Spartina's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:166
- Reviews Submitted:26
- First Review:May 29, 2017
- Most Recent Review:August 19, 2025
- Featured reviews0
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
Current Favorite:
Beyond: Light Advent Collector's Edition
(159)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!
Defend the realm from the evil ambitions of a powerful villain!
Overall rating
4
/
5
30 of 35 found this review helpful
Enjoying the game
PostedJune 30, 2022
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I was also surprised by the negative review. It's a fairy tale, but most mini games when played on a higher difficulty aren't nearly as bad as many we've seen these past few months (with every respect & prayer to Ukraine). I'd advise anyone downloading a BF game to go to the directory where the game's installed, and find the application file. Its name is usually made up of a scramble of letters, doesn't have a file extension, and will be described in the right column as a "game application." Right click on that file's icon, select the compatibility tab & run the compatibility troubleshooter. These games are nearly all programed on Vista and earlier Windows platforms. Set it to run on Vista and that should eliminate any weird screen behavior. Look this stuff up on Windows help if I'm not making sense.
Otherwise, I'm enjoying this game, I like the colors, the graphics are good, and other than the wispy little voice that everyone seems to use for female characters (unless they're blurting out in hysterics), I have no problems with it. Does it reach the level of past games, well, not really, but one can always print out the NYT crosswords and fill it in with ink if one is desperate for a challenge.
Otherwise, I'm enjoying this game, I like the colors, the graphics are good, and other than the wispy little voice that everyone seems to use for female characters (unless they're blurting out in hysterics), I have no problems with it. Does it reach the level of past games, well, not really, but one can always print out the NYT crosswords and fill it in with ink if one is desperate for a challenge.
I recommend this game!
Help your favorite puzzle-solving wizard build beautiful scenes!
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
Yet Another Winner
PostedJune 4, 2022
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Spellarium games. They are virtually an instant click to buy, but I do always check first. They are dependable fun, which I really appreciate these days, although I could do with a bit more challenge. The colors are always intense, and I like the mini-games. We've had so many "time management" and other games these last few months with the terrible events in Ukraine, that when a favorite pops up, I'm glad to purchanse.
I recommend this game!
Find and collect adorable pups as you visit incredible places all over the world!
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
So So Short. And disappointing.
PostedNovember 11, 2021
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Really disappointed. I've definitely played these before; but thought, "why not give it a go." It was so short, far below what I expect for a CE version. The skimpy additional levels did not meet my definition of a CE at all. If everything is going to be so formulaic and repetitive, then at least increase the number of levels. I can't believe I just said to increase the number of formulaic & repetitive levels, but I also can't believe I just paid for the CE version of this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Art By Numbers is back with a new world of wonderful paintings, elegant curves and bright colors.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
I wish it had more...
PostedApril 14, 2021
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
More puzzles, Bigger puzzles, Harder puzzles. There's so much to like in these, with bright and saturated colors, but they fall short of my expectations for complexity and size of the images. So many occupy only 50-60% of the brown canvas background, with not enough "painting" to do. Another irritation is that one must finish all paintings in each level before moving to the next... no skipping around for you, missy!! And lastly, a lot of the puzzles near the end of the game are smaller and simpler than those at the beginning. I would think they'd get harder and larger to work on.
That being said, I've enjoyed what there is. But please sir, could I have some more?
That being said, I've enjoyed what there is. But please sir, could I have some more?
I recommend this game!
A frantic distress signal uncovers a mysterious disappearance at Misthill!
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Incredibly Poor Quality
PostedApril 9, 2021
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I play these games on a high resolution laptop, and this game looked like a schmear of vaseline had been wiped all over it. Perhaps a lower resolution screen set to play on a Windows 8 level processor would help this go more smoothly? Alas, I tried these both, but to no avail. The Game Guide was truly awful; small pages with fuzzed out small fonts and images are just not the way to provide Collector's Edition content. The animation was stilted, made me feel like I was playing one of Big Fish's earlier offerings (think 2005). I finally quit the demo after trying numerous times to move new photos into their frames, just could not find the sweet spot at all. This is really basic stuff: click on the object, move the object to the desired location and presto! It Sticks! and you get to keep on playing while maintaining a cheerful disposition.
