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
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Join Miranda Calomy on a journey through a world of wondrous science in the Victorian era, in The Clockwork Man!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
MISLEADING TITLE
PostedDecember 23, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm not sure where the title for this game came from, unless it is a reference to the "robot" that helps the character during game play. Or maybe during the one hour demo, the clockwork man hadn't appeared yet.
This is a challenging game that caught my interest immediately. The female protagonist's dress however, was a little off-putting. She is supposed to be a member of a famous family known for their intelligence and, in her grandfather's case, as inventors. Yet she is dressed in a sleeveless outfit that would look more appropriate for a saloon dancer. Definitely a distraction for me.
I turned off all sound except the voiceovers. The accents for the voiceovers were excellent. The mouths did not move, however.
The unique part of this game is the fact that some of the HOS are scrollable, either right to left or top to bottom. This makes finding the objects much more challenging as the area covered by the scenes is much greater.
The "robot" provides the hints, which cost "energy" points. The energy points rebuild over time. During the hour I played, two types of hints became available. One type shows a picture of the object you are looking for and the other actually takes you to the object. Or near it; I used that type of hint a couple of times and still ended up searching around the area before I found the object. The first type costs one energy point, the other one costs 2. My guess is that other types of hints will be made available later in the game.
A definite buy for me.
I recommend this game!
After the Smiths' naughty kitten gets carried away and accidentally damages the Christmas tree lights, it's up to you to return them to their former glory in this colorful mosaics puzzle game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
38 of 48 found this review helpful
KITTEN MISCHIEF
PostedDecember 23, 2015
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a colorful, full-of-Christmas-spirit game with some really neat extras. I played the one hour demo and it is a definite "buy" for me.
As is normal, the grids start out easy then get progressively harder. The grids are done in 3 colors, the colors varying from grid to grid. Once all the tiles have been turned in any given row/column, the rest of the tiles are x-ed out automatically. Four mistakes are allowed before you have to replay the grid. Each grid must be completed successfully in order for the next grid to be unlocked.
One of the neat extras is the ability to choose the type of tiles you want to play with. I chose the legos style but these made it a little hard to count tiles. I think you can change the tile style at any time.
There is also the option to play mahjong instead of or in addition to the mosaic. Achievements are available to obtain. Coins are collected that can be used to purchase ornaments to decorate the tree that the kitty trashed. I think the coins can be used to purchase other things, too, but I didn't get that far.
Coins aren't the only thing that is earned during gameplay. Powerups are also won that can be used like hints. During the hour I played, I won several but never needed to use any of them. I'm sure as the grids get harder, they will come in handy.
This is a long game with lots of grids to play. It appears that additional free-to-play grids are available and are unlocked as the game progresses.
The music didn't sound all that Christmassy and, as usual, was repetitive, so I turned it off.
I even learned a new word: "agarics". It was in the title of one of the grids, "Fly Agarics". It means a type of fungus similar to mushrooms. Interesting.
Great game and it is on sale today. What more could you ask for?
I recommend this game!
Join Elly Cooper as she is unexpectedly thrown into an adventure that takes her around the world.
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
INTERESTING TIME PERIOD, INTERESTING STORY
PostedDecember 22, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played the one hour demo and this game goes on my "To Be Purchased" list. The HOS were challenging and the storyline engaging from the beginning.
The graphics have a sepia tone to them, but that fits somewhat with the time period, early 1900's.
With 30+ reviews, I doubt that I can add anything else, so I will just recommend the game and go back to playing!
I recommend this game!
A simple but challenging puzzle game where you get the party going with well-planned match-making!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
NOT MY KIND OF GAME
PostedDecember 22, 2015
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game will make you think. I didn't play the demo very long because I really didn't like it, but I can see the potential in it for other players who would like a challenge. I just was put off by the cartoonish graphics and excessive dialog.
