pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4712
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 24, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A small-town murder case hides a revelation that will shake the agency to its core!
Overall rating
3
/
5
222 of 270 found this review helpful
THIS IS A MYSTERY CASE FILES GAME? THESE ARE CONSIDERED RUBE GOLDBERG DOOR PUZZLES? MASTER DETECTIVE WHAT HAPPENED?
PostedAugust 20, 2020
pennmom36
fromIn 1931, Merriam-Webster immortalized Goldberg by putting his name in the dictionary. According to Merriam-Webster, Rube Goldberg is an adjective that means "doing something simple in a very complicated way that is not necessary."
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Completed Game a little over 5.5 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter)
20 Main Game Scene Locations +7 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
(including completion of all puzzles & Bonus Chapter)
20 Main Game Scene Locations +7 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
There's a new girl in town and she's telling fortunes no one wants to hear, their impending deaths! This Harbinger of Doom and Gloom is either the real McCoy or she's a Serial-killing Sally, a Murdering Mary, a Homicidal Henrietta. Just wait till you find out where she's been, the Master Detective has a lot of dots to connect on this Mystery Case Files!
Collectibles & Morphing Objects (CE version only)
There are 54 Tarot Cards, one of which morphs, and when the entire collection is complete you can receive a Tarot prediction. The cards are blended nicely and morph at a nice rate to make them challenging yet not too frustrating to find eventually. There are also 20 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces that allow you to assemble a downloadable picture.
There are 54 Tarot Cards, one of which morphs, and when the entire collection is complete you can receive a Tarot prediction. The cards are blended nicely and morph at a nice rate to make them challenging yet not too frustrating to find eventually. There are also 20 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces that allow you to assemble a downloadable picture.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 13 Main Hidden Object Scenes, 6 Zoom Zone Mini-HOP's +3 in the CE Bonus Chapter. They are mostly Interactive List Finds, but they have thrown in several variations, such as, Silhouetted Shape Progressive-Interactive Silhouetted Shape Finds (find an item that matches the Silhouette and use within the scene to expose the next object, etc.) Multiples of the Same Object Finds, Find & Replace, Keywords in Sentence Finds, Swatches Finds (find areas shown as a swatch sample) Matching Stencils over flowers & Plants, and Logical Pair Matches, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed where you had to use arrows to scroll through panels to find & replace objects within the scene.
There are 13 Main Hidden Object Scenes, 6 Zoom Zone Mini-HOP's +3 in the CE Bonus Chapter. They are mostly Interactive List Finds, but they have thrown in several variations, such as, Silhouetted Shape Progressive-Interactive Silhouetted Shape Finds (find an item that matches the Silhouette and use within the scene to expose the next object, etc.) Multiples of the Same Object Finds, Find & Replace, Keywords in Sentence Finds, Swatches Finds (find areas shown as a swatch sample) Matching Stencils over flowers & Plants, and Logical Pair Matches, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed where you had to use arrows to scroll through panels to find & replace objects within the scene.
Mini-Games:
There are 32 Mini-Games +9 in the CE Bonus Chapter. There are a ton of simplistic matching pairs tasks as well. My biggest complaint is that MCF is special for one reason...the Rube Goldberg Door Puzzles...so if you can't pull this feature off, don't accept the challenge, period! Creating multiple puzzles does NOT constitute a Rube Goldberg puzzle, if you are not searching for clues as to how to solve the next puzzle, it isn't a Rube Goldberg puzzle. It is my strong opinion that BF got this developer switching scenario completely and utterly WRONG! the Hidden E series should have gone to this developer and this series should have gone back to the giant pachyderms that developed games 10 and 11! They have the ability to do the graphics well, to do the creep factor well, the storyline's a given for them, and most of all they could pull off the Rube Goldberg Door Puzzles...no offense to Granny.
I'm not even going to list my favorite games, they were so simplistic, move blocks, untangle wires, connect the dots, and let us not forget how much this developer loves their "one affects others" scenario that's in about every other game, not to mention 7 Cheesy Device Gadget mini-games... like any respectable Master Detective working for the Queen of England would be engaging in??
There are 32 Mini-Games +9 in the CE Bonus Chapter. There are a ton of simplistic matching pairs tasks as well. My biggest complaint is that MCF is special for one reason...the Rube Goldberg Door Puzzles...so if you can't pull this feature off, don't accept the challenge, period! Creating multiple puzzles does NOT constitute a Rube Goldberg puzzle, if you are not searching for clues as to how to solve the next puzzle, it isn't a Rube Goldberg puzzle. It is my strong opinion that BF got this developer switching scenario completely and utterly WRONG! the Hidden E series should have gone to this developer and this series should have gone back to the giant pachyderms that developed games 10 and 11! They have the ability to do the graphics well, to do the creep factor well, the storyline's a given for them, and most of all they could pull off the Rube Goldberg Door Puzzles...no offense to Granny.
I'm not even going to list my favorite games, they were so simplistic, move blocks, untangle wires, connect the dots, and let us not forget how much this developer loves their "one affects others" scenario that's in about every other game, not to mention 7 Cheesy Device Gadget mini-games... like any respectable Master Detective working for the Queen of England would be engaging in??
Bonus Chapter: (CE version only)
You will play a supernatural creature trying to regain her powers as the story continues directly where the Main Chapter left off but to tell you anything more would reveal the surprise ending of the main game. This is an average-length chapter that takes place over 7 Scene Locations with an additional 9 Mini-Games, 3 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue collecting 14 Tarot Cards and the final 5 Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces as well.
You will play a supernatural creature trying to regain her powers as the story continues directly where the Main Chapter left off but to tell you anything more would reveal the surprise ending of the main game. This is an average-length chapter that takes place over 7 Scene Locations with an additional 9 Mini-Games, 3 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue collecting 14 Tarot Cards and the final 5 Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces as well.
