joybelle_1's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:3,596
- Reviews Submitted:94
- First Review:January 13, 2015
- Most Recent Review:October 16, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Lost Artifacts: Soulstone Collector's Edition is an exciting strategy game based in a world of magic and myth!
Overall rating
3
/
5
81 of 83 found this review helpful
Very average offering
PostedMay 1, 2018
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I have all the games in this series, and you would think I would have learned my lesson by now. This is not worth the title "collectors edition" So starved for a new "gather recourses" game I jumped in, and just as in the others, this game is not horrible, but severly lacking any pazzaz!
There is no strategy guide (really a must even if you don't need it in a CE), The choices of music are all set at different volumes and sometimes can hardly be heard whilst testing them. There are no choices of difficulty and the only extras are music and wallpaper.
The graphics are very dull, buildings are not clearly marked, and sometimes I had to scan hard to find the beginning house. The little characters are the only thing that has had a makeover and actually look less cartoony than previously.
This game is just like a cheap and very dull knockoff of 'Gnomes Garden'.. it even has the equivalent of "merry makers" sometimes to speed up the production. I first turned the tutorial off, but found myself having to turn it back on just to see which buildings and houses were what. The Instructions are often only understood if you check your task list and realise things such as, after you have built a statue..you have to click it a second time to mark it off.
If you are new to this game series, that would be very confusing I am sure. I cant totally knock the game though, as I am so starved for this genre of game that I am simply enjoying running around madly collecting things! There is however no way it is worth buying the CE that I can see, other than bonus levels.
So in summary.. I think I would go as far as saying I would recommend you buy this as an SE, cannot recommend it as a CE.
So in summary.. I think I would go as far as saying I would recommend you buy this as an SE, cannot recommend it as a CE.
I don't recommend this game.
Return to a world of knights and dragons, witches and goblins and swords and magic to save King Arthur!
Overall rating
5
/
5
55 of 63 found this review helpful
Great series, Great game!
PostedApril 10, 2018
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Very excited to see this next installment of this classy series. Whilst it follows the formula of previous games, there are new characters (John now has a dog that can chase away boars and zombies and maneating plants) which also makes it better than just skeletons annoying you!
This game has the lot, built in strategy guide, wallpapers, soundtrack etc. (and be careful..there is a jigsaw puzzle piece to find on most levels too..I had to go back after level three when I realised)
A standard build it, gather it, send a worker, fulfill the list time management game but never gets boring and keeps you on your toes. You really must figure out strategies, and often get surprised as the level continues, and you have to change tack
Just love it, thankyou Bigfish!
Everything about this game is to like. I recommend if you are a beginner that you get the hang of it on an untimed level as it is one of the more difficult to master. Enjoy!!
This game has the lot, built in strategy guide, wallpapers, soundtrack etc. (and be careful..there is a jigsaw puzzle piece to find on most levels too..I had to go back after level three when I realised)
A standard build it, gather it, send a worker, fulfill the list time management game but never gets boring and keeps you on your toes. You really must figure out strategies, and often get surprised as the level continues, and you have to change tack
Just love it, thankyou Bigfish!
Everything about this game is to like. I recommend if you are a beginner that you get the hang of it on an untimed level as it is one of the more difficult to master. Enjoy!!
I recommend this game!
Ann and Jim must venture underground to rescue Ann’s father in this time management adventur
Overall rating
5
/
5
21 of 25 found this review helpful
Road clearing, upgrading style time management
PostedApril 3, 2018
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love this series! It has all the bells and whistles! The story is good, the visuals are pleasant, and you do need to rush around a lot.
There are collectables (2) on each level, photos to take, and a built in strategy guide.
You can skip the dialogue if you just want to get on with it quite quickly too.
I haven't played too far in, and it is so far pretty much like the others in the series..but hey..It's classic clearing, racing around, building, upgrading, and strategy laden time management as I like it!
Thanks BigFish for listening to us that so many of us really enjoy this style.
What's not to like other than the annoying voice of "how interesting" which you can turn off anyway.
I recommend this game and the others in the series as great fun and a good challenge level.
There are collectables (2) on each level, photos to take, and a built in strategy guide.