Game play consists of placing patterned squares next to each other to form a grid. Each square has a guest "head" attached to it and if the pattern is correct, the guests will be "happy" next to each other. If not, then they will appear "sad" and you must rearrange the squares until all guests are "happy". Even for the short time I played, the patterns got more complex with more boxes to place and ever-changing patterns to cover with "happy" squares/guests. Also, in the beginning, the squares had only two colors meeting on the diagonal of the square. I would expect that further into the game, the squares would contain more colors to make the matches even harder.
If you place the last square and the grid does not contain all "happy" guests, you will have to replay it. Placing the last square ends the game and you cannot fix it. As long as the last square has not been placed, you can rearrange all the others endlessly until you get it right. You cannot progress further until you have gotten the pattern correct.
I'm recommending the game because I'm sure it will appeal to others. Play the demo to find out if you are one of them.
I recommend this game!
The ancients have disappeared, leaving behind mysterious mosaics, whose secrets only you can unravel!
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
STANDARD FARE
PostedDecember 22, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I played the demo for this game and it has some shortcomings, but for diehard mosaic fans, they can be overlooked.
The most serious problem is the colors used for the grid. The background is a pale pink and the colors for the filled tiles range from light to dark. I had to continually remind myself that pink was a tile that still needed attention. This color confusion led to some mistakes which made the playing a little frustrating.
Another factor that was a little irritating was the tutorial. First, I saw no way to avoid it, and second, it was definitely geared to a person who was playing their very first mosaic. The quality of the tutorial was also poor and seemed to be confusing at times.
There are 2 modes of play as indicated in the game description. I played the standard, easier (my opinion) fill and cross mode. The grids were very easy to solve at the beginning and did not get too much harder during the demo. But I'm sure, like most mosaic games, the difficulty would have increased further into the game.
The game starts with Player 1 already set up, so if you want to play under your own name, you have to go change the existing player. This is not that obvious which I feel is another strike against the game.
So how come 4 stars? I really like these kinds of games and this one had good graphics and a somewhat interesting storyline. But play the demo and judge for yourself.
I recommend this game!
After restoring Atlantis, you discover a magical book that sends you on a journey through literature in World Mosaics 3!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
FRACTURED (?) FAIRY TALES
PostedDecember 19, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You play this game as a person who is in search of various medallions/items that, hopefully, will finally get you out of this weird situation where you are thrown into the middle of various fairy tales.
This game tells the story of 12 different fairy tales. Playing a grid brings up another part of the story. The number of grids that must be played to get to the end of the fairy tale are different for each tale. I remember one story (Sleeping Beauty) which took over 13 grids to tell the tale.
I call these fairy tales "fractured" first because you must play a grid to get to the next part and second because I did not always recognize the story of the fairy tale as told in this game. In fact, there were a few tales that I had never heard of before playing this game.
The grids start out easy, 5x5, but by the end of the game, the grids are 20x20. Hints are earned during game play and are not carried over from one tale to the next. A maximum of 4 hints can be available, but after using one, you can earn another one. Eight mistakes can be made before you are forced to replay the grid. Game play is linear; you have to complete each grid in sequence before the next grid/tale is unlocked.
A challenging game with an interesting take on many familiar fairy tales.
I recommend this game!
Have fun helping Santa make the best Christmas ever. Put up decorations, visit Santa's North Pole workshops and open fabulous presents.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
CHRISTMAS IN THE SUBURBS
PostedDecember 19, 2015
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a great hidden object game with lots of locations and lots of items to find. Each location actually has 3 types of objects to find; the normal list, "shape" items, and golden reindeer. To get a gold star for a location, all 3 types of these items must be found.
Hints are available, work well, and recharge at a "normal" rate; not too fast and not too slow. I found myself using hints more than I would have liked, which kept me from earning the "eagle eye" bonus.
During play, coins are earned. With these coins, presents can be purchased. I did not earn enough coins during game play to be able to purchase all the gifts. I might be tempted to replay the game to see if I can do better.
I'm not sure about whether this can be done after the game is finished, but during the game, any location can be replayed to get more coins or to earn a higher star level. I was able to earn a gold star for each location, although it took some work. Hints don't help for the "shape" objects or the golden reindeer.
