Qumquat's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:79
- Reviews Submitted:11
- First Review:November 12, 2011
- Most Recent Review:August 12, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Enter a fairytale world and set off on a journey to 5 fantastic worlds with Little Red Riding Hood and the Lumberjack to help find Red Riding Hood's missing parents.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Tricky - but REAL puzzles so far
PostedAugust 12, 2017
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Puzzle, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Sudoku Latin Squares
(9)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I actually liked these puzzles so far - most of the way through the trial. The publisher doesn't give you options to customize it, so you have to be careful at first to get used to their marking technique.
Most publishers don't mark off a clue unless the block(s) it represents have the cells before and after it marked off. This publisher marks of the clue even if it is a single block in the middle of a row of ten cells with 4 other unsolved clues in the row. So, until you get used to how they do it, count your groups of blocks and match them to the clues.
I don't care about storylines (I read books for storylines), and I usually turn the music off. For some reason I only turned it down and found an interesting phenomenon for those of us susceptible to rhythms. The sound made when you click a cell sounds a little like a tenor bongo drum that goes with, and makes an interesting counter beat to, the music. Found myself clicking in time to the music - a little distracting. LOL
The other thing that was a little annoying till I learned to ignore it, is this timer thing on the right side. If you click quickly in succession it goes up. If you stop to think, it goes down. If it goes to the top, it pops and it gives you a clue. I don't use clues - if I make a mistake, I start over, even if it is the last clue - so it is a useless distraction to me.
These puzzles seem to somehow solve differently than all the popular nonogram games on BigFish. (Except maybe that "World Mosaics" series from a long time ago.) They just "feel" less cliche. Don't ask me why - I have no idea what is different.
All the ones I have done so far have been legitimate puzzles (only one possible solution, not two or more where the publisher says only one solution is right so you have to either guess or use hints, not logic - blech!)
If you are a Logic Puzzle Purist (LPP - sniff) like me, I think you will enjoy this game. People who really like the penguin puzzle games will probably find it blah at best, but most likely just frustrating. It doesn't have the same solving patterns, there aren't multiple colors, there aren't cheat options - like removing empty squares from completed rows. Although it DOES cross off clues for you (i consider that cheating too, but you can't turn it off. Oh well. LOL) If you can't fill your timer fast enough to win hints, you can buy them in the "store" with gold coins you earn for solving puzzles.
If you're a "Penguiner" for sure do the trial first because there is a good chance you won't like it. Me, I'm buying it. :)
[PS - Yes, I'm ashamed to admit, I own several of the Penguin games. Sigh]
I recommend this game!
Travel across eight locations while solving color and monochrome griddler puzzles. Earn stars to complete the challenges.
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Hard to see
PostedAugust 12, 2017
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
There is very little contrast, making it so hard to see that it wasn't fun - and I love mosaic/nonograms/griddlers! I made my screen darker and more contrast which helped a little, but not enough.
I didn't notice a storyline, which makes it excellent - I read for storylines, I play games for the challenge.
I suggest you check out the trial to make sure you don't hate the graphic brightness/contrast level. Otherwise it was a great game as far as mosaics go.
I recommend this game!
The kingdom is under threat from pirates! Sail to the farthest islands to save your sister and become hero of the kingdom.
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Not a HOG - Thank God!
PostedMay 6, 2015
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I barely remember the first Hero of the Kingdom game, but I remembered I liked it very much.
I have bad eyesight and crooked hands, so I despise HOG's and click-fest type games - this isn't one of either of those.
I have bad eyesight and crooked hands, so I despise HOG's and click-fest type games - this isn't one of either of those.
This is a somewhat non-linear adventure/quest game. Non-linear in that the quests are somewhat interwoven - you start a quest here but can't finish it till you learn a skill in this other quest that you may or may not do immediately. You have a lot of choices and I can imagine playing it again with a different emphasis.
The progression is well written and if you get stuck there are always other quests to work on while you think on it or look for clues, or, of course (cheat) click the help which gives you a hint - not necessarily the actual answer. There are many ways to level up, get money, or increase your health so you have choices there also.
