Kafinkee's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:1,441
- Reviews Submitted:117
- First Review:July 3, 2013
- Most Recent Review:July 10, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Enjoy classic match-3 gameplay set on the banks of the mighty Euphrates River. Can you restore an ancient temple!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
Good Ole M3
PostedJanuary 28, 2021
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Finally, an M3 that not only plays well, nice and smooth and allows quick matching, but allows us to play in relaxed, timed or limited moves mode which should be standard in every M3 game but sadly, isn't. I played the demo in timed mode and that offered me just the right level of challenge -- there were a couple of boards I had to replay because I ran out of time.
I agree with another reviewer, the game is somewhat reminiscent of Cradle of Rome, a long ago favourite of mine. You earn stars that convert to money in order to restore and add to your ancient-themed temple. The power-ups, obstacles and sound effects are appealing -- a buy for me. I highly recommend you give the demo a try.
I recommend this game!
Complete challenging match 3 puzzles and help two London police detectives uncover a dark conspiracy!
Overall rating
2
/
5
27 of 36 found this review helpful
Boring
PostedJanuary 26, 2021
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I wanted to like this game, have been hoping and wishing for a good, fun M3 to come along for a while now but I'm afraid I got bored pretty quickly. As far as the M3 boards go, it's a big yawn, same old stuff. There is only one mode of play and that's relaxed = too little challenge. You can't fail to get your stars and move on.
The way you obtain upgrades, enable yourself to move forward, is a little unique -- I liked the 'map', kinda cute. Story isn't something I much care about in an M3 game. I forget the year this is supposed to take place in other than the late 1800s -- some of the clothing and the hairdos don't fit into that era at all -- and the detectives' boss is female which would've been unheard of then. Except for the very beginning, you can move the dialogue along quicker by clicking the screen. Basic graphics, nothing special. The music was okay with me -- some classical-style string arrangement. I found no technical issues, game play was pretty smooth (but not as fast as I'd have liked).
This would be a decent M3 for those wanting a relaxing time filler and little challenge -- if you aren't already tired of the same old same old. If you're looking for some challenge, something different than the all-too-usual, this isn't it.
I don't recommend this game.
Find hidden objects while exploring the most beautiful places this world has to offer!
Overall rating
5
/
5
37 of 38 found this review helpful
Yes, It Is Beautiful!
PostedJanuary 25, 2021
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Just finished playing the demo and returned to buy. The hidden object scenes are beautiful and crisp, the objects cleverly hidden but not too difficult to find. The challenge fits so nicely with the animal (mostly birds) sound effects -- makes for pleasant and entertaining game play. No annoying snippet of music on a loop -- just those nature sounds like you're really there, outdoors, in the wild. I especially enjoyed the well-done nature theme because winter has very much settled in here and I'm pretty well shut inside 24/7.
The minigames are the standard types for hidden object games although they're nicely done, do provide some challenge to complete and aren't boring. I urge HOG fans to give the demo a try; I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I recommend this game!
Lead a group of scientists through amazing word adventures while using your wits and vocabulary to survive the blistering sun!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
I Like!
PostedJanuary 20, 2021
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
What a surprise -- two Word games released in the same month! After the last one (which I also enjoyed very much), I thought we'd have to wait years for the next one.
This one has a nice level of challenge -- not too difficult, not too easy. I appreciate that the graphics aren't geared toward young children (cartoon-like) but, like another reviewer, I wish there was at least one female avatar I could choose. I'm so happy to get a break from the same old same old on offer in recent years so thanks to the Developer.
Pennmom, as usual, gives an excellent description of how the game works so I'll just throw in my recommendation and urge you to give the demo a try.
I recommend this game!
Santa needs you to help his cats prepare for Christmas in this meowy word game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Challenging
PostedDecember 23, 2020
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Yes, it has been a long, long time since the last Word game was released. Just finished playing the demo and enjoyed every minute of it even though I used that hint button for a letter more often than I'd normally have liked to in most other games. There is a mixture of easy, medium, hard and very hard puzzles in each level and boy, those very hard ones were really challenging for me but I liked it that way. The more I played, the better I got.
There was no automatic 'how to play' at the very beginning and I didn't look for any Help, just guessed and took a stab at it. You play the same as you do in some M3 games. Click on the first letter of the word you find and then hold down your mouse button while you pass over each of the next letters of the word, in order.
If word games appeal to you, I urge you to give the demo a try. I really enjoyed playing this one and hope it remains fun and entertaining right to the end.
I recommend this game!
Something is terribly wrong in the toy world, and only you can help!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 15 found this review helpful
No Need for Sunglasses!
PostedDecember 19, 2020
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have to admit that, after playing two other recent HO Adventure Christmas game demos, my review for this one is slightly biased based on colours alone! The other two almost blinded me with their excessively brilliant, lurid blues/purples/pinks all over the place. I almost needed sunglasses or something to get me through. The colouring here is absolutely beautiful, more realistic and not blinding.
The scenes are gorgeous, well-drawn and coloured, very Christmas-y. Game play is nice and smooth, no tech glitches in the demo. It's an easy game suitable for all ages yet not too easy; I didn't find it boring at any point. The puzzles are fun, many are different than the usual. I was entertained enough to want to buy it, not thrilled/awed, but adequately entertained. Definitely worth downloading the demo and giving it a try!
I recommend this game!
Help Santa prepare for the most wonderful time of the year!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Just As We Expected
PostedDecember 19, 2020
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is one game I really look forward to every year -- Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without it. I own them all except for the first one or two and I replay them throughout the year when the mood strikes me. I was able to play the demo (but not buy the game) a few days ago -- an error in the list of Christmas games eligible for a coupon code earlier this week -- so the download 'problem' isn't fresh in my memory. An update or error msg from Microsoft popped up, I think due to recent Window updates -- all I needed to do was click the "repair" box at the bottom of the pop-up window and a mere second or two later, the demo started to download. Easy-peasy!
