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:
Step into Noah's shoes and build the ark in this touching story of faith, family, and the future!
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 14 found this review helpful
RUN OF THE MILL
PostedMarch 22, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I played the entire demo on the relaxed mode.
Caution: because of the subject matter, some players will find this game offensive.
Unless the subject matter (Noah's Ark) is of particular interest to you, this is a very average, bordering on below average, Match 3 game.
The varying shades of reds, greens and oranges makes this game particularly hard on the eyes; orange graphics on orange backgrounds, reds on orange, three types of green tiles, etc., etc., does not provide enough contrast which slows down play.
Many things are not explained about the game and the tutorial is insufficient in many areas. For instance, if you play the relaxed mode, and time is not a criteria, how are the 3 gold stars earned or not earned? How, if at all, can you get rid of the metal tiles? What's going on with the spiders?
There are only 3 powerups available, and none of them are a reshuffle choice, something I've never before seen missing in a Match 3 game. The "tutorial" announces when a powerup is available and how it is used, but not how it is charged.
I did not find a way to replay a grid, something I like to do if I don't get 3 gold stars the first time around. I saw no way to return to the map to access previous levels.
For each grid, you must clear a certain number of a certain type of tile. I noticed, however, that in some grids, a tile was not shown as completely cleared even though there was no indication that more needed to be removed. This did not happen all the time, so it was confusing.
Materials for building the ark are obtained by clearing tiles. Periodically items can be purchased using these materials, with the ultimate goal of completing the ark. But things that are built aren't always directly related to the ark. In the beginning, you need to purchase a house, a spring and pasture lands. That left me scratching my head and thinking that this game could go on forever with no end in sight.
There is a lot of dialog to get through; some of it can be skipped, but I don't remember if all of it can be.
I was hoping this would be or include the chain-style type of matching, but it does not. It is just the same "swap" method as the majority of Match 3 games.
There are a lot more Match 3 games out there that are better than this one.
I don't recommend this game.
Janet and Brad thought they were going on a peaceful holiday until an unfortunate breakdown stopped them outside Frankenstein Burg!
Overall rating
4
/
5
38 of 44 found this review helpful
MAYBE OLD BUT STILL GOOD
PostedMarch 21, 2016
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I kind of like the "old" style of HOG with no frills, morphs, trophies, etc., etc. If I want a HOG, then that's what I want to do; play HOS.
I played the full demo and played at least 3 HOS and 2 mini games. I was totally defeated by the fountain pipes game because it seemed that if I didn't get the pipes attached quickly enough, they reset and I had to start over again. Here is where I found the tutorial and hint system to be less than helpful.
The lock game also defeated me mainly because I ran out of time before I could figure it out. The hour passed very quickly as I was totally engrossed in the play.
The HOS were also challenging; I used the hint button a lot. The items were very well hidden, like behind flowing water, etc. As with every HOG, you have to get used to how the HOS are set up and they get easier the more familiar you get with the particular game's style. I found this true of this game also; I had an easier time with the 2nd HOS than the first.
The British environment of the game added a little more difficulty for this American. I did love the graphics for the the characters; Janet's face turning red when she gets mad at Brad, tears running down their faces, etc. Gave me some chuckles.
Considering how easy most HOG are for me, this was a breath of fresh air, that I would have to work a little harder at solving it. It maybe an oldie, but it is still a goodie.
I recommend this game!
Rebuild Athens from the ashes of its destruction in Heroes of Hellas 3: Athens! Secure the help of the Heroes of Olympus!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
KEEPS ME COMING BACK OVER AND OVER AGAIN
PostedMarch 20, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm sure other reviewers have given a good description of how this game works so I won't repeat anything. I just want to say that I love this game.
It has so many things to do and every grid is different. The complexity of the grids is amazing. At the start of some of them, there is only one match that you can make, and it creates a chain reaction that is beautiful to watch.
I'm never bored and have to force myself to quit playing. All the games in this series are great.
I recommend this game!
Welcome to Top Secret Finders. Your first mission is to save a small town, uncover the truth about a government conspiracy and stop the villain in his tracks!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
NO LOGIC TO THIS GAME
PostedMarch 19, 2016
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
There is nothing logical about the movement in this game from place to place.
There is a map, but it isn't interactive. The only way to figure out where to find the next active location was to use the hint button. The funny thing is, although the map wasn't interactive, the hint button was. It would show the location with a
GO button and you could move immediately to that location.
GO button and you could move immediately to that location.
And this game also has another fatal flaw for me; you move from location to location and then back again, over and over. No logic. Why can't you get everything you need the first time you go to a location?
Too frustrating for me; I should have played the demo.
I don't recommend this game.
Trivia Golf
Test your trivia knowledge like never before… on the green! A fun mix of golf and trivia awaits you in this Brain Teaser game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
FOR GOLF FANS ONLY
PostedMarch 19, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I was attracted to this game because it said "Trivia". I figured I could put up with some golf stuff on the side. But it is 98% golf and maybe 2% trivia.
If you like golf, I think this would be a neat game. But I don't so it's not for me.
Enter a world filled with magic and help Emmy defeat her restless enemies as you solve Match 3 puzzles!
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
TEHUTI88 SAYS IT ALL
PostedMarch 19, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played 2/3 of the demo, got to level 4 and was totally stymied. I second everything reviewer tehuti88 says.
I don't recommend this game.
A massive flood has invaded Cindy’s magical world, and she needs your help to save the Flooded Kingdom! Clean up all the junk!
