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:
In this adventurous romance, outwit powerful villains and break an evil curse inflicted upon your love, Hari, while saving your best friend’s life!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
WONDERFUL EYE CANDY
PostedFebruary 7, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game has some of the most beautiful graphics I have seen in a long time. Nothing dark or dreary about this game, even though the storyline has car wrecks, evil doers and a centuries-old "genie in the bottle (box)".
During the demo, I played HOS, Match 3 and other puzzles. The pace of the game was great, with something different to do at every turn.
Hints are available, though I didn't have to use any during the time I played, so I can't say how good they work. There is no map, but a compass button that will show you the various places available to go to in any given scene. There is a journal that contains 3 sections; Help, To Do List and the story. I played with the tutorial, which was excellent.
A definite buy for me and I'm looking forward to playing it again.,
I recommend this game!
The murders are escalating in the city! Follow the clues to crack the cases and arrest the killers!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
SOUND DID NOT STAY OFF
PostedFebruary 7, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
It would have been a buy for me except for the issue with the Sound explained below.
I loved the game from the beginning. Each grid uses three different colors for the squares. This makes the graphics and the completed grid much more interesting and being able to switch among the colors during play makes it easier to solve the puzzle.
As with most griddlers, it starts out easy and gets increasingly harder. The storyline ties the solution of crimes with the successful completion of the grids. The first crime I played had several grids to complete before the crime is solved. Each crime must be solved before you can move on to the next crime. A specific number of mistakes are allowed for each grid. Exceeding that allowed number requires you to restart the grid.
All grids in the crime must be completed, thus solving the crime, before you can move to the next crime. I find this format a lot more enjoyable than having to make no mistakes in order to receive a gold star. And solving a crime is much more rewarding than getting a star--nightmares from kindergarten.
Hints are available and the mode of play determines how the hints are recharged, either through time or by the accuracy of clicking on the squares. I played the easier mode of having the hints recharge with time, although I don't know why I picked this option as I rarely use hints when I play.
I played about half the demo, then exited and came back later to finish it. When I started playing it, I turned the music and sound off, as is my normal practice. When I returned to the game, the sound (not the music) was on even though the Options menu showed it was still turned off from my previous session. And no matter how many times I exited to the Options menu to check it and slide it on and back off again, the Sound persisted. And it was an annoying "bonk" everytime I clicked on a square.
The moon has vanished from the sky. Help the friendly ghosts return it!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
ANOTHER WINNER
PostedFebruary 3, 2016
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I purchased this game immediately because I love all the Laruaville games. But after purchasing it, I didn't get around to playing it until just now. Actually, I was surprised when I found I hadn't played it. I jump on the Laruaville games as soon as they are released.
As always, I played on the easiest mode because I can enjoy the game play and the graphics much better if I am not pressed for time. And I admit I don't move real fast in the first place.
The ghosts need to rehang the moon that, for some unexplained reason, has fallen from the sky. In the process, they must build a town and obtain the necessary equipment to accomplish this task. In order to help them do this, you must earn coins by playing the various games within the game and use these coins to purchase the various buildings, bridges, and equipment.
In addition to the Match 3 boards, there are also mahjong, HOS, and solitaire games to play. The HOS take some getting used to, as the objects are hidden behind/within the scene so that only a small part of it is showing. I always have one or two objects that take me some time to find, mainly because I don't want to use any hints.
The graphics are simple, bright and colorful. Definitely a feast for the eyes. I don't ever play with sound or music and there are no voiceovers. The ghosts "talk" to you about the progress of their town and in rehanging the moon.
This is not a hard game for players with experience in the type of games that are included, particularly if you play in the easiest mode. In addition to time limits, there is another limit on number of moves that you can also choose to play, both of which would make the game harder.
This is a definite buy for me and I will continue to look forward to the next chapter in this series.
I recommend this game!
Use your quick hands and puzzle reflexes to conquer the world of card magic in this unique mahjong card game.
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
MATCH TWO GAME
PostedJanuary 25, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I played less than half the free demo and enjoyed the game so much that I knew it was a buy for me.
I made it to the last location of the first level of Magic. I played the Action level of difficulty where you play against a timer. The Relaxed mode can be played without a time constraint. Magic Level One is a matching card game where matching two cards with the same number uncover more cards to be matched.
