pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4713
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:May 8, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A sizzling take on the classic tale of greed, yearning, and redemption.
Overall rating
4
/
5
25 of 31 found this review helpful
MAKE A WISH UPON A MATCHSTICK FLAME AND LIVE IN THE GARDEN HAPPY EVER AFTER
PostedDecember 5, 2018
pennmom36
fromThird time's a charm!?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose Collector's Edition
(49)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I highly recommend the Collector's Edition version of The Match Girl's Lost Paradise because the Morphing Objects are really challenging to find and the Collectible Parables have really interesting Stories. The CE Bonus Chapter takes place in the past when the Match Girl strikes a deal with King Oberon to save the Kingdom in an attempt to make her Grandmother proud. The CE BC has 4 remaining Mini-Games, 4 FROGS and 8 Parable Fragments which unlocks 2 more Parable stories, however, there are no Morphing Objects remaining in the BC.
The Match Girl lived in fear nearly her entire life. Her Grandmother taught her to forgive those who treated her poorly, even her abusive drunken father who fell to pieces after her mother disappeared! But the tides have changed now, she's no longer that frightened little girl who sold matches in her father's shop. Some say she's an evil forest witch casting spells of sorcery to grant peoples wishes and desires. Others say she has just Lost her way to her garden Paradise!
The Hidden Object Scenes or all Fragmented Object Scenes or FROG's, made famous by Blue Tea Games. These are the ONLY hidden object scenes I've ever found to be challenging, and the only game that I actually wish had more of. Nobody is able to blend objects into the scene like these devs can! I wish there were more FROG scenes in this game, I actually anticipated unlocking new locations because I wanted another opportunity to find more fragments. If you aren't familiar with Blue Tea style FROGS, you may not like them at first because they are so much different than the normal HOG's. There are 3 sections located at the bottom with pictures of several fragmented objects to search for. As each fragment is found, that object will become opaque. Once you have found all fragments in a section those fragments will join together to show that you have completed that section. Once all 3 fragmented objects are completed, the 3 sections will join together to become an inventory item that you will need to proceed. Many devs have attempted this unique style, but Blue Tea perfected it back in 2010! (now if we could just bring back the non-linear cursed objects I'd be one Happy Camper)
The Mini-Games improve after the demo in my opinion, and they do have fairly good instructions. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter before and after the demo:
1-Guide gems in a dual screen maze to the top using individual directional arrows.
2-Swap triangular tiles to complete the image.
3-Rotate the circles to complete the scene.
4-Arrange the items to complete each character's activity.
5-Interact with the scenes decorations and place trumpets into their matching symbols.
6-Collect the gold from each character.
7-Select the center button to match the animal with the cylinder.
8-Select the button each time the slider crosses over the red marks.
9-Use red arrows to pan and green arrows to focus to find all symbols.
2-Swap triangular tiles to complete the image.
3-Rotate the circles to complete the scene.
4-Arrange the items to complete each character's activity.
5-Interact with the scenes decorations and place trumpets into their matching symbols.
6-Collect the gold from each character.
7-Select the center button to match the animal with the cylinder.
8-Select the button each time the slider crosses over the red marks.
9-Use red arrows to pan and green arrows to focus to find all symbols.
The Collector's Edition version has 8 Wallpapers, 6 Concept Art pictures, 6 Music Soundtracks, 9 Movie Video Cutscenes, 17 re-playable Mini-Games, 20 re-playable Hidden Object Scenes, 13 Achievements to earn, 20 Morphing Cursed Objects to earn (each Morph allows the Hint Meter to recharge faster) 28 Parable Pieces (Main Chapter has 5 Parables: The Little Match Girl, The Star Coins, The Ominous Beauty, The Forest Witch, The Second Prince's Revenge. The Bonus Chapter has 2 Parables: The King's Fiery Clothes and Fire of Youth) 6 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter. Careful what you wish for, enjoy!
DARK PARABLES SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Curse of Briar Rose (March 27-2010) 3.9
2-The Exiled Prince (March 25-2011) 4.2
3-Rise of the Snow Queen (December 30-2011) 4.3
4-The Red Riding Hood Sisters (October 26-2012) 4.3
5-The Final Cinderella (June 21-2013) 4.4
6-Jack and the Sky Kingdom (March 7-2014) 3.7
7-Ballad of Rapunzel (July 25-2014) 3.6
8-The Little Mermaid and the Purple Tide (December 12-2014) 3.5
9-Queen of Sands (June 19-2015) 3.8
10-Goldilocks and the Fallen Star (December 18-2015) 3.3
11-The Swan Princess and the Dire Tree (August 5-2016) 2.9
12-The Thief and the Tinderbox (October 21-2016) 3.8
13-Requiem for the Forgotten Shadow (March 29-2017) 3.3
14-Return of the Salt Princess (April 13-2018) 3.6
15-The Match Girl's Lost Paradise (November 30-2018) n/a
2-The Exiled Prince (March 25-2011) 4.2
3-Rise of the Snow Queen (December 30-2011) 4.3
4-The Red Riding Hood Sisters (October 26-2012) 4.3
5-The Final Cinderella (June 21-2013) 4.4
6-Jack and the Sky Kingdom (March 7-2014) 3.7
7-Ballad of Rapunzel (July 25-2014) 3.6
8-The Little Mermaid and the Purple Tide (December 12-2014) 3.5
9-Queen of Sands (June 19-2015) 3.8
10-Goldilocks and the Fallen Star (December 18-2015) 3.3
11-The Swan Princess and the Dire Tree (August 5-2016) 2.9
12-The Thief and the Tinderbox (October 21-2016) 3.8
13-Requiem for the Forgotten Shadow (March 29-2017) 3.3
14-Return of the Salt Princess (April 13-2018) 3.6
15-The Match Girl's Lost Paradise (November 30-2018) n/a
by: Blue Tea Games
I recommend this game!