You can skip the dialogue if you just want to get on with it quite quickly too.
I haven't played too far in, and it is so far pretty much like the others in the series..but hey..It's classic clearing, racing around, building, upgrading, and strategy laden time management as I like it!
Thanks BigFish for listening to us that so many of us really enjoy this style.
What's not to like other than the annoying voice of "how interesting" which you can turn off anyway.
I recommend this game and the others in the series as great fun and a good challenge level.
I recommend this game!
Return Egypt to its former glory and win the favor of the gods in this time management adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Not my favourite..but at least it is time management
PostedMarch 21, 2018
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I was so excited to see a building (not serving people) TM game, but as others have said it is a little like a poor mans Royal Envoy, with happiness, income and upgrading goals needing to be met. I wont even give it that much credit. (I loved RE)
Mainly with this, once you have strategized what buildings you need, you have to be able to fit them on the grid! I find this takes some of my enjoyment away as I rather like running around madly during TM games and there is just a little too much to 'think" about here in a "tetrus" type of way..other than "which way to go". and you seem to need to upgrade everything! Figuring out what to upgrade and what to leave is usually part of the strategy fun for me.
Mainly with this, once you have strategized what buildings you need, you have to be able to fit them on the grid! I find this takes some of my enjoyment away as I rather like running around madly during TM games and there is just a little too much to 'think" about here in a "tetrus" type of way..other than "which way to go". and you seem to need to upgrade everything! Figuring out what to upgrade and what to leave is usually part of the strategy fun for me.
It is a decent game, and I am getting better as I move along, but it is not (already mentioned by others) in the class of Dracula, Rose Riddle, Roads of Rome or the Viking style series. (My favourite style)
I also don't think I could have got anywhere with this unless I had the strategy guide at the start.
All in all..glad to have a new TM game at last, but it doesn't have much shine or fun value for me. I recommend it if you just really need a TM fix, but prepare for a small letdown.
I recommend this game!
Outsmart a god in a thrilling showdown of wits! Featuring drop-dead gorgeous visuals and a story that will keep you in stitches!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
Great game!
PostedMarch 8, 2018
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I decided to put up a review as no-one else had! The reason probably is that most of us know this series, and bought the CE edition! If you love resource time management then try this game. It is challenging, but it is a gem. Gather resources, build factories and pick doughnuts from bushes to eat, and put together two collections. You cant go wrong with this game other than its level of challenge which can be quite tough (why the strategy guide on the CE is valuable) Classic and classy time management at its best.
I recommend this game!
Come back to the ancient Roman empire and help defend it against new threats in this latest edition to this revered time management series.
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 14 found this review helpful
Just fun!
PostedNovember 2, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is such a great game! Thanks to Big Fish we have had a few 'gather recources' time management games over the last few weeks. This is my favourite genre.
Although I am fairly skilled at these games, the main feature of this offering is that it has 4, not 3 levels of difficulty. I really appreciate the "easy" in between relaxed and normal.
I dedided after the last few weeks of some frustration that I really needed to just enjoy a game instead of stressing and becoming addicted to "beating a level"
I am playing in "easy" and just having the best fun!
If you like these type of games, (and I much prefer them to serving people things) then this is a must to the collection.
I have the whole series, and this still has features that are newly set out.
I really recommend this game. Just get it!
Although I am fairly skilled at these games, the main feature of this offering is that it has 4, not 3 levels of difficulty. I really appreciate the "easy" in between relaxed and normal.
I dedided after the last few weeks of some frustration that I really needed to just enjoy a game instead of stressing and becoming addicted to "beating a level"
I am playing in "easy" and just having the best fun!
If you like these type of games, (and I much prefer them to serving people things) then this is a must to the collection.
I have the whole series, and this still has features that are newly set out.
I really recommend this game. Just get it!
I recommend this game!
Help Rose Riddle solve the mystery of her missing parents and uncover the secrets of her past during a wild road trip through a fairy tale realm!
Overall rating
4
/
5
48 of 57 found this review helpful
Takes getting used to!
PostedOctober 24, 2017
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Once I got used to this game (and it took me 10 levels!) I am now starting to quite enjoy it. It is a standard gather resource game, and it does have a big level of challenge.