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
CHAIN-STYLE MATCH 3 GAME
PostedMarch 19, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
There aren't that many Match 3 games that use the chain style of play. Some have limited versions of this type, like matching in a straight line or in an "L" shape. This game allows you to match tiles diagonally, making it possible to join very long chains that wander across the grid in an almost haphazard way. This really challenges you to expand your focus on the grid to follow tiles way back to the start of a chain that will go across the whole grid. This factor alone made this a must-buy game for me. How delighted I was to find that this game offers tons of different kinds of play and never a dull moment.
The storyline finds Cindy traveling through a kingdom that has suffered an attack that has spread garbage all over. Cindy travels through this kingdom picking up trash and solving problems along the way. A woman needs her cow fed. Another one needs her windmill repaired, which was destroyed by a knight thinking he was slaying a dragon.
Each location in the kingdom includes multiple Match 3 grids and all the extras associated with it. Each location must be finished before being able to move onto the next location.
Powerups are available and are charged by making matches when the specific powerup is highlighted. These powerups include a hammer to destroy a single tile, a reshuffle, removing sets of 3 tiles with one click, etc.
Mini games along the way include HOS, moving logs to open Cindy's path, and a hybrid marble popper.
There is a sliding scale for level of difficulty, which I found unique and offers unlimited play. I had the side set at about the middle level and encountered no big issues. I'll probably increase the level of difficulty or maybe start a new game with a harder setting.
This game offers so much variety that I will be playing it for weeks or months, and coming back to it over and over again. This is a real gem.
I recommend this game!
Memorabilia: Mia's Mysterious Memory Machine
Use a Memory Machine to help the residents of Berryside Mews find their lost items and restore your old farmhouse!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
MULTI FACETED
PostedMarch 17, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The storyline centers around finding the person who created the Memorabilia Machine and remodeling Mia's house. Paying customers come to Mia's machine for help in finding items they have misplaced. In addition, they have a favorite item that can be found in the HOS to obtain more money.
Hidden in each HOS are the jigsaw puzzle pieces that will make up a picture of the lost item, thus triggering the customer's memory, telling them where their lost item can be found and ending the play for that customer. As near as I can tell, there are around 35 customers that need help. Customers can be replayed to increase your score and earn additional money.
This game is mostly HOS, but there are also Match 3 grids and jigsaw puzzles included. An interesting twist is that the HOS have various power-ups to help find the items.
Although "hint" is one of the power-ups, others do things like remove all unnecessary items from the scene, highlight x-number of items still to be found, etc. Playing the Match 3 games is the only way to obtain these power-ups.
The Match 3 grids are also varied. The type of tile corresponds to a certain power-up. Play is timed and often I have run out of time before obtaining any power-ups. Thankfully, I needed to use very few power-ups, since I played the non-timed version of the game.
And if all that isn't enough, you can also win various trophies for things like total number of HO found, etc.
And if all that isn't enough, you can also win various trophies for things like total number of HO found, etc.
This game has it all and then some. I did not find it very difficult with no time constraints. Playing the timed mode would increase the difficulty exponentially. So this game can be an easy relaxing experience or an intense test of your speed and accuracy.
I recommend this game!
Set sail with Mirabelle in this original pirate-themed puzzle adventure.
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
WHERE HAS THIS BEEN HIDING?
PostedMarch 16, 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
I am only the second person to review this game and the first review was done 3 years ago. Where has this excellent game been hiding? Thanks, Big Fish, for bringing it out of the vault to give it another chance.
This game is extremely unique and has so many variations and different ways to play it that I can't begin to scratch the surface in this review. Because of all these options, you could play this game for years and never get bored.
I didn't get very far in the demo, but, combined with that much play and the other review, I'm hooked and ready to purchase it and see where it takes me.
All I can say is please try it. Play the demo tutorial to give you a good idea of how the game is played. Keep the tutorial on as you play, because the game gets complex quickly.
I just know you're going to like this unique approach to Match 3.
I recommend this game!
Learn about the most interesting places in the world as you play through colorful and unique mosaics puzzles!
Overall rating
4
/
5
23 of 35 found this review helpful
WONDERS NEVER BEFORE SEEN!
PostedMarch 16, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game has a mosaic grid that requires you to swap tiles in order to fill the grid in correctly. I have never seen this type of mosaic before and it presented a unique challenge to me. I really liked the diversity of play in the game.
I played the one hour demo and hesitate to express my opinion after seeing so little of what seems like a complex game.
My hesitation is based on a couple of things that I don't understand about the game and that I didn't find discussed anywhere in the help section. First, since I played the untimed mode, what are the other parameters that are rated for the possible 3 star ratings given to my play? I was able to get 3 stars on some grids, but others only two. I would think number of mistakes made might be one of the criteria, but am at a loss for the other two since time should not be a factor. Therefore I had no idea what to concentrate on in replaying the grids to increase my chance of getting 3 gold stars.
Secondly, at various times during play, a circle would appear in the upper left of the grid with a number in the middle and pieces of the circle "counting down". The pieces of the inside rim of the circle would disappear in clockwise order until the number inside counted down to zero, at which time the circle would disappear. I could never figure out what I did during play that would cause the circle to pop up, nor what I needed to do while the circle "counted down", particularly when I was playing the untimed mode.
I did like having the ability of switching to playing all grids as traditional mosaics only instead of adding the 3 (?) other types of play.
This is a unique game and stands out from the crowd.
I recommend this game!