Collector's Edition Extra's:
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art Pictures, 16 Movie Cutscene Videos, 8 Music Soundtracks ♪, 13 Replayable Mini-Games♙, 16 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Achievements, 54 Tarot Cards (1 Morphing 1 Regular used to get a prediction) 20 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces (used to assemble downloadable picture) 4 Main Chapters (The Fated) +Bonus Chapter (Her Path) and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art Pictures, 16 Movie Cutscene Videos, 8 Music Soundtracks ♪, 13 Replayable Mini-Games♙, 16 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Achievements, 54 Tarot Cards (1 Morphing 1 Regular used to get a prediction) 20 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces (used to assemble downloadable picture) 4 Main Chapters (The Fated) +Bonus Chapter (Her Path) and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
MYSTERY CASE FILES SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Huntsville SE only (November 14-2005) 3.6
2-Prime Suspects SE only (April 6-2006) 3.8
3-Ravenhearst SE only (December 15-2006) 3.6
4-Madame Fate SE only (November 7-2007) 4.0
5-Return to Ravenhearst SE only (November 26-2008) 4.2
6-Dire Grove (November 25-2009) 4.7
7-13th Skull (November 25-2010) 4.4
8-Escape From Ravenhearst (November 23-2011) 3.6
9-Shadow Lake (November 20-2012) 2.6
10-Fate's Carnival (November 26-2013) 4.4
11-Dire Grove, Sacred Grove (November 25-2014) 3.6
12-Key to Ravenhearst (October 27-2015) 3.6
13-Ravenhearst Unlocked (November 24-2015) 3.5
14-Broken Hour (November 22-2016) 3.5
15-The Black Veil (March 23-2017) 3.0
16-The Revenant's Hunt (November 21-2017) 3.0
17-Rewind (June 21-2018) 3.4
18-The Countess (November 20-208) 3.1
19-Moths to a Flame (August 22-2019) 3.9
20-Black Crown (November 26-2019) 3.5
21-The Harbinger (August 20-2020) n/a
by: GrandMa Studios: game 21 only
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Huntsville SE only (November 14-2005) 3.6
2-Prime Suspects SE only (April 6-2006) 3.8
3-Ravenhearst SE only (December 15-2006) 3.6
4-Madame Fate SE only (November 7-2007) 4.0
5-Return to Ravenhearst SE only (November 26-2008) 4.2
6-Dire Grove (November 25-2009) 4.7
7-13th Skull (November 25-2010) 4.4
8-Escape From Ravenhearst (November 23-2011) 3.6
9-Shadow Lake (November 20-2012) 2.6
10-Fate's Carnival (November 26-2013) 4.4
11-Dire Grove, Sacred Grove (November 25-2014) 3.6
12-Key to Ravenhearst (October 27-2015) 3.6
13-Ravenhearst Unlocked (November 24-2015) 3.5
14-Broken Hour (November 22-2016) 3.5
15-The Black Veil (March 23-2017) 3.0
16-The Revenant's Hunt (November 21-2017) 3.0
17-Rewind (June 21-2018) 3.4
18-The Countess (November 20-208) 3.1
19-Moths to a Flame (August 22-2019) 3.9
20-Black Crown (November 26-2019) 3.5
21-The Harbinger (August 20-2020) n/a
by: GrandMa Studios: game 21 only
I don't recommend this game.
Join Princess Miriel’s and fight Darksoul to save her brother in The Enthralling Realms: Knights and Orcs!
Overall rating
3
/
5
61 of 71 found this review helpful
RELAXED MODE ONLY?
PostedAugust 19, 2020
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I was all on board with this game and ready to give it 4-Stars because they finally changed the Match 3 boards, changed the level layouts, and finally added some new features. I loved that some of the stone blocks had hidden red & gold tiles hidden under them and some didn't so you never knew which ones you had to go after and which ones didn't really matter. But then I got to level 7 and it l⊙⊙ks like I hit one of those stone blocks head-on when I discovered an oversite on the developers part. There were 3 different boards and the top-left board contained all 3 Jeweled Medals which must be dropped off the board in order to complete the level. The problem was that I ran out of available moves and there was no way to regenerate new tiles (I completed all other boards but no tiles moved on that board) the only way to finish the level was to use a "tool" and I hate being forced to use a tool!
You can only play in a Relaxed Untimed Mode in this Swap type Match 3 game, where you swap tiles to make matches of at least 3 identical elements. You must make matches over all of the Gold Cells (and eventually Red cells that turn Gold) and make the required number of matches of each Element shown to the right of the screen, and you must bring all Jeweled Medals to the bottom of the board by making matches under them. Elements inside of Bubbles, Morph (I think they appear when you make large matches, but I'm not positive) which allows you to pop the bubble when the desired element appears inside the bubble.
You can only play in a Relaxed Untimed Mode in this Swap type Match 3 game, where you swap tiles to make matches of at least 3 identical elements. You must make matches over all of the Gold Cells (and eventually Red cells that turn Gold) and make the required number of matches of each Element shown to the right of the screen, and you must bring all Jeweled Medals to the bottom of the board by making matches under them. Elements inside of Bubbles, Morph (I think they appear when you make large matches, but I'm not positive) which allows you to pop the bubble when the desired element appears inside the bubble.
There are the usual Obstructions of Chained or Double Chained Tiles that require one or two matches of whichever element is chained, as well as stone or crates that require adjacent matches to destroy, and spiderwebs that require matches of whichever element is encased within the sticky web.
You must purchase all 4 Upgrades to progress to the next Chapter, with the Stars you earn playing the Match 3 levels. You can purchase Tools with the Jeweled Medals and Gold Tiles you uncovered and upgrade the Princesses Combat Armour as well.
Large Matches allow you to use any of the Power-ups once the Mana Meter recharges. The larger the match, the quicker the Mana Meter fills. Once the Mana meter fills, Tools become available once they have been purchased.
TOOLS:
*Hammer: destroys a single tile and/or chain.
*Bomb: destroys a 3 x 3 range of tiles cells/chains.
*The First Orcs Fang: clears 5 tiles horizontally.
