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:
Purchase real estate, construct buildings, trade goods and run your competitors into the ground using maps of actual cities in Trade Mania 2!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A monopoly for the computer
PostedApril 21, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I did play the first game but this for me excels in all areas. The free hour flew by and I was only just beginning to experience the full depth of the game. I usually avoid board games on the computer as normally they are just computerised versions of 'offline' board games. This game however takes the concept of monopoly and turns it into a full blown computer only board-game, (I think it would have been impossible to make an offline board game of this) there is a lot of depth and variety to the game (I especially like the 'casino' square), and the fact that you can build on different owned buildings, but with a variety of buildings each with a different 'payback' (e.g a supermarket or factory etc) for each building, this adds further strategy to the game.
Also there are extra tasks to complete which will give you further funds (though ironically one of the tasks was that you got $50000 for mortgaging your first property).
There is not much of a storyline to the game (hence no marks for this), you have got challenges though for each of the cities which a bit of competition to the game), The music is mainly soundbites, and there is not one continuous track, but saying that the music is not 'offensive' and is not of course integral to the game so you could of course play without sound (or play some of your own music), so that isn't really a problem.
This game is good when you want a complete stress free (ish), game and don't want to worry about finding objects in HO scenes, solving puzzles to advance or clearing debris in TM games.
I heartily recommend this game and is a definite keeper for me.
I recommend this game!
Adopt characters and help them choose a mate and start a family! Shape their personalities and help them get through the challenges of life.
Overall rating
3
/
5
33 of 54 found this review helpful
Computer people brought up to date!
PostedApril 21, 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
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I am not sure of this game, I really wanted to like this game as I saw it as a sims substitute, though the game for me was not without its problems.
The first problem (which was quite a major problem for me) was that the mouse cursor had a mind of its own and kept going 'off piste' so that it could take a while just to click on the button you wanted to, this kind of marred the gaming experience.
The next problem I had was that whilst the tutorial (though not that short as was suggested by the game itself), was informative, after that I kind of got lost. I 'made' a baby, but couldn't then get my 'sim' to put it anywhere and she didn't want to do any work as she was too tired, thus I couldn't get very much money to do the renovations in order to progress within the game. The free hour therefore was not enough to give the game justice, and I don't mind games 'maturing like a fine wine' but with regards to this game I don't think there was any encouragement or enough reward for me to want to continue with the game. I appreciate the ethos of the game and what it was trying to do but the the money earned by essentially one person for most of the free hour meant that I couldn't really explore the game much thus not got enough of the flavour of the game for me to want to continue.
For me therefore whilst I can see the that for some the game would have depth and would be a 'keeper' for me I didn't get enough of a flavour for me to continue and purchase the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Fitness Bustle: Energy Boost
Develop the nationwide chain of fitness centers to make people happier and healthier!
Overall rating
2
/
5
16 of 28 found this review helpful
Gristleman's back and this time he wants your health!
PostedApril 21, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This seems to be taking a backward step for me in terms of this kind of TM 'sub genre'. In that you are having to move the characters to the correct spot (al la Sally Salon the dash games) these games were ok games five or so years ago but I thought things had progressed slightly since then (or maybe it is me that has moved on). The 'soundbites' were similar to the ones of Ellie's Burger games (indeed she made an appearance) (I suppose to add to the continuity), but that again was something that didn't quite sit well, I a burger game, then a fitness game, surely an oxymoron?
The music was also the same as the 'bustle' games. and the layout and 'goals' for each day were also in the same format.
For me personally I prefered the burger games, as whilst there was a bit of moving the characters around it for me had a bit more depth (in that you had strategy in what to cook for the best profit etc), where as this I felt was taking a step back to the 'dash' games of old. If this is your thing then you will probably like this game, but personally I have moved on. I only played the game for around 15 minutes of the free trial so there may have been more depth later on but from playing the length I did I sensed a good flavour of what I thought the game was about.
Mr Gristleman is also back, now for burger games this added a fun whimsical play of names, but it again didn't (for me at least), sit well in a fitness game (though again I suppose it was added for continuity of the franchise). I can see the reason behind this though (greedy man wants profit), and the front story had VO's which was good (though the voice of Ellie seemed to have changed slightly), so that was something in its favour, but personally one star in a dark night does not quite do it for me.