Cards appear in groups with some cards revealed and others that will be revealed once the card on top is matched and removed. These groups slowly move across the screen from right to left. All cards must be matched in each group before that group reaches the left side of the screen. There are "power ups" available, like a fire cracker that removes several cards at once, or a sand timer which stops the movement of the groups across the screen to give you more time to find matches.
Cards can be matched between/among all the groups on the screen. Up to two cards can be taken off the boards and set aside to be matched later. This frees up the cards under the card that is moved to the holding place.
As each group of cards is completed, balloons are released that you must click on to pop before they reach the top of the screen. Popping the balloons add to your power ups and generates points for your score for each location within a level. However, while you are busy popping balloons, the groups continue their movement across the screen.
If a group makes it to the left side of the screen before all the cards in that group are matched, the location is over. You can replay the location or go onto the next one.
Each location within the Magic level increases in difficulty; more cards to match in each group, more groups, more balloons, and groups and balloons moving faster across the screen.
I am not a fast clicker, but I was able to keep up with the pace of the game, at least within Magic Level I. I did miss a balloon here and there, and a couple of times, a group got to the edge of the screen before I could match all the cards, so I had to replay it. This was a good pace to match my skills. As I move into the next level, Magic Level II, etc., this may change and I may have to replay more often, or change to Relaxed mode to avoid the frustration.
But that's what's neat about this game; lots of options and lots of different things to play.
I recommend this game!
Travel with Ben in his journey through dreams and unravel the mystery of his late wife Elizabeth.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
SOLID GAME BUT SCARCE ON HOS
PostedJanuary 20, 2016
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played the one hour demo. This is a good, solid game, but has nothing that makes it really stand out. Although it is labeled as a HOG, I did not find a single HOS in the hour that I played. Perhaps HOGs should be categorized somehow by the percentage of the game (or some other criteria) that contains actual HOS. But on the other hand, that is why the free demo is available; play before you buy. This one is a no-buy for me simply because of the dearth of HOS.
I don't recommend this game.
Fall of the New Age
Help Marla uncover the secret conspiracy of the Cult and release her brother from captivity!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
COSTUME-CHANGING CAT BURGLAR
PostedJanuary 20, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I played the demo at the casual/easiest level of difficulty. It is a pretty straight forward HOG with not a lot of HOS it seemed.
The protagonist is a female cat burglar whose brother gets kidnapped as he is serving as a watchout for one of her jobs. It seems that she has stumbled upon a mysterious cult in the house she was burglarizing who probably took her brother. She witnesses what looks like a human sacrifice before they capture her and throw her into prison. A mysterious swash buckling 3-musketeer-like character, a friend of her father, comes to her rescue and helps her to escape, while promising his help in finding her brother.
There is a furry helper, a ferret, which given their characteristics makes a more realistic helper than some I've seen. The game contains panning scenes where you have to scroll to the left or right to find additional areas to play in the same scene.
Part of the storyline is that the cat burglar must change costumes in order to go into different locations. The first costume change stopped me in my tracks. I was able to figure out a few things; darkening her face to simulate a beard, pasting on a mustache, adding cheek blush and boots. But two of the major parts of her costume, her head scarf and her coat, completely defeated me. No matter how many places I clicked, I could not get either one of them to add to her garb. This was the only point I needed a hint, and it was completely worthless. All it said was to "complete Marla's costume". At this point, my time ran out, as well as my patience and my interest in the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Town and resource management adventure awaits in Settlers of the West!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
LOVE ANYTHING WESTERN
PostedJanuary 19, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm always keeping my eye out for American West-themed games and I immediately played the demo for this game. Time Management games are not my favorite genre so I haven't played that many. This game ranks at the top of the ones I have played.
The history of the American western migration is covered very well in this game. Building settlements along the route of the trails west as well as the background information on the famous bandits of the period give the game a very realistic feel.
The levels of difficulty are based on how fast the pace of the game is. I'm not sure what this means, but I think it means the target time to finish a settlement is increased, giving you more time to complete the tasks. That is very helpful to me as I'm one of the people who aren't fast clickers. This slower pace also allows me to enjoy this game and soak up all the information on this period of American expansion that is available in the game. I started out at Normal, but ratcheted back to Novice in order to try to get more gold awards. I'm not sure that it helped much, as I didn't have much time left to play the demo when I changed the difficulty level.
I am not sure exactly what criteria is used to assign the level of award to my gameplay. I got gold, silver and bronze awards during the demo but had no idea what I did or didn't do that resulted in these levels being assigned. That will be something I will look for when I go back to play the game again as I purchased it. And the best thing about it was it (and all Time Management games) were on sale today for 50 percent off.