*Mystic Daggar: clears 5 tiles vertically
*Orc Mace: destroys an entire horizontal line, cells/chains.
*Royal Sword: destroys an entire vertical line, cells/chains.
*Legendary Shield: destroys the entire horizontal & vertical line.
*Alchemy Sphere: destroys all of the same tiles.
*Stone of Wind: shuffles the board.
*Warriors Shield: destroys 20 random elements.
*Magic Bomb: destroys a large group of tiles and chains.
*King's Explosion: destroys a massive square of elements, cells/chains.
*Hammer: destroys a single tile and/or chain.
*Bomb: destroys a 3 x 3 range of tiles cells/chains.
*The First Orcs Fang: clears 5 tiles horizontally.
*Mystic Daggar: clears 5 tiles vertically
*Orc Mace: destroys an entire horizontal line, cells/chains.
*Royal Sword: destroys an entire vertical line, cells/chains.
*Legendary Shield: destroys the entire horizontal & vertical line.
*Alchemy Sphere: destroys all of the same tiles.
*Stone of Wind: shuffles the board.
*Warriors Shield: destroys 20 random elements.
*Magic Bomb: destroys a large group of tiles and chains.
*King's Explosion: destroys a massive square of elements, cells/chains.
THE ENTHRALLING REALMS SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Curse of Darkness (August 30-2017) 4.3
2-An Alchemist's Tale (May 28-2018) 3.6
3-Blacksmith's Revenge (January 29-2019) 2.7
4-The Witch And The Elven Princess (May 1-2019) 3.7
5-The Fairy's Quest (May 6-2020) 3.1
6-Knights & Orcs (August 19-2020) n/a
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Curse of Darkness (August 30-2017) 4.3
2-An Alchemist's Tale (May 28-2018) 3.6
3-Blacksmith's Revenge (January 29-2019) 2.7
4-The Witch And The Elven Princess (May 1-2019) 3.7
5-The Fairy's Quest (May 6-2020) 3.1
6-Knights & Orcs (August 19-2020) n/a
by: e-fun-Soft Games
Mediterranean Journey 3
During your next visit to the Mediterranean, complete incredible puzzles and collect photos for your album!
Overall rating
4
/
5
102 of 116 found this review helpful
YEA! THE CHOCOLATE BAR HAS RETURNED! (and so has my nemesis chocolate-eating spider ;)
PostedAugust 17, 2020
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Good news folks, the Chocolate Bar, Anvil, and Spider have all lived to see another Mediterranean Journey! I'm telling you, this is no ordinary spider, he is the size of an Elephant and I know he's nibbling on that Chocolate bar that magically appears in every scene, I can tell by the look in his beady little eyes and that sarcastic chocolate grin of his!
The Hidden Object Scenes can be played in a Timed or Relaxed Mode, and you can earn up to 3 Stars, with a -250 point penalty for using the Hint feature. In the Timed Mode, you are given approximately 15 minutes to find 15 Listed items. Each scene has a single Zoom Zone that contains the final 3 objects, or the first 3, or the middle 3, depending on how you look at it? (Bet the spider looks at it upsidedown) The items to find are very repetitive, it seems there will always be a chocolate bar tucked away as a special treat in every scene, and that beady-eyed giant spider IS taking bites out of it regardless of what he tells you (there's an anvil nearby still, just saying...) You can improve your star rating by replaying the scenes, but the objects to find are different each time you play, magically, the chocolate bar is always untouched when you return, it's a vicious cycle between me and that spider?
Each scene has 3 Hearts and 3 GPS logos that are the size of a small dog, not quite as large as Mr. Chocolate-eating Spider, but kinda big nonetheless. Finding all 3 Hearts will unlock a new animal picture (180) in an album next to the spider with a huge chocolate grin, he's a professional photo-bomber btw, prolly all that sugar? Finding all GPS icons will unlock an album picture (80) don't worry he's not in those pics, I already checked. You can also purchase 18 Gift Shop Souvenirs for the spider, or yourself, but that seems kind of selfish, he did leave you some of the candy bar after all.
After each Hidden Object Scene, you'll play a short mini-game because the tall ones don't fit into the game as easily, such as a game of Pipes where you click to rotate square tiles to connect a path of pipes, Solitaire, Mahjong, Memory Matching Cards, or Spot the Differences.
MEDITERRANEAN JOURNEY SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Mediterranean Journey 1 (October 29-2019) 3.7
2-Mediterranean Journey 2 (April 26-2020) 3.9
3-Mediterranean Journey 3 (July 11-2020) n/a
by: Imaginary Two Games by Ivan Dimitrijevic
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Mediterranean Journey 1 (October 29-2019) 3.7
2-Mediterranean Journey 2 (April 26-2020) 3.9
3-Mediterranean Journey 3 (July 11-2020) n/a
by: Imaginary Two Games by Ivan Dimitrijevic
I recommend this game!
Pixel Art delivers a new set of colorful paint by number puzzles!
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 31 found this review helpful
IT WOULD BE NICE IF IT WASN'T IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER :(
PostedAugust 17, 2020
pennmom36
fromI love that Mac gamers are getting these games before PC gamers but the Mac version is in a windowed box on the bottom left for the last 3 games :(
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I've been happy that Pixel Art and Paint by Numbers has been offered on Mac before PC but for the last several game versions I have complained that the screen is in a small windowed box at the bottom left. The screen itself is still full-sized but the image picture is a square at the bottom left which is really annoying so until someone cares enough to fix it, I can't give 5-stars!
I still don't understand why our beautiful artwork is always a single image placed on a drab grey background? Why can't we fill in the entire background with pixels or at the very least choose the color of the background? It just doesn't make any sense to me, these are supposed to be works of art, aren't they?
