arnold1049's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:4,545
- Reviews Submitted:555
- First Review:February 24, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 24, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Zoom Book - The Temple of the Sun
Ancient Mayan adventure full of rich artwork, mind-boggling puzzles and a spellbinding, mystery-driven storyline full of suspense!
Overall rating
2
/
5
PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR THE NEED TO USE THE DEMO
PostedFebruary 17, 2020
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I was only halfway into the demo when I found I could not solve the puzzles in the number of moves or time limit restrictions. There was no way to skip the puzzles or play any kind of alternative to continue on into the Story. And if you can't finish the Story, then all the other ways to play the game (Chaos, etc.) are not available. Even on Easy mode, I was stymied and unable to continue. Good thing I played the demo and that is exactly why Big Fish provides the free demos. It keeps people like me from wasting money on a game that is impossible to play. So play the demo and see for yourself. This game might be your cup of tea.
Paradise Retreat
Complete a variety of puzzles while exploring lovely beaches. Can you solve this mystery!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 28 found this review helpful
NO FRILLS HOG
PostedJanuary 15, 2020
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This is a great game for people who like HOS after HOS with no adventures and other distractions in between. It is hard to find games like this that are really a Hidden Object game as opposed to those games with the same designation where you have to play for an hour or more before finally coming to a HOS. You can play games like that for hours, even finish the game, and only run into a few HOS. I'll take games like Paradise Retreat over those kinds of games every day of the week.
In addition to being a game for hardcore HOG lovers, this game has other good things going for it. The graphics are crisp and bright and the objects are well hidden. I usually always play the untimed mode but after seeing that I was unable to get any of the extra trophies and only earning one star out of 3 for each scene, I tried to timed mode and found that I could easily finish the HOS and minigames well within the time limit. I finished the demo and this game is a definite buy for me and there's a big sale going on today, lucky me. Always try before you buy, of course, but this is a good, solid HOG.
In addition to being a game for hardcore HOG lovers, this game has other good things going for it. The graphics are crisp and bright and the objects are well hidden. I usually always play the untimed mode but after seeing that I was unable to get any of the extra trophies and only earning one star out of 3 for each scene, I tried to timed mode and found that I could easily finish the HOS and minigames well within the time limit. I finished the demo and this game is a definite buy for me and there's a big sale going on today, lucky me. Always try before you buy, of course, but this is a good, solid HOG.
I recommend this game!
Explore haunted realms, creating spooky mosaics and watching them come to life!
Overall rating
3
/
5
VERY HARD ON THE EYES
PostedDecember 27, 2019
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
The grids for this game are extremely small and I don't see any reason for it. The grids only occupy a third to a fourth of the background so there is plenty of room to make them bigger. In addition, the numbers are not marked off until you surround them with blank tiles. This makes the game very hard, leading to a lot of mistakes. I have had to retry some grids more than once because of these two reasons; hard to see the numbers so sometimes I don't realize what row/column I'm actually on and having to guess because the numbers are not marked off. I purchased the game but now I'm regretting it. I don't know if I will keep playing it or not. The level of frustration is stressful and I play games to relax. As always, try before you buy.
I don't recommend this game.
Get lost in the Christmas spirit with Christmasjong and enjoy unique mahjong puzzles!
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 20 found this review helpful
DIFFERENT GAME?
PostedDecember 18, 2019
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I must have played a different game than the one that was reviewed as being not very related to Christmas. From the tile sets, which included multiple types of Christmas trees, Santa Claus, various Kris Kringles, reindeer, lots of Santa Claus hats, etc., to the graphics surrounding the game board itself, I saw nothing but Christmas. I played the entire demo and played both styles of mahjong, matching pairs and matching tiles at the bottom of the board. I played the untimed version as I play to relax, not get stressed out trying to beat a clock. With these multiple ways of playing, as well as many different board layouts, there is a lot of variety built into the game. The graphics are crisp and very colorful. This is a solid, seasonal mahjong game that I recommend. But always try before you buy, as everyone's tastes are different.
I recommend this game!
Join the Time Twins and friends on an exciting romp through history while solving challenging, multi-colored picross puzzles.
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
BEST ONE SO FAR
PostedDecember 11, 2019
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is a typical mosaic/griddler game with all the perks. One nice touch is the ability to unlock various types of mini-games using coins earned solving the grids. This keeps the play from becoming boring, as you can always switch to one of the mini-game types to break up the play. This game is better than the previous ones in the series. The graphics are better, more colorful and brighter. The grids are also larger and easier to see. Warning: the game's description of the difference between the Easy and Hard methods of play is incorrect. The Easy description says the numbers will be marked off immediately. That is not true. They will only be marked off once the blocks are set off by a non-colored block. This makes it a little harder to solve the grids than the Easy mode description makes it sound. I have played other mosaic games where, as soon as you color the last block in the series, the number is marked off, which is extremely helpful when you have a series of blocks with the same number, like a series of sets of 2. This is an enjoyable game that will provide lots of hours of entertainment.
I recommend this game!
Get in touch with your inner designer in this stylish Time Management renovation. A house is not a home until it`s a home sweet home!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
NOT ENOUGH TIME AND NO WAY TO EXIT
PostedDecember 9, 2019
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The time limit to build a design is way too short. And if you run out of time, your only option is to try again. There doesn't seem to be any way to get out of the build phase until it is finished. I had to use the task manager to get out of it, as, no matter how hard I tried, I could not get the design built in the time allowed. Why wouldn't you be allowed to go back to the design phase to change it to maybe better enable you to build the design in the time allowed? It is also hard to get a gold star for each design, which limits the items that can be used for future designs. Only with a gold star will all the additional design elements be added. This reduces the ability to meet the satisfaction meter for a given client which, in turn, reduces the score you earn for a design, which then reduces your chance to get a gold star. It is a vicious circle that makes the fun of this game go down the tubes and the frustration level go out the roof. Be sure you try before you buy, as I had only played about 45 minutes of the demo when I ran into this problem and had to use the task manager to end the game to get out of it. This is a terrible game but could be fixed easily by providing an untimed option.