I personally would not recommend the game but if you like this genre then I would say give the download a go.
Solitaire Twist Collection
With over 500 maps, 5 types of cards, 5 backgrounds and 3 game modes, Solitaire Twist is will throw you for a loop!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Solitaire Snap
PostedApril 17, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
The title really sums it up. This game is solitaire as you do play on your own, but this version of solitaire is 'snap solitaire' which I have to say I find the most boring out of all the solitaire games. The game is similar to solitaire strike in that you are matching pairs, (but that game had slightly more of a storyline to it in the fact that you had to score a certain amount of points to move on), this I am not to sure about as I only played two minutes before I quit.
I realise that some people may feel that just playing two minutes of a game then the thoughts are how are you going to make a unbiased rational view on the game, well to all you I say you are possibly correct. Though to be fair to myself if a game ain't going to hold my interest for more than 2 minutes then maybe that is a fault of the game thus that it is the case I am arguing your honour, if the game can't keep my interest for more than 2 minutes then obviously it is not the game for me.
The game title to me indicated that there was going to be a variety of solitaire games, this to me didn't seem to be the case.
The game title to me indicated that there was going to be a variety of solitaire games, this to me didn't seem to be the case.
Unless you like playing solitaire 'snap' or this game is for younger people then I can't really recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Help your good old friend bring the family garden to bloom again in this brand new hit from Playrix!
Overall rating
3
/
5
16 of 19 found this review helpful
Same old same old....
PostedApril 15, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This like most sequels is just a continuation of the first game. Yes the storyline is different, but the actual game-play is the same (even down to the bonuses), if you liked the first game and want to in effect play it all over again with a slightly different storyline then go-ahead, personally after purchasing the first and playing this as a demo, I don't think it is sufficiently different to warrant me to spend either cash or a game credit.
The graphics, sound etc are all as the first and this game does not bring anything new to the mix (that is not to say this is bad as these were good in the first game), the level of challenge is also same as the first.
This is not good or bad just more of the same of the first (like most sequels are), if you have not got the first and like this 'junk yard sale' genre then try it as you will probably like. I personally always purchase the latest in a series as I think games should (in theory) improve with age, however I got the first game when it first came out and there is nothing in this game to convince me to purchase this.
I say no to recommending this game based on the review above, however if you have not got the first or like it so much to want to 'carry on' then yes the game is a good solid extension of the first.
I don't recommend this game.
Forget those long-winded stories and dive right into the HO scenes you love! 100% Hidden Objects gives you complete control over your gaming experience.
Overall rating
3
/
5
81 of 90 found this review helpful
Does what it says on the tin!
PostedApril 14, 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
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Much as I hate the phrase it does do 'exactly what it says on the tin'! This doesn't make out it is something it isn't, it is just pure hidden object scenes one after another (just think a very basic version of the Big City Adventure games and others in that ilk, but without the storyline. That's it no storyline, no mini-games, nothing else other than scene after of HO scenes in different backgrounds.
I did think it might be another hidden gem like the much loved Pure Hidden, but it was not to be, this I suppose is good if it is for a child or someone just starting out in this genre of game. Or a child whose parent/carer doe not what there 'charge' to be at the mercy of some of the 'darker storylines' that can appear in some HO games.
I did think it might be another hidden gem like the much loved Pure Hidden, but it was not to be, this I suppose is good if it is for a child or someone just starting out in this genre of game. Or a child whose parent/carer doe not what there 'charge' to be at the mercy of some of the 'darker storylines' that can appear in some HO games.
I personally think the other two reviews (at the time of writing) have been slightly harsh with there overall marking, as the game didn't make any pretence of being anything other than a one dimensional Hidden Object game.
If you are a younger player or someone who does not want to follow or storyline or play mini-games, and just want a straight forward HO game then this could be the one for you, I mean there are Spot the difference games and jigsaw games on BF so why not a pure HO game?
As the title says 'does what it says on the tin'!
I recommend this game!
Stop the invading barbarian forces and restore the settlements and broken roads in Roads of Rome 3, a fun Strategy game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Rome wasn't built in a day!
PostedApril 14, 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
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is the same as the myriad of other 'clear the path' type of TM games out there (such as Sweet Kingdom, Royal Envoy, Outta this Kingdom et al), what I will though in this short(ish) review detail what I thought the differences were (for the better and the worse), were between this game and others.