I also don't understand why some of the images are still so boring, and why I have to follow the levels, why do I have to go in a specific order? I love the larger, more detailed images because you get a sense of accomplishment compared to the smaller images that can be completed with just 10 or so colors. When a picture has 20-30 different colors it's really fun to watch the scene unfold, little by little, pixel by pixel, besides, it gives you more "in the zone" time to just block out the business of the world and find some zen time :)
I'd still like to see a few options added such as a Cursor option of different widths, a full-color palette for the Background Colors, (although I suspect that's in the pipeline because it has been added to Paint by Numbers) a full-color palette to choose the color of "shaded" current numbered pixels, and an option to save the completed images as a screensaver or wallpaper, makes sense, right?
There's not a whole lot to have to figure out, it's about as uncomplicated and basic as it gets so as long as someone can recognize numbers, they should be able to play! Pixel Art is a computer version of Paint by Numbers. Each pixel has a number and you chose the corresponding color bubble from the palette (also numbered) on the right side, and you simply left click to fill in all the numbers with the correct color, you can hold the mouse button and swipe through large groupings as well.
There is a Slider Bar that allows you to zoom in & out (there's a "fit" tab as well) you can also move the entire page around by right-clicking and dragging. There is an auto-fill feature that will fill in large groups of pixels in a particular color by double-clicking, but that feature has to recharge after each use, besides, it's more satisfying to color them yourself. The last feature is a slider bar that allows you to change the color of the background, it really only allows you to change the colors in shades of grey to black. To me, it would make more sense to have an entire color scale available on a paint by numbers game though, wouldn't it?
Come join me on the Zen Pixel Art Train, I'll save ya a seat!
PIXEL ART SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Pixel Art 1 (August 27-2018) 4.3
2-Pixel Art 2 (February 13-2019) 4.1
3-Pixel Art 3 (June 17-2019) 4.4
4-Pixel Art 4 (June 25-2019) 4.3
5-Pixel Art 5 (October 21-2019) 4.4
6-Pixel Art 6 (December 17-2019) 4.3
7-Pixel Art 7 (January 13-2020) 4.3
8-Pixel Art 8 (March 4-2020) 4.8
9-Pixel Art 9 (May 26-2020) n/a
10-Pixel Art 10 (July 1-2020) n/a
by: T1 Games
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Pixel Art 1 (August 27-2018) 4.3
2-Pixel Art 2 (February 13-2019) 4.1
3-Pixel Art 3 (June 17-2019) 4.4
4-Pixel Art 4 (June 25-2019) 4.3
5-Pixel Art 5 (October 21-2019) 4.4
6-Pixel Art 6 (December 17-2019) 4.3
7-Pixel Art 7 (January 13-2020) 4.3
8-Pixel Art 8 (March 4-2020) 4.8
9-Pixel Art 9 (May 26-2020) n/a
10-Pixel Art 10 (July 1-2020) n/a
by: T1 Games
I recommend this game!
An amazing new set of beautiful painting puzzles! It’s never been easier to get into painting!
Overall rating
3
/
5
45 of 56 found this review helpful
WHY DO WE HAVE TO FINISH LEVELS IN ORDER?
PostedAugust 17, 2020
pennmom36
fromI love that Mac gamers are getting these games before PC gamers but the Mac version is in a windowed box on the bottom left for the last 3 Paint by Numbers games :(
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Once again we have the option to change the color of the background with a full-scale color bar which also changes the color of the "greyed" area or highlighted area of the number you are currently working on. Unfortunately, this sort of defeats the purpose, I love the background colors, I asked for background colors repeatedly, but it still needs to have a color variation between the background color and the highlighted area because it's hard to spot the colors you are working on if they are next to the background.
I wasn't crazy about the pictures on this version at all! I couldn't even tell you for sure what the first image was, a tomato? There are 64 images available but you are forced to finish the first level before moving on to the next and the first set of images were so unappealing that I have no interest in purchasing this game based on what I see in the demo. Why do I have to finish one level before proceeding? If you won't let the player see what's in store for them when they purchase the game, you should at least place some interesting pictures on the first level!
They also made the cursor tip smaller and less bulky and you can now drag the cursor to fill in the colors on the entire board as long as you don't let go of the mouse button. This makes it much easier when there are tiny areas that are hard to spot, but there is also a Hint button that will point to any missed areas of the current color, without penalty.
There's not a whole lot to have to figure out, it's about as uncomplicated and basic as it gets. Paint By Numbers is a computer version of Oil or Colored Pencil Paint by Numbers, and actually closer to the real thing than the Pixel Art versions. Each area has a number and you simply chose the corresponding color bubble from the palette (also numbered) on the right side, left-click to fill in all the numbers with the correct color.
There is a Slider Bar that allows you to zoom in & out (there's a "fit" tab as well) you can also move the entire page around by right-clicking and dragging. There is also a slider bar that allows you to change the color of the background, which now includes a full-color scale. I would love to see a "texture" feature added that would mimic different paint variations as well.
Keep an open mind, it isn't supposed to be a brain-burner kind of game. It's a very basic and rudimentary game that's just supposed to take you out of the hectic zone for a bit. ☯
PAINT BY NUMBERS SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Paint by Numbers 1 (October 15-2019) 3.8
2-Paint by Numbers 2 (December 10-2019) 4.3
3-Paint by Numbers 3 (January 9-2020) 4.5
4-Paint by Numbers 4 (March 11-2020) n/a
5-Paint by Numbers 5 (June 29-2020) n/a
6-Paint by Numbers 6 (August 5-2020) n/a
by: T1 Games
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Paint by Numbers 1 (October 15-2019) 3.8
2-Paint by Numbers 2 (December 10-2019) 4.3
3-Paint by Numbers 3 (January 9-2020) 4.5
4-Paint by Numbers 4 (March 11-2020) n/a
5-Paint by Numbers 5 (June 29-2020) n/a
6-Paint by Numbers 6 (August 5-2020) n/a
by: T1 Games
I recommend this game!
With this series, painting has never been easier! Avoid purchasing expensive painting supplies and making a mess. Just relax and enjoy!
Overall rating
4
/
5
28 of 38 found this review helpful
THEY ADDED BACKGROUND COLOR OPTIONS!!!
