pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4700
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 15, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Overall rating
3
/
5
28 of 41 found this review helpful
THE FLOODING SHOULD SOLVE THE FIRE ISSUES!
PostedJune 4, 2023
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm not a fan of the Market feature in this edition of Ellie's Farm, or any other Time Management game for that matter, where you are constantly having to sell products for Gold. I prefer to mine for gold (especially when the gold is inside a cave or mine, which makes it more realistic) or find gold in treasure chests. I don't mind having to purchase items, like in this case where you have to buy fishing poles, shovels, worms, etc., to be able to fish for food.
The biggest difference between this SE version and the CE version is that this version doesn't include the Morphing Art Palette Bat or the Collectible Puzzle Pieces, and of course, there are no CE bonus levels.
The graphics tend to be a bit unappealing most of the time because, obviously, there are a bunch of burnt trees and stumps, but also, this edition is about building sustainable farms, so you're dealing with a lot of compost used to plant tomato plants.
Surprisingly, there aren't many things blocking the paths. Most of the challenge comes from having to process wheat via mills and visiting various markets to buy either compost, shovels, fishing poles, worms, or selling fruit & vegetable produce for Gold.
Come join the fun at The Woods Forum and chat with fellow gamers at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Stop the floods and save the land!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
AT LEAST ELLIE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ALICE!
PostedJune 4, 2023
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm not a fan of the Market feature in this edition of Ellie's Farm, or any other Time Management game for that matter, where you are constantly having to sell products for Gold. I prefer to mine for gold (especially when the gold is inside a cave or mine, which makes it more realistic) or find gold in treasure chests. I don't mind having to purchase items, like in this case where you have to buy fishing poles, shovels, worms, etc., to be able to fish for food.
I also don't understand why Big City Lab suddenly stopped allowing us to access any of the CE bonus material unless you purchase the game. You can't access Achievements, or any of the CE extras, such as Wallpapers, music, bonus levels, or anything related to the CE bonus materials. You can't even open the Collectibles Tab, nor can you access the Art Palette feature in the demo portion! I don't want to purchase a CE version at twice the price if I have no idea what I will get for my money!?!
The graphics tend to be a bit unappealing most of the time because, obviously, there are a bunch of burnt trees and stumps, but also, this edition is about building sustainable farms so you're dealing with a lot of compost used to plant tomato plants.
Surprisingly, there aren't many things blocking the paths. Most of the challenge comes from having to process wheat via mills and visiting various markets to buy either compost, shovels, fishing poles, worms, or selling fruit & vegetable produce for Gold.
Each level in the CE version has hidden collectibles. You need to find all of the pictured items to complete the Puzzle...again, you cannot access any of these extras unless you purchase the game. There is a Morphing Bat to catch in each level, as well. This awards you with a paint palette to be able to paint...something?
Come join the fun at The Woods Forum and chat with fellow gamers at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Story-driven time management game about raising a dragon!
Overall rating
2
/
5
66 of 101 found this review helpful
ALICE IN DRAGONLAND?
PostedJune 3, 2023
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I was really looking forward to this game because I love games about Dragons! Well, there aren't any dragons, just a plight to hatch a single dragon egg. There is nothing Magical about this game or the graphics other than a Unicorn that produces Stars, which everyone knows should have been Sparkles! They didn't even bother to change the main character...not every game has to feature an Alice's Wonderland look-a-like character, does it?
Instead of building magical factories that produce magical artifacts, I get to build normal Gold Mines, Sawmills, and Foodmills (how exactly does a windmill produce a ham hock?)
Instead of fighting or capturing fire-breathing dragons, I have to send a dwarf to axe down a 5' purple scorpion. I repair a tower called the Waypoint Tower...that doesn't sound very magical to me!?
The puzzle pieces I collect are fragments of a dreamcatcher?? A dreamcatcher was created by the Ojibwe Native American Tribe and has nothing to do with dragons or dwarves! Once again, there is a Morphing Bat that gives us Paint Palettes...they couldn't bother to change the bat to a baby dragon?
Not every game has to have an Alice's Wonderland theme. That was a great series, and you should be proud, but all you are doing at this point is tweaking a few tasks to fit a different theme while everything else screams Alice's Wonderland!
