I love a good match 3 and this one has all the ingredients of a challenging and intriguing game. I played the relaxed version first and found it challenging enough to play the counted movement next, which was very challenging.
The only "con" I could find was the game took about 30 seconds to decide if there were no moves left. Good thing it wasn't a timed game, because this was really annoying.
Kept you on your toes and its important to make sure and use the tiles with the yellow backing because these turn into stars that build up and are necessary to give you some extra moves...which are imperative in the later levels.
Loved both ways to play the game and highly recommend.
I found this match 3 game to be only mediocre. Yes, you can chose the kind of game board you want to play and the kind of movements you want, but unless you play with a timer, there is absolutely no challenge to this game and no real strategy. This is just a typical match 3 game, and although it is long, I found it quite boring.
There are HOS, but they are basically find the pieces, put them together and place them in the right spot. Some pieces are hard to locate so the HOS becomes very drawn out.
Way too many cut scenes and interruptions. I guess if you are a player that really likes stories, it would be good for you.
Music was awful and I had to turn most of the sound down as the sounds created by matching was really annoying. I realize good match 3 are hard to find but there are some really good, challenging and fun to play out there...and I didn't think this was one of them.
Because of the reviews, I bought this without demo...if I had demoed it, I probably would have passed. Not a match 3 for me, but others may enjoy it.
Wow, I downloaded this demo because of the good reviews and I'm sure glad I didn't just buy it. Hard to find a good match 3 anymore.
If you are a match 3 player that has been fortunate to play some of the few great, challenging match 3, this one is definitely not for you. Just a basic match 3 with bad music. Power-ups are not even that "powerful". Definitely a game you need to play with a timer to add some degree of spice to it.
The fact that some of the blocks have only framing that is very hard to see is their only attempt to make it challenging...I just found it irritating.
Really, don't waste your money or even a credit on this one.
I always play on the "custom" option so I can control tutorials and hint and skip refresh times. Often this level can be easier at times because of the "sparkles" and all, however although this game looks like it could be easy, I found it anything but.
You definitely have to be aware, this isn't just another click and find game. HOS were very well done, challenging and interesting. For puzzles lovers you will find the games different and challenging, but fun just the same. I don't have the patience to play puzzles so I only played a few, but I could see if I were a puzzle player I would enjoy these.
Story line is pretty common place, but voice-overs, graphics and animations were very well done. Things didn't just fall into place in this game, I actually had to use the hint much more often than I usually do. Game move along quite smoothly after you acclimate yourself to some of its oddities.
Moderately long, but not to the point you start wishing it would end. Just a good length with a nice ending.
I have all the jewel match series and always wait for a new one to come out. These are the best match 3 games I've ever played. Level difficulty which you can use, beautiful castles to build, new challenges on each level...just an all around fun game to play.
I play on the move limit level and find it challenging but not frustrating...that is if you keep a good stock of power-ups on hand. Unfortunately, the power-ups do not last level to level which creates the need for strategy, especially as you advance in the game. You accrue "money" during each level to buy power-ups.
Love these games. I always turn off the music but voice-overs, and other sounds are quite pleasant. I just skipped the cut-scenes, but there is a story to the game if you like those additions. Graphics and animations are amazing.
I am impressed with how HOS are becoming more interactive and imaginative. Less and less of the list hunting. The animations, color and artwork were amazing in this game, although there were a few dark spots in the HOS which were a challenge.
Custom options allowed for quick hint and skip refresh. Puzzles, if you like them were different. I'm not much of a puzzle player so some I played others I skipped. Transporter map was excellent. Game move smoothly and although there was some jumping around, it wasn't like you spent the whole game grabbing here and going there.
Story line was different than I've seen in awhile. Enjoyed the game and highly recommend. Bordering a bit on a "chick game", but had enough excitement for any player at any skill level. Everything about the game was enjoyable.
Totally enjoyed this game. Smooth flowing, totally enjoyable game play with very unique HOS and, if you are a puzzle player some interesting puzzles with challenge. A bit on the frightening/horror side but still mellow.
Voice overs, animations...all was just great. Transporter map was necessary and there were some challenges along the way even in custom mode which allowed the hint and skip to refresh very quickly. Enjoyed the story. Lots to do in this game; it was hard to resist not just sitting and playing it straight through.
Game ends very well...a few loose ends, but it doesn't really affect the game.
For some reason I keep falling into this "glitter overload" Dark Parables series. What tedious games. HOS are nothing but junkyards of same color items that you can just click through to collect items which create an over glitzy tool. Puzzles are repetitious throughout the whole series and are time consuming and boring. I skipped them all.
Story line doesn't change much and the game seems so long and distorted you forget what the beginning was like anyway.
Transporter map and hint get you around the game which jumps from here to there gathering one item and jumping to place it or gather another. Gag. Voice overs, color and animations are barely passable.
The good thing about these games is you can customize your game to eliminate the tutorial and set the hint and skip to refresh quickly...which is a God-send.
I used to enjoy games from this developer but the last few games I have downloaded have been so awkward and frustrating that they are not fun to play.
Options allow you to change hint and skip to quickly recharge but even that doesn't help this game. Puzzles are very difficult and not well explained and since I'm not a puzzle player anyway I find myself skipping them all. HOS are easy and interactive though. Voice overs were OK, but I found the story line confusing.
The transporter map is confusing and I find myself using the hint way too much which ruins the game for me. Apparently I am one of the few that did not enjoy this game for which I didn't even complete the demo. I like to feel I am challenged by a game, but not frustrated.
I have all the Christmas Stories in this series and always felt "The Nutcracker" was my favorite until now. What a totally wonderful, fun game.
Graphics, voice overs, color and animations were beyond fantastic. Story was warm and beautiful and ending wraps up very well. Totally enjoyed playing this game...wonderful Christmas story.
HOS and puzzles were fun to play and not difficult and kept the game moving. Easy going enjoyable game to play. I found using the transporter hint to move around the game worked much better than dealing with the map. Game has an options tab so you can enhance the hint and skip to refresh quickly and eliminate the tutorial. Which is always a plus.
This game is definitely a must to add to your game play. Can't say enough good things about it. Have fun!