dachsy's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:3,253
- Reviews Submitted:105
- First Review:March 2, 2013
- Most Recent Review:August 29, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Set sail from Port Royal on a ship called the Golden Hind and head for Hard Luck Island. Legend has it that untold treasures are hidden there!
Overall rating
3
/
5
36 of 47 found this review helpful
Pleasant, But Fairly Mediocre Mahjong
PostedFebruary 17, 2015
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Typical of other mahjong offerings from 8 Floor. i.e just Ok, with no new or innovative features. I did play the full hour demo, but I really wasn't enjoying it.
Challenging enough, in that each board is played for a maximum of 3 Stars, there being 3 goals to reach on each board. I was surprised to realise that I only achieved 1 star on most of the boards of the first two rounds as 'Cabin Boy'.
I felt the graphics were rather dull and muted in colour, although reasonably sharp. There was a choice of different tile designs, but none of them were really memorable...they just seemed 'lifeless' in my opinion.
Ambient music is on a loop and consists of light orchestral-type music. Again, nothing special, but pleasant enough.
Ambient music is on a loop and consists of light orchestral-type music. Again, nothing special, but pleasant enough.
It seems 8 Floor keeps churning out similar-type games, just changing tile designs, music etc for each one, but not improving production values in the process. In short, just more of the same.
I don't recommend this game.
Explore the kingdom of Silverdale in this innovative new match-3 adventure.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Top-Shelf Match 3
PostedFebruary 14, 2015
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Others have already extolled the virtues of this great Match 3, so I will just add that if you are a fan of this genre, then you certainly won't go wrong in buying this game. Everything about it is excellent, and it has just a few nuances added which make for a fine Match 3 indeed!
I recommend this game!
Royal Flush Solitaire offers its own gameplay experience – completely different from other solitaire games.
Overall rating
5
/
5
15 of 24 found this review helpful
Very Promising Innovative Solitaire/Poker Game
PostedJanuary 21, 2015
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
An innovative game here which is a crossover between poker and solitaire, with poker elements perhaps prevailing.
You really need to be familiar with poker hands to be able to play this game successfully. The tutorial is minimal, but you gradually get the idea as you play. You try to obtain poker hands by taking cards from a combination of both the draw pile and the tableau. The cards in the tableau are face-down, except for those at the bottom of the rows.
There is a minimum requirement for each round, and you play for 1, 2 or 3 stars. In addition, you earn money as you play which can be spent in the shop to buy power-ups and upgrades. You certainly will need these if the demo is anything to go by. The first few rounds were fairly easy to win, but things got harder reasonably quickly.
Great graphics and animation. Background sounds were reminiscent of a casino, but reasonably subdued.
So, a decent new type of card game here, which has the potential to become addictive. Those who like either poker or solitaire should try this game. You just may love it.
So, a decent new type of card game here, which has the potential to become addictive. Those who like either poker or solitaire should try this game. You just may love it.
I recommend this game!
Experience this new installment of mosaics puzzles in rainbow colors!
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 24 found this review helpful
6th Instalment is Another Winner!
PostedJanuary 19, 2015
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Another fine instalment in this top pictogram series.
This time our penguin friend is exploring another planet and every step you take in this game will help explore this planet and discover its inhabitants.
This time our penguin friend is exploring another planet and every step you take in this game will help explore this planet and discover its inhabitants.
There is not much to be said really,as this follows along similar lines to Fantasy Mosaics 5, with all the fine attributes it had.
Two modes of play Casual and Advanced. As before, in Advanced mode the numbers at the side and top of grid are crossed off only when the line is completed. You play for a bronze, silver or gold trophy, depending on time taken and your play expertise.
Two modes of play Casual and Advanced. As before, in Advanced mode the numbers at the side and top of grid are crossed off only when the line is completed. You play for a bronze, silver or gold trophy, depending on time taken and your play expertise.
Autofill of empty squares, bright graphics and multicolour grids, along with totally logic-solved puzzles, make this another winner along with its predecessors. I fully recommend.
I recommend this game!
Complete 120 new levels in Royal Solitaire! Shh! Don't wake the dragon!
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 19 found this review helpful
Little Change From First Instalment
PostedJanuary 14, 2015
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
As far as I could see, there is very little that has changed from the first instalment of this game. Basically just a rehash, with same music, cards, sounds etc. If there was any change in the story, what there is of it, I didn't really notice.
2 and a half stars. Barely an Ok solitaire game.
2 and a half stars. Barely an Ok solitaire game.
