Spartina's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:166
- Reviews Submitted:24
- First Review:May 29, 2017
- Most Recent Review:November 2, 2024
- Featured reviews0
A great new collection for fans of puzzles and nature!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Joe Continues to Deliver
PostedNovember 2, 2024
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This was much more difficult than previous versions, but we were given fair warning in the first few games. I had a difficult time with the stacked flowers, mainly because the colors were so jarring. Perhaps with more attempts to play them my eyes will stop reeling enough to find the opposing matches in the time allotted. I don't know how the rest of you are managing it! But I'm not mad about it, and there are many other options and levels to keep me more than busy. And I'm so glad that the pictures used in the sliders are new instead of just autumn leaves. Glad that so far pumpkins, Halloween and Xmas stuff took a major rest, even though it's that time of year. All and all a game that keeps on giving.
I recommend this game!
Complete striking works of art and let your creativity shine!
Overall rating
2
/
5
What Has Happened?
PostedSeptember 11, 2024
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This used to be one of my favorite series on BigFish, and an automatic buy. But #23 is so inferior to the earlier games that I can't recommend it. The images are dominated by reds, yellows, and cyans, with precious little difference between them, those with people are dominated by the face/neck consisting of huge areas of pink or light beige "flesh" colors; no variation in color to indicate cheeks, chins, ears, just flat continuous northern European skin. No background on many of the images, not even a token solid color. How hard could that be to add?
I see from one comment that the developer has up to 50 games out now, perhaps I'll try to find the latest. Otherwise this will likely be my last purchase of this series.
I don't recommend this game.
The ultimate puzzle collection for new and experienced players!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Yet Another Wonderful Collection of Games
PostedJune 8, 2024
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I've been playing Joe's games since he first started releasing them, and have thoroughly enjoyed nearly every single one. In this offering I learned that he is responsible for the Mahjong games in the wayback that I loved so much. Joe truly offers huge bangs for your buck, with so many varieties that it's easy to find those that will appeal to every player (IMHO). Okay, maybe not everyone likes these kinds of games, but he remains the master of the genre. It's always an instant purchase for me.
Thank you, Joe, for keeping the faith.
I absolutely recommend these games.
I recommend this game!
Piece together captivating patchwork puzzles inspired by the world's most beautiful places!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Beautiful & Challenging
PostedMarch 16, 2024
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
If you enjoy jigsaw puzzles and mosaics, these images of countries around the world will bring you hours of entertainment. The colors are saturated, with a great deal of texture almost stitched into each piece. The finished puzzles resemble quilts and intricate fabric art. I am someone who wants those gold stars, but I immediately put that to the side, as it took me a lot of time and misplaced pieces to finally solve the puzzles. And I didn't mind a bit. I'm especially enjoying the images from Georgia, and find myself stopping to Duck-Duck-Go them to look at maps and aerial images and wikis about all of these amazing places. Talk about rabbit holes! I feel like I'm getting multiple games in one. Thank you to the creators of these beautiful puzzles.
I recommend this game!
Help Santa’s elves pull off a miracle on a magical night!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Not such a bad game!
PostedDecember 15, 2023
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a different game than those that normally fill the Christmas coffers at BigFish. The hidden object scenes and other game play are, dare I say, novel. And since we know that sleighs, sleds & sledges are all winter "vehicles" on metal skids that are pulled or pushed through snow, I had no trouble with the language used to describe various objects. Since BigFish outsourced nearly all game production to other countries years ago, I expect that some European terms will be sprinkled throughout. There weren't any problems with the dialogs, other than they're held between 2 elves scampering around Santa's workshop. Sort of inane and childish by definition. So why play such a silly game? Well, because it's silly! Which for many of us translates directly into a fun time. I'm looking forward to finishing this.
I recommend this game!
Meet the most fun & challenging clutter yet!
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 28 found this review helpful
Welcome Back!
PostedJune 15, 2023
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As a long-term Clutter player, I wasn't too thrilled with the B-Sides, but based on the demo this seems like a roaring comeback to a lot of happily idle hours puzzling over Joe's creations. In the back of my mind I'm always thinking: How does he do this? Then I have to quickly put it away or I won't finish the game. The graphics and colors are great and saturated, the full screen option is really nice for a laptop, and I like being able to play without timers, slow or speed things up, and a host of other options. The dice are truly devilish (a big thumbs up), the standard clutter piles have new items, and there are new shapes, too. I'm not too interested in long narratives and introspective story-lines, but I can always read them when I'm in the mood then put them aside. They do shed light on the mind that produces these great puzzles. I do appreciate the short quotes, puns based on Hemingway (ask not for whom...), and I appreciate that I can also turn these off too, if it suits.
I understand those who want to stay with the classics, but I this version is well worth it. It's a definite You-Bet purchase for me.
