shorenuf's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:2,543
- Reviews Submitted:89
- First Review:November 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 25, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Want to accomplish your life goals? Find out if you’re up to the challenge in Life Quest, a quirky Simulation game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
My happiness meter went to zero…
PostedJanuary 18, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Based on a demo, but I think I got the idea…
I'm not sure I like the premise of this game. Isn't it possible to better oneself without having to beat out everyone else you know?
The first thing I learned on my second day on the job is I do not make efficient use of time. I forgot to eat. I was sent home to bed. My happiness meter went to zero.
Terrific -- a game that makes me feel like a total loser. So the next day I ate breakfast, worked my tail off, and bested Daphne. I don't care what my happiness meter said after that -- I saw little if any point in beating out Daphne. I doubt we are on the same career path.
One other thing -- when the game ends, and I am a huge success -- will my big sister take all the credit? She can be annoying -- I wouldn't mind besting her just once.
Okay, okay -- I shall try to be more objective. The game is cute enough to demo. I had no idea it came out of BFG's own Studios. Their games do reach a higher level than most. The graphics are cartoon like, but clear. I would say there can be many hours of game play. At my age, playing this game is total fantasy. But, I can see younger folks playing this with a whole different mindset, since their real Life Quest is still ahead of them.
I recommend this game!
Match tokens to unlock incredible riches in The Treasures of Montezuma 3! With 160 levels to beat, you could be in the jungle for months!
Overall rating
5
/
5
168 of 189 found this review helpful
A Treasure of a Game!
PostedJanuary 17, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I love Match 3's. I almost skipped this one, though, because I disliked Treasures of Montzuma 2 beyond words.
I adore this game! I am hooked on beating it in both the casual and advanced levels. Both levels are timed -- one minute per board. That sounds harsh, but once you get comfortable with the playing strategy the game flows well.
The game play is quite straightforward. Play approximately 150 levels. Earn points for magic stars, use them to buy and upgrade your totems and point multipliers, open treasure chests, become Great Emperor. Earn the maximun 200 million points in one game to get a higher ranking (I have yet to surpass 197 million.) There are ocassional bonus rounds. They are preset boards on which you must clear all the tokens; there is no timer for those.
So, that's it -- no city to build, no H0G scenes, no story to complete. But there are many awards to achieve -- each one having a bronze, silver, and gold level. Trust me -- you are going to want to get them all!!
Heed the call of Poseidon and save Atlantis with mystical crystals in this innovative Match 3 game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 27 found this review helpful
Match 3 hybrid
PostedJanuary 17, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
An older but still excellent Match 3. Includes FROG, and put items back game play. Definitely a thinking match 3 -- you must move items down and off the board to beat levels. Timer and lost lives for not completing levels. Gets quite challenging as you progress. Thoughtful use of power ups required. Definite replay value, with each "journey" presenting more obstacles. Graphics still hold up as attractive.
There is a screen saver -- it may not function well in Leopard / Snow Leopard.
Definitely worth a demo for the game play.
I recommend this game!
After leaving something in your car, a hitchhiker vanishes! Track her down and return her things in Shiver: Vanishing Hitchhiker!
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 21 found this review helpful
Play alone, at night, in the dark at your own risk
PostedJanuary 17, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I thought this game was good, story and game play held my interest. Expect some jump out of your skin moments
There was not a lot of needless back tracking and the main game had good length of play time. My one major negative comment -- too much H0G / too few puzzles. It was also a bit too easy for my tastes, but you do still have to pay attention.
The bonus chapter added to the story, gave it a more conclusive ending. and added at least an extra hour of game play. As for that, I really felt a bit more challenged by the task(s). No, never used the Strategy Guide (called walk through in this game), but I was tempted. What stumped me momentarily, IMHO, was pretty clever.
I recommend this game!
James and Grace Anderson take a vacation from their antiques business, only to find themselves the new owners of another shop!
Overall rating
3
/
5
30 of 32 found this review helpful
Busman's Holiday
PostedJanuary 17, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Straight H0G with some puzzles, opportunity to achieve awards, timed and untimed, use money earned for selling items to refurbish and furnish an antique shop. There is no real story unless you think the parents and their son in law will get along better by the end of the homecoming. (Don't skip through the introductory scenes and judge for yourself. )
Similar to the first game in mechanic. Artwork has improved.
Okay -- so I don't sound too excited.
But I want you to demo the game. If you are in the mood for a game like this, I would say it is definitely better than some others. There's lots to do, it's bright and colorful, should afford quite a bit of play time.
It even has a strategy guide. I highly recommend you go through the tips. There is also a "help" option, and a tutorial option (which you need to choose and finish to get one of the awards). You can access help by clicking "menu" from within the initial play screen at the shop. You can access both the guide and help by clicking "menu" from within any H0G level screen.
There is a map, but it is not interactive -- this game is strictly linear as far as locations. You can shop anytime you have enough $$$. You have a pet dog, too. He will give you hints that recharge. You can even unlock a wardrobe for him.
Find a bone, get an instant recharge (do not collect bones if your hint button is available -- they are wasted). You are actually encouraged to use hints since there is an award for finding 30 bones, and an award for actually using 20 hints. Now there's a switch -- feel accomplished for not being able to find something without using a hint.
There does not appear to be a penalty for misclicks. A good thing since I did have to click more than once on some items.
Achievements -- they are not based on playing in timed mode -- even the ones labeled "quick find" apply in untimed mode. If you are interested in getting them, read through the list first.
In timed mode you get extra points ($$$) for completing a level quickly.
So you see, I didn't totally dislike this game, I am just tired of more or less straight H0Gs. But if that's your pleasure -- give it a spin!