I don't recommend this game.
Keep your eyes keen and your reflexes nimble through a journey of good fortune with Lucky`s Rainbow!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
NEEDS AN UNTIMED OPTION
PostedNovember 23, 2019
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I really liked this game. The theme of the game is windmills in Ireland. It is a unique match 3 game using a revolving circle as the grid. Matches are not made by sliding tokens, but by placing tokens into the grid from a list at the side of the board. There is a penalty for picking up a token that cannot be placed to make a match of 3 or more. It must go into the recycle bin which triggers several (5?) of the slots to turn from glass back to steel or wood, requiring them to be cleared again. There are power-ups and extras that can be earned during game play. For instance, if the circle completes a full revolution in either direction, a bonus is awarded. To get the circle to rotate, matches must be made on one side, changing the grid slots from steel to wood to glass. As the slots change, the weight changes, causing the circle to rotate. To win, all slots must be changed to glass.
Unfortunately, I was only able to play a few of the first grids, as I could not clear the grids in the time allowed. Of course, this is not apparent in the demo, as that play does not last long enough to get into the grids that are harder or have less time allotted. So I purchased a game that I could not play. This could be a great game if not for that. So do I recommend this game, knowing that many will also be unable to beat the clock and therefore waste their money by purchasing it? I will neither recommend nor not recommend and hope that potential purchasers will read my review and be forewarned. IMHO, all games should come with an untimed option, as many of us play for relaxation and trying to beat a clock is not a relaxing pursuit.
Unfortunately, I was only able to play a few of the first grids, as I could not clear the grids in the time allowed. Of course, this is not apparent in the demo, as that play does not last long enough to get into the grids that are harder or have less time allotted. So I purchased a game that I could not play. This could be a great game if not for that. So do I recommend this game, knowing that many will also be unable to beat the clock and therefore waste their money by purchasing it? I will neither recommend nor not recommend and hope that potential purchasers will read my review and be forewarned. IMHO, all games should come with an untimed option, as many of us play for relaxation and trying to beat a clock is not a relaxing pursuit.
Join Prince Jack in his journey to the edge of the world to rescue the stolen bride and save the world from an ancient curse!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
CAN'T WIN FOR LOSING
PostedNovember 18, 2019
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
As most games, this one started out fairly easy then became so hard that it was impossible for me to progress. I purchased it based on the demo, where, obviously, I didn't get far enough to realize just how hard the game would become. Conditions are set for winning 3 possible stars for each layout. You must earn X coins in X steps for each star. There are power ups available that have to be purchased using stars earned, and certain ways to play the game that help you earn more coins. At level 17 I hit the wall. It appears that at least one star (maybe two, I really don't know for sure) has to be earned or the next layout can't be played. I must have played level 17 over 5 or more times, thinking I was playing a different layout each time, without getting a single star. Upon returning to the map, it showed that I had been playing the same level over and over again. This requirement of earning at least one (or two?) star was not included in the instructions. In addition, nothing was said about how to use the power ups, only how to purchase them. I managed to purchase a couple of power ups, but could never figure out how to actually use them. This, IMHO, is a poorly designed game with bad instructions and unattainable goals.
I don't recommend this game.
The Seven Chambers
Piece together past lives through an intriguing narrative while solving challenging and cleverly crafted puzzles!
Overall rating
2
/
5
23 of 28 found this review helpful
EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING
PostedNovember 13, 2019
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played the demo using the easiest difficulty setting, Novice, and I still ended up having to use the hint more than I liked. First, this game needs a map; lots of my hints were used just to try to find a location that I could play. And this was after scrolling my pointer over the screen repeatedly looking for some indication of something to do. Second, the hints themselves were not that helpful. There was so much trial and error, that I started looking for a strategy guide or a walkthrough. When a game is this unclear as to how to play it, I don't need to waste my time on it. There are a lot of other games that have logical gameplay that provide far more entertainment.
I don't recommend this game.
Hazel is back in a new Home Designer adventure and she’ll need help turning her client’s home into a fabulous place to live!
Overall rating
3
/
5
EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS
PostedNovember 4, 2019
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I liked this game, the structure and objectives, and the different types of play it offered. I purchased and played it for several hours over a long period of time. I finally gave up on it and uninstalled it because of the time constraints. If ever a game needed an untimed option, this is it.
The grids became harder as the game progressed and I finally reached the point where I was unable to complete them within the time allowed. I continued to replay the same grid until finally it became easy enough for me to finish within the time limit. This is not my idea of having fun and enjoying a game. I finally decided that the time I spent replaying the same grid over and over again could better be used to play a different game that I enjoyed more. Don't be fooled by the demo; it seemed reasonable to me, which is why I purchased the game.
The grids became harder as the game progressed and I finally reached the point where I was unable to complete them within the time allowed. I continued to replay the same grid until finally it became easy enough for me to finish within the time limit. This is not my idea of having fun and enjoying a game. I finally decided that the time I spent replaying the same grid over and over again could better be used to play a different game that I enjoyed more. Don't be fooled by the demo; it seemed reasonable to me, which is why I purchased the game.
I don't recommend this game.