Experience a challenging match 3 game and appease Mars, the god of war! Build and restore the proud city of Rome to its original splendor.
Overall rating
4
/
5
67 of 76 found this review helpful
I ALWAYS THOUGHT ZEUS & HADES WERE THE REAL "BADDIES" TURNS OUT MARS HAS A BAD TEMPER TOO!
PostedDecember 5, 2018
pennmom36
fromSure is a long time between Good Match 3 games lately!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Cradle of Rome 2
(23)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
After a victorious battle, the soldiers began to celebrate and praise Mercutio for his leadership and bravery. Mars was furious, after all, he is the god of war, and he is the reason for their success. In a fit of rage Mars ordered his army to destroy everything they had fought for. A humbled Mercutio now stood before Mars in the wake of destruction to hear his demands. Mercutio must lead his people as they rebuild their homes and farms, and find a way to fall back into grace with the god of war.
This is the fourth game in the series, and I have always enjoyed this series because they remind me of my beloved Cradle of Rome series. The graphics could be better, but this cartoon style of graphics is used in most of Magnussoft's games. You can adjust the resolution but the only thing it does is add Roman Columns to each side instead of the large black lines. You can play in a Relaxed, Medium or Hard Mode of difficulty and there are 35 Achievements to earn.
The tutorial can be turned off, and I will admit that it basically explains nothing. You can earn up to 3 Stars per level, but it doesn't allow you to replay a level, but I've only played the demo and I earned all 3 Stars, so it may allow you to replay if you don't earn 3 stars. There is a Time Meter on the bottom right and a Star Meter on the bottom left, so what I recommend is that you keep an eye on the meters, and if it appears that you will lose a star, click on the " to pause the game and click replay on the pop-up menu before completing the game.
The Level Goals are usually the same for each level and are shown on the bar below the Match 3 board. If Coins are shown, the goal is to earn money by making matches over all of the yellow, brown or green cells to break them. Some levels may require you to collect Water tiles (pitchers-amphoras?) Food tiles or other specific tiles as pictured on the bar beneath the board as well as the amount needed.
Large Matches will give you a bomb on the board, of various strengths, according to the size of the match made. These bombs can be swapped with any tile, or double-clicked to detonate it. As you progress, Boosters are added to the left and right Icons that can be used at your discretion, once it has been charged. They are the usual boosters that allow you to use a Hammer on a single tile, chain or obstacle, use Neptune's Trident to blast an entire row etc. Eventually, you can purchase upgrades and boosters in the Shop.
There are the usual Obstacles of Roped Tiles, Double Roped Tiles, Brick Tiles, Double Bricked Tiles, Crate Tiles, and Double Crate Tiles, that may or may not need to be destroyed because sometimes they aren't blocking a yellow or green tile. After completing a Level, you get to choose a Cup which hides coins or other resources. If you have earned enough Stars, Coins, and various Resources, you can purchase a new House, Farm, Livestock or Tool to eventually rebuild the town that was destroyed by Mars.
One of the features I love about this game is how quickly it flows. The levels allow you to make fast, consecutive matches and after completing the level, it immediately rolls away to the cup selection and then to the building portion, there's absolutely no Lag-time! Even the dialog from the characters is brief and can be skipped. I used all my PCC's Monday for Bonus Punch Monday, but as soon as I get a new code, I will definitely be adding this game to my collection!
LEGEND OF SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Legend of Maya (January 20-2015) 3.7
2-Legend of Egypt: Jewels of the Gods (April 27-2015) 3.3
3-Legend of Egypt: Pharaoh's Garden (July 22-2018) 3.7
4-Legend of Rome: The Wrath of Mars (December 5-2018) n/a
2-Legend of Egypt: Jewels of the Gods (April 27-2015) 3.3
3-Legend of Egypt: Pharaoh's Garden (July 22-2018) 3.7
4-Legend of Rome: The Wrath of Mars (December 5-2018) n/a
by: Magnussoft Games
I recommend this game!
Hazel is back in a new Home Designer adventure and she’ll need help turning her client’s home into a fabulous place to live!
Overall rating
2
/
5
106 of 119 found this review helpful
THIS WOULD BE A GREAT CLASSIC HOG, but...
PostedDecember 4, 2018
pennmom36
fromI've never seen a Dyslexia setting option before, Bravo!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Bigfoot: Chasing Shadows
(19)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Hazel must have done an amazing job decorating her family's Living Room because she's been hired to do her designer magic on an entire house, a paid gig! For some odd reason, Hazel needs to sell some of the owner's junk to earn enough money to be able to purchase the new decorations. I guess that's part of her job description? I'll tell ya one thing if I was hired to do this job and saw suitcases, a diamond necklace in a jewelry display box an artwork on an easel and a huge Machete in the kitchen, I'd put that house in my rear-view mirror!
