This is the first 'Picross' I've ever played and it is much harder the usual mosaic type game. Very little help, no colours to choose from, no choice of anything really....and I'm loving it!
This game presents a challenge that I've not seen for a long time. I suppose the nearest would be 'zen' mode in the penguin games; nothing crossed off and no clue as to whether you've got it right or wrong until the end, when it won't let you move on until you correct your mistakes (assuming you can find them!). Oh and if you give up, the game saves your progress, so you can continue where you left off.
There is a blue button that shows you how many mistakes you've made; it also fills in the blanks on completed lines and columns but doesn't show you where the mistakes are, so it's up to you to find them. I actually found it easier to re-start the level than search for a mistake; looking for a needle in a haystack would be a doddle compared to finding one (or more) wrong blue square in a sea of blue squares!
There are hints available but you have to buy them with the money earned from completing levels. They're pretty expensive and to be honest, not much help; I'd rather pick a square to open than have the game choose it for me.
There are some mah-jong games in between the picross levels, presumably to calm the player down after the frustration of trying to find that wrong square! It works too :-)
I am hooked on this game. There's no denying it is very challenging but so far I've completed 13 levels (4 picross per level) with 3 stars. A lot of restarting to get this far but I'm enjoying the challenge. I hope there will be more of these games!
At some point in a game series, developers seem to decide that an 'update' is necessary. They then proceed to take out all the elements that made the games such fun and a real challenge. Instead they replace them with an overly cluttered, uninteresting and totally-lacking-in-challenge game that bears no resemblance to the originals.
And that's what's happened to Rescue Team. From the very first game with it's oh-so-basic but charming characters and challenging tasks, I bought every new release without even trying the demo's and loved them all. RT8 was perhaps the weakest of them all but still I bought it and play it even now.
Then came the 'new and improved' version. I bought the first one without trying the demo and hated it; I've never bought another one since and won't be buying this one. What happened to rescuing people from fires or drowning or snowfalls? Where is the challenge in these overly cluttered, repetitive tasks that seem to lead nowhere in particular?
The 'New Yankee' games got a makeover but it didn't take away the charm of the originals. This new Rescue Team series has no charm, no challenge and nothing to tempt me to buy it. Time for a downgrade back to what made this series fun to play.
I bought this without trying the demo, as I have all the other Travel Mosaics games and love them. What a huge disappointment :-( The whole look and feel of the game has changed beyond recognition; it now just seems like an endless procession of mosaics with nothing to break up the monotony. Even worse, the puzzle at the end of every 10 levels has gone; it's been replaced by endless facts about whatever part of Amsterdam the family happen to be in.
The mosaics themselves are as bright and colourful as ever, with 4 levels including a 'Zen' mode (I think the penguins have exerted their influence here!). Gameplay-wise it's pretty much the same but has lost the fun and imagination of it's predecessors.
I can't understand why the developer would change a game so drastically when the previous games were so popular. Like the other reviewers have said, I won't be buying any more of this series if it continues in this vein. There's an old but true saying...."if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
I agree with pennmom; this constant use of the 'robot helper' has turned what was a really good mosaic game into something that's just repetitive and frankly a bit silly. Awigor are capable of much better than just repeating this procession of silly stories. This is the 7th game in a row with the robot helper and whilst I have bought all the others, this will be the last one. I'm tired of the well meaning but basically gormless robot.
The colours are lovely, the graphics crisp and clear, the choice of tiles excellent and you can choose between 2 modes of play. The penguin mosaics give 3 choices and this game would benefit from a 'normal' mode, rather than just offering 'easy' or 'hard'. The addition of a 'hidden object' scene now and again would be better if the objects were actually hidden.
There is nothing wrong with these games but it's just lazy to keep on offering the same old thing with only a change of story. The dev is capable of much better than this silly 'Helper Robot' storyline.
I'm disappointed with some of the criticism levelled at this game. Not enough time to complete a level? Try playing in 'easy' mode; it has no timer. The first few levels are too easy. So they were in the first game; by the end some were almost impossible without a guide. The colours are too bland; better that than playing with garish pinks, blues and purples....or so some reviewers would have you believe.
I bought this without trying the demo as I loved the first game and this one doesn't disappoint; at least it doesn't disappoint me. I agree the tasks can be repetitive early doors but don't be fooled into thinking it will be the same all the way through. I've already had to restart a level because of using up all my wood before I got to build the sawmill...and I'm only on level 16.
