alsteele28's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.2
- Helpful Votes:1,950
- Reviews Submitted:209
- First Review:August 5, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 22, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Travel through the mysterious lands of the Druids in this new hit game from the creators of the groundbreaking My Kingdom for the Princess series!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
A lot of missed opportunity!
PostedJune 27, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game is similar to others in the 'clear the road' genre.
Given the fact that these were the same developers that developed TKFMP series I thought they would have capitalised on that and improved the other all feeling of the genre. Unfortunately this does not bring anything new to the genre and in some ways is a backwards step to the overall genre. In some of the more modern ones of this genre, you were able to let the workers complete mutli-tasks without having what I call 'the empty had syndrome' by this I mean the workers having to go back to 'base-camp' before being able to complete another task. This not only ate into the level time but also seemed pointless given the fact that some in this genre are allowing 'tasks to be stacked'.
Another negative in this game was the long waiting time between getting enough resources and being able to do anything, thus there were long periods why by the workers were idling away in base camp (and also the game time going down), which again added the frustration and seemed pointless, given the fact that the developers have made games with better resources/map design this again seemed to be a backward step.
Given the fact that these were the same developers that developed TKFMP series I thought they would have capitalised on that and improved the other all feeling of the genre. Unfortunately this does not bring anything new to the genre and in some ways is a backwards step to the overall genre. In some of the more modern ones of this genre, you were able to let the workers complete mutli-tasks without having what I call 'the empty had syndrome' by this I mean the workers having to go back to 'base-camp' before being able to complete another task. This not only ate into the level time but also seemed pointless given the fact that some in this genre are allowing 'tasks to be stacked'.
Another negative in this game was the long waiting time between getting enough resources and being able to do anything, thus there were long periods why by the workers were idling away in base camp (and also the game time going down), which again added the frustration and seemed pointless, given the fact that the developers have made games with better resources/map design this again seemed to be a backward step.
There didn't seem to be enough workers to enable you to complete the levels to finish the game time to get 'gold' finishing level, and most of the time there were only ever two workers (you could sometimes rescue 'petrified' workers, but this was too few and far between within the levels. Again it seemed to me to be another backward step
The story-line was ok, but I sometimes missed part of the dialogue as it came up 'in-game' and as such if you were focusing on the game screen, then you could sometimes miss the speech bubbles, thus missed part of the story and perhaps clues and game-tips. Also Etain (the 'beautiful princess) could have had better dialogue and perhaps more humour or sarcasm in her dialogue, this was perhaps touched upon several times but never fully exploited, a shame and another missed opportunity. Indeed all the story-line could have been better executed all-round with more of a comedy/sarcastic/humour storyline, but what they was just slightly cumbersome.
Overall the game may have come from the same stable as TKFMP but it felt like it was programmed by 'first-timers' as nothing in the game seemed to flow or be exploited to the maximum. This was a great shame as if the levels had been better designed so that you were not waiting around for so long to gain resources and if the story-line was better executed then this could have been a great game, as it was this was in my opinion mediocre at best (one of the last times I purchase 'on a whim).
I have to say the game was 'ok' to try to justify to myself the purchase, but in my heart of heart it wasn't a game to me.
I don't recommend this game.
Gather evidence, interview witnesses, recreate the crime and catch the killer!
Overall rating
1
/
5
3 of 12 found this review helpful
match the clue to evidence!
PostedJune 27, 2013
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This game to be seemed to be a 'match the clue' game, you were given a riddle and then you had to guess the object, this would have been ok if that was just the start and the game was just 'warming up' as it were but this went on and on and on (bit like the duracell bunny), For that after around 20 minutes, I deleted.
The game was just still shots, no VO (though SE so that perhaps not to have been expected), the sound and music were not the best and whilst there was fair warning with regards to scenes not suitable for under 16 to be fair I didn't play long enough to find out.
Not one for keeping, but if you fancy something that is just literally crime scene after crime scene (and 'match-up) and text, but no apparent drive and cohesion then go right ahead.
I don't usually give one stars but this for me was all it was worth.
The game was just still shots, no VO (though SE so that perhaps not to have been expected), the sound and music were not the best and whilst there was fair warning with regards to scenes not suitable for under 16 to be fair I didn't play long enough to find out.
