SynthpopAddict's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:2,361
- Reviews Submitted:69
- First Review:November 20, 2011
- Most Recent Review:April 23, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Mix potions, pick locks, make magic orbs, and much more - to rescue the magic creatures from the evil wizard in this enchanting match-3 adventure.
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Brilliantly executed boards but everything else needs work
PostedMay 20, 2016
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
[review based upon completed game]
Pros: really innovative concepts in levels, timed/untimed options
Cons: can't make moves all the time, poorly executed game mechanics and storyline
This gets 3.5 stars from me because the game boards are so cleverly crafted and the concepts like you creating your own obstacles to work around are truly unique. 100 levels to play with the choice to choose between timed/untimed but only when you create your player profile.
Pity the rest of the game wasn't as well done. I don't mind M3s where you can't make moves all the time, but this game has the most awkward play action I've ever seen. Sometimes you can drag the tiles to move them, sometimes you have to click two adjacent tiles, sometimes you can double click on powerups, sometimes you can't - you get the idea. There's no way to access game help while playing so you have to figure out most everything yourself if you missed the very brief popups here and there. Tiles to clear are a very pale green or blue and can be hard to spot among everything else. The storyline wasn't well thought out: why the evil character is named for an Egyptian pharaoh in a gnomes and fairies story has me scratching my head, and all the characters use the same garbled nonsense syllables when they're "talking". The last level seems overly difficult and requires more than a fair bit of luck to solve in a game that otherwise was of slightly above average difficulty for most of the levels.
Could have been a really great M3 if the developer had spent as much time working on the move mechanics as they did designing the game boards. I'm glad I bought it during a sale.
Explore a fantastical world and save the King in this innovative new match-3 experience!
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 17 found this review helpful
Great game, but "less would be more"...
PostedApril 17, 2016
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Pros: Great storyline/graphics/music, adventure concept, puzzles, untimed
Cons: Becomes a real slog to play if you're a game completist, can't "do everything" in normal mode
I normally don't do starred reviews until I've finished a game, but this one, I'm not sure if I'll have the time or patience to do so. The game's concepts have been covered elsewhere so I won't go into that here. It's a really well done game, but like all the other games I've played from this developer, seems to suffer from having *too* much content put in. In order to be able to see everything the game has to offer, you really have to be doing everything there is in every level. This gets to be a real slog after a while because the levels get rather huge, although not anywhere near as extreme as in Runefall, the predecessor to this game.
I have also noticed that around level 30, the "normal" mode becomes nearly unplayable if you are the sort who must do everything in every board. Again, if you're not doing everything in every level, you won't be seeing all the game's content and may even not be able to make progress at some point. My opinion only, but what they call "relaxed" mode would have been better off as the "normal" mode and the so called "relaxed" mode should have been without a moves counter for those who really do want to relax. Great game if you don't mind taking a lot of time to play it, but I'm keeping quiet on the "recommend" button.
Shoot colorful balls across the level to match and clear like colors. Clear all the balls to complete the level.
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
Unique, relaxing puzzle game
PostedApril 17, 2016
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
[review based on completed game]
Pros: Untimed, easy to learn
Cons: Extreme no-frills interface, not challenging
150 levels of marble popping puzzles. You only need to get 2 of a color for objects to clear but the object is to clear all the marbles and bricks from the screen. There aren't ever more than 4 colors to deal with so it never really gets hard.
The graphics and music are very simplistic and there are almost no instructions at all on how to play and no explanation of what the powerups do. There aren't any other extras in the game either: no storyline, no trophies, no scoring counter, no timers or move counters - really just popping marbles all the time. If you're looking for a chill-out type game this isn't bad since it's so different. I can't play more than about 15-20 levels at a time though because, well, it's *that* "relaxing" to me LOL. Try before you buy - you may find that it's strangely addictive if you don't get overly bored.
Play scales on a board to form combinations of the same color! Solve more than 150 levels, including rampant match-3 duels!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
4.5 stars - enjoyed more than the original.
PostedMarch 4, 2016
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
[review based upon completed adventure and coliseum modes]
Pros: Untimed, unique reverse puzzle M3 concept, great graphics
Cons: Slow difficulty curve that surprises you later, silly storyline, monotonous soundtrack
156 levels and 3 types of minigames that appear in between every few boards. 10 levels with 15 or 16 boards to play in each. No timer at all, although beating the "best time" in a board awards you extra coins. Starts out baby easy but does get extremely hard in some of the later levels. I was on auto-pilot for the first half of the game but there are some boards in the second half that are stumpers! Could have done without the storyline, but I liked the comments the bosses make when you're fighting them and the random dialog you get from them in between boards here and there LOL. Soundtrack was taken from the first game - I liked it there, but because this game is so much longer, it got really monotonous listening to it after a while. Beautiful HD graphics.
I noticed that the difficulty level fluctuates from board to board within a level, much as it did in the first DragonScales game. You don't get any powerups until you've played about 25% of the way through, probably to keep you from using them all up too soon because you'll need them later.
