arnold1049's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:4,545
- Reviews Submitted:555
- First Review:February 24, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 24, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
FAST PACED MATCH 3
PostedMay 15, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I ordinarily don't like timed games, as it seems the less time I have the slower I go. LOL. And I play for fun, not pressure. In this game, however, the time factor does not overwhelm me as there are so many other things that need my attention at the same time.
During the demo, I didn't run onto a HOS, unless the bonus game for filling up the Totem vial counts as one. In the bonus game I played, I was totally wrong in how to play it, so I only won 2 coins. I thought I had to click on the coins in the tree and the person with the bucket would follow and catch the coin. It was exactly the opposite. I needed to move the person to catch the coins which would drop randomly.
Anyway, that is just an example of how many things are going on in this game at the same time. The grids start out simple; collect X-number of coins by matching 3 tiles that contain coins. Then it ramps up to having to collect X-number of coins and unfreeze all the frozen tiles. Add matching tiles of a certain color to charge power ups, match tiles with totems for a bonus game, etc., etc., all within the allowed time frame.
Power ups are unlocked by using the coins earned during gameplay to upgrade buildings. Each building has several levels of upgrades, but I only went through the first level of upgrade and I wasn't able to complete all the buildings/upgrades.
Once charged, the power ups execute automatically; you have no control over when or where a power up is used. I guess that is a good thing, as it would just add another action to take along with all the other things and would use up precious time.
The beautiful, bright, detailed, colorful graphics are awesome and add a lot to the fun of the game.
In summary, you must watch for color, coin, totem, power up and who knows what other kinds of items as you get further into the game. Plus HOS? Never a dull moment.
I recommend this game!
Virginia and Professor MacNara have found Columbus’ missing ship! Explore the galleon in Ancient Spirits: Columbus’ Legacy!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
GOOD, SOLID HOG
PostedMay 15, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a good, solid HOG with some nice touches, like the choice between scrolling versus static HOS. The items in the scrolling option are much bigger, but can be missed due to the movement of the screen.
Virginia and an archeologist friend set out to find the legendary missing ship of Columbus, plus the missing archeologists that have preceded them. By the end of the demo, they have found the ship, the archeologist has joined the other missing archeologists, and Virginia has found a portal to a limbo world between the real world and the other side.
The graphics are bright and colorful. The HOS are of medium difficulty, challenging but not frustrating. The storyline is interesting and blends into gameplay seamlessly. Virginia pops up to provide guidance when the hint button is used outside a HOS.
Not a lot of bells and whistles, but for HOG lovers, a good one.
I recommend this game!
Kitten Sanctuary
Save the Kitten Sanctuary from evil alien abductors! Use your Match 3 skills to destroy the aliens` evil traps and free kitties!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 5 found this review helpful
JUST FOR KIDS
PostedMay 15, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I only played about 20 minutes of the demo before I realized that this game is not for adults, but a great game for very young children. Some games can appeal to older children and adults; this is not one of them.
Kittens are being captured by space aliens and must be rescued. Once rescued, the kittens must be placed in a sanctuary for their protection. There are 4 sanctuaries; new ones open up as the game advances. Once rescued, the goal of the game is to keep the kittens happy.
The Match 3 play is very easy with big tiles and bright objects on the tiles. The grids have fewer tiles and are big and easy to see. The game can be played either timed or no time, making it even easier for very young children. Powerups are plentiful and easy to earn.
Tiles do not slide; each move requires two clicks. Tiles can be swapped diagonally, which helps expand the search for matches.
The kittens are cute and playful. There are lots of extras, like earning food, wood and coins during play. Coins can be used in the store to purchase items to "play" with the kittens.
I recommend this game FOR KIDS ONLY.
I recommend this game!
Take a journey through Europe in a hot air balloon, seek hidden treasures and help bring criminals to justice!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
TREASURE HUNT THROUGH EUROPE
PostedMay 14, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The storyline finds the heroine in a search across Europe for treasure hidden in various castles. This treasure is needed to turn over to the Mafia in exchange for her father's life. There is information on each castle, which I'm thinking maybe actually true.
This is a multi-color nonogram that is very bright and colorful. It was up to a 4-color grid before the demo ended.
During the demo, I got to level 6 with earning 3 stars for each level, after replaying one level. Making one mistake looses one star but you can replay any level to better your score.
Once a row or column is filled in correctly, the rest of the tiles in the row/column are then cleared accordingly. With that and the number of colors, I found the grids pretty easy. Level 6 had 4 colors and a 15x20 grid, which I did not find that difficult. They may get harder farther into the game.
