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:
Defeat the forces of darkness and defend Emerland by uniting the races of the world against the evil sorcerer, Sat, in this magical card game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Final Stage of Game can be Conquered!
PostedNovember 22, 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
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm not going to say a lot about this excellent game, as others have already done so. However, I would like to point out to some reviewers that the final stage of this game is winnable, as I have achieved it. It took a very long time before I got it however, and I can understand why some gave up. If you can get a total of 50 by the time you start the last hand, you should be able to get there if you play your cards right (pun intended). I have to say though, that compared with the rest of the game, the last section seems to have been made just too difficult to achieve. The other thing I'd like to mention is the truly beautiful music, which provides great ambience to the game, and I always looked forward to hearing it upon opening the game.
I recommend this game!
Outwit the old sea dog and seize the pirates' gold! Play solitaire right on the deck of the reavers' ship.
Overall rating
2
/
5
22 of 23 found this review helpful
Another Poor Offering From 8 Floor
PostedNovember 20, 2014
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I have been enthused with very few of the offerings from 8 Floor Games, and this is just another one of those very mediocre games from this developer. It seems that their standard games keep being churned out only with changes to suit the theme. There is no evidence of any improvements or enhancements at all.
So this is a game with no bells or whistles, just plain, and fairly boring solitaire. However, instead of the usual one higher/one lower card, you have to match like pairs of cards.
This is a bit of a change from normal, but it does require a fair bit of mouse movement. Otherwise, everything is pretty similar to the other 8 Floor solitaire games.
This is a bit of a change from normal, but it does require a fair bit of mouse movement. Otherwise, everything is pretty similar to the other 8 Floor solitaire games.
There is a choice of card faces and backs. However, I found the graphic resolution on the card faces much less than sharp, and coupled with the rather small size of the cards, did not make it easy on the eyes.
Overall, this just not reach the standard and finesse expected of games such as this today. Sorry developer, but you need to get back to the drawing board. Not a buy for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Become the champion of a royal tournament! Outplay your rivals and win the kingdom's grand prize!
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 18 found this review helpful
Very Mediocre Solitaire
PostedNovember 17, 2014
dachsy
fromDunedin, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Yet another mediocre offering from 8 Floor games here. As another reviewer noticed, it is similar to at least one other standard solitaire offering from this developer - just a change of card backs, music etc. No story to speak of which makes it pretty mundane for a solitaire game.
The sound effects were the only positive aspect to the game, but I quickly tired of them as well. There are a choice of card backs, but the three card faces offered are very basic and boring. With more thought put into these, the gameplay would have been more pleasurable.
So, I can only give this 2 stars. I seldom give such a low rating. Not a buy for me, as there are many other solitaires which are Excellent. e.g.' Chronicles of Emerland' and 'Seven Seas Solitaire'.
I don't recommend this game.
Use the power of your mind to place scales on the board and form clever combinations. Experience this unique twist on the match-3 genre!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent Match 3 Innovation
PostedNovember 13, 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
Storyline
3
/
5
This is an excellent twist on a Match 3 game, whereby you place tokens, in this case, dragon scales on to the board in order to make matches of 3 or more. The matched tokens are then removed, scoring points.
Others have described the story and game mechanics etc., so I won't repeat. What is innovative is that in this game, and what makes it different from normal Match 3's, is that you quickly realise that strategy is important - perhaps not so much in the earlier levels, but certainly so as the game progresses.
The HD graphics, fine sound effects and excellent power ups make for a pleasurable game experience.
The HD graphics, fine sound effects and excellent power ups make for a pleasurable game experience.
If you are into Match 3 games and don't mind using some brain power, I would certainly recommend this game. It is a buy for me.
I recommend this game!
The citizens of Gizmo Land find themselves in great danger after an attempt to celebrate Halloween goes very wrong.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
2nd Instalment of Gizmos much like the First
PostedOctober 28, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This second instalment of 'Gizmos' follows closely on the heels of the first one, and is exactly similar in execution and gameplay as the first. Only difference is the changed storyline, which in a game such as this, is really of little value.
I did a fairly lengthy review of the first 'Gizmos' game [Gizmos: Riddle of the Universe], and all that I said for that one, applies to this one as well. So I refer you to that review for all the info.
One reviewer mentioned that the background art was disturbing whilst playing...note that in the 'Option' menu, you can completely disable the background images - screen is completely black behind the grid.
I recommend this game!
Trick or treat? No tricks! 120 new levels is a real treat for solitaire fans on Halloween!
Overall rating
3
/
5
28 of 36 found this review helpful
Looks Promising
PostedOctober 15, 2014
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
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Halloween must be getting close judging by the new games coming out at present. Here is a solitaire game with that theme, and although its idea is good, I was not overly impressed with what I experienced in the demo.
There are two 'modes' of play: Newbie and Pro. You have to play the 'newbie' section before you advance to Pro.