The boss battles were a fun challenge. After you beat them in the adventure mode you can play them in the coliseum mode. The coliseum mode is a harder version of all the boss battles because the bosses have more energy points and you're playing on a smaller board.
I didn't play the practice mode, but it seems that practice mode may be endless since the game mentions adding in new boards each time you play the practice mode so that would be great if you want to chill out. Four and a half stars from me for a great sequel!
I recommend this game!
Find lost gems and use special board tools to solve challenging Match-3 puzzles in totally new ways.
Overall rating
5
/
5
32 of 33 found this review helpful
Wow, engrossing game!
PostedJanuary 17, 2016
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
[review based upon completed game]
Pros: Untimed [see details], unique powerups, good storyline, can make moves constantly
Cons: Game interface details may take some getting used to, game glitch [developer is aware/working on patch as of this writing], needs a lot of RAM to run well
It's been a long time since I've been pulled into a game so much that I stay up until all hours playing it and wake up a few hours later wanting to play some more! 150 levels, 4 different board types [clear all tiles, clear all tiles with limited moves, make X number of matches, and move keys to a lock]. Lots of powerups and trophies which are more than just the usual things seen in M3s. Enjoyed the storyline too, which was well written throughout except for a few spelling errors near the very end; it also seemed unfinished.
The game is not timed although there is a stars meter which you will win up to 3 stars if you solve the level quickly enough [in limited moves boards, few enough moves]. The "time trial" boards do have a timer running for making the X number of matches, but that number is just for winning 3 stars. The only ways you can actually lose are by either running out of moves on a limited moves board or getting the board where there are no available matches left and no powerups to bail you out.
Although there are a lot of powerups, it is *not* a blow-lots-of-stuff-up mindless game. You really have to strategize to do well in most cases and even though it's untimed, it gets pretty hard!
The game interface is a bit...interesting. May take a bit before you can figure it all out. It also uses 2-4 times as much RAM as other current M3s I've seen, so would definitely recommend demoing it first to make sure it runs on your computer. There is a glitch in the game which the developer is aware of and is working on a fix as of the date of this review. See the game forum for workarounds in the meantime. If you love strategy in your games and want something that's not just your run-of-the-mill M3, highly recommended!
I recommend this game!
Big Kahuna Reef
This matching puzzle is leagues away from ordinary. Swimmingly good times await you in the reef.
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Way ahead of its time awesome M3!
PostedJanuary 6, 2016
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
[review based upon completed regular game mode]
Pros: timed/untimed options, can make moves constantly, bonus content, multiplayer options
Cons: It's 12 years old as of this writing, so graphics/sound a bit dated, may not run on newer OS
Big Kahuna Reef came out when I was a beginner at M3s and I missed it back then; only just discovered it now on the suggestion of a game developer [not the one who did this game]. As a longtime M3 player, I'm really impressed with the features this game offers:
-able to match constantly
-timed and untimed options
-game save if you quit mid-level
-some ability to "work a setup into place" so it is not all about luck
-additional content available for download
-bonus levels unlocking after you complete the 100 regular levels
-multiplayer options available if you have a USB hub for up to 8 players to play together
-level editor for creating your own levels
-nice building element with adding fish to your reef in between levels
-timed and untimed options
-game save if you quit mid-level
-some ability to "work a setup into place" so it is not all about luck
-additional content available for download
-bonus levels unlocking after you complete the 100 regular levels
-multiplayer options available if you have a USB hub for up to 8 players to play together
-level editor for creating your own levels
-nice building element with adding fish to your reef in between levels
In other words, I bet a lot of current M3 developers [and other game genre devs] were influenced by this game.
It's an old game, so there are no frills - no flashy powerups or explosions, no storyline, and the graphics/sound effects/music are dated. You only have one basic powerup which isn't all that strong, so you pretty much have to rely on your M3 skills to get through, but the levels weren't mind-bendingly hard to me at least, not until the last 10 or so levels. The only real quibble I have is that no matter how you have the game options set, there will always be fish swimming across your M3 boards while you're playing - likely a limitation of the graphics of that time. Game runs beautifully on my Win 7 computer with no tech issues. If you don't mind the "dated" look, this is one fantastic game that's done better in some ways than some newer M3s I've played, and I give plenty of kudos to the devs for coming up with their ideas so early on!
I recommend this game!
A thrilling gem-matching adventure awaits those who dare to explore the jungle of the Aztecs, where untold treasure lies hidden deep within an ancient temple!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
M3 for the pros...Are you experienced?
PostedJanuary 1, 2016
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
[review based upon completed game]
Pros: tons of powerups and trophies, can make moves constantly, bonus minigame modes
Cons: timed only, would benefit from a reshuffle option, was that supposed to be a storyline?
70 levels, assorted goals, scads of powerups and trophies to win. Three minigame modes that unlock as you progress through the game, and a slot machine minigame to help you earn gems for upgrading your powerups. If you are a game completist who has to get all the trophies it will take more than one full run through the game to get them all. Although it's a "lots of stuff blowing up everywhere" type of M3 there's definitely an element of strategy needed to win once you get past the first 10 boards. You also need to use your powerups regularly to be successful, even if you are an experienced M3 player.
