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:
From all-time classics to brand-new favorites, your solitaire is here.
Overall rating
3
/
5
36 of 41 found this review helpful
Unsure
PostedOctober 30, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This had a good selection of solitaire games, of varying difficulties and choices such as 'autoplay' to speed up the games if necessary.
The problem I had with the game was that the set-up seemed to be pretty average and the sort of graphics that you got in the early 90's (at the modern dawn of home pc's). They were functional and clear, but they seemed to be a little too 'industrial' for my liking.
I didn't have the 'lock-up' on the game that the other reviewer mentioned, so maybe she was just unfortunate.
The only solitaire game that I can see missing (that I used to play and love as a child (yes with 'real' cards)) was 'clock'. Apart from that there was a good selection of games.
I would recommend if you just want to spend 10 minutes or so just 'losing yourself' in a game of solitaire and don't mind to much with regards to the 'aesthetics' of the game.
For what it is, it does it functionality, just (IMO) not very graphically for the era we live in!
The problem I had with the game was that the set-up seemed to be pretty average and the sort of graphics that you got in the early 90's (at the modern dawn of home pc's). They were functional and clear, but they seemed to be a little too 'industrial' for my liking.
I didn't have the 'lock-up' on the game that the other reviewer mentioned, so maybe she was just unfortunate.
The only solitaire game that I can see missing (that I used to play and love as a child (yes with 'real' cards)) was 'clock'. Apart from that there was a good selection of games.
I would recommend if you just want to spend 10 minutes or so just 'losing yourself' in a game of solitaire and don't mind to much with regards to the 'aesthetics' of the game.
For what it is, it does it functionality, just (IMO) not very graphically for the era we live in!
Use your botany skills to survive the strange new planet of Botanica. Can you find your way back to Earth in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure?
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Green fingered HO Game
PostedOctober 28, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This review is just from the 1 hour trial. For me this is not the game for me. I am not into gardening or like 'viewing' gardens. So don't really know why I trialed this game (bored I suppose).
Normally when I first start a game I don't need to click on the hint button practically straight away (I would say I am a high intermediate gamer), but this I had to as sometimes the logic of the clues was 'off the wall'. Also the first puzzle I had to skip, as to me there seemed to be no logic to it. The first HO scene that I encountered was more about combining than finding, this I enjoyed but even some of that was a tad abstract for me. 'Level of challenge' I have marked low, not because I found it easy but found it a bit 'disjointed'
The plus side was the visuals were good, the VO was good and the music was atmospheric. But all in all not a game for me.
Normally when I first start a game I don't need to click on the hint button practically straight away (I would say I am a high intermediate gamer), but this I had to as sometimes the logic of the clues was 'off the wall'. Also the first puzzle I had to skip, as to me there seemed to be no logic to it. The first HO scene that I encountered was more about combining than finding, this I enjoyed but even some of that was a tad abstract for me. 'Level of challenge' I have marked low, not because I found it easy but found it a bit 'disjointed'
The plus side was the visuals were good, the VO was good and the music was atmospheric. But all in all not a game for me.
The Game of Life ®
Spin the wheel and choose your path – the possibilities are endless! Stay single or say “I do”. Retire rich or lose it all. Anything can happen in The Game of Life!
Overall rating
3
/
5
48 of 66 found this review helpful
Old game even for the PC
PostedOctober 24, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
I have played this game on and off for years (on various gaming websites), I downloaded this thinking that this maybe an updated version. Nope same version as I have been playing for years. Whilst the game is fairly faithful to the offline version (on the UK spinner the numbers did go to 10), this version in its self is quite a few years old. I suppose if you wanted a digital 'family night' then this maybe OK to purchase but, this ain't exactly getting the children (or adults) away from the computer.
I suppose you wouldn't lose any cards etc with this version, and it does quite cute albeit relatively dated graphics, the characters are a bit cheesy, and very '80's' but aside from that it is faithful to the offline game and worth a punt if you like board games on the PC
I suppose you wouldn't lose any cards etc with this version, and it does quite cute albeit relatively dated graphics, the characters are a bit cheesy, and very '80's' but aside from that it is faithful to the offline game and worth a punt if you like board games on the PC
Embark on a thrilling rescue mission in the Town of the Cyclops!
Overall rating
4
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
Brigadoon in all but name!!