Not one for keeping, but if you fancy something that is just literally crime scene after crime scene (and 'match-up) and text, but no apparent drive and cohesion then go right ahead.
I don't usually give one stars but this for me was all it was worth.
I don't recommend this game.
Restore a ravaged island to its former glory!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 14 found this review helpful
Tribal warfare is not for me!
PostedJune 24, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Not to sure about this one as although this is a TM game which is a genre I love, the subject matter of this particular game is one that I have a problem with, in that I have always been whilst not scared exactly by tribes and sharman, but a very healthy dislike for them.
This is unfortunate as I am always in the market for another game of this genre.
Overall though the graphics were not brilliant if you had a new(ish) computer as the resolution didn't seem as sharp as it could be on modern computers, and there was no option to change the resolution. Music was average, but there was a voiceover which made for a nice change for a SE TM game.
I think more could have been done with the charecters in that there could have been more comedic value in the 'script' but as it was it just a standard 'boy meets girl' storybook affair with a bit of 'sharmen magic' thrown in.
It was a typical 'road-clearing' game and as the story genre was not for me then from a personal point of view I can't really recommend the game, however if you don't mind the subject matter then you will find a good game, just be aware if you have a modern computer that the resolution will seem a bit sluggish.
I don't recommend this game.
The exciting adventures of the young Ingolf await you in this magical Time Management game.
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 15 found this review helpful
Same old same old....
PostedJune 10, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
I have many many TM games and quite a few 'clear the road' TM games I also have other Viking 'clear the road' TM games such as Northern Tale, Viking Brothers. This game seems to borrow heavily on Viking Brothers in the fact that there are two Brothers each with a tale to tell. For me however it didn't seem to be as imagintative as this game, and the soudbytes of 'I'm doing it' etc got very grating very quickly. Also I did object to the use of the word 'midget', which in England (where I reside) is a degrotary term. For me this put me off the game even more so than the 'this has been done better before' game. The word dwarf whilst possibly slightly offensive, is in my mind slightly more acceptable as it invokes 'loveable' story charctars such as those featured in Snow White, and the Hobbit (ok these are possibly not loveable but you get the general gist), for me therefore after hearing the word 'midget' about 6 times in one of the opening cut-screens, and the very 'samey' game play I decided that this was definatly not a game for me, which was a shame really as I was looking for new TM. This though after playing it for around 40 minutes didn't seem to bring anything 'new to the table'.
Music/graphics were of equal standard to others in this ilk (actually the graphics were carbon copied of some other games of this ilk (though that could just be my eyes).
Overall I can't recommend this game owing to the usage of what I regard as non PC words.
I don't recommend this game.
A murderous figure in a red mask haunts the streets of a small French town, and the mayor needs your help to track him down. But you soon discover that the mysterious Red Masque might not be the real criminal…
Overall rating
4
/
5
Detective to rival Holmes!
PostedJune 6, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is the latest in the series of Poe's tales. This storyline in my opinion is the strongest one that there has been. The plot is of justice, but it is corruption v 'the people' and you have to decide with 'scales of justice' who you think is in the right.
Even though this is 'just a game' it asks important moral questions about ourselves and what we think of as right and wrong (sorry to get deep I know it is only a game, but it really did make me think).
The game itself is on par with others in the series, the puzzles are good and well thought out, some are trickier than others and I have had to resort the strategy guide a couple of times as it didn't always seem logical. Overall though there was logic to the flow of the game and the storyline was I felt excellent.
The graphics and sound/music were of equal standard to others of this series (which I have always felt to be high).
One slight negative I would have (though this is the case for most games by this producer, is that you can flick through the different game modes, thus you are not 'tied' as it were to that game level if things get tricky, this to me kind of defeats the purpose of choosing a level and sticking with it.
Overall I would defiantly recommend this game, whether or not you are new to this series or have had others in the series you can't go far wrong.
This is based on the CE edition which I got on offer, so I can't comment on any major differences between this and the SE version.
I recommend this game!
Seven gnomes wait in silence, holding a secret. Take up the hunt if you dare, and find the path to the Chamber of Fortune.
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
And then there were none! A Gnome Whodunit
PostedMay 27, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
***BASED ON HOUR DEMO**
The game was very average considering some of the calibre of HO games coming out of game developers today.
The game was very average considering some of the calibre of HO games coming out of game developers today.