I don't recommend this game.
Great Britain needs your help! Explore 6 uncharted islands. Solve 120 new and unique puzzles from great captains of the past!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Better Than First Instalment, But Only Just
PostedJanuary 7, 2015
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I gave the first instalment of Pirate Riddles 3 Stars, largely because it was just a so-so pictogram game with a major downfall in that you had to resort to guessing almost right from the start.. This second version has addressed that issue, as I did not find the need to guess throughout the demo. For this reason I give this one 3 and a half stars.
This is basically a rehash of the first instalment with very few changes. The graphics are bland and lacklustre. The crossed-out numbers on the edges of the board were not distinct enough from the other numbers, making for a little confusion sometimes. It also didn't help that the word 'row' was spelled as 'raw'. Not a buy for me.
I don't recommend this game.
The ancient Chaos has devoured the abode of the gods. Save the gods from Chaos and become a legend!
Overall rating
3
/
5
19 of 21 found this review helpful
Better Than It First Looked
PostedDecember 29, 2014
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
When I opened this game and saw it was another from 8 Floor Games, I was not expecting much different from previous offerings, and especially so when I saw the lack-lustre and gaudy-coloured tile designs. However, I persevered with it, and by the end of the demo hour, I was actually quite liking the game.
Dev has deviated a little from previous games, and here has offered a match 3 of the 'group' type, whereby you match a group of two or more tiles instead of swapping them.
There are various obstacles you have to remove by either matching tiles beside them or over them, and you have to complete these tasks in a given number of moves. Tiles can be matched whilst others are still falling...a plus.
There are various obstacles you have to remove by either matching tiles beside them or over them, and you have to complete these tasks in a given number of moves. Tiles can be matched whilst others are still falling...a plus.
You play for a score as well as trying to obtain 3 Stars.
If you achieve all the tasks required, you are awarded 3 stars. The score you achieve equates to a certain number of 'tokens'. e.g. if you score 30,000 points, you receive 30 tokens. These tokens are then used to 'buy' 5 extra moves at the end of a level if you run out of moves, and think you can complete the level by doing so.
If you achieve all the tasks required, you are awarded 3 stars. The score you achieve equates to a certain number of 'tokens'. e.g. if you score 30,000 points, you receive 30 tokens. These tokens are then used to 'buy' 5 extra moves at the end of a level if you run out of moves, and think you can complete the level by doing so.
This game is not timed as such, but the time factor may possibly be incorporated within the 'star' rating.
Sharp cartoon-style graphics with bright colours. As I said above, the tile designs and colours left a bit to be desired, but I found as I played the game, this did not really matter, as more-detailed designs would probably not help the actual type of game play. Sound effects and music must have been Ok, as I didn't turn them off. Storyline? In a Match 3 game, storyline is never really important in my opinion, and this one is no exception.
Sharp cartoon-style graphics with bright colours. As I said above, the tile designs and colours left a bit to be desired, but I found as I played the game, this did not really matter, as more-detailed designs would probably not help the actual type of game play. Sound effects and music must have been Ok, as I didn't turn them off. Storyline? In a Match 3 game, storyline is never really important in my opinion, and this one is no exception.
So, after negative first impressions, I would suggest you play the demo and see for yourself. You may just like this one!
I recommend this game!
Come celebrate Christmas with these holiday themed puzzles and help the residents of Gizmoland bring on the Christmas cheer!
Overall rating
5
/
5
47 of 50 found this review helpful
Third Gizmo Game Excels
PostedDecember 13, 2014
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This third game in the 'Gizmo' series is a good one. If anything, I enjoyed the demo of this one more than the previous two. The fact that it has a Christmas theme makes it a timely release.
Game mechanics and play are pretty much the same as the first two 'Gizmo' games.
There are six groups of 20 boards, making a total of 120. The first group of 20 are 10 x 10 boards. By the look of the screen shots, you will be playing quite large boards indeed by the end of the game.
In the demo hour, game was played with logic and deduction. i.e. there was NO guessing required. This is a deal-breaker for me and for many others I expect.
There are six groups of 20 boards, making a total of 120. The first group of 20 are 10 x 10 boards. By the look of the screen shots, you will be playing quite large boards indeed by the end of the game.
In the demo hour, game was played with logic and deduction. i.e. there was NO guessing required. This is a deal-breaker for me and for many others I expect.
There is a tutorial, but it can be skipped. Game 'Tips' pop up regularly, but these can be toggled off as well.
As with recent games in this genre, this one has auto-fill of blank cells, but this can also be disabled.