I can't give it 5 stars though, because whilst it is going to keep me amused for quite a while, I feel it really lacks some soul or warmth.
The graphics are rather small and resources often tucked away behind things..(just to trick you lol) and there is no real direction with mostly no roads, leaving you to rely on your memory a lot to recall where some items are tucked away.
It is however quite an ok game, with a decent strategy guide and three levels of difficulty. I am struggling just on 'normal' to not have to repeat levels more than once. (Mainly just from figuring out what is important to build, leave alone, or concentrate on). But then that's what these games should be, not just upgrading everything and you win. I am enjoying the challenge. As I am only one third way through, I think I will be glad I bought the CE, as I probably will soon be needing the guide..
I am also not a big fan of not being able to skip the opening storyline..not really needing to hear what the backstory is..just want to play!
All in all, if you are sick of HO games, solitaire or crafts..this is worth a shot and you will eventually get the gist of what you need to move in the right direction. Better than some..but not a gem.
I recommend this game!
Young archeologist, Ann Windsdoe, is on a journey to find an ancient device that will help locate her father.
Overall rating
5
/
5
41 of 48 found this review helpful
Another winner! Great fun!
PostedAugust 1, 2017
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
When I say like time management, I think what I mean is I like good quality "gather resource" games. I loved the first one in this series and didn't hesitate to grab the collectors edition.
It's got the lot! Strategy guide, morphing objects and collectables on each level, wallpapers and achievements.
This really is a fun game!
I don't really go for restuarants and farms or serving people when it comes to time management strategy games. If you like this formula instead, like Elven legend, Dracula and such, you will love this.
It has loads of chapters in the collectors edition..just get it! A true collectors edition.
It's got the lot! Strategy guide, morphing objects and collectables on each level, wallpapers and achievements.
This really is a fun game!
I don't really go for restuarants and farms or serving people when it comes to time management strategy games. If you like this formula instead, like Elven legend, Dracula and such, you will love this.
It has loads of chapters in the collectors edition..just get it! A true collectors edition.
I recommend this game!
The Queen once again calls upon Don Diego de Leon to fulfill an important mission in this time-management adventure.
Overall rating
5
/
5
44 of 55 found this review helpful
Trilogy team on fast forward
PostedMay 2, 2017
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
If you have played the Adelantado trilogy you will immediately feel at home here. However this game plays quite differently to that series, more like a fast paced "gather resources" game. There are still the familiar tasks of finding "where" the resource is..but the levels are short and sweet, and there is no "wandering" around. The only thing I really didn't like was not being able to click ahead, but this was due to not having many workers unlike the trilogy games. This plays along the lines of Roads of Rome, Fables of the Kngdom etc but with the ambience of the trilogy games. Overall it is a fun game, but unfortunately I cannot review it from the point of view of someone who has not played the other series. Worth buying though for sure, but a little hard to get used to in this setting.
I recommend this game!
Young archaeologist Anna Windsdoe learns that her missing father, a great explorer, was looking for a secret city. Can you help her find him?
Overall rating
5
/
5
104 of 110 found this review helpful
Just plain good time-management fun!
PostedOctober 5, 2016
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a standard "gather resources" and "upgrade" time management game. It is however very user friendly and fun to play.
The characters move at good speed, you can multiclick your tasks, and there are many different bonuses.
You DO need strategy though quite early on as to how to use them and which upgrades to do first (if at all) which is quite refreshing rather than "upgrade everything" and you will make it.
There is a relaxed, normal and expert mode
If you enjoyed Hurcules, Gnomes Garden etc, you will enjoy this. Plenty to do in a pleasant screen environment and just enough to think about without frustration.
The characters move at good speed, you can multiclick your tasks, and there are many different bonuses.
You DO need strategy though quite early on as to how to use them and which upgrades to do first (if at all) which is quite refreshing rather than "upgrade everything" and you will make it.
There is a relaxed, normal and expert mode
If you enjoyed Hurcules, Gnomes Garden etc, you will enjoy this. Plenty to do in a pleasant screen environment and just enough to think about without frustration.
I recommend this game!