I recommend this game!
Unravel the intriguing mysteries of ancient hieroglyphs in this truly original puzzler!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 18 found this review helpful
Put on your thinking caps!
PostedJanuary 17, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Not your typical break out game the game title might suggest -- definitely a thinker kind of puzzle. No timer, lots of planning of moves, It can get pretty addictive. It looks and seems simple … for a while. By the time it got more difficult I was totally hooked. Hours can go by without realizing it.
You have to try this one for yourself since tastes for this sort of thing definitely vary.
I recommend this game!
Make the flowers bloom in this fast-paced and exciting Match 3 game! Take on some Flower Mania and help your garden grow!
Overall rating
2
/
5
20 of 28 found this review helpful
Too many weeds in my garden…
PostedJanuary 17, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This is not your traditional Match 3 game…
• The mechanic is very different. You need to use mouse and keyboard to make moves.
• Some of the graphics are, um, colorful.
• Unfortunately, if you are off put (or put off) by poor English, get ready.
• One direction is for cycling through a row of tiles -- cicle. Another direction warns you to be careful before taking an action, because once taken "you can undo it." Huh?
• There are 3 modes of play -- no switching.
• There is a timer.
• You get 1 life -- lose a level, lose the game. Harsh.
• The mechanic is very different. You need to use mouse and keyboard to make moves.
• Some of the graphics are, um, colorful.
• Unfortunately, if you are off put (or put off) by poor English, get ready.
• One direction is for cycling through a row of tiles -- cicle. Another direction warns you to be careful before taking an action, because once taken "you can undo it." Huh?
• There are 3 modes of play -- no switching.
• There is a timer.
• You get 1 life -- lose a level, lose the game. Harsh.
I love Match 3 play -- but I do not love this game. I don't even like it that much in theory. And, in practice -- well I don't have enough years to get proficient at it.
I don't recommend this game.
Adore Puzzle
Go on a fascinating tour in Adore Puzzle! Visit well-known European cities without leaving your computer in this fun Puzzle game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
49 of 57 found this review helpful
Please read this before you leave for Europe…
PostedJanuary 16, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Take a virtual tour of Europe's interesting places.
Not exactly jigsaw puzzles -- rather pictures divided in a grid of scrambled boxes. Put the pictures back together by swapping the boxes using just visual reference, or as slider puzzles where the boxes are also numbered for reference.
You can challenge yourself to complete the puzzles in the shortest number of moves and the least amount of time.
It is widescreen. The puzzle pictures are fairly attractive.
The first country has s a 4 x 4 puzzle grid and a 3x3 slider grid, easy but be prepared! The grid divisions get increasingly larger as you progress.
Seriously -- does anyone want to do this exercise over and over and over again as those boxes get more numerous and smaller and smaller and smaller?
At the very best it could be a go to game to do a few countries at a time. You can take a culinary tour in Adore Puzzle 2 -- Brussels sprouts as opposed to the Brugge Canal, for example.
The presentation is uninspired in both games; the game play is exactly the same. There is no accompanying text describing the 40 odd countries or their cuisine. The background is never changing and unattractive.
So, you read this and tried the game anyway? You liked this kind of gridded puzzle challenge? Well so do I!
Please, check out another challenging game -- Patricia's Quest for Sun. It is beautifully hand drawn, the completed puzzles are stunning, and it has a curious story to follow.
Adore Puzzle 2: Flavors of Europe
Go on a unique gastronomy tour of Europe in Adore Puzzle 2: Flavors of Europe, an incredibly fun Puzzle game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
38 of 43 found this review helpful
Hungry for this sort of puzzle? Read on…
PostedJanuary 16, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Take a virtual tour of Europe's traditional foods.
Not exactly jigsaw puzzles -- rather pictures divided in a grid of scrambled boxes. Put the pictures back together by swapping the boxes using just visual reference, or as slider puzzles where the boxes are also numbered for reference.
You can challenge yourself to complete the puzzles in the shortest number of moves and the least amount of time.
It is widescreen. The pictures might make you hungry.
The first country has s a 4 x 4 puzzle grid and a 3x3 slider grid -- piece of cake! But the grid divisions get increasingly larger as you progress.
Seriously -- does anyone want to do this exercise over and over and over again as those boxes get more numerous and smaller and smaller and smaller?
At the very best it could be a go to game to do a few countries at a time. May I suggest you might prefer Adore Puzzle 1 where you concentrate on scenic places to visit -- the Brugge Canal as opposed to Brussels sprouts, for example.
The presentation is uninspired. There is no accompanying text describing the 40 odd countries or their cuisine. The background is never changing and unattractive.
So, you read this and tried the game anyway? You liked this kind of gridded puzzle challenge? Well so do I!
Please, check out another challenging game -- Patricia's Quest for Sun. It is beautifully hand drawn, the completed puzzles are stunning, and it has a curious story to follow.
Unravel the mystery of the Ghost King and save your family in Cave Quest, a fast-paced and exciting Match 3 game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 43 found this review helpful
My quest for a terrific Match 3 is over…
PostedJanuary 16, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game has it all!
A variety of match 3 types
An adventure
A good story
Colorful graphics
Lots of tasks
Match 3's are timed for challenge or un-timed for a relaxed experience
Tons of play time
A variety of match 3 types
An adventure
A good story
Colorful graphics
Lots of tasks
Match 3's are timed for challenge or un-timed for a relaxed experience
Tons of play time
I was amazed at how much fun it was, and how immersed I got in every aspect of the game. All those elements come together for an absolutely delightful good time.
I recommend this game!