I love the old-fashioned style hidden object scenes but I don't much care for the puzzle games between scenes. The format of Wonderland stays the same, year after year -- my only complaint other than the mostly boring puzzle games is the delay before your score appears after each scene. There's no reason that little annoyance couldn't have been updated years ago; perhaps the developers feel it gives the game some 'authentic retro' vibe, I don't know, but I wish they'd fix it. That annoyance, and the same old, not-so-fun puzzles (for me), was the reason I gave the game 4 stars this year instead of my usual 5.
The Springfield setting can be Anywhere-Snowy-USA you want it to be. It's definitely cliche (very much so!) "all-American" right down to the "Support The Troops" bumper stickers. The hidden object scenes are beautiful and very Christmas-y although sometimes part of a scene (characters' faces, I notice) look like a slightly blurry/out-of-focus photo.
The Springfield setting can be Anywhere-Snowy-USA you want it to be. It's definitely cliche (very much so!) "all-American" right down to the "Support The Troops" bumper stickers. The hidden object scenes are beautiful and very Christmas-y although sometimes part of a scene (characters' faces, I notice) look like a slightly blurry/out-of-focus photo.
This is a wonderful family game, very wholesome, one you can enjoy playing together with your child/grandchild (in my experience, young children really love this series). It's full of Christmas spirit, and I highly recommend it to fans of old-style hidden object games.
I recommend this game!
Join the Gizmos as they set out to explore mysterious jungles full of incredible riddles and brainteasers!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Yikes! How did I miss this?
PostedDecember 16, 2020
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I check to see what the new game is every day yet somehow I didn't recognize this as one from my most favourite nanogram series. Got my Gizmos mixed up? I dunno but I'm glad I finally noticed it last night and played the demo. Yup, just as much fun as I remember...
This is your game, I swear, if you're a serious nanogram puzzle fan. It's not about the colours (there's only one) and the resulting pretty picture -- it's about the puzzle solving itself. There's more challenge involved than the usual computer nanogram game offers but the puzzles are solvable, not frustrating.
I'm not a fan of timed games - which this one is - but at least you get to finish the puzzle, are not forced to start over if you exceed the "expert" amount of time (but you do lose one star if that's something important to you). For me, it's an unreasonably short amount of time to finish the puzzles in but I enjoy solving them so much, the lost star doesn't matter. I'm still happily entertained.
I'm not a fan of timed games - which this one is - but at least you get to finish the puzzle, are not forced to start over if you exceed the "expert" amount of time (but you do lose one star if that's something important to you). For me, it's an unreasonably short amount of time to finish the puzzles in but I enjoy solving them so much, the lost star doesn't matter. I'm still happily entertained.
I recommend this game!
Play fun Match 3 levels and solve incredible puzzles to uncover the culprit behind a deadly threat!
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 25 found this review helpful
Different M3
PostedNovember 11, 2020
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I enjoyed the demo, plan to purchase this game. Three stars can be earned playing each M3 board -- no time limit but there is a 'suggested' number of moves required and if you exceed that you lose a star. You also lose a star if you use a power-up -- although I can't see how a couple of the levels in the demo could have been completed without using one but I don't know all the ins and outs of the game as yet. If getting all 3 stars is an important goal for you, you are offered the chance to replay the level before moving on.
There is a mystery storyline for you to solve (your character is a detective summoned by the homeowner, Mme V.) and some pretty interesting minigames to play as a 'tester' for her eccentric, elderly brother, a game developer.
I highly recommend you give the demo a try if you like M3 games and are looking for something that's entertaining and fairly different than the usual. My fingers are crossed that this one continues to hold my interest until the end; based on playing the demo, it's worth me taking a chance on.
There is a mystery storyline for you to solve (your character is a detective summoned by the homeowner, Mme V.) and some pretty interesting minigames to play as a 'tester' for her eccentric, elderly brother, a game developer.
I highly recommend you give the demo a try if you like M3 games and are looking for something that's entertaining and fairly different than the usual. My fingers are crossed that this one continues to hold my interest until the end; based on playing the demo, it's worth me taking a chance on.
I recommend this game!
Visit the most amazing places in the world while solving fun and challenging mosaic puzzles!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
My Favourite Mosaic Series!
PostedOctober 27, 2020
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I love playing mosaic games and World's Greatest Cities is my favourite series of that type. There's a level of difficulty to suit everybody and their every mood -- casual, normal, expert and you can create your own by choosing custom which lets you customize all options (make some hard, some easy, some in-between, whatever).
I really enjoy playing the Mystery Lands and Labyrinth puzzle boards, too, although not as much as the regular puzzle boards. They're a pleasant little diversion that make pretty "nature-y" type pictures (flowers, grass, stone or sand paths, creeks), easy to complete yet still fun to do.
Music and sound effects are soothing, relaxing, not intrusive or annoying at all.
I urge you to give the demo a try if you like logic puzzle games. I highly recommend this one.
I really enjoy playing the Mystery Lands and Labyrinth puzzle boards, too, although not as much as the regular puzzle boards. They're a pleasant little diversion that make pretty "nature-y" type pictures (flowers, grass, stone or sand paths, creeks), easy to complete yet still fun to do.
Music and sound effects are soothing, relaxing, not intrusive or annoying at all.
I urge you to give the demo a try if you like logic puzzle games. I highly recommend this one.
I recommend this game!