The plus points were that it had morphing objects (something must game developers have for their CE of the game. The sound was not too bad, and there was a smattering of VO which again is unusual for CE edition. The puzzles were quite inventive (from the hour that I played)
The graphics were as others have said fairly basic, and would have perhaps been ok 2 or 3 years ago, the HO scenes were fairly easy (this I suppose could be classed as good or bad depending on your viewing stance on finding obscure HO objects in a scene).
The overall gameplay was nothing more than average, and a game that I can see is possibly fairly short I had found 2 of the gnomes within 45 minutes thus I am sure I was nearly 'there' on my third.
Owing to the offer this weekend, I think I may 'purchase' this as the 'free game' as if something is free, you are not really paying for it are you + I get a punch as well.
Having said that I can't without any impetus that I would wholeheartedly recommend the game if you are actually spending money on it (but could be worth a punch code, or possibly a game credit. One thing I would defiantly say though is this is a game you need to download before you buy. The safety net that is BF strikes again!
Tame the American Wild West by gathering essential resources to enhance and develop your town in Big Bang West!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 13 found this review helpful
Housebuilding wild west style!
PostedMay 25, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game as others have said is similar to the ‘build-a-lot’ style of game play. Given the theme I was downloading with slight trepidation as whilst I like the genre, I was a bit worried that the music would be too ‘stereotypical’ of the genre and be very ‘o Susannah’ ish. I don’t like music from this period as it has always (no rationale behind it) ‘creped me out’. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to find whilst there was a ‘hint’ to the style of music it was modernised so that I could ‘cope’ with it. I have been known not to purchase games based on the music or not, as whilst I know I can turn the music down to me it forms an integral part of the game-play.
The game itself is similar to others of the genre however, as other reviewers have said there is a lot of tutorials and as such this may put people of purchasing as they think that it could be another ‘outta of this kingdom’ style of game whereby the whole game just seemed to be tutorial after tutorial. Whilst this maybe so to some extent, I felt that as there were different elements to the game-play from others in this genre, that ‘most’ of the tutorials were I suppose warranted. I know that game developers have to put tutorials in so that ‘first-time players are not ‘walking in the dark’ as it were but, I think it is fair to say that the majority of people will either have a game similar to this or have played a game similar to this to therefore possibly ‘bypass’ some of the tutorials if needed. I think game producers ought to some-how include that into the start of the game then you are almost tailoring the tutorials to suit your own personal experience of game-play.
The graphics and music were strong enough to carry the game through and you really had a sense of ‘ye olde wild west’.
The levels were good, and even at the beginning there was strategy involved, and you couldn’t just ‘blindly’ build and hope that you got enough ‘rent’ to complete the levels, even early on there was more strategy involved. There were also sub-missions within the game and this usually involved a sheriff going off and ‘being brave’ this was all well and good but I did ‘kill’ a few sheriffs (rip).
Overall the game is good and adds to this genre, if you are interested in the game, I would recommend that you download first to see if the amount of tutorials will put you off, but other than that I can’t really fault the game.
I recommend this game!
Help gnomes to return the magic crystal and rebuild their underworld kingdom.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Amazing what garden gnomes get up to when we aren't looking!
PostedMay 6, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I can see why this game has got some many 4 and 5 star reviews as it is a good game, with a strong storyline a good soundtrack and VO.
The only problem is I am slowly starting to have with this sub-genre style is that I personally feel that the market is starting to feel slightly saturated with this type of game. I know this game came out a while ago, when perhaps there wasn't as many of these games, but because it is a little old, it feels to me when I am playing, that I am taking an ever so slight 'backward step' in relation to playing this genre of game. By this I mean the advancements of this genre over the last couple of years are obviously not included in this game, thus it makes the game seem slightly 'old' and a bit 'stilted' with regards to the challenges and the game-play as a whole. I know that there will be a lot of people who like this game genre (and I am one of those), but I suppose with regards to the fact that as the genre has moved forward and I have played more recent games in this genre, I therefore feel like I am 'going backwards' with regard to playing this game. Had I discovered the game when it first came out (though I was not a BF member then), then I would have been singing its praises with the rest of you 'fishies', as I have discovered the game a good while after it first came out, then whilst as I say the storyline is good and there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the game, I don't think I will purchase the game owing to the fact that newer games within this genre are bringing new concepts to the game.
