alsteele28's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.2
- Helpful Votes:1,950
- Reviews Submitted:209
- First Review:August 5, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 22, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Help your pizza restaurant become the most popular in town in this exciting Match-3 game with a twist!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Bad translation
PostedJanuary 17, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This game is no good if you have never played the 'turn all squares the same colour' genre of match 3 games. As others have said I was 'fumbling in the dark' for a while as I didn't know that I was suppose to do this. Also the translation was not good and neither was the the spelling. In one of the first 'pop-up's' there had spelt whole as 'wohle' which didn't look very professional. English was bad and it seemed like someone with an elementary understanding of English (and grammar) had translated. This didn't make for a pleasant experience.
The sound was good but that is about the only redeeming quality, as the rest of the game wasn't.
I can't recommend this game (unless you really have a 'credit to burn'
I don't recommend this game.
Let's get farming in this unique Hidden Object farming simulator hybrid! Harvest the perfect crop, sell it at the market and search the farm for treasures!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Help 'Grandpops' fight a shark
PostedJanuary 7, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game reminded me a lot of 'Tales of Lagoona' in that instead of an orphange you were trying to save you had to help out a little old 'gramps' from the nasty 'shark'. The game was good and reminded me of a cross between a traditional 'big city' or 'Antique Road Trip' HO game and harvest moon (for the DS). This is a cute game and tugs and like 'lagoona' tugged at the heartstrings (who could possibly say no to helping an old man in trouble!).
The HO scenes are not for people who perhaps are 'hard-core' HOPA fans, but even though I like that genre every now and again I like to diversify. As with lagoona the HO scenes allow you to collect the objects and then trade them in for 'cash' but quest items you keep.
The storyline is good (and frighteningly life-like), and there is plenty of strategy involved as to what crops to plant to yield most profit, and when to plant and when to 'purchase' upgrades.
All in all was a good game and I enjoyed the trial, and will definitely purchase given that it is on a 'new year' offer.
Good sound, music and VO. Try it, it might make a farmer out of you :)
Push your detective skills to the limit in a fantastical faraway land and find a prince's lost love.
Overall rating
5
/
5
36 of 43 found this review helpful
Modern Cinderella
PostedJanuary 6, 2013
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is by one of my favourite game companies 'Elephant' thus for me the game was going to be at least a 'try-out' having tried the game I am definitely going to purchase, but I am glad I waited for the SE and not paid the extra for the CE.
When the CE edition came out it was an ideal Christmas Game (plays out like a twist on the Cinderella story), even now when the SE edition has come out, we are only just out of the season (and the ethos of the tale can be a year round parable).
Having played the trial version of both the CE and SE I have decided upon purchasing the SE. The reason being I don't usually manage to get all the 'origami' (or other collectables that you need to unlock the bonus), the ending as another review pointed out is 'sound' in this version and also you do get VO and the ability to collect the 'pictures' (though again I doubt I will collect all 30 or so.
The only reason I usually buy the CE is because of the lack of VO which to me helps to drive the story better than reading the text, it is like a story-book being bought to life. Though recently I have noticed in Elephant games they are keeping the VO in the SE edition, so for me I would rather save my cash and purchase the SE edition (so I can purchase more of their games.
The cynic in me wonders whether this is the reason they have done this :)
Recently I have 'upped' my skill level from intermediate to advance, thus no clues or hints. This therefore does pose occasional problems with regards to some of the puzzles (remember no skip in advance).
The story is good and traditional and one that most will know. The VO is good and the graphics are sharp and the music is well-suited to the game.
The puzzles are good and innovative, with some that I have not seen before and twists on others.
I would definitely recommend this game especially now when there is a 'new year sale' on.
I recommend this game!
Can you master the tongue of King Oddball? End the world in this compelling and easy to learn skill based physics puzzle game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
24 of 34 found this review helpful
Angry Birds clone
PostedDecember 31, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is Angry Birds in all but name. If you liked the aforementioned game then you will love this. The 'pigs' are now tanks and the 'bird' is the oddball.
Not being an Angry Bird fan (probably one of the few), then I am not really a fan of this, thus this game is not a keeper for me, I imagine it will do well though it being a 'clone' of the infamous Angry Birds.
I don't recommend this game.
Relive the great moments of the creation of the legendary Titanic and be a part of its incredible story!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Exactly like all the others
PostedDecember 29, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is exactly like all the others in the series, from the building, to the gathering, to the recruiting, everything is the same. The only difference of course is the 'history' lesson. In that this is about the Titanic. The information is good and as it is 'bite-size' chunks it is accessible to all. If you like the others in this series then you will be 'right at home' if on the other-hand you found them tedious and boring then this isn't the game for you.
Alternatively if you just want to know about the Titanic and how it was built, then this is better then any 'boring' history book (IMHO)!
It is worth noting though that soundtrack is good and reflects the country where the Titanic was built (Belfast, Ireland) and as such a suitable Irish Jig was playing in the background, this was not unpleasant and I even turned my volume up slightly as it was (for me) very pleasing.
Alternatively if you just want to know about the Titanic and how it was built, then this is better then any 'boring' history book (IMHO)!
It is worth noting though that soundtrack is good and reflects the country where the Titanic was built (Belfast, Ireland) and as such a suitable Irish Jig was playing in the background, this was not unpleasant and I even turned my volume up slightly as it was (for me) very pleasing.
I recommend this game!
Help a Big Brain Wolf become the genie he`s always wanted to be! Solve clever puzzles to succeed in this hilarious game.