And thanks Joe, I don't know how you do it.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
32 of 54 found this review helpful
Classic-Dependable-Fun
PostedMay 20, 2023
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This Match 3 dynasty always brings a smile to my face when a new installment pops up on the Big Fish website. As my title states, you can count on the Cursed Houses to provide great puzzles, with the ability to change the difficulty based on a timed-mode or a limited-moves-mode. The spot-the-difference puzzles are always tough to finish, with one last difference sitting there staring at me. This is a game, like the Laruavilles, that are automatic purchases for me, especially with a sale price. Heck, I pay full price for these. The ? Book is straight forward, with definitions of tiles & bombs, and how to play them. I appreciate not having to stop the game play to go out to a Main Menu to find this information. As I type this, it seems like such a simple thing, but these aspects of the game layout are so easily violated by other games. So thanks for continuing to come up with new twists on an old favorite.
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the truth behind a deadly shadow entity in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
My kingdom for a toolset!
PostedMarch 3, 2023
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Like some other reviewers, I picked up the toolset only to put it down in the workshop, NOT by the puppet. Can't pick up the toolset again to move it, and can't use it where it is without using it on the puppet's arm first. grrrr. I guess I'm going to have to restart the game, which doesn't make me very happy. I was also unable to collect several of the eyes, despite numerous precise clicks, leaving the scene, etcetera, so there are more bugs in the game. If I purchase a Collector's Edition, then I want to be able to search for the extras and successfully add them to my tally.
Otherwise, I thought most of the games were interesting and different than the same old same old, which is why I don't want to pan this completely, but I hate getting stuck like this. I'm recommending the game with the caveat that you don't do what I did. If that helps.
I recommend this game!
Clutter puzzles as you've never seen them before!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
This Edition Not My Cup of Tea
PostedOctober 28, 2022
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I've purchased all the Clutter games, since joining in 2006 (2005?) By and large they are great, challenging and I'm always amazed by the mind that produces them. This edition, however, really nearly flopped for me. My favorite category Sliders, was a real disappointment. So many of the levels in the sliders, pictures and jigsaw puzzles consisted of 10-12 moves, max. Some only 6-8. Why the Creator would include so many of these highly simplistic levels after so many years of producing such complex puzzles is beyond me.
Mind you, at least I haven't yet run into nearly pitch black puzzles that were impossible for me to tackle without just random clicks until I could get some kind of contrast or color in the images to surface. I think with a larger screen the detail might come up sooner. And no heartbreaking image of a slum and poverty that I had a hard time seeing as recreational.
I've tried the other groups in this game, but none have come to the level of excellence that has been in previous versions, so I'm just pretty disappointed altogether. And I confess that it kills me to submit a negative rating! I should have tried more of the game before purchasing, so that's on me. Others will, no doubt, find plenty to love in "B Sides," but for me the irony in the title alone says it all.
I don't recommend this game.
Complete beautiful works of art and let your creativity shine!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
small puzzles & gold backgrounds
PostedJuly 17, 2022
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I have several minor complaints with these games:
1. The developers continue to use a gold/linen background as the default, which makes the colors difficult to see. I usually darken the screen all the way to create the necessary contrast. But when the finished puzzle returns to the gallery, the background reverts to gold. Ugh. And there's really no way to fully enjoy the finished image again.
1. The developers continue to use a gold/linen background as the default, which makes the colors difficult to see. I usually darken the screen all the way to create the necessary contrast. But when the finished puzzle returns to the gallery, the background reverts to gold. Ugh. And there's really no way to fully enjoy the finished image again.
2. There are a lot of small puzzles that take up 1/3 or less of the screen. I mean, why bother including them if you can't manage to fill the screen? I think the scales were probably the worst.
3.The quality of the puzzles & drawing has deteriorated. Some had very heavy black lines, like you'd use for a tattoo or comic book. And I could not believe I was looking at a knock-off of a "Rat Fink" character! Google "Rat Fink" if you weren't a teenager during the 1960s. It replaces the vacuous-eyed fairies as my least favorite theme. Although I dislike the Robot, it pales in comparison to the above mentioned puzzles. Collection #14 and the earlier collections did not have such low quality that took maybe 5 minutes to fill in.
4. I don't care for the instant returns to Color #1 either, especially if there are upwards of 50 colors. But it's not a buzz killer for me.
4. I don't care for the instant returns to Color #1 either, especially if there are upwards of 50 colors. But it's not a buzz killer for me.
Bottom line, I am always happy to see a new version of this game, but quality control needs to pay a wee more attention. I'd normally rate these as full-on 5 stars, not 3, and am disappointed about the trend these puzzles might be taking. I hope I'm wrong. I realize it's a Standard Game that doesn't cost that much, but I don't want to see them slip into something I dislike.
I recommend this game!