Unlike others, I didn't feel saddened or betrayed to see Elf go away, and having new blood in the detection game is more than fine with me. These characters just deserved a fighting chance to prove themselves, but the developer seems unwilling to apply the extra grey matter or time and/or money needed to flesh out the content and mechanics. I'm truly amazed so many have been able to get through the entire game.
I did have to relent and give the storyline 3 stars; if there were an option to not rate it at all I would have done so. It didn't seem sporting to rate it as Poor or Awful when I experienced so little of it. I'm just going to have to go back and replay many of my older games that were of respectable length, complexity, and Quality (with a capital Q.)
I don't recommend this game.
Follow Claire on a mesmerizing photo safari while solving fun pixel art puzzles using logic alone!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 16 found this review helpful
Background Interference
PostedMarch 14, 2021
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I was initially encouraged by the intense colors and details in these puzzles, but the harsh background with its stark black and tan completely interfered with with the colors in the mosaics, especially the pastels. I used the softest tile pattern, but even it was far too shiny; perhaps I should have tried the rough texture instead. Big pluses were that the font used for the numbers on the tiles and outside of the grid was easy to read, and the mosaic themselves were well designed, novel, and interesting. But after playing through the demo, I knew there was no way I wanted to keep looking at that initial background. Ugh. Just Ugh. If I could have turned it completely off, or pushed its transparency level up, I would consider buying this game. I'm certain that others will not be bothered as much by this overall palette as I am, and will like it, but it's an epic failure for me. Too harsh & too black to keep looking at any longer than I did.
I don't recommend this game.
Follow the story of Cinderella while you solve captivating nonogram challenges!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 8 found this review helpful
About Time
PostedDecember 31, 2020
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on demo: I've been hoping for a new mosaic series, and in my opinion, this second in a series counts as new. The colors are great, and there were actually white squares in the eyes, as opposed to light blue in many others. The saying is "don't shoot 'til you see the whites of their eyes." Whites, people, not blues. I know that sounds picky, but with the color ranges available now (infinity and beyond), I've become really irritated with the other mosaics. They've started to look like they were developed on an old Game Boy platform.
The game board is big enough to show details (20x20), but manageable enough to actually solve the puzzles without hints. I usually keep the music muted or at very low levels, so I can't really comment on it; the storyline has been more inferred than stated outright.
Pennmom has provided a lot of the details, so I won't. I have noticed her absence in the last month or so; glad to have her back in the thick of things.
I'm crossing my fingers that the rest of this little game will prove to be as satisfying as the demo. I doubt I'll be buying penguins or robots ever again. I've grown discouraged by the repetitive Time Management games, and it's hard to find Standard Games that are worth parting with my hard-earned Free Game Coupons. I do recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
My Brother Rabbit is a beautifully drawn adventure set in a surreal world that mixes reality with a child’s imagination
Overall rating
5
/
5
Gorgeous, with a few initial difficulties
PostedApril 21, 2019
Spartina
fromEvergrey, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The world the designers created is astonishing (think Eat A Peach or Peter Maxx). The loving family with a sick child was obvious, but the leap into the game was baffling for me. I just didn't get the connection between the toy rabbit and whatever the sick little thing was, apparently this was meant to represent the brother and little sister shown in the opening scenes. I know, I know. Call me dense. I really don't want to be spoon-fed instructions and led around by sparkles, but a little bit more help on the gameplay side of things would have been nice. After 40 minutes or so I finally gave in and found a walkthrough on youtube that helped immensely in understanding how to approach the game. I went on to finish the demo and will be purchasing the full game.
Unlike other Collector's Editions there is no extra gameplay, bonus chapter, or strategy guide; no collectible or morphing objects i.e., those fteatures hat I'd normally pay more for. There is a map. Thank goodness, however, for the lack of little helpers or mascots, whether glasses with runes, or dogs, elves, sprites etc with squeeky voices that jump around in the corner of the screen!
The world created by the developers is stunning. I never thought I'd see such 60s-type animation, colors, and characters again. There are Rube Goldberg machines with great sound effects and inventive, percussive music. The dragon-fly watering can is worth the price of admission alone; I wish I could draw and create these kinds of worlds. As it is, I am left with a profound appreciation for what's been done, and will enjoy it thoroughly. It arrived just in time for spring, and I want to see more from these developers.
I recommend this game!