The storyline is about a mother, her two children, and one set of grandparents preparing for and celebrating Christmas.
The graphics are wonderful; each location looks like an actual picture, making the people in the scene extremely realistic. The locations are full of objects and very busy with people, making the search for objects a challenge.
A great way to enjoy the Christmas season as seen from the suburbs.
I recommend this game!
Help Cupid find out the differences between Mark and Mandi, and advance their love story.
Overall rating
3
/
5
0 of 2 found this review helpful
FAMILY AND CHILDREN GAME
PostedDecember 15, 2015
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Except for the subject of the game, an adult romance, this game is definitely geared towards children or just-beginning players. I quit playing before the demo timed out.
This game's main play is "Find the Difference" puzzles and variations of same (What's the Same) as well as the concentration game of matching two cards that are the same. Even here, the level of the game is very simple, as all cards are face up so there is nothing that you have to remember to make the matches. I had the game set at the hardest mode and I still was bored. I'm also not that crazy about Find the Difference puzzles.
Collecting points during play allows you to purchase items to be added to the scene. Placing all the items in one scene then unlocks the next scene. You can also purchase birds, rabbits and something else that are added to the Find the Difference puzzles for you to find for extra points.
The graphics are cartoonish, again appealing to children. The storyline, however, is not, but the dialogs can be skipped with no penalty.
Cute game but definitely not for serious gamers.
I don't recommend this game.
Come celebrate Christmas with these holiday themed puzzles and help the residents of Gizmoland bring on the Christmas cheer!
Overall rating
4
/
5
NEW TO GIZMOS BUT NOT TO NONOGRAMS
PostedDecember 14, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I played the demo and ran into only one mini game, which was a jigsaw. The grids started out fairly easy, with 10x10, then quickly moved up to 15x15. I would imagine the 30x30 would be a big challenge.
For each grid, there are 4 targets to achieve; play within the time limit, use no hints, make no misclicks, and finish the game. I can never make the time limits so I don't even try. They always seem so unattainable to me.
Hints charge over time. There are 4 hints that can be used but I always finished the game before all 4 could charge up. I never had to replay a grid, but there was a meter that might have been keeping track of misclicks. Although it seemed like I ended up in the red end of the meter on some of the grids, I was never forced to replay them.
There is also a trophy room where items are awarded based on the accomplishment of certain tasks throughout the game. I was able to win a couple of them during the demo.
This is my first "Gizmo" game and I really didn't understand the beginning dialog that seemed to refer to a previous game, so I pretty much ignored it. I also turned off the sound and music as no matter how good it is, it is still a distraction to me. There is also the choice of having the game automatically complete the row or column once all the tiles have been uncovered. I like this option a lot as it makes game play easier and faster.
The graphics are bright and cheerful. There are tips that can be turned off or on to help new players to this genre learn to play the grids.
This is a solid nonogram game with hours of play.
I recommend this game!
Help friendly ghosts celebrate Christmas! They don't know how to do it and have less than a month to get prepared!
Overall rating
5
/
5
38 of 43 found this review helpful
LARUAVILLE LEARNS ABOUT CHRISTMAS
PostedDecember 14, 2015
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Another excellent addition to the Laruaville series. I played the demo and it is a sure buy for me, to add to the other games in this series that I have purchased and played.
Here the residents have heard about Christmas but don't know anything about it. During the demo, I was able to build and decorate a house for the Scientist. I would guess the rest of the game consists of similar actions.
The Match 3 tiles have been increased in complexity. An Aurous tile has been added that can't be removed. I did not run into this tile during the demo, but it sounds like a real challenge. The Mahjong games are standard fare.
The book of instructions is a great help. There are some grammatical errors in it that reveal that English is not the native language of the developers.
The graphics and characters are bright and colorful and always create a nice, relaxing atmosphere, if you play the relaxed mode, which I did. There are two other methods of play, limited time and limited moves.
Great Match 3 play, great atmosphere, great game.
I recommend this game!