PostedOctober 12, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):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
5
/
5
This is a review based on the hour free play only. The game is good and even in the 'free-play' there was a lot of unique puzzles, and whilst the HO scenes did repeat this for me didn't detract from the game.
The storyline didn't really get going in the hour thus I may purchase the game as it seemed to be an interesting storyline. The reason why I called my title as I did, was there seemed to be a faint resemblance to 'Brigadoon' just with a different story attached.
Brigadoon was a Scottish city that only appeared once every century (for one day), so whilst this is every 300 years it did kind of put that in my mind.
The game play as I say is good, the music and VO (CE edition review) is good, and I am torn between this or the latest Haunted Halls or the new Mystery trackers (probably end up buying them all (darn these developers, darn Big fish :)).
Try it is similar to the others in the series in that that Edwina has to find to find Tom (who has usual goes missing), but the story and sound is engaging and the puzzles are unique enough for it to be worth a 'look-in".
The storyline didn't really get going in the hour thus I may purchase the game as it seemed to be an interesting storyline. The reason why I called my title as I did, was there seemed to be a faint resemblance to 'Brigadoon' just with a different story attached.
Brigadoon was a Scottish city that only appeared once every century (for one day), so whilst this is every 300 years it did kind of put that in my mind.
The game play as I say is good, the music and VO (CE edition review) is good, and I am torn between this or the latest Haunted Halls or the new Mystery trackers (probably end up buying them all (darn these developers, darn Big fish :)).
Try it is similar to the others in the series in that that Edwina has to find to find Tom (who has usual goes missing), but the story and sound is engaging and the puzzles are unique enough for it to be worth a 'look-in".
I recommend this game!
Find the woman who disappears in the Hall of Mirrors. Investigate two worlds: the Carnivals of Good and Evil!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
I hate this game!!!!
PostedOctober 10, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As you can see from my 'overall rating' marking and the title of my review there is a slight contradiction.
The fact is the game is everything I should dislike, the closed carnival, the music, 'the darkness' of the storyline and characters etc. Yet there is something that intrigues me about the game, maybe because it is an engaging plot, and quirky mini-games (yes the intro blurb said it for the game, but how often is that just the developers 'bigging the game up'? In this case it was actually true.
There are voice-overs and other 'extras' that you may not have expected in a '1 credit' game.
The fact is the game is everything I should dislike, the closed carnival, the music, 'the darkness' of the storyline and characters etc. Yet there is something that intrigues me about the game, maybe because it is an engaging plot, and quirky mini-games (yes the intro blurb said it for the game, but how often is that just the developers 'bigging the game up'? In this case it was actually true.
There are voice-overs and other 'extras' that you may not have expected in a '1 credit' game.
The only slight 'real' critiscisam I would have for this game is that the game switches from a 'normal' carnival to a 'dark' carnival, there is HO scenes in the 'dark' carnival that are mirrored in the 'normal' carnival, some of the objects are mirrored exactly in both carnivals, this therefore made the HO scenes slightly easier. This though in no-way detracted from the game, but thought it worth mentioning if someone thought they may have been 'short-changed'.
Try the trial, but I can guarantee (almost), that you will be coming back for more in this crazy carnival game!
Try the trial, but I can guarantee (almost), that you will be coming back for more in this crazy carnival game!
I recommend this game!
Experience a soothing and entirely new twist on the classic solitaire. Relax with hours of challenging and tranquil gameplay.
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 9 found this review helpful
Too American!
PostedSeptember 27, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Speaking as a non 'yank' this game was too saccharine American for me. The visuals, music and 'sentiments' were all too twee American, that put me of purchasing the game.
I liked the fact that it was a different variant on the 'golf' version of solitiare, but all this was just matching numbers until you found the two 'gold cards'. So whilst fun and slightly tactical this could not overcome the shortfalls for me.
Sorry and I don't mean to upset any Americans (or indeed pro-Americans) but to someone residing on the other side of the pond, this game was not for me.
Wish I could give it 2.5 stars as it was slightly under 'OK' but because of the slight variation on the solitaire theme it was slightly higher than 'dislike'.
I don't recommend this game.
Monopoly ®
Build your fortune as you buy, sell and trade the world’s most famous properties. It’s classic Monopolyfun!
