Landarch223's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.9
- Helpful Votes:129
- Reviews Submitted:17
- First Review:August 9, 2012
- Most Recent Review:July 6, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Join Dracula and his allies on a quest for a treasure beyond imagination!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
JUST OK
PostedJuly 6, 2021
Landarch223
fromCalifornia, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This review is based only on the CE trial. I love the Incredible Dracula series (especially the first four), and I have purchased all of the games until now. Unfortunately, this one is "just OK".....nothing very exciting, new, or innovative. In fact, I found the pace of the game so slow and boring that I caught myself nodding off at one point. The game play is just average.....no surprises....collecting and building, with nothing very unique in comparison to earlier versions. I didn't care for the flat graphics or lack of creativity in what was required to accomplish tasks. I would play this game if there wasn't something better to do, but it gives me the feeling that I'm just killing time. In my opinion, a disappointing offering, and definitely not worth paying the high price for the CE.
I don't recommend this game.
Complete incredible jigsaw puzzles made from beautiful hand-painted works of art and piece together this incredible narrative!
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
High Hopes - Disappointed!
PostedMay 26, 2021
Landarch223
fromStudio City, California, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played the trials of three of the My Jigsaw Adventures, hoping that there would be some improvements in the later games. Unfortunately, the major problem is that for most of the puzzles the jigsaw pieces and background are dark and can't be distinguished from one another. This has been mentioned by others, but I can't emphasize this enough.
I consider myself an expert when it comes to jigsaw puzzles, and it takes a lot to put me off. I lasted through 10 puzzles, and decided squinting through them just wasn't worth it. It's a shame, too, because the developers did a fantastic job in other ways.
I loved having the jigsaw puzzles advancing the story lines....and the story lines were really engaging. I almost bought one of the games just to find out how it would end. Also, some of the tools for manipulating the puzzle pieces and board were excellent.....if only you could distinguish the puzzle pieces from the background. Deal breaker.
Very disappointed!
I don't recommend this game.
A giant creature is causing chaos around the world! Join Dracula as he embarks on an extraordinary quest unlike any he has experienced!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Lots of fun!
PostedJuly 7, 2020
Landarch223
fromStudio City, California, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Mahjong, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love the Incredible Dracula series, so I was excited when "Ocean's Call" came along. When I played the trial I was a little disappointed because the game seemed very easy. I hesitated buying it, but after about a dozen levels it got a little harder, and I bought the game.
I'm so glad I did! In Casual mode, the game as a whole is not as difficult as some of the previous ones in this series, but I was able to get 3 stars on about half of the levels the first time, on most of the remaining levels after a second or third time, and on a few I had to work at it. It was a really nice balance of difficulty for a casual player. Plus, for those who want an easier or harder game, the game has Hard and Relaxed modes for more or less of a challenge.
The game is so inventive -- I enjoyed the story line (which I usually don't care too much about), and the humor was as clever and entertaining as ever. Like another reviewer, I miss hearing Dracula's voice (which was in some of the earlier games) and wish the developers would bring that back. I also miss looking for the hidden cats and statues used in some of the other games. Another suggestion to developers for future games would be to include a "skip" option for the dialog box when you replay a level. It's not a fatal flaw, but it is a little annoying to have to click through it more than once.
All in all, this is a winner in my book -- fun, entertaining, and creative. Kudos to the developers! I always suggest playing the trial......but in my opinion the game is really close to perfect, and you can look forward to many hours of fun.
I recommend this game!
Online dating has got Dracula in a bind! Can he escape?
Overall rating
5
/
5
It Doesn't Get Better Than This!
PostedDecember 12, 2019
Landarch223
fromStudio City, California, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I have purchased all of the Incredible Dracula games in the series, and as an avid time management fan I have to say that they are the most inventive, entertaining, fun, games in this genre that I've ever played. The developers did a fantastic job with the story, the voices of the characters, the humor, and the challenges. (These games are some of the few I play where the story is actually worth reading.) Some of the games are extremely hard, but once you play them awhile and understand how they work you will find it easier to get three gold stars on (almost) every level. If you're hung up on winning every time, however, the series may not be for you. The earlier games are a little better in design (larger images, easier to see, charming character voices and jokes), but all of the games are top notch. Each one in the series has unique adventures, surprising characters, and endless hours of fun. These are games you can play over and over and still find something new each time. I would definitely recommend trying the trials and purchasing the longer collectors editions.
I recommend this game!
Online dating has got Dracula in a bind! Can he escape?
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Buyer Beware - Level 21
PostedJanuary 22, 2019
Landarch223
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
I enjoyed the trial game, decided to buy, and was loving it UNTIL......Level 21. I consider myself to be an expert at TM games. I've been playing this type of game almost exclusively for years. Initially, I found this one challenging (i.e. I wasn't getting three stars on every level), which meant I could look forward to replaying it again and improving my scores over time. However, when I reached Level 21, it was like hitting a brick wall. Even after figuring out the complicated structure of the level, it was virtually impossible to score the basic one star. It took hours of trial and error, and it was really just dumb luck that I finally got one star and continued on. Not fun! This is really a disservice to anyone purchasing this game. I felt ambushed by a level that was so difficult that it was a roadblock to scoring even the minimum and playing the remainder of the game I had purchased. Buyer beware! I've bought many games on Big Fish, and this is the first time I've regretted a purchase. I don't have to win all the time, but I would at least like to have a fair challenge that allows me to achieve the lowest score and complete the whole game. Do I want to play this game again? Not really.