If you miss the BF forums, you're going to love my forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Join Detective Barnett to solve the case and restore order in this epic match-3 puzzler!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
UNIQUE OBSTACLES BUT NOT MUCH CHALLENGE
PostedJune 2, 2023
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I had fun playing the demo as a time-killer, but once the game ended, I just didn't feel the need to continue playing. Magnussoft added a lot of creative obstacles and features that were detective-related, so I have to give them kudos for thinking outside the box.
You can play in a Relaxed, Medium, or Hard difficult mode. I played the demo on Medium mode and found the game to be pretty easy with plenty of time remaining on every level.
Each Match 3 level has a different goal, but basically, you are required to make matches over all of the Blue cells, or twice over the Teal cells. Gold cells require three matches; you will earn extra points, but you aren't required to make matches over gold cells in order to complete the level.
Eventually, various Obstacles are added, such as Roped & Double Roped tiles that require a match of whichever tile is roped, Floor Plates & Decorated Floor Plates that require adjacent matches to destroy them, Fossil Plates requiring an adjacent match, and even Prison Bars that require an adjacent match on the Prison Bar cells with Keys. Although it isn't difficult to overcome these obstacles, they are kind of unique and better than most Match 3 games.
Large Matches reward you with different colored Light Bulb explosives on the board. A Match 4 gives you a Blue Bulb that destroys 5 adjacent tiles. A Match 5 gives you a Violet Bulb that destroys 9 adjacent tiles, and a Match 6 gives you a Red Bulb that destroys 25 adjacent tiles. It is very easy to get large matches; therefore, you get a ton of Explosive Bulbs on every level. It's almost impossible not to use the Bulbs, which is one of the reasons the game is so easy to master.
As you progress, Powerup Boosters are added. Each powerup, such as a single tile remover, requires making matches of its matching icon to charge or recharge the powerup, which can then be used at your discretion.
Some icons give you "Detective" points or "Investigative" points that help you solve clues on the case once you have earned all of the requirements, including Achievements. There are detective-themed mini-games and Nonograms that can be skipped if you aren't into puzzles & mini-games.
Clearly, the developer has put some thought into making this game a bit different than most Match 3 games. The most annoying part for me was having to open a suitcase after every level to get a reward; then it goes to a scoring window popup, then it goes to the Clues even when you don't have enough points or achievements to "reveal" the next clue. When I'm playing a Match 3 game, I just want to move on to the M3 next level immediately; I don't want to click in a gimmicky suitcase to claim a reward (just include them in the scoring window!). The clue window popup should only open when I have enough points to activate something; otherwise, it's just a waste of time, and it takes you out of the M3 mojo moment.
Come visit my new nature-themed forum at thewoodsforum.boards.com
I recommend this game!
Play games that test your animal smarts, quick thinking, and instincts, on your quest to win animals from all across the globe!
Overall rating
1
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
I WON'T BECOME AN ANIMAL GENIUS TODAY :(
PostedJune 2, 2023
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I love animals, and I just happened to come across this game while searching for a new game to play. This game is probably geared toward kids because it says it is a Scholastic game in the opening credits, but I didn't make it past choosing a category...actually, I didn't really get to choose a category!
The game starts by asking you to select a category, Grasslands, Woodlands, Rainforest, Arctic, or Oceans. I kept trying to select Woodlands, but nothing would happen when I clicked the rather large circle. I clicked Woodlands and then hit the enter key which took me to Grasslands.
A voice kept telling me to find five animals by clicking the GO button. Nothing I did would trigger the go button to work. I tried using the arrow keys, the enter button and madly clicking on the GO button to no avail.
I just don't understand why BF doesn't assign someone to vet these older games so people don't waste their time trying to get them to work.
Come join the fun at my new game forum at thewoodsforum.boards.com
I don't recommend this game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
27 of 57 found this review helpful
BEAUTIFUL SCENERY!
PostedJune 2, 2023
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I enjoy playing this nature-themed series, and I hope there's more to come! The scenery is beautiful, and I love the Morphing Objects. I wish the developer would add a Relaxed Mode because it would be nice not to have to click on objects in a hurry in order to get the combo points required to earn Gold. When scenes are this beautiful, I like to take my time and admire it, especially when I just want to chill, but it drives me crazy when I don't earn the Gold Star. To be clear, there is no timer, but you have to find items back-to-back to earn enough points to change the Star from Bronze to Silver and then Gold. Sometimes I want to challenge myself, and sometimes, I just want to relax, so it would be nice to have a Relaxed Mode option.
