arnold1049's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:4,545
- Reviews Submitted:557
- First Review:February 24, 2012
- Most Recent Review:June 9, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
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
2 of 2 found this review helpful
THE ONLY GAME YOU WILL EVER NEED
PostedMay 17, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I wonder if there is ever an end to this game.
This is the second game in the series that I have played and both times I had to decide how many achievements I wanted to earn before I finally quit playing. I played a lot of hours over weeks to get to that point.
There is so much to do in this game. The Match 3 grids are complicated with lots of obstacles to remove, specific tiles to release, power ups to be used, etc. Many of these actions in the grids also relate to earning various achievements.
Completing the Match 3 grids earns coins of various amounts (1500 to over 6000) based on actions completed, like uncovering gold/diamond tiles and freeing artifacts and "pieces".
These coins can then be used to purchase items to build an aquarium from the ground up. First is the purchase of the aquarium, then a background, adding fish, ornaments and plants to decorate it.
The variety of fish, ornaments and plants is amazing. Some of the ornaments are funny and are grouped to fit into an aquarium with a specific background. There are 8 backgrounds in all, my favorite being the farm one and the Japanese one. There is one background that offers a moon-like theme that is very unique.
Adding fish, ornaments and plants earn XP points and "beauty" points. The accumulation of beauty points earns the aquarium gold trophy cups for beauty. Each gold cup increases the aquarium's capacity for fish by 3. The maximum level of an aquarium is 12 fish and 3 gold cups.
That doesn't mean the aquarium is finished, it just means that is the highest level that results in achievements. You can continue to work on any given aquarium endlessly; selling fish, ornaments and plants, replacing them with different ones, changing backgrounds, etc., etc. One of my stopping points was to earn the achievement of having 7 aquariums at the maximum level.
There is an inventory where you can put fish, ornaments or plants to transfer to another aquarium, hold for future sale, or just earn an achievement, the maximum being having 50 items in inventory.
When you purchase a fish, and there are lots to choose from, you can select the between male or female and a name for it. The fish talk to you and among themselves and the dialog is witty and fun.
The fish need to be fed and the aquariums cleaned periodically, earning XP stars. Once a certain number of stars have accumulated, you level up and receive an additional 10,000 coins. Some of the achievements are based on how many levels you complete in total and in a given amount of time. I was at level 77 when I quit. One of the achievements based on completing levels had 3 stages, the final one being completing 1,000 levels. Imagine how many weeks I would have had to play to reach this point.
There are so many achievements that I can't imagine the time it would take to earn all of them. I created 10 aquariums, another achievement level, but then that achievement increased to 20 aquariums, which was just too much time I wanted to devote to one game.
And on top of all of this, you can select to play the timed mode of the game. I never play a timed game if I have a choice, so I can't begin to imagine how adding a time restriction to gameplay would complicate things and extend the time needed to complete various actions.
Have I forgotten any of the aspects of the game in this review? Absolutely. There are so many things, so many that are interrelated, that any review covering all of the aspects would be pages long.
If you only buy one game in your life, buy one of the Fishdom games as you can play it endlessly. It is so entertaining that you would never get bored and would never need another game.
I recommend this game!
Master this fun and challenging Match-3 game inspired by the magical world of witches and wizards!
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 25 found this review helpful
A CREEPY, CRAWLY GAME
PostedMay 16, 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
Although it's not Halloween, this game is full of witches, spiders and other ghoulish things.
The storyline is great; an orphan must train to be a witch and learn magic in order to save her parents from an evil witch. Spells are learned, powerups used and upgraded, coins earned, all while playing bright and colorful Match 3 grids. Spider webs and doors are some of the obstacles that must be overcome. Awesome graphics and so many things to do that there is no boredom. The demo hooked me; this is a must buy.
I recommend this game!
Alchemist's Apprentice
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!
Ancient Spirits: Columbus' Legacy
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!
Mortimer Beckett and the Crimson Thief
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 Beckett and the Lost King
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!