Four 'Hint Bottles' fill as you play, and when full, can be used if you so desire.
You are allowed up to a generous six mistakes in each board.
The 'picture' depicted after a board's completion 'morphs' into a Christmas-themed object, and forms part of the on-going story.
As with recent games in this genre, this one has auto-fill of blank cells, but this can also be disabled.
Four 'Hint Bottles' fill as you play, and when full, can be used if you so desire.
You are allowed up to a generous six mistakes in each board.
The 'picture' depicted after a board's completion 'morphs' into a Christmas-themed object, and forms part of the on-going story.
Each board is timed #in the sense that you play for a gold, silver or bronze star#, and you try to complete the board within a 'perfect time'. Although I consider myself reasonably fast at these games, I only managed to get a perfect time once in the first 8 boards. So, quite demanding in the time stakes. You also play for 'no mistakes' and 'no hints'. There are 'Rewards' to be earned during play, which are displayed in the Reward Room. After every few boards, there is a Jigsaw puzzle to solve.
Graphics are superb. Music is of a soft steampunk nature, and to my ears is very pleasant.
As in the previous two games, there are 'amusing' comments to be heard, and whilst for the first few minutes these are quite novel, they could become irritating. Fortunately, they can also be disabled.
As in the previous two games, there are 'amusing' comments to be heard, and whilst for the first few minutes these are quite novel, they could become irritating. Fortunately, they can also be disabled.
As in the previous release, note that the background images can be DISABLED. This is a very welcome feature as I know some people are distracted by these images.
Options for:
Music and Sound Effects volume adjustment.
Fullscreen
Widescreen
System cursor
Autofill Blank Cells
Disable Background Images
Disable Voices
Mute all sound
Music and Sound Effects volume adjustment.
Fullscreen
Widescreen
System cursor
Autofill Blank Cells
Disable Background Images
Disable Voices
Mute all sound
Nice third game in the series which I recommend.
I recommend this game!
Solve crosswords to find the hidden objects! Enjoy the sequel to one of the most successful mix of word and hidden objects game genre!
Overall rating
4
/
5
52 of 59 found this review helpful
Good game with lots of promise
PostedDecember 3, 2014
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I never got around to playing the prequel of this game, so on the strength of this second version, I may have to have a look. Excellent concept of mixing two genres in a game which really makes you think.
Although there is a tutorial, it took a while to figure out what you are supposed to do, and also to grasp the mechanics of the game. Stick with it though, and you will soon grasp it.
In the demo hour I only managed to finish the third level. By this time, I was quite enjoying the challenge.
In the demo hour I only managed to finish the third level. By this time, I was quite enjoying the challenge.
Each level consists of a crossword. You find the clues to each word in the crossword by either of three different ways: 1] picking the object out of a hidden object scene, 2] forming the word from letters provided, 3] obtaining letters from playing a match 3 board [by dropping gold-coloured cells off the bottom of the board].
In the hidden object scene, you are assisted by a moth which periodically flies over the scene. It was not obvious to me how this was beneficial but I guess I will work it out given more time.
In the hidden object scene, you are assisted by a moth which periodically flies over the scene. It was not obvious to me how this was beneficial but I guess I will work it out given more time.
You are awarded with either 1, 2, or 3 gold stars at the end of the level, depending on various factors, including time taken and hints used. Graphics are excellent and ambient music is pleasantly subdued.
One or two of the word clues given did throw me a bit. e.g. 'spade'. In my part of the world we call this a 'trowel'.
One or two of the word clues given did throw me a bit. e.g. 'spade'. In my part of the world we call this a 'trowel'.
This looks to be an excellent game once you get the hang of it and find your way around. It will be a buy for me.
I recommend this game!
Challenge your mind with a new collection of colorful mosaic puzzles while discovering beautiful images.
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 17 found this review helpful
Superb Mosaic Game!
PostedDecember 1, 2014
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
My review for Fantasy Mosaics 4 'The Art of Color' was full of accolades. Fantasy Mosaics 5 follows along similar lines and has all the same excellent attributes to make this another fine game in the series. There's nothing more really to be said. Fans of this series will definitely want this latest offering.
One very minor [surprising] niggle is on the tutorial page where the word 'crossed' is spelt incorrectly. I expect this was a typo...Developer, you need to rectify.
One very minor [surprising] niggle is on the tutorial page where the word 'crossed' is spelt incorrectly. I expect this was a typo...Developer, you need to rectify.
I recommend this game!