PostedAugust 17, 2020
pennmom36
fromI love that Mac gamers are getting these games before PC gamers but the Mac version is in a windowed box on the bottom left for the last 3 Paint by Numbers games :(
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Slowly but surely Paint by Numbers is adding a few new features, this one allows us to use a color grid to change the background color which also changes the color of the "greyed" area or highlighted area of the number you are currently working on which sort of defeats the purpose. Don't get me wrong, I love the background colors, I asked for background colors repeatedly, but there still needs to be a color variation between the background color and the highlighted area because it's hard to spot the colors you are working on if they are next to the background.
They also made the cursor tip smaller and less bulky and you can now drag the cursor to fill in the colors on the entire board as long as you don't let go of the mouse button. This makes it much easier when there are tiny areas that are hard to spot, but there is also a Hint button that will point to any missed areas of the current color, without penalty.
There's not a whole lot to have to figure out, it's about as uncomplicated and basic as it gets. Paint By Numbers is a computer version of Oil or Colored Pencil Paint by Numbers, and actually closer to the real thing than the Pixel Art versions. Each area has a number and you simply chose the corresponding color bubble from the palette (also numbered) on the right side, left-click to fill in all the numbers with the correct color.
There is a Slider Bar that allows you to zoom in & out (there's a "fit" tab as well) you can also move the entire page around by right-clicking and dragging. There is also a slider bar that allows you to change the color of the background, which now includes a full-color scale. I would love to see a "texture" feature added that would mimic different paint variations as well.
Keep an open mind, it isn't supposed to be a brain-burner kind of game. It's a very basic and rudimentary game that's just supposed to take you out of the hectic zone for a bit. ☯
PAINT BY NUMBERS SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Paint by Numbers 1 (October 15-2019) 3.8
2-Paint by Numbers 2 (December 10-2019) 4.3
3-Paint by Numbers 3 (January 9-2020) 4.6
4-Paint by Numbers 4 (March 11-2020) n/a
5-Paint by Numbers 5 (June 29-2020) n/a
by: T1 Games
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Paint by Numbers 1 (October 15-2019) 3.8
2-Paint by Numbers 2 (December 10-2019) 4.3
3-Paint by Numbers 3 (January 9-2020) 4.6
4-Paint by Numbers 4 (March 11-2020) n/a
5-Paint by Numbers 5 (June 29-2020) n/a
by: T1 Games
I recommend this game!
Take on the unexpected challenges that await the gardener and his friends in this exciting casual strategy game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
51 of 57 found this review helpful
WHAT'S THIS?
PostedAugust 16, 2020
pennmom36
fromI do recommend this version over the CE version, it's a good "filler" game to get you through to the next epic TM game
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I couldn't help but think about Jack singing What's This" in The Nightmare Before Christmas the first time he experienced that warm and fuzzy feeling because that's exactly how I felt. I was "floored" when I started playing this Time Management game because I was expecting the normal garbage but it's actually a decent game with a lot of strategies involved. It isn't a blow your socks off kind of game but compared to the normal flare this developer usually offers, it's leaps and bounds ahead.
You can play in an Easy or Casual Mode of Difficulty over 4 Worlds with 10 Standard Levels each but I must admit, I was a little confused about the Collector's Edition levels, at least as to how many there actually are. The CE Strategy Guide says there are 40 Standard Levels, and the map shows 40 Levels (with a CE Tab Location telling you to complete the main game to access it) and the Strategy Guide says there are 10 Bonus Levels, but another tab says there are 50 CE Levels so I don't know if that means they are including the 10 bonus levels in that count or if there are secret levels?
This is very similar to another garden-themed game although, in my opinion, it doesn't have that same "IT" factor. The graphics are colorful and the storyline has a slightly sarcastic sense of humor. The main staple of the game is collecting Gloves which I thought was odd, why are gloves laying all over the place and why are they so valuable? I also have to repair several mobile glove vans that are parked within the garden path which leaves me scratching my head. What is the purpose of a glove-making van, why is it a mobile operation yet they are parked permanently within a garden, why does one garden need multiple mobile glove-making vans, why does this mansion worth millions of dollars have a beautiful garden with a bunch of tacky, scooby-doo vans parked everywhere you look? It kind of takes away from the garden's beauty, although the huge wavy glove hand on the top of the van was a nice touch, I'm not sure the neighbors would appreciate the humor as much as I did?
There are the normal TM tasks of clearing logs from the path, etc. but because this is a garden theme, you'll pick up seeds, and water bottles which are left conveniently on the path, and you'll plant various flower gardens, mostly in round flowerbeds which seems a bit skimpy for a Mansion's garden?
The Collector's Edition Version has 40 Levels +10 Bonus Levels (see above confusion statement) 11 Concept Art Pictures, 9 Music Soundtracks. 31 Achievement Trophies, and a built-in Strategy Guide. You can decorate the mansion's garden with the coins you earn, and each decoration has several different color or style options available. As for the SE version you still get the Strategy Guide and the mansion upgrades so why on earth would you want to buy a CE version? I have learned over the years that this developer seems to only chuck out the trophies and concept art when converting between versions, but then again, I rarely take the plunge with one of their games nowadays because they all seem the same lately.
The bottom line is, this is way better than any other game by this particular developer, but it's still just an average TM game that has some weird features that don't make a lot of sense. It is a strategy-based TM game with decent graphics, so if for nothing else, that's worth giving it 3-Stars
Can you and your friends save all the worlds in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
36 of 42 found this review helpful
THE CE WASN'T CE WORTHY, SO BE GLAD YOU WAITED!
PostedAugust 14, 2020
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Completed Game approximately 4.5 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
18 Main Game Scene Locations +8 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
18 Main Game Scene Locations +8 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate
Professor Blackmore is alive and well after all these years, hiding in the shadows, lurking in the dark, and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Naturally, he has summoned Saint Germain to do his evil biddings, more than once, in fact, and now the lives of Dupin, Estelle, the Puppet Master, and the Cardinal are in mortal danger. Dr. Blackmore has invented some morbid devices in the past, but his latest invention is the cruelest of all, for it robs its victim of their free will until all that remains is a zombified ghost of the past, unrecognized by even death himself!