Making correct clicks earns you money and powerups. Powerups include the "eye" which shows one tile that needs to be clicked, the "hammer" that shows one tile of your choice, and two others.
Money can be used to purchase upgrades to the powerups, clothes for the main character and room furnishings.
With multiple colors, powerups and a store to spend money in, this game has lots of things going on to hold your interest. I just found it a little too easy.
I recommend this game!
Who is the Crimson Thief? Can Mortimer piece together the clues to finding all the stolen items? There is much more to this new mystery than meets the eye.
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 10 found this review helpful
WHERE IS THE SKIP BUTTON AND WRITTEN DIALOG?
PostedMay 14, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is the 4th in the Mortimer Beckett series and the worst of them all.
All these games have individual HOs placed in various scenes within each location. There are no piles. The HOs that must be found are shown as a picture and once you find one, it "activates" and can then be used somewhere else in the location to find other HO. I found myself going back and forth over and over again to the various scenes, something that really irritates me.
I also had an issue with the audio. There are 3 controls for audio; music, ambience/background and sfx. There is no separate control for voiceovers. As is my usual practice, I turned all audio off. Imagine my surprise when the introduction to the game had Mortimer's lips moving along with other body animations, but there was no dialog to read. I quickly stopped the game, turned on the sfx audio and started again. Now I could hear Mortimer with no problem.
But leaving sfx audio on meant that everytime I clicked on something, anything, including the hint button, I got these awful beeps, bops, boops, etc. Totally annoying. So I should go turn off the sfx audio again, right? Well, I'm not sure; what if there are cut scenes later in the game that have no written dialog and I need it back on to hear what is going on? My choice will be to leave all the sound off and ignore any dialog. Otherwise the clicking sounds will drive me crazy.
There is no choice of difficulty levels, which didn't mean much to me until I got to a puzzle that I could not figure out. All the hint button would say is that I needed to solve the puzzle. Another extremely annoying and frustrating issue because I cannot continue until I solve the puzzle.
There is a walkthrough available, just not on BF. A look at the BF forum for this game, however, did give the solution for the puzzle I was struggling with. But having to leave the game to find an answer before proceeding is another turnoff for me.
There are too many things that annoy me about this game for me to be able to recommend it.
I don't recommend this game.
Enjoy hours of fun playing your favorite minigames from Clutter in their own game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
SO MANY VARIETIES
PostedMay 14, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This game has so many variations on jigsaw puzzles that I couldn't even begin to list them.
To start, you can play the Quest chapter, which takes you through a sample of every type of puzzle you will find in the game. After this beginning Quest, you then have the option of playing a specific puzzle type that you like the best. Or maybe you want to play the type that was the hardest for you during the Quest. The options are limitless.
If you are already familiar with all the types of puzzles in this game, you can skip the Quest and jump right into your favorite variation. This is a good game for all levels of players.
The pictures used are photographs; very clear and bright. The colors for the more abstract designs are also pleasing. This is a wonderful assortment of puzzles that offers endless hours of play without ever getting boring.
I recommend this game!
It's up to you to stop the evil lurking in Mud Creek!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 19 found this review helpful
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE WRATH OF A WOMAN SCORNED
PostedMay 13, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Arlene is torn between marrying Bob or continuing to study magic under the town psychic. She seems to have made the wrong choice, or maybe the choice was made for her. Years later, with Bob getting ready to marry Sarah, Arlene returns to take vengeance on everyone. You and your paranormal abilities are here to save the day.
This is a good, strong HOG with great graphics and lots of variations in minigames and HOS. I played the demo at the easiest level, so there was an interactive map to move between locations as well as to see where within a location action needed to be taken.
The 4 levels of difficulty, including a custom level, make it able for you to set up the game to be exactly how you want to play.
My only complaint was it suffered a little with too much back and forth. For instance, you need a screwdriver in the basement of the house. You find it 3 or 4 scenes back at the dock. Too much of that ruins a game for me, but I only noticed it in the extreme this one time.
Since there is a CE of this game, I will skip this SE for it.
I recommend this game!
Mortimer's homebound journey continues in Mortimer Beckett and the Lost King, the thrilling new chapter from the much beloved and award-winning hidden object series!
Overall rating
5
/
5
35 of 41 found this review helpful
BETTER THAN THE FIRST
PostedMay 13, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is a big improvement over the first one in this 4-part series. The first game is Time Paradox, the third is Secrets of Spooky Manor and the most recent is Crimson Thief.
