This is a terrific addition to the series. Just enough new stuff to keep an old Jewel Match hand nodding his head in appreciation. As always, the graphics are first rate. There are options for timed, relaxed, and advanced, as well as insane. Advanced is challenging enough for me. The music is pleasant, and the extras such as room decorating, and bonus games add to the enjoyment of the main game. This game has been worth the wait.
Hats off to the developer for at least trying to make this one look different. Mostly it's cosmetic, but welcome, nevertheless. On the other hand, would it kill this developer to add a "Moves" option along with Relaxed and Timer? Not to put too fine a point on it, but "relaxed" is just boring and "timed" often winds up feeling frenetic, which, for me anyway, takes the fun out of it. So, a bit different but underneath pretty much the same. I'm recommending that this game should be played before purchase.
This is a quality game that presents myriad challenges. Like some of the Lauraville games, there are a number of levels where things have to be done in a specific order, so it's important to take a minute or so to look over the board and figure out a strategy. As for complaints about bombs having no function, what they do is the same as the whirlwind in other games, they reshuffle the board. I admit, I have to keep checking the help book, but that's mostly because this game is full of interesting instruments that move things along. More of this type match 3 would be an excellent addition to the genre!
I have been waiting for a very long time for another installment of Jewel Match. I consider this developer one of the very best for match three games, and this one goes well beyond expectation. First, the music is relaxing and consistent with the aqua theme. Secondly, there are many options so the game can be set up exactly as you might like it. Third, the developers have added new power-ups without dumbing down the game. Also, there is a first rate tutorial for those who haven't played a Jewel Match game before. And if you haven't---now's the time.
I'm a big fan of this developer and especially the Cursed House series. Cursed House 9 offers more challenges than the previous eight (which were no cakewalks) but not to worry, as noted, there's a hint button and the game guide is thorough. Since I've played them all, I'm pretty familiar with the game play, but even so, I need a few minutes to figure out where to start. This is so much more than just moving tiles around. Great game!!!
The game mechanics have been described above. It's not a hard game to learn, though there is very little help within the game. I really like match 3 games, so this one will keep me occupied between replaying the Jewel Match games. For some reason the music, which is ok, keeps shorting out. I'm thinking of shutting it off altogether. I'm playing the advanced game and have so far had to repeat one level. No complaints about the challenge, and some of the obstacles are interesting. The storyline allows for repairing the house by earning gold. Each repair costs more as the game progresses. Overall, it's a fair game and the discount makes it one that Match 3 players probably would want in the collection.
Pennmom, as always, has given a solid description of the mechanics of the game. Overall, the music is calming, and the ability to have limited moves is a must for me to buy a match 3 game. The problem I have is that I'm on level 20 and have 1+ million points and not a clue about what to do with them. I mean they just sit there piling up with no discernable reason. Very curious. Anyway, It's far below my match 3 standard (Jewel Match games) but good enough to to eat up a half hour or so.
This is an all around fun game. The matches are challenging after the first few levels, but powerups help you out considerably to beat the time or move limit. Better yet, there are no supposedly cute characters running around (at least not up to level 18). Also, there's plenty of thought needed about where to place the different components of your town. Should the fire station be close to the police station? Where to put the parks. Houses? How to connect roads. You can rearrange things if you want, but the real fun/challenge is carefully thinking through your design without having to make changes. Lot of levels, lots of challenge, lots of fun!
Note to all re powerup issues: The powerups are initiated by 4 or more matches. The greater the powerup the longer it takes to activate it. Seems fair.
This could have been maybe the best game of this or last year. The music, the gothic creepiness, the puzzles, the graphics are all better than first rate. So why couldn't there have been a map that you could access easily (you have to keep finding a room where the map is located, which pretty much negates having the map) and a hint button that features an area whether there's anything to do there or not. Seriously add those two things and this would have been easily one of the best game of its kind I have played.