Personally I think some of the criticism is a bit unfair and likely based on the first few levels. They don't give a true picture of just how challenging this game will become. I gave it 5 stars; it's a game that doesn't feels like a copycat of dozens of others.
I'm really surprised at the number of reviews that call this game 'boring and slow'. Granted the characters don't rush themselves but there is a speed booster which will make them run faster.
As for waiting too long for resources, there are 2 ways to increase both the amount you pick up and the time to wait. It's just a case of knowing what the various booster buttons do and when to use them.
I have just reached the icy lands after playing 35 levels, so it's not short on gameplay! The main characters are so cute and very well drawn, as is the game in general. No complaints about the graphics from me.
The main buildings can be a bit slow to produce their goods but yet again there is a not only a way to speed them up but also to increase their output. I think those that say it's all too slow need to look at the boosters, of which there are several!
This is one game I'm finding very addictive! I've no idea how many levels there are but there are a lot of them! I'd recommend this game to those that love a challenging builder- type game along with the Viking type theme. And dragons!
It seems the devs of this game listened to the comments, most of them negative, about this game and have tried to improve some of the elements.
For me the biggest 'thank you for listening' award goes to whoever decided that saying 'OK' every time the workers did anything was not the best idea, so got rid of it. What a relief!!
To be honest I can't remember much about the first game apart from the irritating 'OK's' but I like this sequel enough to actually consider buying it! It does need some thought; taking a wrong path will stop you advancing because of the lack of a resource, so there is some strategy involved.
Graphics are basic but not unattractive. You can choose from 3 levels of play and there is a guide, although I didn't look at it during the 43 minutes I played of the 60 minute demo. I didn't lose interest at all during that time, which is always a good sign!
As there's a sale today, I will opt for the CE version of this little builder game; I think I'll enjoy it!
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
1/ 5
What have they done to Rescue Team?? Why do developers think they have to make changes to a tried and trusted formula; the original games were miles better than this newest update. The game play is so cluttered it's hard to tell what to pick up next. There are too many gadgets, too many different characters and the shop is the worst addition ever.
Garish colours and too much hand holding just make this game a mess. The worst of the old RT games (RT8) is still streets ahead of this latest offering and its predecessor. The story line is just too silly, even for a game.
Please go back to the original template and scrap this awful, cheap looking copy. And lose the shop.
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
The last NY game (Deer Hunter) was, in my opinion, not up to the standards set by other games in the series. I love the NY games but never finished the last one; it was just boring. However I'm pleased to see a return to the top-notch game we know and love!
Excellent graphics as usual; beautiful colours with crisp, clear details. Seamless game play with no issues; I see someone gave the game one star because they got a blank screen but I would suggest they re-install as mine works perfectly, The challenge remains the same throughout these games; you make it as easy or as hard as you want by choosing the mode to play in. I always play in relaxed mode first to get a feel for the game, then move on to normal mode to challenge myself.
Plenty of levels to work through, along with bonuses available during the main game. First one I played was 'Battleships' but not played the others yet. The characters remain consistent throughout the series but with some new additions to give the game a slightly different feel. This time you have a green elf that can move very heavy items after a boost from a potion made by Mary. Max the dog is also back to bark at strange creatures that appear during the night. And the jeans-wearing skeletons make the occasional appearance too!
Another winner from this developer who, along with a partner studio, make excellent TM games. Bought straight after trying the demo and I'm looking forward to seeing how John and Mary (and Max!) manage to change Greek history!
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I've been waiting an age for this sequel and it doesn't disappoint! The first Beyond The Kingdom game was a huge favourite of mine, which I replayed many times while hoping for a follow-up. Finally it's here :-)
There are some differences but the basic gameplay remains the same. Build the usual sawmills, farms, gold mines etc. while fighting off man eating plants and crystal monsters, all with the aid of your druid friend, who luckily has magic at his disposal.
The one thing that is missing is the Bard, whose lyre music inspired the workers to run and work harder. I must admit to being a bit sad that he has been replaced; instead the workers pick up lightning bolts placed around the playing area. These have the same effect as the Bard but for me just aren't as nice. Maybe they'll find him on another island!
There are 3 modes of play, including relaxed and extras include a built-in SG (which you access via the ? at the top left of screen) and bonus levels, In the last game there were 3 more islands to play so hopefully this game is the same!
The graphics are of a high quality and the overall game is a lot of fun. It retains the charm of the first episode and adds enough differences that you don't feel as though you're just playing the first game over again. An instant buy for me!