ecblisa's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:3,199
- Reviews Submitted:76
- First Review:February 3, 2012
- Most Recent Review:August 10, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Ten new ways to play this classic tile game.
Overall rating
5
/
5
70 of 99 found this review helpful
Great especially for the unusual tile sets
PostedMarch 10, 2013
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The other reviews pretty much tell you the great variety this game offers, but I'd like to say a few words about the excellently designed special tile sets. Each has the basic makeup of Mahjongg tiles, but you get numbers and characters appropriate to the set. For example, the Mayan set uses Mayan calendar symbols, and the Medieval set uses Roman numerals for numbers.
My favorite is the Arabian Nights set, which uses Arabic letters and numerals. This is easier for a person who can read the Arabic letters (like me#, but not impossible for anyone who just looks at them as random symbols #hint: Arabic is written from right to left, so if you look at the tiles from that direction, they will be easier to tell apart).
I found working with those different tile sets to be very brain-stimulating and a lot more fun than just the same old Chinese sets.
I recommend this game!
Take a journey through medieval times. Help Joan of Arc to build a new kingdom and change the fate of the people in this epic story of honor and courage.
Overall rating
5
/
5
108 of 114 found this review helpful
What's wrong with playing while learning about Joan?
PostedFebruary 26, 2013
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This is a truly well-done game. It has all of the bells and whistles expected from a modern match-3 -- optional timer, 3 game modes, many different power-ups, varied tasks, and very interesting game boards, just to mention a few. The music is true to the period and not annoying, and the instructions are clear. It is very fun to play.
So, add the story of a great heroine, which many outside France may not know or only vaguely know, and what can be wrong with that? Learning through a game is not the worst way to learn. I have played the game for two hours and have found nothing offensive or blasphemous.
I definitely plan to play through this game in each game mode at least once.
I recommend this game!
Look after and feed fun 3D fish and watch them play and interact with each other as you complete exciting match-3 levels to earn money for decorating your aquarium!
Overall rating
5
/
5
234 of 280 found this review helpful
Read this if you don't know the Fishdom games yet
PostedNovember 22, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OMG, I really had to force myself to stop playing this game to write a review. I'm having a quiet Thanksgiving day, so I'm just sitting here making myself ignore my cranky health by playing this stupendous game.
If you're quite familiar with Fishdom games, you don't need me, but if you are new to them (very young or new to computer games, or thought you could never like a match-3 game#, here are some thoughts.
This is a game that gets more difficult at just the right rate, and not all levels are linear in difficulty -- some are just fun "breathers." Some levels are very sneaky, in the sense that you can only solve them in a particular order, or by setting off the right bomb in the right place. So, it is a "thinking person's" game. It is also a "classic" match-3 in the sense that there are no fancy powerups to earn that will wipe out lots of the screen. You just have to do it gradually, and with the help of bombs earned with large matches.
There are eight aquarium themes for you to develop. I'm on my second one after over 80 levels. I've finished Ancient Rome and am working on Farm. Some others are Atlantis, Japan, and Polynesian Beach. You can use any of the docorations on any of the themes, but of course the fun is in making a 'theme park" for your fish.
The fish talk to you #sometimes quite hilariously!#, and help you if you don't do things in the right order. They call the player by name and comment on what the player does.
There is so much here that the game is well worth the price, and with today's three-punch special, members just can't go wrong if they like this kind of game at all.
Now . . . back to developing my second aquarium. At the rate I'm going #pretty fast!#, I'll finish this game next July, it is so big.
I recommend this game!
Build a settlement, restore the Rune Stones and save the Dwarven Kingdom in this pleasant Match 3 game
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
A puzzling game (pun intended!)
PostedNovember 13, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
After playing this game for about 2 hours, I am still puzzled by it. I find the graphics nice, and the game boards are very clear. But the scoring system is impossible to figure out. Is a score of 3 on time better or worse than a score of 2? Is it better to activate pests or not? Also, since progress is not shown, it is impossible to know how long this game is. I've restored one rune stone out of five and am close to restoring a second, but that doesn't exactly tell me how long it will take for the others.
The game has been easy except for the level where I restored the rune stone, which was reasonably challenging. There is a real attempt to provide variety in how the levels work, and the pests do add some challenge, but in general, the game is fairly easy, and has not gotten harder at the pace I would expect.
For a match-3 game it does have a pretty good story line, and you get to build rather nice buildings.
What puzzles me about the game is why it does not get harder. It has potential as a "different" game, but so far, it's offered little real challenge. I recommend it as a fun game for children or match-3 beginners.
I recommend this game!
Enjoy winter with Fishdom! Cheer up and spread the merriment around! Use your imagination to recreate winter in your tank.
Overall rating
5
/
5
37 of 44 found this review helpful
An oldie but goodie for the holiday season
PostedNovember 2, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Since I'm playing this game for about the fourth time to get myself into the post-Halloween mindset, I thought I'd review it for those who are not familiar with it.
This is a "classic" match-3 in the sense that there are no fancy powerups. You earn bombs for large matches, and there is a final "lightning" bonus once you are down to the one or two tiles you just can't manage to break. You collect money and use it to decorate Christmas-themed aquariums. Except for a few Santas and sleighs, the theme is sufficiently neutral to provide fun for those who are not into the Christmas Holiday.
The game starts out rather easy, but gets fairly challenging by about level 60, such as presenting tiles that can only be broken with bombs. I only play untimed, and that is a very nice game mode. If you play the game more than once, you get to know which decorations you really like and can save up your money for them.
This is a nice relaxing game for this time of the year, and I recommend it for those who like match-3 games.
I recommend this game!
Defeat the King of Demons and find a way to get out the Cursed House once again, banishing evil spirits, ghosts and demons from the house!