So based upon this, you are tasked with finding objects in each scene that are shown at the top of the screen in several different forms such as Listed Word Finds, Picture Mode, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Jumbled Words etc. The scenes are fairly clear and most of the objects are recognizable, but many of the items are partially hidden and the Silhouetted Shape and Pictured modes show objects in a different shade, color, and even a different orientation. For example, the picture shows an item upright but it may actually be upside down.
You can play in a Normal Mode or Challenge Mode that has a slower Hint and Skip recharge. There isn't an Untimed or Relaxed Mode, but you aren't penalized if you don't find the objects within the allotted time frame, you just don't get money added for Time Remaining. Each scene has Gold Coins available that are worth 3 Bucks each (??) So far I have only spotted 2 Coins per scene but there may be more, and usually, one coin is clearly visible and the other is partially hidden or just barely shown so I just search the scene until I see something that matches the bright gold color sticking out. Each location also has an Origaming Logo, a feature all Tamalaki Games have (Origaming is the production team) Finding the Logo is worth 10 extra dollars and the logo placement is random so if you replay the level, it will be in a different area.
After completing the HO scene you can purchase decorations for the current room you are working on such as the Living Room. I think this game would be more appealing if the room itself was transformed from an ugly room with tacky wallpaper to a modern room with beautiful furnishings. Instead, this game starts out with empty rooms, but the rooms themselves are very clean, bright, and modern, you aren't changing to rooms appearance, you're just adding decorations!
I actually love the nostalgia of an old-fashioned HOG, if it has good features. I may have enjoyed this classic Hidden Object Game but once again, the game would completely shut down and exit out two or three times per HO scene, when I would click on an object to collect it. There was no rhyme or reason, and it was definitely not because I clicked too close to the corner where it may have triggered an exit button, one time it would exit out when I clicked at the top left, another time it would be in the middle, it even happened when I'd click on a setting feature, the next time it was because I clicked the play button? The scenes are repeated over and over, and the objects never move, they are always in the same spot so it becomes boring when you know where everything is located after 3-4 visits!
HOME DESIGNER SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Living Room (June 19-2018) 3.5
2-Home Sweet Home (December 4-2018) n/a
2-Home Sweet Home (December 4-2018) n/a
by: tamalaki games
(origaming production)
(origaming production)
I don't recommend this game.
You've come upon a land of such beauty, but the surrounding areas are barren. Match your way through nature and restore this beautiful kingdom!
Overall rating
5
/
5
138 of 153 found this review helpful
I SURE DO MISS THOSE BEAUTIFUL GEMS AND CASTLES
PostedDecember 3, 2018
pennmom36
fromThat's a lotta game for the price!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Jewel Match 2: Reloaded
(51)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Jewel Match 3 games are always great games but one of the reasons I fell in love with this series was because of how beautiful the colored gems were, they literally sparkled. Some of the levels have icons similar to the gems but they are large and nowhere near as beautiful as they used to be. Now it seems they have abandoned the JEWEL part of Jewel Match and replaced them with ordinary tile icons, shouldn't they change the name as well to Ordinary Tile Match?
I also miss building the castles, another feature Jewel Match was famous for. I realize that this is a Nature-themed Match 3 version, but I still wished that I could build Castles instead of a Naturescape. They could have included both in my opinion, build fewer Castles but add garden upgrades around the finished castle??
At least they still offer a ton of Custom Options, For starters, you can choose to disable or enable the Hint Arrows or the Interactive Help tutorial, adjust the resolution and disable several other features such as Static Pieces and mini-game options. Then you can choose to play in a Timed Mode, a Limited Moves Mode or a Relaxed Mode that gives you all the time in the world to finish levels at your own pace. After choosing the Mode of gameplay, you get to choose to play whichever type you selected, in a Normal OR Advanced difficulty mode! The icing on the cake is that you can switch back and forth between modes or difficulty WITHOUT canceling your progress! Now that's Match 3 progress!
Each level has several "rooms" to complete. As each room is cleared, you simply click on the Arrow Icon to visit the next room. You can earn up to 3 Stars and any level can be replayed immediately or later on by going to the level map, which is a must-have feature for me personally. There are 120 Match 3 Levels, 50 Bonus Crystal Levels, 25 Puzzle Levels and 25 Race Mode Levels available. The Level Map has a legend to help you keep track of which Levels were completed, which mode the level was completed with (limited time, moves, relaxed, veteran's mode) which levels were completed with a Perfect Score (Perfect score requires all Stars to be collected as well as collecting all bags of coins) available Bonus Race Mode and Puzzle Modes Levels (you need to reach the displayed score to play Bonus Games) available Crystal Levels (allows you to gather crystals to purchase Bonus Games, the green numbers indicate the most gems gathered in that specific level)
Large Matches will earn power-ups on the board (functions are in the next paragraph) such as Magic Arrows, Lightning, Bombs, Atomic Tiles, Iron Maces, Magic Windmills etc. There are Obstacles such as Yellow Tiles, double and single Chains, Ladybugs Golden Snails, Dark Fog, Wooden Boxes, Safe Tiles requiring a specific number or Matches to destroy, Amber tiles requiring a booster or power-up to destroy it, and Locks that require dropping color specific keys to the bottom of the board.