Who doesn't remember the sick twisted experiments of The Greenhills Sanitarium or Fears From Childhood? Who doesn't gasp when they see Saint Germain meddling in all your affairs? Who doesn't love the Puppet Master or the familiar face of the Cardinal as he gently stroked his poor cat that looked like he has been around the block several times and is working on his 10th or 11th life, and of course we love Detective Dupin! The story started out really good but it's almost as if they forgot where they were going with it or didn't actually have an "end game" Dr. Blackmore makes an appearance to show he's the evildoer and the mastermind behind the whole plan but where did he go, are we okay with the fact that no one even talks about him once all's said and done. St. Germain makes a few appearances and slips through the cracks but that's always his MO, he always lives to see another day, but the last chapter was literally bouncing all over the place and I never understood whether the event that took place in chapter 3 was the truth or if what happened in chapter 4 was the reality, the loopholes were huge and none of it made sense because there were too many discrepancies, as if the ending was slapped in place at the last minute to get the game ready when clearly it wasn't!
There were so many glitches in the game, the first part worked flawlessly, by chapter 3 it was skipping, the music was getting stuck on the same note, the voices weren't matching up, some of the dialogs was just completely missing it didn't even have music, it was complete silence! This is what leads me to believe that this game wasn't ready for game day!
☽☾Collectibles☼ CE Version Only
Once again Amax is skimping on the CE Bling because they believe that eventually, we will come to accept that THIS is normal! Once again, There are NO Morphing Objects. There are No Hidden Collectibles. There are 14 Zoom-Zone Moon Crystals to click on, they aren't really hidden, they are colorful and in plain sight, the zoom-zone doesn't even close automatically until the crystal has been picked up, so I consider these "Clickables", not Collectibles because they don't present any challenge whatsoever. Each Moon Crystal Unlocks 1/7 Devices that contain a Scroll with stories from the Keeper of Untold Stories. The stories are available individually as each one is unlocked. (you don't have to wait until the end of the game) This game is NOT CE WORTHY, in my opinion, wait for the SE version!
Once again Amax is skimping on the CE Bling because they believe that eventually, we will come to accept that THIS is normal! Once again, There are NO Morphing Objects. There are No Hidden Collectibles. There are 14 Zoom-Zone Moon Crystals to click on, they aren't really hidden, they are colorful and in plain sight, the zoom-zone doesn't even close automatically until the crystal has been picked up, so I consider these "Clickables", not Collectibles because they don't present any challenge whatsoever. Each Moon Crystal Unlocks 1/7 Devices that contain a Scroll with stories from the Keeper of Untold Stories. The stories are available individually as each one is unlocked. (you don't have to wait until the end of the game) This game is NOT CE WORTHY, in my opinion, wait for the SE version!
◔Hidden Object Scenes◕
There are 21 Hidden Object Scenes 9 in the CE Bonus Chapter, including several smaller Zoom-Zone Hidden Object Scenes which usually preceded the larger main HO scenes. I'm not usually a fan of HO's but they actually did a decent job with them, there's a nice variety, but I will give you a heads-up that some scenes tend to be rather dark, and the objects are partially hidden behind other objects, very small and at times, unrecognizable, especially when they add fog for special effects. I really wish developers would add a Skip option to the HOP's because most of the time the alternate Match 3 games they offer are just as boring so they are both just a complete waste of time for most seasoned players. Most of the HO's are Interactive List Finds but there are also Silhouetted Shape Finds, Multiples of the Same Object Finds, Fragmented Item Finds, Find & Replace, Finding Pictured Ingredients, Finding Stones & Tiles, Uncovering Matching Pairs, and Removing Related Pairs, There are no alternate Puzzles available.
There are 21 Hidden Object Scenes 9 in the CE Bonus Chapter, including several smaller Zoom-Zone Hidden Object Scenes which usually preceded the larger main HO scenes. I'm not usually a fan of HO's but they actually did a decent job with them, there's a nice variety, but I will give you a heads-up that some scenes tend to be rather dark, and the objects are partially hidden behind other objects, very small and at times, unrecognizable, especially when they add fog for special effects. I really wish developers would add a Skip option to the HOP's because most of the time the alternate Match 3 games they offer are just as boring so they are both just a complete waste of time for most seasoned players. Most of the HO's are Interactive List Finds but there are also Silhouetted Shape Finds, Multiples of the Same Object Finds, Fragmented Item Finds, Find & Replace, Finding Pictured Ingredients, Finding Stones & Tiles, Uncovering Matching Pairs, and Removing Related Pairs, There are no alternate Puzzles available.
♙Mini-Games♙
There are 33 Mini-Games +11 in the CE Bonus Chapter, and they are mostly tile swapping of every variation imaginable or moving tiles along a track type of puzzles. Here are some of my personal favorites:
1-Eliminate 20 Bats in the dark by clicking on them. (warning! they do jump out at you...hilarious but super fun whomp-a-bat!) დდდ
2-Use clues you find to overcome obstacles.
3-Select discs to change the speed it rotates to pass each ball between the disc at the same time. დდ
4-Navigate 3 characters thru the map by standing on platforms to open & close matching colored doors. დდდ
There are 33 Mini-Games +11 in the CE Bonus Chapter, and they are mostly tile swapping of every variation imaginable or moving tiles along a track type of puzzles. Here are some of my personal favorites:
1-Eliminate 20 Bats in the dark by clicking on them. (warning! they do jump out at you...hilarious but super fun whomp-a-bat!) დდდ
2-Use clues you find to overcome obstacles.
3-Select discs to change the speed it rotates to pass each ball between the disc at the same time. დდ
4-Navigate 3 characters thru the map by standing on platforms to open & close matching colored doors. დდდ
✯Bonus Chapter (Collector's Edition version only)✯
This is the part of the story that coincides with the main story when Dupin asked Estelle to search for the parts necessary to complete the Astral Key because she is one of the Watchers who is able to visit the Astral World. Unfortunately, it takes place over the same 8 boring scenes as the fourth and final chapter of the main game which was agonizing for me personally. There are 11 mini-games and 9 hidden object scenes (including smaller zoom-zones) and you will find the final 3 Zoom-Zone Moon Crystals to unlock the final story scrolls.
