, a table pops up and lists
Time- ___ points
matched items
bonus activated
pests activated
items collected
extra items collected
OK (you must click OK to clear the box and progress)
Table states the different scores in each area but the game has not explained why I need to know this. Does it earn me anything or if it does not advance me why post the table at all?
During certain boards one of five different types of pests may lock up a stretch of tiles. To clear the locked tiles you must make matches involving the locked tiles to clear them. You can also just work on tiles in another area as the locks tiles are not permanently locked and after a short time the locks will break and release the tiles without you needing to do anything.
Time- ___ points
matched items
bonus activated
pests activated
items collected
extra items collected
OK (you must click OK to clear the box and progress)
Table states the different scores in each area but the game has not explained why I need to know this. Does it earn me anything or if it does not advance me why post the table at all?
During certain boards one of five different types of pests may lock up a stretch of tiles. To clear the locked tiles you must make matches involving the locked tiles to clear them. You can also just work on tiles in another area as the locks tiles are not permanently locked and after a short time the locks will break and release the tiles without you needing to do anything.
Another of the challenges is when a section is involved in a mass of black swarming pests that takes up about 16 squares, you can only see the very edge tiles around the swarm and the swarm, eventually clears but it is a major obstruction to work around. If you are careful you can make selections that will prevent the swarm from occurring. The other thing that was a frustration was you can not make another match until all the tiles stop cascading or falling.
The story line is OK, graphics leave a bit to be desired in the background scenes unless you have a 3D screen, but the tiles on the boards are clear. Once you click a tile you must play that tile as it is stuck to your cursor. The music is calm and unremarkable. The game does not have all the bells and whistles but give it a try it may be worth a punch card coupon if you have one and you enjoy basic Match 3 games with no pressure involved.
I recommend this game!