Coins that appear can be collected with a single click (they will disappear after a brief amount of time) and Bags of Coins must be dropped off of the board by making matches below them. The Coins earned can be used to purchase and upgrade Power-ups in the Shop. Each upgrade (1-3) makes the power-up more powerful or covers a larger area.
*Hammer: destroys a chosen tile or obstacle.
*Bombs: destroys a 2x2 area.
Fireballs: destroys 1 cell above and 1 cell below.
*Lightning: zaps 5 random tiles to change them to the icon matched with.
*Chain Destroyer: destroys a 3x3 area of chains.
*Chroma Frenzy: converts 5 tiles to Chroma tiles to match with anything.
*Magic Arrows: changes 2 regular tiles to arrows that will destroy a line or column.
*Hammer Refill: refills the Hammer Boster instantly.
*Mana: instantly charges the Boosters
*Treasure Chests: upgrades the holding Capacity.
*Hearts: gives you extra lives.
*Bombs: destroys a 2x2 area.
Fireballs: destroys 1 cell above and 1 cell below.
*Lightning: zaps 5 random tiles to change them to the icon matched with.
*Chain Destroyer: destroys a 3x3 area of chains.
*Chroma Frenzy: converts 5 tiles to Chroma tiles to match with anything.
*Magic Arrows: changes 2 regular tiles to arrows that will destroy a line or column.
*Hammer Refill: refills the Hammer Boster instantly.
*Mana: instantly charges the Boosters
*Treasure Chests: upgrades the holding Capacity.
*Hearts: gives you extra lives.
Some levels have a Garden Room, that will unlock once the other rooms have been emptied. Inside the Garden Room, you can collect more Coins, Stars and occasionally a Butterfly. Once you collect the Butterfly, the Crystal Room will unlock, which in turn will unlock Bonus Mini Games. In the Crystal Room, however, new tiles are NOT generated, so a little strategy may be necessary for the Crystal Room.
JEWEL MATCH 3 SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
*Jewel Match: Winter Wonderland (December 3-2007) 3.6
*Jewel Match 1 (March 14-2007) 4.1
*Jewel Match 2 (March 11-2009) 4.3
*Jewel Match 3 (April 13-2011) 4.3
*Jewel Match: Snowscapes (January 13-2015) 4.3
*Jewel Match 2 Reloaded (July 20-2015) 4.4
*Jewel Match: Twilight (October 28-2015) 4.9
*Jewel Match 4 (June 16-2016) 3.9
*Jewel Match Royale 1 CE (November 24-2016) 4.5
*Jewel Match Royale 1 SE (December 28-2016) 3.7
*Jewel Match Royale 2: Rise of the King CE (January 25-2018) 4.5
*Jewel Match Royale 2: Rise of the King SE (April 4-2018) 3.5
*Jewel Match: Naturescapes (December 3-2018) n/a
*Jewel Match 1 (March 14-2007) 4.1
*Jewel Match 2 (March 11-2009) 4.3
*Jewel Match 3 (April 13-2011) 4.3
*Jewel Match: Snowscapes (January 13-2015) 4.3
*Jewel Match 2 Reloaded (July 20-2015) 4.4
*Jewel Match: Twilight (October 28-2015) 4.9
*Jewel Match 4 (June 16-2016) 3.9
*Jewel Match Royale 1 CE (November 24-2016) 4.5
*Jewel Match Royale 1 SE (December 28-2016) 3.7
*Jewel Match Royale 2: Rise of the King CE (January 25-2018) 4.5
*Jewel Match Royale 2: Rise of the King SE (April 4-2018) 3.5
*Jewel Match: Naturescapes (December 3-2018) n/a
by: Suricate Software
I recommend this game!
Uncover the truth behind Heavenfall's greatest Secrets!
Overall rating
1
/
5
83 of 104 found this review helpful
HAS ANYONE SEEN MY EMBLEM?
PostedDecember 2, 2018
pennmom36
fromDid he just call me a miserable wretch?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Chimeras: Tune of Revenge Collector's Edition
(127)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
As I stated on my CE review, I used a coupon code to get this game so since I had a vested interest, I forced myself to play through this extremely uninteresting game (thank goodness for only 3 chapters this time) Now I won't lie, there were a couple of Mini-Games I did enjoy, and the final HOP in the main game was one of the best HOP's I've ever played by this developer, where you had to find associated items (such as a magic wand and a witches hat) but the items faded in and completely out! Why was this the only HOP offered in this style? It was original, it was creative, it was fun, but it was only one!
One thing I've always wondered about is whether Achievements are just handed out at a specific point regardless of whether or not you actually met the criteria because I've been awarded them in several games where I thought I had completed a HOP w/o mistakes but didn't get it etc. I played one Hidden Object Scene (the first HOP in the closet on Chapter 3) and I finished it WELL WITHIN a minutes time, yet I got a pop-up achievement that was titled Tradition Keeper for taking MORE THAN 10 minutes to complete. Immediately after that one popped up another one titled Class Monitor because I just completed 5 HOP's in a row in LESS THAN 3 minutes each...did I miss something?