I usually take the comments about timers with a grain of salt, but will have to agree with others that this game is very aggressively timed and therefore not for those who don't play all that fast. I enjoyed finally getting a game that's a serious challenge for me, but it's not going to be for everyone. Other than being timed only, it would have really helped to have a reshuffle tiles powerup or button to use because there are times when you just don't get a good setup in the board. I also am not sure if the devs were trying to put in some kind of storyline with the archaeologist character that pops up every so often - there really isn't any story to the game at all. If you're not afraid of a game that brings it, enjoy!
Unravel this creepy-crawly Match-3 adventure and unveil haunted castles that will leave your spine tingling!
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
Spooky beauty of a M3
PostedNovember 2, 2015
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
[review based on completed timed mode]
Pros: multiple gameplay modes, many customizable game options, minigames, long play time, beautiful HD graphics
Cons: soundtrack/effects a bit monotonous, mahjong reshuffle feature a bit strange, fairly aggressively timed in timed mode
The Jewel Match series gets better and better with newer releases. The developer takes care to incorporate gamers' feedback from their past games and has done an excellent job of creating a new game just in time for Halloween.
120 levels you can play extremely fast since you can make moves constantly, lots of powerups and upgrades to buy in the in-game shop. No storyline at all. 48 optional minigames [M3 bonus games, mahjong, and HO scenes] which don't break up the base game, as you don't have to click on the bonus games button if you don't wish to play the optional content. Timed, untimed limited moves, and plain relaxed modes; gorgeous game graphics and scene building elements. Most of the game elements are customizable and you can choose to play in scrolling M3 board mode or the default [mostly] static boards.
I found the music and ambient effects a bit monotonous after a while, and you need very high screen resolution for the game to display well. Will confess that I beta tested this game and noticed that in the final version timed mode appears to be more aggressively timed to where it's quite the challenge if you're the sort that likes to collect everything in a level. I haven't played the limited moves mode in the final release yet, but when I was beta testing, the limited moves mode required you to think, but not frazzlingly hard as in some levels of JM2 Reloaded. I also noticed that on a couple of the mahjong minigames that the reshuffle feature doesn't necessarily work when there are very few tiles left and no more moves remaining - may be a glitch. Overall, it's a real gem of a M3 and not just for Halloween; much recommended!
I recommend this game!
Return to a mesmerizing match-three wonderland with this remaster of Jewel Match 2!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
The challenge isn't with a timer.
PostedJuly 28, 2015
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
[review based upon completed timed and limited moves modes]
Pros: Multiple game modes, HD graphics, can make moves constantly, additional game content
Cons: Straight reuse of interface from previous JM game is a bit glitchy, limited moves mode very challenging, one minigame doesn't work
I don't have the original version of Jewel Match 2, but this appears to be the same game with updated graphics, 50 more M3 boards to play, and 20 minigames [mostly mahjong, but a few HO scenes and assemble an object puzzles]. The interface from the previous Jewel Match game has been brought back with the items to buy in the shop and the multiple game modes [timed, relaxed, and relaxed limited moves].
You can play really fast, and don't have to break for any minigames if you choose not to play those. The music was a very soothing ambient soundtrack which I quite enjoyed. The jewels are so bright that it's almost a bit too much. Most of the game options are customizable, and you can now choose to play static M3 boards or in large scrolling board mode. As in the previous JM game, you need extremely high screen resolution for this game to work well as it's a real graphics hog.
I do wish the developer had spent a bit more time working out the kinks as observant players will find some of the game screens need some editing for things that don't apply in this game. The minigame that unlocks at 200000 points has a bug in it which renders it unsolvable. I also found while going through the timed mode for some reason it skipped over an entire castle building scene for me.
If you love a hard M3 challenge, the timed mode isn't it...play limited moves mode because it is definitely not generous with the amount of moves available. I made it through all 200 boards in timed without much of a sweat, but finishing limited moves is hair pulling hard! Not bad for a "reload" of a classic.
I recommend this game!
Match birds across dozens of levels to reach a legendary artifact!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Awesome sequel
PostedJuly 26, 2015
SynthpopAddict
fromHome on Derange
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
[review based upon completed game]
Pros: Challenging puzzle-M3 fusion, funny storyline, untimed
Cons: There really aren't any, except the story ending was a little lame
The birds and cats are back for another puzzle game! The play action is the same as in the first Claws & Feathers, with a few boards now featuring objects which need to be assembled. This game's longer with 68 levels, and if you hated the timed boards in the original, have no worries, as there are no timers here.
The boards are brilliantly crafted, and getting the gold star requires a good bit of strategy, as does winning the "player" trophies for most number of sequential moves. Normally I'd ding a game for recycling too much of the music and sound effects from another one, but it actually works well here. The storyline and cats' antics are still hilarious, although I found the story ending to be disappointing.
Maybe it's just because I played the first Claws & Feathers so much, but I found getting all the gold stars to be easier in this game. The limited moves boards are the real stumpers. It's still a good challenge and highly addictive - much recommended!
I recommend this game!