The card faces in the games in the Newbie mode were quite plain and unimaginative. This did not really make for enjoyable play. The first hand is a tutorial hand. After that, you are on your own.
The card faces in the games in the Newbie mode were quite plain and unimaginative. This did not really make for enjoyable play. The first hand is a tutorial hand. After that, you are on your own.
This is one up/one down type solitaire, and you play to earn gold coins. It was not evident in the demo hour, but presumably these coins will be used to purchase power ups as you progress. Long sequences 'fill' the meter, and if long enough, you are awarded 1000 extra coins.
There are also 'special' cards. If you uncover all of these in the deck, you earn a 'perfect' score, and the hand is won - no need for all the cards to be removed as is conventional in other solitaire games.
There are also 'special' cards. If you uncover all of these in the deck, you earn a 'perfect' score, and the hand is won - no need for all the cards to be removed as is conventional in other solitaire games.
There is also a 'Joker' which can be used at any time as a wild card. 'Undos' are available, but very limited, at least in the demo hour. Graphics are colourful and sharp. Music is so low key that I hardly noticed it.
So this seems to be a good seasonal solitaire which I hope would become somewhat more interesting as you progress through the game. It would be a buy for me on this premise.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious device has crashed into Kurt the Mechanic's garage. Help Kurt and his friends decipher its strange message!
Overall rating
4
/
5
32 of 33 found this review helpful
Nonograms in Gizmo Land!
PostedOctober 8, 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
Storyline
4
/
5
Something a bit different here in this cartoon-style nonogram game. Yes, you are in Gizmo Land where a mysterious device has crashed into Kurt the mechanic's garage. You are tasked with helping Kurt and his friends decipher its strange message.
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.
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 more recognisable 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 more recognisable object, and forms part of the on-going story.
Each board is timed, 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 twice in the first 15 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. Every few boards, there is a mini Jigsaw puzzle to solve... Some may not like this, but since it is more of a light-hearted type of nonogram game, it fits the story ok.
Graphics are superb. Music is of a steampunk nature, and to my ears at least, is pleasant and quite tolerable.
During gameplay, there are 'amusing' comments to be heard, and whilst for the first few minutes these are quite novel, they would I expect become annoying, but luckily, they can also be disabled.
During gameplay, there are 'amusing' comments to be heard, and whilst for the first few minutes these are quite novel, they would I expect become annoying, but luckily, they can also be disabled.
Options for:
Music and Sound Effects volume adjustment.
Fullscreen
Widescreen
System cursor
Autofill Blank Cells
Disable Background Images #This is a nice touch, as some may find the images interfere with their play#
Disable Voices
Music and Sound Effects volume adjustment.
Fullscreen
Widescreen
System cursor
Autofill Blank Cells
Disable Background Images #This is a nice touch, as some may find the images interfere with their play#
Disable Voices
Some 'serious' fans of this type of game may find the light-hearted nature of this game off-putting, but aside from that, this looks to be an excellent addition to the genre, and well worth playing.
I recommend this game!
A new mystery leads Arizona Rose to a hidden temple and her greatest adventure yet! Solve the riddles to unravel an ancient mystery!
Overall rating
5
/
5
59 of 66 found this review helpful
Another Fine Arizona Rose!
PostedSeptember 22, 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
4
/
5
It's been quite a while since the last fine Arizona Rose game, so today's release is a most welcome one.
I knew before I began to play the demo that I would not be disappointed...and I wasn't.
I knew before I began to play the demo that I would not be disappointed...and I wasn't.
This is a superb game of its type, maybe even the best yet.
Everything about this game is very nicely done, and I could not find fault in any aspect. Excellent sharp graphics, pleasant ambient music, superb game play, and a good storyline. The sound effects whilst playing the boards are very muted, in keeping with the concentration that is required whilst playing.
Everything about this game is very nicely done, and I could not find fault in any aspect. Excellent sharp graphics, pleasant ambient music, superb game play, and a good storyline. The sound effects whilst playing the boards are very muted, in keeping with the concentration that is required whilst playing.
There are two modes: Casual and Hard. Thinking myself to be a seasoned player, I dived into Hard mode. But alas, I got stuck right from the outset. What threw me is that each square in the grid, instead of being unmarked as in other similar games, has a hieroglyphic on it, and consequently it was not clear which were the cells I was keeping and which were the ones I was crossing off. So immediately, I started again in casual mode and went through the tutorial. After having done that, it was clearer, and I advanced very well.
There are over 170 levels and over 10 rewards to earn.
Points are awarded as you play, with more given for better play. You are [generously] allowed 5 mistakes and 4 hints on each board. This may change as you advance in the game.
Interspersed with the boards are mini puzzles and hidden object scenes. These were easy and of a minimal number in the demo, and fitted nicely into the game flow. No doubt there will be more difficult ones later on.