As far as the differences between the two version, they are both short games with only 3 Main Chapters but the CE version's Bonus Chapter was fairly long, nearly twice as long as any of the other chapters! The BC winds back the clock 20 years when Lindberg was taking his final exam, and of course, things go awry at Hogwarts. The final 7 Hidden Object Scenes and 7 Mini-Games are completed in the BC and there are 9 Morphing Musical Instruments, 12 Puzzle Pieces to complete the last Screensaver Jigsaw Puzzle, and 3 remaining Magic Spell Cards to collect as well in the Bonus Chapter. Here's a recap of my review to help you decide which version, if either, is right for you:
My apologies to Elephant, but creepy games are your wheelhouse, fantasy isn't. I'm just totally shocked that a game can be this boring, the storyline is just like Harry Potter only not that interesting. Heavenfall's brightest student Astrid has gone MIA and she's not the only student to go missing, there's a reason Heavenfall has secrets.
I hope you love the task of finding emblems to open every single thing in the entire school from top to bottom, you even need an emblem to find other emblems, only to receive another emblem. There were so many emblems I couldn't remember where most of them went! Small emblems, large emblems, blue emblems red emblems, star emblems, circle emblems, square emblems, scroll-shaped emblems, teeny tiny emblems, huge emblems, magic emblems. There are emblems stuck in crevices, emblems inside drawers, emblems guarded by crows, emblems guarded by cats, emblems inside pillows, emblems outside windows, emblems just laying there looking all emblem-like as they do their emblem thing. There are emblem puzzles, emblem hidden objects, emblem gadgets, I'm quite sure my Detective's Badge is an emblem as well!
The Hidden Object Scenes couldn't be easier unless there was an emblem arrow pointing to the objects. There are Listed Item finds with emblems, Silhouetted Shape finds with emblems, Multiple finds with multiple emblems, HOS that require finding 4 emblems to open up the inventory list and Keyword finds related to emblems.
The Hidden Object Scenes couldn't be easier unless there was an emblem arrow pointing to the objects. There are Listed Item finds with emblems, Silhouetted Shape finds with emblems, Multiple finds with multiple emblems, HOS that require finding 4 emblems to open up the inventory list and Keyword finds related to emblems.
Some of the puzzles were rather unique but they are unusually complex and sometimes the instructions leave you scratching your head in utter emblem confusion. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the game:
1-Alternate moving EMBLEMS on a dual board.
2-Use directional arrows to push the EMBLEMS x3.
3-Swap tiles with colored EMBLEMS to complete the pattern.
4-Load liquid to flasks by connecting a specified number of connections.
5-Find magical EMBLEM squares on 3 EMBLEM scrolls to remove the spell.
The Collector's Edition version has 12 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art pictures, 4 Screensavers (assemble 4 puzzles requiring 12 Puzzle Pieces each) 5 Music Soundtracks, 12 Collectible Spell Cards, 48 Hidden Puzzle Pieces (to assemble screensavers) 27 Morphing Musical Instruments, a Secret Room to re-play 13 Hidden Object Scenes and 13 Mini-Games, 3 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a built-in Strategy Guide (to locate all those emblems of course)
2-Use directional arrows to push the EMBLEMS x3.
3-Swap tiles with colored EMBLEMS to complete the pattern.
4-Load liquid to flasks by connecting a specified number of connections.
5-Find magical EMBLEM squares on 3 EMBLEM scrolls to remove the spell.
The Collector's Edition version has 12 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art pictures, 4 Screensavers (assemble 4 puzzles requiring 12 Puzzle Pieces each) 5 Music Soundtracks, 12 Collectible Spell Cards, 48 Hidden Puzzle Pieces (to assemble screensavers) 27 Morphing Musical Instruments, a Secret Room to re-play 13 Hidden Object Scenes and 13 Mini-Games, 3 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a built-in Strategy Guide (to locate all those emblems of course)
CHIMERAS SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Tune of Revenge (March 8-2013) 4.4
2-The Signs of Prophecy (November 13-2015) 3.6
3-Cursed and Forgotten (June 24-2016) 4.1
4-Mortal Medicine (December 9-2016) 3.8
5-Mark of Death (June 2-2017) 3.0
6-Blinding Love (November 18-2017) 3.2
7-New Rebellion (June 1-2018) 3.2
8-Heavenfall Secrets (December 2-2018) n/a
2-The Signs of Prophecy (November 13-2015) 3.6
3-Cursed and Forgotten (June 24-2016) 4.1
4-Mortal Medicine (December 9-2016) 3.8
5-Mark of Death (June 2-2017) 3.0
6-Blinding Love (November 18-2017) 3.2
7-New Rebellion (June 1-2018) 3.2
8-Heavenfall Secrets (December 2-2018) n/a
I don't recommend this game.
A mysterious villain is playing with time and it’s up to you to fix the time paradoxes in this fast-paced strategy adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
65 of 75 found this review helpful
SEEMS THE SAME TO ME
PostedDecember 1, 2018
pennmom36
fromDoes anyone else think it's hilarious that a windmill produces a burger, fries and a large Coke?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I found the graphics to be just as cartoonish as before, and quite frankly, it's way less colorful as the last Lost Artifact. By the time I reached Level 7, the tasks were the same tasks, just more of them, so it became repetitive afterward. As far as the Collector's Edition version goes, yes it does have a Strategy Guide this time, but I found the game to be easy enough to complete with all 3 stars without using it because there isn't a whole lot of strategy involved. There are no Morphs or Collectibles so I still have a hard time justifying the cost difference just to get 5 Music Soundtracks, 10 cartoon style Concept Art Pictures, and 10 extra Levels. (perhaps the reason for today's sale?)