The better
This game started as most others in this genre do by the first few levels being a 'gentle' learning curve into the game, when it got to level 3 onwards it for me started to get to the game proper. One thing I did like about this game was that you were able to gain an extra 'co-worker' in the earlier levels as this meant that you didn't just have one person having to go back and forth to complete the tasks, in games in this genre, this to me has been a tad tedious and makes those first few levels drag before you can then start controlling more than one character.
The game itself is pretty similar to others, clear the paths and build buildings in order to continue. I would say though that I had to re-start a few times on level 8 as the strategy really needed to be thought about on this level. This whilst frustrating was also good, as it nicely bought a good strategic element into the game.
A tip that I would give though is to build up your 'camp' as high as you can at the start of each level as then you have more people enabling to do more things, the rest of it though does need quite a bit of strategical thinking.
Other elements that were different were that occasionally a viking or other 'enemy' would appear and you would have to defeat this before the workers would go back to work. This again added a different element. Also there were mini earthquakes thus buildings got destroyed thus you had to rebuild to continue (the first time this happened was on level 8 thus you would probably have to play this through a couple of times to get the gist. of the level.
The game itself is pretty similar to others, clear the paths and build buildings in order to continue. I would say though that I had to re-start a few times on level 8 as the strategy really needed to be thought about on this level. This whilst frustrating was also good, as it nicely bought a good strategic element into the game.
A tip that I would give though is to build up your 'camp' as high as you can at the start of each level as then you have more people enabling to do more things, the rest of it though does need quite a bit of strategical thinking.
Other elements that were different were that occasionally a viking or other 'enemy' would appear and you would have to defeat this before the workers would go back to work. This again added a different element. Also there were mini earthquakes thus buildings got destroyed thus you had to rebuild to continue (the first time this happened was on level 8 thus you would probably have to play this through a couple of times to get the gist. of the level.
There are three modes of a play and being a 'seasoned' player in this genre I thought I would try the 'hard' mode, even on the second level I was struggling to complete to 'expert' finish. I therefore 'dropped' down a level and played on normal, - I will say that if you do drop a level you start again from the beginning, so just maybe think on before you start playing the game. There are also some mini-levels that are only accessible if you play through on the hard mode, thus I will probably not see the whole game, as once I have completed on normal I do not tend to re-play (no stamina you see) the games.
The game overall was good fun the graphics and music on par with others of this genre. I can't really say anything negative as it was/is overall a good solid game of this genre.
One thing I will say though is if you minimise it to the windows taskbar and you get a 'ghosting' of mouse cursors, then the best way to remedy this is to minimise the game in the options (so it is not in full screen but windowed) then maximise the game again and you should have got rid of the rouge mouse cursor, this happened to me and as such couldn't access all the game screen, the above should hopefully help though if it happens to anyone else.
Good game and I would recommend to others who like this genre, I haven't played the others in the series (don't tend to as I know that all in the series would be pretty much the muchness and by the later games they should have improved, thus usually go for the latest (obviously if it is a HO will play all as they tend to be a full storyboard but as usual I am digressing).
I do recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
Wait no more! The adventures of My Kingdom for the Princess continue. It's time to defeat the traitors and rebuild the kingdom!
Overall rating
4
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
Familiar story but solid example of genre (where is the women's lib)!
PostedApril 12, 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
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is the usual ‘clear the roads and build’ genre of TM games in much the same vain as Royal Envoy and Sweet Kingdom. The basic storyline is 3 princess (brothers), who are after the heart of the Princess (women’s lib not hit game developers then in the fact that the role is never reversed (three princesses for one prince, or the princess has a say in whom she marries)), but saying that I suppose this is the case the world over in games and movies and books so hey ho.
The game itself graphically is not the best (though I appreciate it is a slightly older game), the music is never this genre’s strong point so can’t really give that as a positive or negative, though I will say I didn’t need to turn the volume down and it wasn’t overly annoying (thus for this genre therefore the music could be said to be good), even though this was a SE there was a voiceover which drove the cut-scenes on and did I suppose enhance the story slightly (though again for this type of game, the storyline etc. as stated previously is not really a strong point).