Overall though if you want a quirky 'clear the road' style of game then go for it, but just bare in mind that the game has not got 'today's enhancements' with regards to this genre.
Help Polly Diamond relive her childhood fantasies by reviving and expanding the world`s greatest amusement park!
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 14 found this review helpful
Mummy can I have some candy floss? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease!
PostedMay 6, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is a good game and of course comparisons are going to be made to the bullfrog classic 'theme park'. Obviously 'theme park' had a lot more depth and more control over visitors, price setting, what the different booths sold etc, this I suppose can be seen to be a 'watered down' version, whereby all you are doing is building rides (at least that is all the free hour allowed me to do), and confectionery stands. From what I could gather later on the game opened up and you could build 'magic shows' and other attractions to encourage people to come in to the park.
The sound-track was very 'carnavilly' and complemented the game, as did the graphics, which were bold and bright and colourful exactly how you would imagine a carnival to be. The only slight problem I had is the storyline (yes I know nobody really cares for the storyline with a TM game, but I just wanted to lament, why is it in these games that the characters get left money, property etc in the will and just so happens that it is the basis of the game (yes I know artistic licence, it is just a game etc, but it does seem to be slightly 'fanciful' when it happens all the time) :)
I enjoyed the game and from the free hour, I can see that the game whilst not as in-depth as 'theme park' will have a uniqueness of its own that certainly warrants consideration as to whether or not to spend a 'punch credit' on the game.
I do recommend the game, whether you are familiar with others of the sub-genre or not as it is a good, well thought out game
I recommend this game!
Help Mr. Jones make millions of dollars in the cemetery business, and retire to paradise with the love of his life!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
One graveyard shift that ain't quiet!
PostedMay 5, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Wow!
For a subject matter that could be seen to be on the slightly macabre and even distasteful side this game is superbly done. The game is not cartoony or 'over the top', and is programmed to be a proper simulation of this sub-genre within the TM games.
For a subject matter that could be seen to be on the slightly macabre and even distasteful side this game is superbly done. The game is not cartoony or 'over the top', and is programmed to be a proper simulation of this sub-genre within the TM games.
The game itself is in my humble opinion almost retail quality and given BF release others (usually HO games) to the mass retail market, I am sure that this could also be released albeit at a budget price (though I suppose the subject matter may have put a 'kybosh' on this particular release).
The graphics (resolution can be changed to suit fairly modern resolutions) and the sound is good. The voice overs do for me unfortunately let down the game-play and whilst I know it is a SE game and not a CE game thus the VO are a bonus, for some of the voices they seem to not quite 'fit' for the particular character or the infliction in the voice is not quite there. Saying that though that is just an extra and is not detrimental to the game.
The game-play itself is to me a unique sub-genre for BF (I have not seen another of this type), and is very well executed. There are three modes, and me being me thought that as I had the measure of this type of game and started on the 'master' level, this was not perhaps the best move as you start with lower money thus it is harder to complete the funerals as well as to satisfy your girlfriends requests (demands take your pick), I then started again on the 'normal' level which gave you a bit more cash, but not enough to get complacent. The game is basically fulfilling requests with regards to requirements for funerals (the names are the kind of 'jokey' names that raise a smile), some want specific flowers, or ornaments, and the more you adhere to the request the more money you get. I would give a tip here and if you think you can't fulfill a request (particularly early on in the game), then decline the job, as if you take and fail your reputation will suffer, but if you don't take at all then nothing will happen. I would also be careful with regards to placing graves near other graves (particularly on the harder levels) as this may cause a 'zombie' to start to awaken and this is of course bad for the reputation thus you need to try and rectify the situation before it becomes out of control. Also a final tip, when it starts to become dusk, I would fairly quickly go to your house and 'bed for the night' as the game-screen gets dark very quickly and it could be a tad tricky to see exactly where the house is.
I would never have probably found this gem of a game, if it hadn't been for the promotion BF are doing this weekend with regards to building games, and I was browsing the list, when I saw this and thought it seemed different (though I have to admit I thought it would be done in a 'tongue in cheek, almost comedic way, how wrong I was), I am so glad I downloaded and this is definitely a purchase for me.
I would DEFINITELY recommend this game.
I recommend this game!