I don't recommend this game.
Join Alicia on her latest time management quest to find the Sword of the Seven Seas!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
A GREAT SERIES OF GAMES!
PostedOctober 7, 2018
Landarch223
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Mahjong, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm always looking for another good time management game, and the whole series of Alicia Quatermain games are top notch. Each version is better than the last, and I return to replay them all the time. I bought the collector's edition of The Mystery of the Flaming Gold before playing the regular version because I was dying for a new game. It's the only collector's edition I've ever purchased, and I have no regrets. It has 11 more levels, which makes it worth the higher price because it's such a great game. There is also a strategy guide that gives you the steps to play the game (if you need them), and allows you to see where the puzzle pieces are located. (These allow you to recreate the Colonel's study). An additional "bonus" consists of wallpapers, which by themselves would not make it worth the higher price as far as I'm concerned.....but the other perks make the collector's edition well worth it. Each Alicia Quatermain game is different from the others, with its own innovations and surprises. The story lines are interesting (although not the most important element for me), the graphics are great, game play is exciting and challenging. Difficulty can be controlled by the settings you use. These are games you can play over and over again. I definitely recommend playing the trial if you have doubts -- you'll get a good idea of what the games are all about. LOTS OF FUN! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I recommend this game!
Ruby Maze Adventure 2
Help Ruby to navigate ancient mazes and discover lost treasure
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
A NEAR MISS
PostedMay 29, 2017
Landarch223
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
A relatively simple game -- gathering jewels, navigating mazes, and opening doors -- and I really enjoyed it as a fun distraction that is not overly challenging. I loved the basic idea of it -- dropping through trap doors, taking elevators to different levels, picking up jewels in the mazes, and just trying to figure out where I was. HOWEVER, there was a major flaw that prevented me from buying the game.....the way the girl moved through the mazes. The mazes consisted of straight corridors (a series of squares) with sharp corner turns. If the girl was in the middle of a corridor and you clicked on a square around the corner, she turned and faced the wall, running endlessly into it instead of going down the corridor and around the corner. This meant you had to click on the square at every corner to get her to go where you wanted her to go. This made the game play very tedious and a little frustrating. Even older games don't do this, and I would expect that this could be fixed, but it certainly should have been addressed before the game was released. If it is fixed in a later version, I will be a willing buyer. As it stands, I wouldn't recommend this game. If you are considering buying the game, I would definitely recommend that you try the trial before buying.
I don't recommend this game.
Put your culinary skills to use. Prove that you are the best chef and beat your boss in each restaurant’s final Battle.
Overall rating
1
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
A COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT
PostedAugust 11, 2016
Landarch223
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Mahjong, Puzzle, Time Management
I loved the original game -- Youda Sushi Chef -- so I was excited to see a second installment. What a disappointment! The game play is completely different, and not in a good way. Sketchy instructions, sometimes completely lacking, which make the overall game and goals confusing. The new graphics for the customers are OK, but unlike the first version the restaurant itself is blurred out. What happened to being able to spend your money on decorating and upgrading your restaurant???? That was one of the best parts in the first game! Also, time constraints and goals often seem unreasonable in this version, and there are no options to adjust the game's difficulty. There are bonuses to buy, but usually out of reach for the amount of money you can accumulate.....and then try to figure out what they are actually for and how they work in the context of the game. My recommendation is to buy the first Youda Sushi Chef. This game is simply a failure in every way!
I don't recommend this game.
Set your business back on the track to success! Repair a dilapidated railroad and reroute from the brink of bankruptcy before it’s too late!
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
PostedMay 21, 2014
Landarch223
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Mystic Emporium
(6)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Like others who have reviewed this game, I would not recommend it for anyone but a beginner or possibly a younger child. It is a basic time management game -- collecting resources to accomplish various tasks -- and the railroad theme is old West, which is charming to a point. But the gameplay is very easy, even for a beginner. Graphics are two-dimensional, which isn't fatal in my book. The basic storyline is okay, BUT at the beginning of each level there is a verbal battle between the two main characters that simply comes off as very mean (which would make me hesitate having a child play it). Tasks are pretty much the same on every level, with no real increase in difficulty, so the game quickly becomes boring. The idea has possibilities if developed more, but I'm sorry to say that this one is a "no" for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Guide the dewy-eyed Eugene on an epic quest to save his master!
Overall rating
2
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Woefully lacking!
PostedApril 30, 2014
Landarch223
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong, Strategy
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I love TM games, and have found some good ones at Big Fish (Roads of Rome, Island Tribe, Mystic Emporium, Northern Tales 2 & 3, etc.).....but, sorry to say, this game is NOT one of the good ones. The tutorial is almost non-existent (which is very annoying), game play is excruciatingly slow, and there is nothing unusual, exciting, or fun about this game. This review is based on playing the entire one-hour tutorial. I wouldn't recommend wasting $$ or game points on this one.....not even if there's a sale!
I don't recommend this game.