This is the part of the story that coincides with the main story when Dupin asked Estelle to search for the parts necessary to complete the Astral Key because she is one of the Watchers who is able to visit the Astral World. Unfortunately, it takes place over the same 8 boring scenes as the fourth and final chapter of the main game which was agonizing for me personally. There are 11 mini-games and 9 hidden object scenes (including smaller zoom-zones) and you will find the final 3 Zoom-Zone Moon Crystals to unlock the final story scrolls.
♕Collector's Edition Extra's♕
7 Wallpapers, 7 Concept Art Pictures, 4 Music Soundtracks, 15 Achievements, 12 Replayable Mini-Games, 12 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes,14 Zoom Zone Moon Crystals to unlock 7 Devices (Each one requires 2 crystals to open a scroll to read a page in the story), 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide. Once again, this doesn't look like a whole lot of CE bling to me???
7 Wallpapers, 7 Concept Art Pictures, 4 Music Soundtracks, 15 Achievements, 12 Replayable Mini-Games, 12 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes,14 Zoom Zone Moon Crystals to unlock 7 Devices (Each one requires 2 crystals to open a scroll to read a page in the story), 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-In Strategy Guide. Once again, this doesn't look like a whole lot of CE bling to me???
WORLDS ALIGN SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Beginning (November 1-2019) 4.2
2-Deadly Dream (August 14-2020) n/a
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Beginning (November 1-2019) 4.2
2-Deadly Dream (August 14-2020) n/a
by: Amax Interactive
A geological adventure into a secret world inside our planet!
Overall rating
3
/
5
183 of 216 found this review helpful
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
PostedAugust 13, 2020
pennmom36
fromFor 40 years, scientists have tried to drill deep into the ocean’s crust in project Mohole a 7 mile deep hole to the mantle. It was abandoned in 1966 after reaching 601 feet
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.5 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & some of the CE Bonus Chapter)
24 Main Game Scene Locations +9 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
(including completion of all mini-games & some of the CE Bonus Chapter)
24 Main Game Scene Locations +9 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner
Hidden deep within the Earth's crust are three worlds, The Underground World, the World of Prophecies, and the Meridian World. The inhabitants of this world know that one day humans will enter their world and steal their Magical Crystals which will evoke deadly wars between the worlds until all humanity is destroyed. The prophecy may have already begun because today Simon and Olivia have just discovered the Underground World.
This is a beautiful game but holy Jules Verne, all you are doing is going back and forth to and fro like a Journey to the Center of the Earth and Back, only not as fun or interesting after a billion times! Hope you like clearing smoke, even Domini knows it was excessively used because they say "I've got to clear more smoke!" Have you run out of ideas? It sure seems that way because the games are always the same scenario with the same tasks, but at least you didn't make me do it for 8 chapters this time, so thank heavens for that!
Gadgets/Helper:
No Gadgets or Helpers!
Gadgets/Helper:
No Gadgets or Helpers!
Collectibles & Morphing Objects (CE Version Only):
There are Morphing Crystal Birds (with descriptions) that morph between a crystal and 15 beautiful birds. They morph at a nice rate of speed but they are rather small and may be challenging to spot for some individuals. There are also 15 various Backpack Items that seems rather out of place with the whole otherworldly, fantasy-themed scenario, to me when you have a beautiful crystal cockatoo sitting next to a flashlight? As usual, there are 70 Zoom Zone Coins that can be used to purchase 15 Garden Decorations that are just crammed in the middle of a scene and it doesn't appear that anyone got super creative with the decorations. There is an optional Collection Icon Tab that can be enabled or disabled in the settings as well.
There are Morphing Crystal Birds (with descriptions) that morph between a crystal and 15 beautiful birds. They morph at a nice rate of speed but they are rather small and may be challenging to spot for some individuals. There are also 15 various Backpack Items that seems rather out of place with the whole otherworldly, fantasy-themed scenario, to me when you have a beautiful crystal cockatoo sitting next to a flashlight? As usual, there are 70 Zoom Zone Coins that can be used to purchase 15 Garden Decorations that are just crammed in the middle of a scene and it doesn't appear that anyone got super creative with the decorations. There is an optional Collection Icon Tab that can be enabled or disabled in the settings as well.
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 14 Hidden Object Scenes +4 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available, which btw, doesn't allow you to make consecutive matches quickly. (you have to wait for all tiles to stop falling before you can make the next match which makes the game seem sooo slooowww) There are a ton of Keywords in Sentence Finds which were super easy and super boring. There were also Interactive Listed Item Finds, Combo Silhouetted Shape Finds, scenes that required placing Stencils over Objects in the scene, Choosing missing words and then finding 3 related items, and a pop-up Storybook Silhouetted Shape Finds...all of the items can literally be found within seconds.
There are 14 Hidden Object Scenes +4 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available, which btw, doesn't allow you to make consecutive matches quickly. (you have to wait for all tiles to stop falling before you can make the next match which makes the game seem sooo slooowww) There are a ton of Keywords in Sentence Finds which were super easy and super boring. There were also Interactive Listed Item Finds, Combo Silhouetted Shape Finds, scenes that required placing Stencils over Objects in the scene, Choosing missing words and then finding 3 related items, and a pop-up Storybook Silhouetted Shape Finds...all of the items can literally be found within seconds.
Mini-Games:
There are 20 Mini-Games +7 in the CE Bonus Chapter. You can choose to play them in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode and you can choose which mode to have them start out in the Custom Setting (you can still switch between modes for each individual game) Below are a few of my personal favorites:
There are 20 Mini-Games +7 in the CE Bonus Chapter. You can choose to play them in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode and you can choose which mode to have them start out in the Custom Setting (you can still switch between modes for each individual game) Below are a few of my personal favorites:
1-Swap crystals to match the picture (hard mode: 1 affects others)
2-Adjust the pipes so the fuel bypasses 2 pressure gauges & fills all 3 barrels, select a pipe to rotate it, select valves to release fuel. LOVED this game.
