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:
It's Christmas time and the Queen decided to celebrate!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Strategic moves pay off
PostedDecember 29, 2018
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I purchased this game today after playing the demo a couple of days ago and am glad I did. I'd waited for a good sale because I didn't think the M3 play was worth full price but I've changed my mind after playing on to level 32.
Yes, it's easy to clear most of the boards (at least early on in the game) without any stress but one becomes more aware of the importance of earning some bonus coins while doing so as you get further into it. Not only are you given a large garden to fill with a wide variety of plants and objects that you have to purchase with those coins and diamonds but after finishing level 30, another garden becomes available for you to plan and decorate. Further on in the game, yet another (and another...I don't know how many altogether, haven't checked that yet) also open up for you. I'm going to be one heck of a busy gardener as I progress!
To earn more coin so you can decorate like mad :-), you'll want to plan your moves so that you line up those larger matches that earn you either those bonus coins or valuable bonuses you can use to much advantage to earn even more coin or remove unwanted tokens/icons. That Santa sleigh that "appears" and flies over the board is actually a valuable bonus you created with a match 6. Match the resulting sleigh icon on the board with any token of your choice and all like tokens on a large part of the board disappear as Santa's sleigh flies over. It's one of a few new bonuses and obstacles that have been keeping me interested and entertained so far. Using your bonuses wisely is even more important if you're playing in timed mode.
I'm having good (and relaxing/stress-free) fun planning and building my garden(s) AND planning the most rewarding moves I can make to clear each M3 board. The Christmas-themed icons/tokens are pretty nice and the music's fine with me, too. Game play is smooth and nicely paced (you choose style to play). It's as easy or as challenging as you personally want to make it. So, there's not much more I can ask for in a game -- only that it continues to entertain after many more levels, of course!
I recommend this game!
This town was cursed and has been a haven of evil spirits. Banish them in this spooky match 3 game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Excellent M3 Game
PostedOctober 31, 2018
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
I'm a huge M3 fan and love the Cursed House series. This is a great game and I highly recommend it to other M3 fans who don't already own 3+ games in the series. There's just not enough new for me to get excited about this one, maybe more so because I just finished replaying #5 (these games have great replay value). On top of that, I'm experiencing the same slow mouse response as I have been for some time with some other games (and after reading many game reviews here, I know I'm not the only one having this problem). But...I might buy with a coupon that I need to use before it expires if there's nothing else that interests me. That's how I ended up owning #5 which also plays slow for me (although not quite as slow as this one, I'm afraid). I do like the new "town" theme.
Cursed House offers terrific M3 boards -- lots of fun to play and as another reviewer mentioned, sometimes you need to think about what moves you need to make to complete the board which I really appreciate. You can't just mindlessly click away until it's clear. An M3 with no challenge at all just isn't fun for me and this one gives you plenty of choice so you can choose just how much you want to be challenged. I've had many hours of enjoyment playing the Cursed House games I already own.
I recommend this game!
A nonogram puzzle tour of Rio de Janeiro!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Great Nonogram Game!
PostedOctober 25, 2018
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
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 having a good nonogram puzzle game on hand for those times I feel like something different to play for awhile, something challenging yet fun. I also like that they're games you can put down and pick up at any time -- no real story to get involved in and anticipate the ending of, no inventory that I forget where and what to use it for as happens when I take a fairly lengthy break from an adventure game. I can play as long or as little as I want at any time, nothing I need to remember from the previous time I played. These games also give great replay value, can be played over and over again and are just as enjoyable down the road as they were the first time around.
This one fills the bill for me -- players can choose how difficult they want the puzzles to be (as explained in previous reviews), no guessing involved, a variety of appealing colours. I had no trouble with those big black dots but have experienced visual problems in other games so I sympathize with those that did and hope the developer takes note. My only complaint after playing for about 90 minutes last night (I purchased the game) was with the too-similar colours used in a couple of the puzzles. One I only struggled with a bit; the other I had to accept a 'mistake' for since I couldn't tell two shades of a colour apart no matter how hard I tried.
I highly recommend this game to fellow nonogram lovers (play the demo first of course, esp since some players are having a visual problem with it). If you haven't played this type of game before, I encourage you to give it a try - what have you got to lose but a little bit of time? In my opinion, it's a good one for beginners, experienced puzzlers and everybody in-between.
I recommend this game!
Three lifelong friends are about to embark on an amazing hidden object adventure through Acapulco.
Overall rating
2
/
5
27 of 30 found this review helpful
Pretty Boring
PostedOctober 17, 2018
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
A straight seek-and-find game, no little mini games between scenes. Some objects were quite challenging to find and you're allowed a few wrong guesses (3? 4?) after which they'll cost you $50 each. I found the music and characters annoying, not much of a storyline either. It's obvious that English isn't the developers' native tongue (eg, waffer instead of waffle). You can zoom in to magnify part of the scene but that's very rarely necessary which is a good thing because things get fairly blurry when you do. Not a purchase for me but if you like nothing but seeking hidden objects the entire time you play and don't care about the lack of an even remotely interesting story, I'd recommend you give this game a try.
I don't recommend this game.
The hidden village of mages is threatened by a catastrophe. Their only hope is a young mage apprentice!
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 21 found this review helpful
maybe...
PostedSeptember 26, 2018
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Like another reviewer, game play was slow for me, sluggish mouse. This is a problem I'm having more frequently with some games and I don't know if the cause is my own computer, a compatibility issue with Windows 10 or something else that some game developers have failed to address. I suspect the majority of players are able to play these games just fine so I don't feel I can take away more than one star just because I do.