It's not a HOG but there are little goodies hidden around that are useful but not really necessary. You get used to the types of places they might be and can usually click around a bit - you aren't docked/penalized for clicking guesses - and in the awards there is an achievement for finding all of a certain thing.
The inventory page is nice. It shows what you have in your inventory and so far seems limitless (amazing how much I can carry!). It also shows how much money you have, how many buddies, what skills you have learned so far, how much health you have, and a link to a map that only shows what you've explored so far. According to the blank places on the map, I haven't reached halfway yet.
There seems to be a wide range of thought/strategy required: either you can sort of haphazardly bumble your way from quest to quest, realizing you shouldn't have sold something and have to buy/make/find it again, or you can think and carefully strategize and calculate, figuring out if you can buy a raw material, process it, and sell it for a net profit to earn money (a lot of work to my way of thinking - LOL - guess you can tell which is my game style.)
Anyway, I agree with the much-repeated sentiment
"MORE OF THIS TYPE OF GAME, Please."
"MORE OF THIS TYPE OF GAME, Please."
If you liked this game it *somewhat* reminds me of "Island: Castaway" 1 & 2. If you haven't already, try them.
I recommend this game!
Queen's Garden
In this exciting match-3 game, you’ve been called upon by the Queen to cultivate the biggest garden ever. Are you up to the task?
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Low budget but playable
PostedDecember 25, 2014
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Sudoku Latin Squares
(9)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The game play was ok, but the graphics are a little off-putting (that a word?) and I really try not to judge a game by the graphics, but there you go. I think most M3 lovers will enjoy this game. M3s are not my own favorite,
I recommend this game!
Fill and Cross: Trick or Treat
Halloween adventures await you in this tasty puzzle game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Not a Logic Game - Have to Guess
PostedDecember 10, 2013
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Antique Road Trip: American Dreamin'
(188)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I simply LOVE mosaic games and purchase every World of Mosaics game that comes out, so I was excited to see another publisher of this type of game - until I played their games.
The free to play game, Royal Riddles, is fairly good, but it forces you to guess where things go especially in rooms 9, 10, & 11.. You should never have to guess on these games, you should be able to figure them out with pure logic. On RR, I figured they were just pushing you to buy the 5 lives, without which you cannot earn all the rewards, but when I played the trial for Fill & Cross, it wasn't long before I had to guess in order to solve the puzzle - I think around puzzle 3, then really bad around puzzle 12.
If you guess on these games anyway, you probably will enjoy Mosaic games from this publisher, but for me it is a real Buzz-Killer and I won't be buying any of them.
In my opinion - VERY poorly made Mosaic Puzzles. The game itself seems to be okay - music isn't too irksome, but I turn it off on these types of puzzles anyway, the controls are a little different than World of Mosaics so takes a little getting used to (I missed some in RR because of the difference in how they mark finished numbers). I don't really remember the story line because I don't play these for the story. I'm not sure if there even was one. :D The level of challenge is fine. RR only goes to 15:10, and Fill & Cross, halfway through Room 1, hadn't gone past that either - don't know if it does later or not. The difficulty seems fine, especially since you are forced to guess - it would be a pain to have to guess on a 20:20 puzzle like the more difficult ones WofM has.
The challenge to me in WofMosaics is trying to finish the puzzle without mistakes or hints and will restart the puzzle if I do either one. It is impossible to do these puzzle without using hints or buying lives, but the game provides a way for you to earn these if you don't mind using them.
It is a fun game for what it is and you get a LOT of puzzles for your money, but it is not a true logic game and will frustrate those of us who like true logic game. A true logic game, like Sudoku, has only ONE, UNIQUE, solution that can be arrived at by logic. (not by looking at the picture or guessing or using hints)
My suggestion is to try it out if you aren't picky about your logic games, otherwise don't bother. :)
I recommend this game!
Mosaics Galore
Collect the puzzles and save the magical pets!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Very pretty pics, but NOT a mosaic puzzle
PostedDecember 10, 2013
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Antique Road Trip: American Dreamin'
(188)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is more like a jigsaw puzzle with a twist - rather fun, but I like to get gold every time and this got too hard too fast to be fun - probably because I have poor eyesight.