3-Enter numbers so none of the columns, rows, or connected lines have duplicate numbers.
Bonus Chapter (CE Version Only)
This chapter enlightens us on how the one and only human, Etien Verne (any relation to Jules Verne?) came to live in the Underground World. I was completely bored by this point and simply checked the statistics and gave up. I was completely over the back and forth nonsense that Domini just can't seem to figure out. This is an above-average-length chapter but average-length chapter for Domini (because you repeat the same task and go back & forth a billion times) spanning over 9 scene locations with 7 additional Mini-Games and 4 Hidden Object Scenes, You will continue your search for the final 4 Morphing Crystal Birds, 5 Backpack Items, and 10 Zoom Zone Coins (of varying amounts) which allows you to purchase the final Garden Decorations.
2-Adjust the pipes so the fuel bypasses 2 pressure gauges & fills all 3 barrels, select a pipe to rotate it, select valves to release fuel. LOVED this game.
3-Enter numbers so none of the columns, rows, or connected lines have duplicate numbers.
Bonus Chapter (CE Version Only)
This chapter enlightens us on how the one and only human, Etien Verne (any relation to Jules Verne?) came to live in the Underground World. I was completely bored by this point and simply checked the statistics and gave up. I was completely over the back and forth nonsense that Domini just can't seem to figure out. This is an above-average-length chapter but average-length chapter for Domini (because you repeat the same task and go back & forth a billion times) spanning over 9 scene locations with 7 additional Mini-Games and 4 Hidden Object Scenes, You will continue your search for the final 4 Morphing Crystal Birds, 5 Backpack Items, and 10 Zoom Zone Coins (of varying amounts) which allows you to purchase the final Garden Decorations.
Collector's Edition Extra's: (CE version only)
19 Wallpapers, 34 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 29 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements, 18 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Crystal Birds,15 Backpack Items, a gazillion Missing Notes, 70 Zoom-Zone Coins, 15 Garden Decorations (purchase with coins) 4 Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
19 Wallpapers, 34 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 29 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements, 18 Replayable Mini-Games, 18 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Crystal Birds,15 Backpack Items, a gazillion Missing Notes, 70 Zoom-Zone Coins, 15 Garden Decorations (purchase with coins) 4 Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.
LABYRINTHS OF THE WORLD SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Shattered Souls (September 6-2014) 4.3
2-Forbidden Muse (June 13-2015) 3.5
3-Changing the Past (January 9-2016) 3.8
4-Stonehenge Legend (August 6-2016) 4.1
5-Secrets of Easter Island (January 5-2017) 3.8
6-The Devil's Tower (April 29-2017) 3.8
7-A Dangerous Game (January 4-2018) 4.0
8-When Worlds Collide (June 14-2018) 3.2
9-Lost Island (January 10-2019) 4.0
10-Fool's Gold (August 8-2019) 3.6
11-The Wild Side (January 2-2020) 4.3
12-Hearts of the Planet (August 13-2020) n/a
by: Domini Games
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Shattered Souls (September 6-2014) 4.3
2-Forbidden Muse (June 13-2015) 3.5
3-Changing the Past (January 9-2016) 3.8
4-Stonehenge Legend (August 6-2016) 4.1
5-Secrets of Easter Island (January 5-2017) 3.8
6-The Devil's Tower (April 29-2017) 3.8
7-A Dangerous Game (January 4-2018) 4.0
8-When Worlds Collide (June 14-2018) 3.2
9-Lost Island (January 10-2019) 4.0
10-Fool's Gold (August 8-2019) 3.6
11-The Wild Side (January 2-2020) 4.3
12-Hearts of the Planet (August 13-2020) n/a
by: Domini Games
It's raining gems inside your ship! Make matches to get rid of them or your spaceship is history!
Overall rating
3
/
5
39 of 44 found this review helpful
IT'S A STRESSFUL GAME AND I COULDN'T MAKE IT PAST LEVEL 12 :(
PostedAugust 11, 2020
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Okay, admittedly I used to love playing Tetris back in the day and I was really good at it, but now I must just be too old lol. I did enjoy playing the first 8 or 9 levels but then it just became wicked stressful and by the time I made it to level 12 tiles were just piling up so fast that it was clear I'd be struggling to beat level 12 much less the rest of the levels which surely would be even more difficult.
There are 3 different types of match 3 games but I only tried 2 of them because the third one requires you to beat level 15 to unlock and clearly that wasn't happening (PowerStacks Mode) The Super Match mode requires you to remove background tiles that are on the board by making matches over them in the same manner as the Classic Match mode. In Classic Match Mode or the main mode, you are tasked with making matches of colored tiles in a Horizontal, Vertical or Diagonal direction.
Tiles of various lengths and color combinations drop from the top of the screen and you simply click to place them in whichever column you choose, you can left-click to make the tiles drop faster. Matches of 4 or 5 will fill the progress bar faster and Diagonal matches are better than horizontal or vertical matches. The level ends when the progress bar is filled.
As you progress, various Power-up tiles are added that must be matched with identical colored tiles to activate with the exception of the Random Gem which can be matched with any color. There is a Bomb Tile that destroys adjacent tiles, Row and Column Busters that destroys an entire column or row, Color Bombs that destroy all tiles of the same color, and Rare Blocks that create a Meteor Storm.
There are 21 Trophy Achievements to earn and 36 Titles to level up to, but I found the constant awards to be annoying because it halted the game mid-way to award you with a new achievement or new title and it takes you out of the zone in my opinion.
I thought it was really fun at first and it reminded me of the old Tetris style games but I couldn't get past level12 after 4 attempts and I found myself becoming completely stressed over the fast pace of the game and decided I probably don't need more stress. I think I'll pass on this one.