The gameplay was standard for this genre, in that the first few levels were the learning curve and then it started to get a little bit more of a challenge. The beauty of this genre is if you play a lot of them then the ‘skills’ learnt in one game can be transferred to another (I suppose this is the case if you play a lot of an genre of games), the one thing I will say though is that like so many of this type of game is that even if a worker is empty-handed after they have finished performing a task then they have to go back to the hut (town hall etc. etc.) before they can perform another, this to me seems to be an inherent fault in this genre as it seems to me that you are wasting precious time, waiting for the worker to go back to the hut before you can action them to do something else (when you had more workers it perhaps was not as noticeable) but certainly for the first few levels it was and it made these levels drag slightly. I suppose having just played Sweet Kingdom where you could give them multiple tasks it was perhaps more noticeable.
Other than that though the game is good fun and for each level you have to get the artefact, but there are several other tasks to do as well (such as complete bridges (usually to gain access to get the artefact) and build different work buildings (such as farms and sawmills).
If you are fan of this genre, then you will be on familiar territory and this game does not really throw anything new into the mix, but nevertheless is a good solid example of this genre of game. I would certainly recommend this if you like this genre of game.
I recommend this game!
Guide Alice through lavish backgrounds, charming characters, and exciting twists and turns on an old gaming favorite!
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 20 found this review helpful
Down the rabbit hole to a card game of wonder(land)
PostedApril 8, 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
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
There are at least three games on BF that depict this wonderful classic story. This game however is the only card version (to my knowledge), this is the classic 'freecell' solitaire card game with a twist. The version is faithful (in the main) to the freecell version of solitaire and there is even a tutorial if you are unfamiliar with this version (this helps and 'refreshed' my mind as to the principals of the game).
The game itself is whimsical and quirky (much like the story) and takes you through the story of Alice in Wonderland. The way to complete each of the levels is to open up the 'rose' level meter by playing the game. It is not always necessary to 'clear the decks' as it were, to fill the 'rose meter' but each level has a certain amount of points that need to be achieved in order for that particular level to be completed. What was a bit confusing was that you may complete the points target for a particular level, but you may not have fully completed the 'rose meter' thus you had to to play another round within the same level, I was confused to start with as I couldn't work out if that if I had met the targets then why I couldn't move on to the next level, as I say I eventually worked it out.
The game starts of with a 'baby' version of the game in that you only have to sort cards 4 through to 6, as you move on through the game though the number of cards increases (in the hour trial I got to number 7), this again was good as it slowly introduced you not only to freecell, but also gently eased you into the game itself. As with most solitaire card games on BF there were 'powerups' and columns that had to be 'unlocked' before you could use them (think sand bunker cards if you had played fairway solitaire), this again added to the overall challenge of the game.
In between each of the levels (and sub-levels) a part of the story was told and as the story continued the story became the foundation for the missions for that particular level, this was another plus point (IMHO) as it made a solitaire game (which could be seen as slightly stale), a lot more interactive thus it held your interest.
The only slight negative I found with the game was that there was a 'mad hatter' card that had different 'bonuses' during game play if you performed certain functions, the slight problem I had with this is that sometimes the information was little vague so I did not fully understand what was required in order to achieve the bonus (extra hearts, points etc), this was the only slight negative I found (and as there were several different types of bonuses it didn't detract from what was otherwise a good game), I would therefore highly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
After the king chooses you to join the Solitaire Heroes, you’re off on an epic adventure in Solitaire Kingdom Quest!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Finally a good alterna
PostedApril 6, 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
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have bemoaned in other reviews the lack of variety in solitaire games as they all seemed to be the 'standard' 'golf' variant (one up one down solitaire version), this was so so different. The solitaire is klondike which is good solitaire version as it makes you think a lot more than the 'golf' variety so adds a very welcome change to others in this genre. The storyline for this genre add a lot to the game and whilst fantasy based was good escapism. This is the sort of game that you would play when you had a spare 30 minutes (though that may stretch) and just don't want to be bothered with finding objects or solving puzzles. This was for me a gem of a find (only found because of the sale of 'fantasy games' BF are doing this weekend.
Will defiantly be purchasing (or using a free 'punch') and will be checking out the other game in this series that other reviewers have mentioned.
If you are wanting a change from the 'golf' variant of solitaire then I would defiantly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!