Each scene has a Hidden Photo that converts to Coins that allows you to purchase Plants & Flowers in the My Garden Section. You can even choose where to place the plants or select multiple's of the same plant. You can also click the Camera icon to take a picture of your arrangement and set them as wallpaper. I wish you could place the plants in any arrangement versus placing them on preset snap points, such as grouping a set of plants together as an arrangement.
Each scene also has 3 Shapeshifting, Morphing Objects that are incredibly well blended. They morph at a slow pace and can be quite challenging to spot! (morphs can appear in Zoom Zones too) Each Morph found converts to a flower you can plant in the wild in the Nature Album. I really wish the developer would add a Strategy Guide with their location or add a Morphing Object Hint button.
The Mini-games are nature-related as well. I love the Spot The Difference games and the swap-type puzzles that have multiple shapes to swap.
COLLECTOR'S EDITION EXTRAS:
18 Scene Locations (both versions) +6 CE Bonus Locations, 12 CE Bonus Mini-games, 24 Wallpapers, 10 Dev Plants, +5 CE Bonus Plants, 13 Music Soundtracks, 3 Shapeshifting Morphs per scene (converts to puzzle pieces to plant flowers in the Nature Album Section-18 total in the SE version), 1 Hidden Photo per scene (converts to coins to purchase flowers in the My Garden Section), 20 Flowers & Plants to purchase & place (15 in the SE version), and Flower Fun Facts.
18 Scene Locations (both versions) +6 CE Bonus Locations, 12 CE Bonus Mini-games, 24 Wallpapers, 10 Dev Plants, +5 CE Bonus Plants, 13 Music Soundtracks, 3 Shapeshifting Morphs per scene (converts to puzzle pieces to plant flowers in the Nature Album Section-18 total in the SE version), 1 Hidden Photo per scene (converts to coins to purchase flowers in the My Garden Section), 20 Flowers & Plants to purchase & place (15 in the SE version), and Flower Fun Facts.
Come join us at my new Nature-themed forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I recommend this game!
Help a Little Space Duo, a young girl and a small robot, escape a dangerous situation aboard a huge spaceship!
Overall rating
1
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
DOES ANYONE VET THESE OLDER GAMES?
PostedJune 1, 2023
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This looked like a really fun game, a something out of this world unusual kind of game...and it had a couple of good reviews.
I have tried everything to get this game to work but the screen flashes briefly and the GM pops up prompting me to "play again" I even tried uninstalling & reinstalling but the same thing happens...nothing
I guess the is an other-worldly experience? Does anyone bother to go back & vet these older games or do they just leave them on the sales page to give the appearance of having more games?
Visit my new gaming forum at thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Overall rating
1
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
A TINY WINDOW IS CONSIDERED FULL-SCREEN?
PostedJune 1, 2023
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Basically, this is a game similar to Tetris but not nearly as fun. The goal is to place balls of different patterns, so you create an entire line of identically colored balls. The problem is that you also have to balance the scales while placing the balls; if the scales tip to the side, you lose a life.
There are two different modes available, Classic, and Puzzle Mode, which is more of an endless mode. Balls show up on a conveyor belt at the top of the screen. Supposedly, you can swap the balls on the belt, but I was not able to do this; they just clung to my cursor like sticky balls.
Once you grab a ball (of varying patterns), you can right-click the mouse to rotate the pattern before placing it on the scales. When a line of identical colors has been created, that line is removed.
There are several Powerups that will appear as you progress, such as Bombs or Magic Balls that destroy adjacent balls or same-colored balls, depending on where it is placed. Balls with letters award you with Bonus Points if you are able to spell the word SHAPO.
The fact that I had to play this in a tiny windowed mode, even though I had opted for the fullscreen mode, was a big turnoff. The fact that the scales tip and the conveyor belt moves at a maddening pace was just the nail in this game's coffin for me.
Come visit me at my new forum thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Find and fall in love with more than 100 adorable pets!