Overall rating
5
/
5
105 of 111 found this review helpful
A great sequel to a good game
PostedOctober 31, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've only played three rooms so far (something like 30 levels#, but I'm ready to give this game my highest praise. As you work your way out of the cursed house, each room has a different game mechanic, making matches, blowing up walls, and lighting fires so far. Very imaginative and different for those who don't like the same old break tiles and just keep matching. The game is obviously very long, so a good value.
The graphics are quite well done, although there is no variety in backgrounds so far, and the music is not offensive #which is my highest possible praise for game music, most of which I hate#. I only play untimed, so I cannot comment on how the timer works.
If I had to find a negative #hard to do#, I would mention the somewhat confusing instructions. The game uses "combo" to mean match, as far as I can tell #instead of multiple matches in a single move). Also, the description of how to keep the fire moving is not clear. But playing the game is the best tutor.
I do think this is a game with tremendous replay potential, because the different challenges maintain interest and the player can certainly keep learning how to do better at meeting them.
I recommend this game!
Construct exciting new wonders by swapping runes in this exciting Match 3 game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
116 of 131 found this review helpful
Best of the "7 Wonders" Games!
PostedOctober 25, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
As usual, I am writing this review after having played most of the game. I have one "wonder" to go #there are 8 or nine, as is usual with these games -- they always give you bonus levels#.
There are four game modes: untimed, timed, faster, and fastest timed. I only play untimed, but I bet the fast timed levels are fun for those of you who don't have arthritic hands.
The Match-3 game is not that hard by comparison with others #no triple chains plus ice, plus triple tiles#. What makes the game fun is the resource tiles that have to be gathered and the very imaginative power-ups. There is just so much to do, and interesting strategy to develop.
You also develop your aliens' village, and as many have mentioned they like, you get to choose where to put stuff. And then there are the three kinds of mini-games, which are very original and can be quite tough. You play one to get new buiding plans for each part of your village, one to get new power-ups, and one to get coins.
The "wonders" may be actual ruined ancient places, I'm not sure all of them are, but in any case, they are beautifully rendered and worth building. This is a game with replay value, and many levels and much to do even the first time around.
I recommend this game!
Save the world from the reawakened ancient God of chaos, Apep. His minions are quickly regaining strength and it is up to you to stop his reign.
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
A very fun game if you keep playing
PostedOctober 19, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I am writing this review after playing all but the last 9 levels (of 60). By now, the game is actually quite complex and not that easy.
On each level, you first have to "defeat" an enemy by making matches of two designated colors. The enemy adds tiles to your board every few seconds -- this is timed, even in Zen mode -- and it is possible to run out of moves, or at least not be able to see any, and get into a situation where the board gets more tiles, more rocks, and more locked tokens wile you struggle to do anything at all. My solution: go to options, return to menu, and restart the level; it will likely work better the next time. With each level, the number of tiles of each color you need to get rid of the enemy rises. Once the enemy is gone, it's just you against the board.
Every few levels you get a new power-up, and these are pretty good. They are activated by tiles of a particular color each, and the tiles you delete with a power-up count both to defeat the enemy and to fill the power-up meters.
By the higher levels, the rocks and locked tokens are a real obstacle to progress, especially in tight situations. There are also spaces where tokens cannot be matched because of the shape of the board, and it is good to note those early and use a power-up to clear them.
Aside from the "big" power-ups, there is also an explosive token that clears 3x3 tokens, one layer of tile, rocks, and locks. You get it by making 5 matches in close succession. So when you're really stuck and have to search arund for moves, you won't get these.
Like many match-3 games, this one does not reveal its character for several levels, and unfortunately people give up too soon. I used a coupon code to get this one, and I am glad I did. Yes, the art is not great, although pretty authentically ancient Egyptian, and the music quickly made me shut it off, but the game play is unusual and a lot of fun.
I recommend this game!
Build a beautiful town in the amazing Match 3 game, Lost in Night! Collect resources from hundreds of levels with multiple gameplay modes.
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
The best game yet from this developer!
PostedOctober 10, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
If you have played other games from this developer, such as Lost in Reefs, you will recognize the style, but this new one is improved with better graphics and a tighter feel. The signature "gummi candy" look is subtler.
It may seem like "just another match-3" during the trial, but it gets plenty hard and has some unique feartures, such as the ability to collect power-ups in two different ways (plus find hidden power-ups on the board). The randomization of square and hex cells makes the game more interesting than most. The ability to choose three game modes (swap, group, or chain) gives the game replay value.
I agree that buiding the town is rather rote, but few games offer a creative building option (Heroes of Kalevala is probably the best one).
I've enjoyed replaying Lost in Reefs and related games over the years, and I believe Lost in Night will be like that.
I recommend this game!
Find good fortune, daily, with this relaxing Mahjongg solitaire experience!
Overall rating
5
/
5
92 of 98 found this review helpful
A very versatile Mah Jong game
PostedOctober 9, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have played this game for less than two hours, but thought it deserved at least one review.
This game has lots of tile options, and a variety of pretty backgrounds. Also, when you make exact matches on flower, season, or wind tiles, you get a visual reward (see the game description for screen shots), which is different and rather nice. The game mechanics seem fine, although some may find them a litlle slow.
There are two game modes: The daily horoscope (see game description for an example), for which you play 3 layouts, and the "fame" game, where you play for one to three stars, which appear to be awarded for speed (which I lack), not using a redo or shuffle, and just finishing the layout. You get new layouts after earning a certain number of (maybe nine?) stars on the current set.
All in all this is a perfect game for the casual player who enjoys a change of tiles and background, and likes long, but not wickedly evil layouts. Other than the fortune mode, there is no particular story, which doesn't bother me.
I recommend this game!