As the game moves from one location (towns on the trail west) to the next, each Settlement must be built from scratch. Mines, lumber yards, trading posts, etc. must be built over and over again. But each Settlement gets a little more complicated with more tasks added. It has all the elements of time management games; collecting resources, hiring workers, etc., etc. One thing I liked about this game as opposed to others is that you are not required to pick up the resources that are produced by the various buildings/industries. They add to the resources automatically.
There are also achievements to be won, like collecting x amount of lumber, gold, etc. Capturing the bandits is also part of the achievements but I didn't get far enough into the game to figure out how that works.
This game intrigued me from the start. It is very well done with great graphics.
I recommend this game!
Sharpen your intellect with fun, challenging, brain-building games that can help increase your reaction time and improve your memory.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
I'M NOT A DUMMY....
PostedJanuary 17, 2016
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
...but I found this game hard. It also gets harder as you advance further into the game or skill type.
I played the hour demo and it took me almost half that time to read about it and how to play it. I like to explore a game before I jump into it. I think it saves time in the long run.
It contains some interesting facts about the brain. The Brain is actually displayed with areas covered by the types of skills (Math, Spatial, Reflex, etc.) that it controls. Game play consists of moving through these areas of the Brain in various ways.
I concentrated on the Math Skills, one of 6 (?) skills that the game covers. I'm strong in math, but I found the timed portion of the game difficult. In the Practice portion of the game, which is not timed, I had no problem. But playing the Practice rounds doesn't get you anywhere as far as finishing the game is concerned.
There are 3 types of paths that can be played through the Brain; Skill Circuit and 2 others; can't remember their names. Within these other 2 types, you can play various combinations of the skills; the Skill Circuit covers only one skill. Since I was concentrating on Math, I never got out of the Skill Circuit into either of the other two types of games or combinations of skills.
Within each Skill there are several games that can be played. These games get progressively harder and each game progresses in difficulty. With all the combination of skills, games and levels of difficulty, I could be playing this game for years! Absolutely no boredom with this game.
I'm recommending the game because I love the challenge it presents and the workout it gives my old (66) brain (Alzheimer's beware!). My advice is to try it first, but that is good advice for any game you are considering purchasing.
I recommend this game!
Princess Loreen and Prince Nathaniel have been kidnapped, and need your help to escape from a mysterious dungeon!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 6 found this review helpful
TOO CUTESY
PostedJanuary 11, 2016
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I played the demo and was tired of all the dialog contained in the game. Not only was the amount of dialog excessive, but the repartee between the characters was extremely irritating. I'm sure it was intended to be funny and witty but it was too cutesy for my taste. The level of intelligence in the conversations was about that between Daisy and Donald Duck in their comic books. I know, I'm dating myself.
The HOS were OK but just weren't enough to overcome the silliness of the storyline.
I don't recommend this game.
Join our penguin on a journey to the parallel universe of mosaic puzzles!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 8 found this review helpful
SUCCESSFUL FORMULA CONTINUED
PostedJanuary 7, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game is exactly the same format as the last few Fantasy Mosaics games. No need to mess with something that's working.
I buy every Fantasy Mosaics game that comes out and this is no exception. I did play the trial first, just to be sure, but as soon as the trial was over, I purchased it (on sale; even better).
The storyline and populating the garden are not real strong points for the game. That is why I rated them low. The meat of the game is in the beautiful, three color mosaic games. This game seems to have a bigger variety of colors and they seem perhaps more vivid than the last game in the series.
The set up of the hints, allowed errors and the bronze, silver and gold cups are all the same. I happen to be a perfectionist, which requires making zero mistakes and using no hints to get a gold cup. I end up playing some of the mosaics over to accomplish this. The ability to switch among the different colors in the same grid helps reduce the number of hints required and allows play to continue when you have reached a block in another color.
The grids start out fairly easy, 10x10, but after the first location, at the end of which an item is added to the garden, the grids jumped to 15x15. By the end of the game, the complexity and difficulty of the grids will have increased exponentially.
This is a game that I play in short segments, like one location at a time, whenever I want a good mosaic game and great graphics. I don't play with sound, ever. It is a long game, with lots of locations and lots of grids within each location.
If you are a fan of mosaics, this one is a great example. If you are new to mosaics, this one is a good introduction.
I recommend this game!