Mortimer finds himself in a kingdom that has lost its benevolent king and is being ruled by a usurper to the crown. The crown and its powerful jewels are also missing. Mortimer must find the jewels to restore the power of the crown and maybe, in the process, find the lost king.
Each area of the kingdom contains several locations for finding objects and using these objects to complete various tasks. There are no list type/garbage pile HOS. Minigames also need to be completed in the area before the pieces of the jewel are reunited. Once the jewel has been restored, that area is finished and Mortimer moves on to another area/jewel.
The graphics are colorful and bright. The storyline is light-hearted and Mortimer resembles the cowboy in Toy Story. There is a lot of reading; talking to various characters, reading about objects and how they can be used, and hints of various types. There are no voiceovers. The hints recharge very quickly.
I completed 2 areas and found 2 jewels during the demo. I think there are 8 areas/jewels in total.
This is a great game that I'm looking forward to finishing after I purchase it.
I recommend this game!
Plunge into an adventure full of mystery and danger. Unique Match 3 mechanics will give you a fresh perspective on the genre.
Overall rating
5
/
5
75 of 85 found this review helpful
A GREAT CHAIN-TYPE MATCH 3
PostedMay 11, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Of all the ways to play a Match 3 game, the chain-type is my favorite, so this game is a sure buy for me. But that isn't the only reason I recommend this game.
There is an 18 page guide with gameplay explanations as one of the menu options. Hints, if checked in the settings, will popup one of these pages when a new element of the game is opened.
I played the demo and got through level 6 or 7 and part of one minigame. Along the way, I won 2 achievements, of which there are many. Completing level 8 was one of the achievements. Achievements include both quantity (clearing X number of Y-type tiles) and time (complete X matches in Y time). Most of them seem achievable with a little effort.
Gameplay consists of moving the "Hero" across the board picking up "Lights" and conquering various obstacles until arriving at the final destination, at which point the level is completed. Points are awarded at the end of each level, but I never found where any use for the points was explained. Perhaps at a certain level, they unlocked the minigames?
Minigames were accessed by a separate menu item and when I went to play one, I had a "fish" category available for play with another category locked. I did not make it through the only minigame I tried as the demo ended, but the object of the minigame was to keep fish from reaching the top of the grid by making matches in front of them, or by making matches underneath them to drop them from the board.
Moving the Hero required making matches of 3, either using the Hero tile, or just the tiles next to him. An arrow at the top of the screen shows in which direction you need to move the Hero through the board. Other arrows pointed out possible matches, but as with the majority of these games, the suggested match was usually the least effective of those available on the board.
Obstacles that I ran into included stone tiles, that could be removed with making matches next to them; steel tiles that could only be removed with an explosion/power up; and electrical fields that must be crossed while the field is turned off. I got caught in a field and it "killed" the Hero, bouncing him back to the prior position.
Powerups are available and access is obtained by completing specific matching goals. One powerup, lightning, removes 20 tiles at random places. The conversion powerup changes tiles next to the Hero to the same type of tile.
So many things going on, so many things to watch for and so many things to do makes this game fun to play and fast-paced.
I recommend this game!
The miracle of the Green Moon, which flourished with plants of all kinds, had lasted for only a few moments. A cataclysm made the Moon lifeless again. Find out why!
Overall rating
1
/
5
11 of 27 found this review helpful
MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE
PostedMay 10, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This is the most disjointed, illogical, confusing, frustrating game I've ever played, except for maybe City of Fools.
I spent some time "reading" the tutorial, which left me with more questions than answers. The rest of the time I was just wandering from place to place, waiting for the cursor to change to a magnifying glass or "grasping" hand to find something to do. I needed to use hint after hint after hint to figure out where to go.
The task lists contain the hints. So here you are in an underground area of a moon station and you need to go to the "Sleeping Forest" to find a part to fix some kind of machine you need to create potions. How do you know that is what you need to do? Only by going to the task list and opening a hint.
At one point I ran out of oxygen on the moon and I "died" and I had to start the game over. According to the tutorial, this sequel at least has an autosave feature that allows you to come back from death and try again at the point where you "died", as opposed to the very beginning of the game. I could never figure out how to get any oxygen going. After a few tries, I just moved to another location, the oxygen problem went away, and I was able to continue playing. "Playing" however, does not begin to describe what this game makes you do.
How can this game be called a hidden object game? None of the objects are hidden in the normal sense of the word. The parts that are hidden in this game are any logic or rational design.
I played the whole hour of demo, hoping somewhere along the way I would get a hint of how to "play"; it never happened. But play the demo and see for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.