In the first Lost Artifacts game, the archaeological team was able to stop the Dark Priest from doing his Dark deeds, and the team regretfully had to say goodbye to their newfound native friends. Unfortunately, the airplane was no match for a hurricane they encountered, and they crashed on a large but remote island in the middle of the ocean. They discovered a tribe of Atlantean's that had survived when the city of Atlantis was sunk by another evil-doer, and the team had once again agreed to help them return to their beloved city, after defeating the evil-doer of course! In the last episode, the team has to face another evil-doer, a thief who has stolen the legendary Soulstone which possess unfathomable powers. The evil-doer used the stone to awaken a Terra-cotta emperor who was a bigger evil-doer than the thief himself! Now the team is working with a group of scientists who have discovered strange happenings occurring at famous attractions worldwide. Items have been aging at rapid speed and the scientists have invented a device to control time itself, but controlling time has its own set of issues that the team must face, one level at a time!?
There are the usual tasks to perform of clearing paths conveniently lined with happy meals and wood, as well as constructing, repairing and upgrading Workers Houses, Sawmills for Lumber, Farm Plots to produce various crops, Mills to produce even more happy meals or Blacksmith barns to produce ore? There are also the usual Bridges to repair, Mantraps to dismantle, Holes to patch along the paths, and some levels require that you upgrade certain buildings to a certain level. You may need to build houses to accommodate specialized people to rid the paths from certain obstructions such as Scientists and Hunters to remove Mammoths that block the paths or Living Skeletons (which makes absolutely no sense!
I guess I'm just not a fan of this series, I didn't find the graphics appealing and the tasks are just too mundane and repetitive. I'll revisit the Standard Edition when it's released, but I have my doubts that I'll feel any different about it?
LOST ARTIFACTS SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Lost Artifacts: CE (July 18-2017) 3.0
2-Lost Artifacts: Golden Island CE (September 19-2017) 3.0
3-Lost Artifacts: Soulstone CE (May 1-2018) 2.8
4-Lost Artifacts: Time Machine CE (December 1-2018) n/a
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Lost Artifacts: CE (July 18-2017) 3.0
2-Lost Artifacts: Golden Island CE (September 19-2017) 3.0
3-Lost Artifacts: Soulstone CE (May 1-2018) 2.8
4-Lost Artifacts: Time Machine CE (December 1-2018) n/a
by: 8 Floor Games Ltd.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save the city from an otherworldly predator?
Overall rating
2
/
5
116 of 152 found this review helpful
CAN I GET A REFUND?
PostedNovember 29, 2018
pennmom36
fromIn 1835, German chemist Justus von Liebig developed a technique of applying metallic silver to a pane of glass to create the modern day mirror, but people in Anatolia (Turkey) made the first mirrors out of ground and polished obsidian 8000 years ago!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I purchased this game only to discover that it's a real sleeper! Nathaniel has the unique ability to "see the unseen" whenever his Tattoo glows, if this Gadget isn't cheesy enough, his other hand absorbs the destroyed mirrors reflections and becomes encased in glass shards, how he functions at this point is hard to imagine.
The storyline bounces all over the place and leaves huge gaps pertaining to "what just happened, how'd I get here or do this?" I see Brigitte's chinchilla scurry out the front door so I decide to see where it's going. The next scene, I'm outside facing the front door when I see the chinchilla scurry out of the front door! Did I miss something?
If the gaps weren't puzzling enough, I have to endure a bunch of "that's just ridiculous" scenarios. I discover a dead body and call the police, does he ask questions, quarden off the crime scene? No! He offers to give me a ride to my next location and has me fill out a "standard protocol file" A woman is dead and her sister is wigging out all alone and I'm writing down her life's true aspirations and have to provide a picture of the victim for the standard protocol file! When I arrive to the next mirror's victim who's about to fall and impale herself on a wrought-iron fence, I carefully remove shards of glass from the ground so she won't cut herself...she'll land on the fence before she hits the glass coved ground! And the icing on the cake ridiculous award goes to....the cutscenes of Nathaniel riding a bike from one scene to the next! I'm going to leave this one alone, but tell me you don't want to burst out laughing as you watch this paranormal investigator peddling to his next big case...clink, clink, squeak, squeak (insert bicycle bell sound, you know the one I'm talking about, the silver bell that clamps onto the handlebars that you push a lever sideways to ring it)
The Hidden Object Scenes have 2 categories and most of the normal HOP's are repeated in the same location. The regular Hidden Object Scenes are mostly Interactive Listed Item finds or finding & replacing Items, and ocassionally have Silhouetted Shape finds, one of which requires you to find clothes to adorn a few animals. There are also Mirror Hidden Object Scenes for each Character haunted by what could have been and reality. Two images are shown, one front facing the other rear facing, and you use a rotation button to find and replace items. This became very frustrating for me because the items had to be placed on an exact set point where the gears were shown, but the gears disappear once you pick up an item. Some items would just snap into place, other items were so finiky I just wanted to skip the (but because it's a HOS, there is no skip feature!) There is an alternate Match 3 Game, but I've never been impressed with Match 3 games offered as an alternate game.