Points are awarded as you play, with more given for better play. You are [generously] allowed 5 mistakes and 4 hints on each board. This may change as you advance in the game.
Interspersed with the boards are mini puzzles and hidden object scenes. These were easy and of a minimal number in the demo, and fitted nicely into the game flow. No doubt there will be more difficult ones later on.
Options include:
Full screen
Widescreen
Custom cursor
Adjustable music & sound volume
Full screen
Widescreen
Custom cursor
Adjustable music & sound volume
Overall, another superb game in the genre, and one which is highly recommendable.
I recommend this game!
Get ready for the fur to fly in this wild and crazy matching game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 25 found this review helpful
Fine concept but goals difficult to achieve.
PostedSeptember 17, 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
Storyline
3
/
5
Brilliant Match 3/Strategy game here with stunning graphics, nice music and sounds and flawless game play. However, if you want to achieve all the goals in each level, progress through the levels will be very slow.
I found the level of challenge quite high right from the outset, and I consider myself a seasoned Match 3 player. It is really the strategy element here which requires a high degree of player capability. Maybe I was a bit tired when I demoed this game, but I only got to level 4 in the hour, and by no means achieved all the goals required. Perhaps, given more time, my results would improve.
This is one of those games where you have to make a clear pathway for, in this instance a key, to travel along to unlock a cage to free a chick. To achieve this, you have to make matches of at least 3 like-coloured birds, which then fly away, freeing up the squares. However, if you don't make such a match in any move, more birds and eggs are added to the grid. To complicate matters, many birds are 'chained' and you have to first break the chains by a match of 3, before they can be moved. I'm sure as you progress, there will be more obstacles added to hinder the play.
Each level has a different set of goals.
e.g. Level 6:
- Free 4 chicks from their cages
- Free every chained bird
Sounds easy, but in reality it's quite difficult.
e.g. Level 6:
- Free 4 chicks from their cages
- Free every chained bird
Sounds easy, but in reality it's quite difficult.
Options:
Music & Sound Effects volume adjustable
Full screen
Special Cursor
Tutorial #you will probably need this#
Vertical synchronization
Music & Sound Effects volume adjustable
Full screen
Special Cursor
Tutorial #you will probably need this#
Vertical synchronization
I will give this a thumbs up, as I think after more time is spent on it, it will probably become less difficult and maybe quite addictive!
I recommend this game!
Travel the world as a Cruise Director, in charge of the super luxurious S.S. Liberty of the Waves!
Overall rating
5
/
5
283 of 332 found this review helpful
Become an Expert Cruise Director!
PostedSeptember 15, 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
5
/
5
An Excellent straight HOPA here which should not disappoint. Along similar lines to the excellent 'Park Ranger' games, but even better in some respects!
Set on a cruise ship, you embark on a cruise as a would-be director. Good story line, excellent graphics with nice bright airy colours, fine ambient music which varies from scene to scene, and excellent mini puzzles, all help to make this an enjoyable game.
There are two modes of play: Casual and Challenge. The challenge mode does not have sparkles, and hint button takes longer to recharge.
Game is Full Screen. There are no voice overs, just written dialogue. However, that did not detract from the enjoyment of the game.
The HOS are cleverly done, with some interaction. Some objects were well hidden indeed, and you have to be an 'eagle eye' to find them all. You earn cash as you play, and there is extra cash to be got if you 1]find all the 'Lost & Found' items, 2] find all the 'Recycle' items, 3] be an 'Eagle Eye' by finding all items without hints.
The HOS are cleverly done, with some interaction. Some objects were well hidden indeed, and you have to be an 'eagle eye' to find them all. You earn cash as you play, and there is extra cash to be got if you 1]find all the 'Lost & Found' items, 2] find all the 'Recycle' items, 3] be an 'Eagle Eye' by finding all items without hints.
You can spend your money earned on 'Souvenirs' at the cruise liner's Shop, and these are displayed in your special cabinet. There are also achievements to be earned.
Between each HOS, there is a mini puzzle. In the demo hour, I come across four different puzzles. These were fairly standard 'swap the tiles to complete picture', 'rotate pieces to complete picture', 'find differences between two pictures' etc. About the 4th puzzle in, there was a clever variation on a jigsaw, where you had to place shapes to complete the deck layout, and thereby find where your particular cabin was.
There are bonus points awarded for completion of mini puzzles, and I noticed there was a timer on these, so maybe you got 'eagle eye' points if you achieved it within time.
There are bonus points awarded for completion of mini puzzles, and I noticed there was a timer on these, so maybe you got 'eagle eye' points if you achieved it within time.
There is an interactive map for scene replay and rewards. And this is a game that you will probably WANT to replay scenes in, as curiosity to what you may have missed first time around, encourages you to try and do better.
Game looks to be a decent length, and is varied enough to strongly recommend.
Game looks to be a decent length, and is varied enough to strongly recommend.
I recommend this game!