Overall rating
2
/
5
4 of 11 found this review helpful
Not a true version
PostedSeptember 23, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
The problem with this version of the game is that it is weird hybrid of two versions. On the one-hand it has got the correct localised street names (well it localised it for the UK version), not sure for other countries. but that is where it got a bit 'sticky'! If you wanted to play the tutorial, the 'balloon text' place names had the American version, thus I was not sure where I was going when it said things like 'advance to boardwalk' as I couldn't correlate that to the version I was playing. The same thing could be attributed to the community and chance cards.
All in all whilst this game has been done to death (both digitally and 'real-world') this version seemed to do was to confuse!!
All in all whilst this game has been done to death (both digitally and 'real-world') this version seemed to do was to confuse!!
I don't recommend this game.
Defeat the forces of darkness and defend Emerland by uniting the races of the world against the evil sorcerer, Sat, in this magical card game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Good but same!
PostedSeptember 23, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):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
Considering there are thousands of variations of solitaire available, this 'golf' type version still appears to be the most 'popular'. I say that in marks as it is only popular by default as there is not really much variety in the solitaire stakes. The premise of the 'one up, one down' card game is easy to pick-up, thus the mechanics of the game can be picked up in around 5 minutes. The game is around 80% luck and the rest skill.
The storyline is good and the music fits well with the overall theme and game-play.
For those that don't like witches and sorcery then I would err caution on downloading this as that is at the heart the storyline.
The developers have tried to through a bit of HO in to the mix by finding things (flowers, birds etc), but whilst a nice partial distraction it doesn't really do much to the overall game play.
Having downloaded 'fairway' I thought I would be bored of two of the same type of solitaire games, but as this is so different (storyline wise) from fairway, I thought I would use a 'token' on this game.
One thing to note on the front screen the mouse movements were a bit jaggedy but when I was playing the game proper the mouse movements were OK. Mine is 'over-specced' for this game so I am not sure what the problem was, just thought I would mention it, but for me it didn't marr the actual game-play, just the menu screen.
The storyline is good and the music fits well with the overall theme and game-play.
For those that don't like witches and sorcery then I would err caution on downloading this as that is at the heart the storyline.
The developers have tried to through a bit of HO in to the mix by finding things (flowers, birds etc), but whilst a nice partial distraction it doesn't really do much to the overall game play.
Having downloaded 'fairway' I thought I would be bored of two of the same type of solitaire games, but as this is so different (storyline wise) from fairway, I thought I would use a 'token' on this game.
One thing to note on the front screen the mouse movements were a bit jaggedy but when I was playing the game proper the mouse movements were OK. Mine is 'over-specced' for this game so I am not sure what the problem was, just thought I would mention it, but for me it didn't marr the actual game-play, just the menu screen.
I recommend this game!
Holly runs a chain of wedding salons, and your job is to help her develop it, while providing top-notch customer service!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Old fashioned TM game
PostedSeptember 11, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game is like a 'step back in time', in that it is a 'colour-match' dash type game. It is good fun if you like those sort of games, but I think for me personally I have had my fill of these types of games. If you do like these style of TM games, then I would reccommend it as there is nothing there that is 'offensive' in that it has all the elements there for a typical 'dash' game, the visuals are good, there is the 'usual' type of storyline, in that you have to 'build up (in this case a wedding venue), by collecting tokens. The soundtrack is not that annoying but it could possibly grate if you were going to spend a few hours in a row playing the game.
All in all it is a good game of the genre, but as I say I think I have moved on from this genre and want something a little different.
All in all it is a good game of the genre, but as I say I think I have moved on from this genre and want something a little different.
I recommend this game!
Step into the shoes of detective Sarah Green and solve the mystery of Dr. Magnus' disappearance in this beautiful Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 26 found this review helpful
Not good for me
PostedSeptember 9, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game was not good for me, I didn't even finish the hour trial 'the desparados' were a good company for this game to come from. There just didn't seem to be any logical theme or connection between the scenes or HO, or mini-games, just didn't get the game at all. It all seemed a bit to illogical, this is defiantly not going to be a keeper for me.
Also there is no really sound track to speak of and just little snippets every now and again.
No this is defiantly not a keeper for me.
Also there is no really sound track to speak of and just little snippets every now and again.
No this is defiantly not a keeper for me.
I don't recommend this game.