The Mini-Games were kind of boring and repetitive, by the time I reached the 6th Chapter I began skipping most of them. There's only so many times you want to untangle a rope before it simply becomes a chore. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the games:
1-Click to move origami sections into highlighted slots.
2-Click matching pairs of symbols on a book to open it.
3-Move ballerina parts to match the pose shown.
4-Fill in the missing text by selecting icons to complete the sentences.
5-Complete the image using arrows to rotate rows & columns.
6-Untangle Ropes or Vines several times throughout the game.
7-Arrange flowers so that no flower is repeated in the same column or row.
8-Travel to all landmartk set points.
9-Arrange dancers in matching colored pairs by sliding along paths.
10-Select Icon Poses to repeat the sequence of the ballerina.
11-Rotate panels to find 3 identical patterns.
12-Use clues to place the dog toys into like & dislike patterns.
13-Place torn picture fragments.
14-Drag a ball through a maze.
15-Use directional arrows to place items on a monkey correctly.
2-Click matching pairs of symbols on a book to open it.
3-Move ballerina parts to match the pose shown.
4-Fill in the missing text by selecting icons to complete the sentences.
5-Complete the image using arrows to rotate rows & columns.
6-Untangle Ropes or Vines several times throughout the game.
7-Arrange flowers so that no flower is repeated in the same column or row.
8-Travel to all landmartk set points.
9-Arrange dancers in matching colored pairs by sliding along paths.
10-Select Icon Poses to repeat the sequence of the ballerina.
11-Rotate panels to find 3 identical patterns.
12-Use clues to place the dog toys into like & dislike patterns.
13-Place torn picture fragments.
14-Drag a ball through a maze.
15-Use directional arrows to place items on a monkey correctly.
This Collector's Edition has 10 Wallpapers, 14 Concept Art Pictures, 8 Music Soundtracks, 15 re-playable Movie Video Cutscenes, 10 re-playable Mini-Games, 10 re-playable Hidden Object Scenes, 14 Achievements to Earn, 54 Collectible Jewelry Pieces-2 available in each scene (You can pick up missed jewelry by re-visiting the scenes in the Jewelry section in the Extra's menu) 6 Main Chapters (Reflected Memories) +Bonus Chapter (Behind the Scenes) +Hidden Chapter (Mirror Maze) and a built-in Strategy Guide.
THE UNSEEN FEARS SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Body Thief (March 16-2017) 4.0
2-Outlive (December 30-2017) 3.7
3-Last Dance (November 29-2018) n/a
2-Outlive (December 30-2017) 3.7
3-Last Dance (November 29-2018) n/a
by: GrandMa Studios
I don't recommend this game.
Get ready to travel to France on a new mosaic adventure and enjoy the enchanting smells and tastes of Autumn in France!
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 28 found this review helpful
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY WINTER HOLIDAY?
PostedNovember 28, 2018
pennmom36
fromI wish we had more seasons?!?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Ancient Mosaic
(5)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Autumn in France is the third game in the Four Season's Around the World Mosaic Series, which leaves me wondering if there's only going to be one more Mosaic game, or if we'll just start all over with a different destination? I love the good people at PixQuake because they really do care about the quality of their games. I did find this version to be less challenging, but that's a great way to introduce this genre to those leery about its complexity. As fellow reviewer Heaven says, it helps them swing a leg over the fence to realize that these games are actually not complicated and can be quite relaxing...and addicting!
You can choose from 3 different difficulty modes, Bronze (Easy) which gives you a 30-second refill timer, 5 Lives, 9 Shovels to reveal a single cell and 3 bombs to remove a 3x3 grid. Silver (Medium) gives you a 60-second hint refill timer, 3 Lives, 6 Shovels, and 2 Bombs. Gold (Hard) gives you a 120-second hint refill timer, 1 Life, 3 Shovels and 1 Bomb.
You can choose from 3 different difficulty modes, Bronze (Easy) which gives you a 30-second refill timer, 5 Lives, 9 Shovels to reveal a single cell and 3 bombs to remove a 3x3 grid. Silver (Medium) gives you a 60-second hint refill timer, 3 Lives, 6 Shovels, and 2 Bombs. Gold (Hard) gives you a 120-second hint refill timer, 1 Life, 3 Shovels and 1 Bomb.
They fixed the issue with the cumbersome brush cursor from the first game which made it easier to see the numbers that previously blended into the background, but the numbers are still a bit on the small side which may be difficult for some people to see, especially on a smaller monitor.
FOUR SEASONS AROUND THE WORLD MOSAIC SERIES
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Spring In Japan Mosaic Edition (June 20-2018) 3.3
2-Summer In Italy Mosaic Edition (July 27-2018) 3.6
3-Autumn In France Mosaic Edition (November 28-2018) n/a
by: Pix Quake Games
2-Summer In Italy Mosaic Edition (July 27-2018) 3.6
3-Autumn In France Mosaic Edition (November 28-2018) n/a
by: Pix Quake Games
I recommend this game!
Mosaics Galore is back with new brain teaser puzzles set in a fairytale world!