I thought it was a Mosaic puzzle game, like World of Mosaics or the free-to-play Royal Riddles.
If you like jigsaws and Tole style of Scandinavian art you will love this game.
I recommend this game!
Rare Treasures: Dinnerware Trading Company
You’ve inherited the Cavendish heirloom china company! Design rare china patterns from around the globe to rebuild the company.
Overall rating
4
/
5
0 of 2 found this review helpful
Cheap Imitation of Chocolatier series
PostedApril 30, 2013
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches
(95)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I found the subject of the game interesting, but the mechanics had problems at times that made the game frustrating. For instance, sometimes I would click the button to make a batch of dinnerware at one factory and it would make a batch at another factory instead. If I was short on supplies AND time, I had to travel to the nearest supplier and re-buy what I need in order to fill the order.
I enjoyed the Chocolatier series, and I enjoyed this game, but it isn't the quality of game that Chocolatier is.
I recommend this game!
Boutique Boulevard
Turn one small clothing store into a runway of fashion. It’s all up to you in this exciting clothing store simulation game!
Overall rating
1
/
5
0 of 2 found this review helpful
Poor Progression - Poorly made game
PostedApril 16, 2013
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Roads of Rome II
(43)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I'm not fond of "Dash" games but I can enjoy the first few levels before you have customers getting angry at the drop of a hat, but this game was ridiculous. There are some unique aspects to the game play - like trying to guess the outfit combos - but for me it didn't make up for the frustration. It seemed to me that they tried to make the game challenging by not giving you enough resources. Or maybe you have to play each scenario perfectly, getting perfect scores. Regardless, I did NOT enjoy it. If you DON'T like "Dash" games, you are not going to like this, and if you DO like Dash games, you will know within 15 mins if you will want to buy it.
I don't recommend this game.
The Island: Castaway
An ocean liner was caught in a storm and wrecked in the ocean. Discover mysteries, save your friends, and get back home!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Best of its kind
PostedMay 6, 2012
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
World Riddles: Secrets of the Ages
(30)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I stayed up all night to finish this game after I bought it one afternoon because I was hooked. I like games like this and play them frequently. IMHO, this game's animations were really well done, the story line was interesting, the characters were believable without being too over-the-top, and the storyline moved along at just the right speed. The areas where physics weren't very realistic (i.e. the speed the plants grew) only made the game more enjoyable. The plot, the puzzles, and the game mechanics flowed together harmoniously. I really dislike games where you have to grab the ground and move it to get around; it is clumsy and interrupts the game play with concentration on moving around. I got to where I didn't even notice the techniques for moving, I just MOVED.
If you like this genre of game, you WILL enjoy this one, and the sequel (prequel?) is even better.
~ Qumquat
I recommend this game!
Ice Cream Craze: Tycoon Takeover
Anna has decided to take on the BigCo ice cream corporation, but needs your help to scoop and serve her way to success!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
Lots of filler
PostedMay 2, 2012
Qumquat
fromBattle Ground, WA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Roads of Rome II
(43)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I like Time Mgmt games and expected to like this too but I didn't. I understand Crissie's criticism of being to slow but, IMHO, it isn't the actual game play that is slow, it is the multiple screens you have to read and click thru between each challenge.
I liked the concept of earning challenges but I'm not very good at "click as fast as you can" games, like the Dash games.
It seemed to me that if you made one mistake in the level there wasn't room to reconnoiter and move on, so the whole challenge was a loss - but I have to admit I'm not very good at the type of game this turned out to be.
One aspect I did NOT like was when I lost a level I got scolded and threatened; "You're never going to overtake Mr. Bigco like that! You'd better do better so I'm not wasting my talents on you." So said the 'helper' character. Very distasteful to scold and shame a player, when games are played for FUN.
This game and I did not 'click' but I think someone who is good at those 'conveyor belt' games would likely enjoy it. I think someone should try it before deciding they don't like it because it isn't what it seems at first.
~ Jeanjaz
I recommend this game!