But, for this reason, I only played 5 levels of the demo but feel I have a fairly good idea about how much I'd enjoy playing the game otherwise.
But, for this reason, I only played 5 levels of the demo but feel I have a fairly good idea about how much I'd enjoy playing the game otherwise.
It's a swap M3. No waiting for tiles to drop before making another match, plenty of weapons at your disposal early on in the game, icons easy to distinguish from each other, a village to build, a bit different than the usual -- all pluses for me when considering whether or not to buy a game. The big negative as far as I'm concerned is the lack of choice when it comes to type of play. You can't choose whether or not to play in relaxed, timed or limited moves mode. Levels 1, 2, 5, 6 (I peeked at 6, didn't play) were timed and 3 & 4 were limited moves. I certainly had enough time/moves to complete but one always does for the first few/several levels. But for this reason alone, I wouldn't purchase the game. If it worked well for me (re sluggish mouse) and offered relaxed play, I'd likely buy it.
So...if you're a big M3 fan that doesn't mind having no relaxed play available, I recommend that you play the demo yourself, see if it works well for you.
I recommend this game!
Join Alex, her friend Professor Finch, and her faithful dog Muffin in an exotic Match 3 adventure.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Good Family Fun
PostedSeptember 5, 2018
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
I don't think this game would be easy enough for very young children but should appeal to everyone else in the family that enjoys match 3 games. You need to keep a watchful eye on the game board -- for instance, when vines are involved, you'd normally expect that once you destroyed them all that would be it but they pop up again and again anywhere on the board.
I chose relaxed mode to begin with (timed mode is also available) and didn't see any way to change that once I started playing. Game play was smooth, no waiting for tiles to finish falling before making another match which is a must for me when considering whether or not to purchase. Not a lot is unique compared to other M3s but there are some interesting little twists. I had plenty of fun playing the demo and will be buying this game so I can finish what I started (relaxed play) and then I'll try my hand with the timed version.
If you're also a fan of M3 games, I highly recommend that you give this demo a try.
I recommend this game!
Embark on an epic adventure through medieval times and help protect a medieval village in this match 3 adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Standard but Quality M3
PostedAugust 17, 2018
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
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
Yes, it's a very easy game to play in relaxed mode but isn't that what relaxed play means? For those who want some challenge, you can also choose to play in timed mode (my favourite for M3s like this) or limited moves.
While playing the demo, I was reminded of Cradle of Rome, an old M3 I've gotten many, many hours of fun from (a classic that set the standard back then, IMO). You earn gold nuggets while playing which you use to purchase buildings with to rebuild your destroyed village. Match 4 for a stick of dynamite which clears a one tile radius, match 5 for a bomb/two tile radius and 6+ for a TNT barrel which clears a three tile radius. I got a heck of a lot of those bonuses playing in relaxed mode! Don't use them if you don't need to and they'll explode once you finish the level and earn you even more gold. There are 3 power-ups, earned early on in the game -- I didn't need to use any playing the demo since I played relaxed mode.
Buying buildings and accomplishing achievements/earning trophies gets you diamonds which you can use to buy power-ups or extra moves/time. Obstacles are the usual variety.
Game play was smooth, no glitches encountered, no waiting for tiles to finish falling before making another match (a must for me or I won't buy). I did enjoy playing the demo but am not sure I'll purchase unless I have a free game coupon to use. A decent game but nothing new or different encountered in the demo.
I recommend this game!
As Cruise Director in charge, enjoy a truly sensational Cruise of a Lifetime aboard the fleet’s super luxurious flagship, USS Liberty of the Waves.
Overall rating
5
/
5
15 of 19 found this review helpful
Good Value, Family Friendly!
PostedJuly 16, 2018
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
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
Pennmom's review covers all bases -- a well-designed, old-fashioned HOG that's entertaining for players of all ages. Personally, I find all of the series to be good value since I end up playing them again and again over the years.
I admit Cruise Director is my least favourite; I enjoy Christmas Wonderland and Halloween Trick or Treat the most. Like other reviewers here, I'd love to see an addition to the Halloween series (I believe there's only two).
I admit Cruise Director is my least favourite; I enjoy Christmas Wonderland and Halloween Trick or Treat the most. Like other reviewers here, I'd love to see an addition to the Halloween series (I believe there's only two).
I recommend this game!
Can you keep the past from destroying the present?
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
I've Been Waiting!
PostedJune 22, 2018
Kafinkee
fromOntario, Canada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Lots of 5 star reviews ahead of me so I'll just throw my 2 cents in. As another gamer that's grown tired of the more recent crop of HOGs, I was quicky immersed in this one when playing the beta test version and have been eagerly awaiting its release. The mini-games were fun & interesting - I loved them -- as were the HO scenes. Normally, I'm not that big on most mini game puzzles but Mystery Case Files games have some truly awesome ones. This new addition to the series is more like the earlier releases that I so enjoyed playing. Instant purchase for me.
I recommend this game!
Return to the bottom of the sea for a new Hidden Object adventure to save Poseidon Park from the ploys of the crafty Mayor Peabody!
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
Surprised Me!
PostedJune 19, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm glad I read the reviews and decided to play the demo. I would've passed on it otherwise because it looked like a children's game to me in the screen shots.
I found this game entertaining, a very pleasant change from the usual with just the right amount of challenge for some relaxing fun. Well done hidden object scenes and tons of puzzles available that you can play time you want (or not!) in the arcade. I'm using my coupon for this one for sure! I highly recommend you give the demo a try.
I recommend this game!