Overall rating
2
/
5
48 of 54 found this review helpful
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BEAUTIFUL FANTASY THEMED PICTURES?
PostedNovember 27, 2018
pennmom36
fromUninteresting pictures, glitches, same features, nothing to see here folks, keep searching!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I have a few personal issues with this third installment of Mosaics Galore. These pictures are not interesting at all and certainly not like the other two fantasy-themed pictures offered before such as elves and beautiful phoenix birds, instead, you get pictures of a fireplace mantel and a sack of potatoes, what's next, a lump of coal?
The second problem I have with this particular version took place on the 6th puzzle in the first Location. (There are 5 Locations and 20 puzzle levels in each) You pick up a piece of mosaic from the right side (There is a Left-Hand mode as well) normally, you have to click to drop or set the puzzle piece where you want to place it, but for some reason one of the scrolls would drop the second it hit the board, causing me to make a mistake and consequentially a key or star rating. I thought that maybe I had accidentally clicked the scroll piece so I restarted the level and everything was working well until I got to that same scroll puzzle piece. I restarted the level a third time and got the same result, so out of frustration I quit the game.
As for the game itself, the idea is to complete the images within the allotted time (there is a relaxed, untimed mode as well) To earn all three Keys you must complete the image within the very brief allotted time frame without making any mistakes. You can add +30 seconds to the timer or refill the Hints on that level for a whopping 5000 points, but in my opinion, they don't give you enough time to complete the puzzle in the first place, especially after the first Location.
Lastly, if you have played any Mosaic Game by 8 Floor, you won't be surprised to find that nothing has changed. The music is always the same, the features are always the same, the design is always the same, even the title is basically the same. They simply recycle puzzles and sometimes they change the background pictures (but even those tend to stay the same from one game in a series to the next) They offer so many games yet put forth so little effort, I no longer need to take notes while playing a game by this dev, I know the features will always be the same game after game. Looking at the bright side, look at how many trees I save by not wasting paper taking notes!
MOSAICS GALORE SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Mosaics Galore 1 (November 25-203) 4.0
2-Mosaics Galore 2 (May 3-2016) 4.6
3-Mosaics Galore 3: Challenging Journey (November 27-2018) n/a
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Mosaics Galore 1 (November 25-203) 4.0
2-Mosaics Galore 2 (May 3-2016) 4.6
3-Mosaics Galore 3: Challenging Journey (November 27-2018) n/a
I don't recommend this game.
Margaret needs your help once again! You must repair the railway across 50 time management levels and manage an enormous budget!
Overall rating
5
/
5
123 of 143 found this review helpful
TOOT-TOOT...ALL ABOARD! NEXT STOP: TIME MANAGEMENT FUN
PostedNovember 26, 2018
pennmom36
fromI'll keep my eye out for Jesse James :)
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Next Stop
(89)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm not really sure why, but I have always loved this series. The Train Station theme is a nice change of pace and the Time Management tasks seem more logical than moving along a path collecting baskets of fruit. The graphics are amazing as usual with this series and they have added 10 more levels and a few other TM side game features. You can play in a Relaxed Untimed Mode or Multi-Click Mode and earn a Gold, Silver or Bronze Ribbon, there's even a High Score Leader Board.
This game is all about the Trains running smoothly so they can pick up freight and earn money. The level goals aren't complete until the last Train arrives to picks up the freight, so it's important to work on picking up the packages as quickly as possible, otherwise, you may lose valuable time waiting for a train to arrive.
You can add workers by upgrading the Office, but they need to be paid by collecting the Mail which arrives in blue boxes at regular intervals. If the workers aren't paid they can't complete various tasks of repairing wooden platforms, bridges, and ladders which often obstructs Freight packages. Trees can be chopped down and the wood used to repair those obstacles, as well as repairing Signals, Track Sections, and Logging Sites.
If you earn Gold Status you will make enough money to build two sections of buildings in the Loading Facility, but only one section upgrade if you don't complete the level in expert or gold. There are 14 total buildings to construct and each building requires between 3 to 12 upgrades to complete.
There is a new Side Quest section under the Sorting Facility that allows you to make money by accepting and unloading goods. You need to select and pay specific workers for specific freights in the icon section, the more you pay, the more workers you'll receive for a specified time frame. In the factory icon, you can build various Factories so trains can deliver and except more freight each time it passes through a factory. I didn't spend a lot of time in this section because it's a constant "hands-on" type of quest and you could literally play the side quest as an entirely different TM game.
When the first Next Stop game was released I didn't think I'd enjoy it because I'm not really into Trains, but it was surprisingly addicting! So if you think you won't like the game because you're not into games either, you may be just as surprised as I was to discover how much fun it actually is. The only thing I miss from the other Next Stop games, was having to switch signals before the train can pull away, or repair the tracks quickly because the train moved too slowly. You still have to repair the tracks, but this game seems to be more about the freight than the actual tracks.
NEXT STOP SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Next Stop 1 (April 29-2014) 4.0
2-Next Stop 2 (May 31-2015) 4.5
3-Next Stop 3 (November 26-2018) n/a
2-Next Stop 2 (May 31-2015) 4.5
3-Next Stop 3 (November 26-2018) n/a
by: Ladia Group games
I recommend this game!