Overall rating
3
/
5
77 of 111 found this review helpful
"LOVELY" GAME BUT A BIT GENERIC
PostedJune 1, 2023
pennmom36
fromAnother Thursday without a HOPA? Is BF becoming an iFish site? დ Loki
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Puzzle games are actually my favorite genre which is one of the reasons I love Hidden Object-Puzzle Adventures (HOPAs), but it was simple HOGs that first drew me in, and I still enjoy a good Hidden Object Game. This is a lovely game but very generic, and a tad boring.
I would love to see one of these developers create a game based on Adoption from Animal Shelters with some of the proceeds going to the SPCA or a similar organization. I know I would buy a game instantly if I knew a buck or two per game would be donated to shelters or those who protect animals. I would love to see real "adoptable animals" and play a game that encourages people to visit local shelters while educating them with real statistics! If developers can donate a portion of sales to help Ukraine (as they did), surely devs can find a way to donate a portion of sales to help shelters, or spay/neuter clinics? Over 20,000 species benefit from the research at The Morris Animal Foundation (The foundation Betty White Ludden, served as President Emeritus, Trustee, and Canine Division Vice President, & President)
There are 12-16 Listed Items to find, with an occasional second level, featuring a different HO variety, such as Silhouetted Shapes, Descriptive finds, Pictured Items, Replacing Objects into the scene, or Multiples of the same Object. Items in Blue are simple tasks that need to be completed, such as finding & placing a photo into a frame. Each level has a different number of Pets to find, as well as a few random Silhouetted Shapes. Each scene has one or two Zoom Zones as well.
There are 12-16 Listed Items to find, with an occasional second level, featuring a different HO variety, such as Silhouetted Shapes, Descriptive finds, Pictured Items, Replacing Objects into the scene, or Multiples of the same Object. Items in Blue are simple tasks that need to be completed, such as finding & placing a photo into a frame. Each level has a different number of Pets to find, as well as a few random Silhouetted Shapes. Each scene has one or two Zoom Zones as well.
You will earn a Red Star for completing a level, a Yellow Star for quick finds (x2-x3), and a Blue Star for finding all Silhouetted Shape pets. Points are converted to Pet money to allow you to purchase 20 Pet Shop animals in the Pet Shop. After playing a couple of HO levels, you can play (or skip) a quick Mini-game, such as rotating squares or swapping tokens.
Collector's Edition Extras:
8 Bonus Levels, 8 Bonus Puzzles, 12 Bonus Puzzles, 12 Wallpapers, 20 Pet Shop Animals, 18 Music Soundtracks.
8 Bonus Levels, 8 Bonus Puzzles, 12 Bonus Puzzles, 12 Wallpapers, 20 Pet Shop Animals, 18 Music Soundtracks.
Stop by my new Nature-themed forum to talk about games and so much more thewoodsforum.boards.net
I don't recommend this game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 17 found this review helpful
WHAT COLLECTIBLES?
PostedMay 31, 2023
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I loved the Collector's Edition version because it has collectible Animal Totems to find in each scene. I thought I'd wait to see what the SE version offered, and the synopsis claims to have collectibles, AND the screenshots show that it does indeed have the Animal Totems (shown as icons on the right side) I have played several levels now, and none of them have Animal Totems! Is this a glitch or did BF just try to slip one past us thinking no one would notice?
You can play in a Normal, Hard, or Chill Out difficulty mode. Although some strategy is involved, it's not a super stressful game, and the timer seems fair.
My favorite feature in the CE version was finding the Animal Totems (bear, owl, deer, raccoon, fish), some of which are hidden pretty well. You will receive one Jigsaw Puzzle Piece for each Totem completed per level. To save time, I search for the totems and then hit the replay button because once you find the totem animals, you won't be required to find them when you replay the level. There are also Morphing Art Palettes that allow you to paint three different pictures...again, this feature was available in the CE version, but neither has made an appearance on this SE version?
The graphics are very colorful, and I like the uniqueness of the tasks and the fact that you have to select tasks in the right order or you may find yourself stuck, waiting for resources as the timer clicks down!
The Collector's Edition version has 6 Wallpapers, Music Soundtracks, 12 Bonus Levels, and Achievement Trophies. Each Level has 5 hidden Totem Animals and a Morphing Art Palette to paint 3 different pictures.
Need help with a game or have a gaming tip you'd like to share? Join us on my new forum thewoodsforum.boards.net
I recommend this game!