Too bad about the "1 star" rating, because this game IS based on LOGIC!!
PostedMarch 13, 2017
Rezcanada
fromMontreal, QC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
I purchased this game. I played the 1st 2 rooms (15 levels each, so 30 levels so far) and I was able to solve ALL of them by LOGIC alone... no guessing or hints required.
The reason I purchased this game is because of its level of difficulty. I have been playing these 'griddler' games in my puzzle books for many years (yes... paper and pencil... old school). I enjoy the logic challenge, without the colours and stories, but that's just me.
If you like a good griddler challenge, then please don't be deterred by the negative reviews. Try the demo. You will get a good idea of the level of challenge right in the first few levels, and know if this game is for you!
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
2/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
See other reviews for great synopsis of details on the game (storyline and puzzle details, etc.).
Spoiler Alert -- For the sake of explaining my rating, I have described a few of the scenarios in the game (but NOT the storyline).
I have rated this a 3 because of the following:
1. Extra point for a few different ideas in gameplay - e.g. playing as a ghost, needing to top up on energy to interact with the living world.
2. Loss of points for ILLOGICAL use of items! a. First scene - you need to cut a rope at the gas pump. You have a SCYTHE in your hands... nope... not good enough. You use the scythe in the first scene, and then it is GONE for good. You need to find another item in another scene to cut the piece of rope. b. You dropped something METAL in a pond. You have a rod, you need fishing line (which you can see but not get with your hands). You need a magnet to get an item which is caught up in the fishing line. Okay, I'll go with that... now I've got the item (for elsewhere) and the fishing line. I am expecting to be able to tie the magnet onto the fishing line to pull the METAL object out of the pond. NO... the magnet is now gone from my inventory. I have to find a HOOK, in another area, to tie to the end of the fishing line. c. You need some light in a dark closet. There is a lantern outside, but it needs a button. You eventually find a button, which you use on the lantern. The lantern doesn't turn on, it opens up. It is an 'electrical' lantern with a bulb. You take the bulb and leave the lantern behind. You use the bulb in the dark closet. Why not JUST TAKE THE LANTERN WITH YOU?
I can put up with lots of BAF (back and forth) in a game, if the story is good and the items make sense. Conversely, a game can have a mediocre story, but if the devs don't put any time into testing out the logic of what they are programming, then I will NOT purchase the game.
As always, I suggest trying the demo before buying.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
2/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
2/ 5
I found this game too easy. I played through 30 minutes of the demo, to see if it became more challenging, but it did not. What I didn't like is that it fills in the blanks for you, and also crosses off the numbers as they are filled in (I find it more challenging if you need to figure out the whole row/column on your own) there was no option to turn off those features. I also find the multiple coloured mosaic games to be easier than the old style griddlers (World Mosaics). It is different in that there are 'items to find' and puzzles to solve (I came across 2 in the 10 levels I played). These were also quite easy. I was going to give this game 3 stars (rounded up from 2.5), but it lost a star because I had to GUESS (or use a hint) with the Donut and Juice puzzles. I was left with 1 or 2 squares to fill, and there were multiple options which would logically work. This should NEVER happen in a good griddler game. It should always be logically solvable. I think this game could be a fun game for beginners, or those who enjoy this level of challenge.
I'm surprised at the 4 and 5 star ratings.... story and flow sometimes illogical...
PostedOctober 3, 2016
Rezcanada
fromMontreal, QC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
2/ 5
While playing, if I hear myself mumbling "Really?" or "Seriously?" in the first few minutes of the demo, then I know I won't be buying. But I do try to play at least until the end of the demo... Wow factor may still be just around the corner?? But no... not in this one. Here's where the devs lost me: 1. Very first scene in the office. I fight off an attacker with a 'long', 'tall' coat rack. In the same scene, I need a 'long' item to knock something from the top of a shelf. Coat rack is nowhere to be seen... after some back and forth hunting and collecting, I am rewarded with a cane to knock down the article. 2. I drive to my home (great mini game where I need to avoid obstacles in the road), only to arrive, and then immediately lose my keys in the scene outside my apartment. I don't remember a cut scene where I lost them. How did I drive home? I was very frustrated when I needed to get into my glove compartment, only to get a message that since I didn't have my keys, I would need to pick the lock. Yes... more hunting and collecting ...
I know that most games do involve what I call the 'back and forth' aspect (I own over 80 BF games, and demo almost all of what is offered in HOGS), but when the logic is not there, I find it a bit insulting (IMHO).
This game gets a rating of 3 from me, only for the collectibles, good map, and a couple of different, challenging games (which I assume continued throughout the full version.
I was pleasantly surprised to see this title in the New Releases. I have the previous World Mosaic games, and they are my favourites of this genre on BF (I have played them over and over...). I always enjoyed the level of difficulty of the WM games, compared to the Fantasy Mosaics series.
IMHO the feature of filling in the 'blanks' in the FM games takes away some of the difficulty level. Players who started this type of 'griddler' game with the FM series would not be used to the WM functionality, but I say "Give it a try!" Maybe the devs of both could make the automatic filling an 'option', to satisfy fans of both series.
Quick comments:
Pro: - The feature to play with alternate colours. As found in the FM games, it adds an option for something different (i.e. replay the levels over in colour mode for a change).
Cons: - No additional Bonus levels, as found in previous WM series. I enjoyed going back and forth between the story levels and the 'themed' bonus levels. Bring them back!! - only up to 20x20 grid. I appreciated the tougher 25x25 grids as you progressed through the game. - Tutorial... please bring back the option to turn it off (but at least is was only in the first few puzzles).