Overall rating
1
/
5
24 of 44 found this review helpful
Swearing and illogical
PostedDecember 29, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This game is not one for children (or any 'normal' adult), I am not stupid (well according to my IQ score), but this game has no logic to it whatsoever, the game is obscure (and depending on what your 'standards' are there is profanity in the game, which I was not advised before-hand, the company it seems to me can only have comedy if there is profanity involved (I am not a prude, but I think it is remiss of BF not mention this as i could have quite easily been playing with children (not to developers you CAN have comedy without profanity). Classics include Monkey Island, Feeble Files, to more modern ones right here on BF
The game was not for me, the puzzles were a bit illogical and didn't seem to flow, I tried following the instructions but they are 'obscure' to say the least and it doesn't seem to flow correctly for me.
There is elements there to make this a really good game, but because of the profanity and the illogic of the puzzles and game-play I can't give it more than I have (one star).
I don't recommend this game.
Embark on an epic journey across the Chinese Empire and build the greatest structure known to mankind - The Great Wall of China - in this exciting time management game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Not sure!
PostedDecember 28, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Having played 30 minutes of the 1 hour trial, I don't think this is going to be a 'keeper' for me. I have heard others say that this is akin to the Royal Envoy series and to a certain extent they are correct (and possibly also the 'build-a-lot' series of games as well), what kind of put me of this game though was that every level you had to build a wall, and complete other tasks (such as collecting statues etc). This is all well and good but to me there doesn't seem any point to it as with the Build-a-lot series you advanced houses and you had varying tasks the further on in the game you went. With this every level the main task was to build a wall, I didn't feel I was progressing or that there was any advantages to completing the levels, so in the end I didn't and quit out of the game.
I thought it might have been akin to the 'Monument Buildings' series of games in that your task was to build the 'Great Wall of China' and you would get historical background as well, but alas this was not to be the case (though the graphics were a lot more rendered and professionally done than the 'Monument' series.
I thought it might have been akin to the 'Monument Buildings' series of games in that your task was to build the 'Great Wall of China' and you would get historical background as well, but alas this was not to be the case (though the graphics were a lot more rendered and professionally done than the 'Monument' series.
If you like Royal Envoy and the Build-a-lot series of games then this is certainly worth trying, just bear in mind that the one recurrent goal in each of the levels is to build a wall.
Travel back in time and relive the building of the Statue of Liberty!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
Nice Historical TM
PostedDecember 28, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I liked this. As others have said it is 'child-friendly' in that the game-play is 'child's play' and there are no 'dark themes'. This will be a good edutainment game for children who are learning about buildings and famous monuments at school as the historical information is factual as well as easy to digest.
As others have said there is a lot of 'horse-wagon' clicking and the graphics are not exactly 21st century, but for a game like this I don't think that particularly matters. For me this was like a history lesson wrapped up in a solid TM.
Whilst this review is based on the PC trial version, I have tried the 'Eiffel Tower' version on the IPAD and personally think that this game is possibly more suited to that version as you have a bit more intimacy within the game-play that somehow works better with this game. Failing that though if you want a history game, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about the Statue of Liberty then I would heartily recommend getting this game (or at least giving the trial run a punt).
As others have said there is a lot of 'horse-wagon' clicking and the graphics are not exactly 21st century, but for a game like this I don't think that particularly matters. For me this was like a history lesson wrapped up in a solid TM.
Whilst this review is based on the PC trial version, I have tried the 'Eiffel Tower' version on the IPAD and personally think that this game is possibly more suited to that version as you have a bit more intimacy within the game-play that somehow works better with this game. Failing that though if you want a history game, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about the Statue of Liberty then I would heartily recommend getting this game (or at least giving the trial run a punt).
I recommend this game!
Dr. Sigmund Fraud has been released from the asylum, and is up to his old tricks. Help Detective Ravenwood track him down!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Whimsical Horror
PostedDecember 23, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I know the title might seem a contradiction but the style of the graphics is kind of like a horror version of 'Alice in Wonderland' or some other slightly surreal story.
This is one of the rare occasions that BF have put a warning with regards to the content of the story (not done enough in my opinion given some of the games that have dark themes), and this warning should be heeded.
The story-line is dark but if you keep in context it is a game (like the Omen series was just a film), then you will I think be OK. I think the fact that the 'shrink' is a real life name and the main character is a child may to some be seen as a bit 'to near the bone'. To me though yes it is very psychological and the subject matter is not something you want to think about, but as the graphics are surreal then you can just about retain the fact that you are in a 'game'. To me though even though the graphics were surreal it enhanced to the game-play in that it all added to the story so whilst the graphics weren't realistic, they were right for the story and carried it through.
The actual game-play was takes on HO, in that there was some standard HO (find random objects), but others included finding a certain number of items (such as bones etc), this added variety to the game play and also unlike in some games where the HO's were there just because the producer of the game had decided that this was of the HO genre and to stick random HO scenarios in actually carried the story.
The music as in games of this genre helped carried the story, even though it was a bit 'creepy' at times it carried the ambienance of the story and in my opinion needs to be left on.
Even though the subject is dark and the graphics are whimsical (and perhaps not as well done as others even in this genre), I still think if you have like Haunted Hills games and others of that ilk it might be worth the free hour trial.
But heed my warning DON'T PLAY THIS JUST BEFORE BEDTIME, as you will probably have nightmares!
I recommend this game!
Virtually crime-free, the Topley Police Department's statistics for solving crimes are... embarrassing. Turn the department around!
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 15 found this review helpful
An 'arresting' solitaire game
PostedDecember 23, 2012
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I think I have found my new 'fairway'. The aforementioned game is my benchmark for this style of game. Whilst it is not quite as quirky (commentary wise) as this game it did hold my interest owing to the silliness of it all the 'crimes' were plain ridicules but that is part of the 'charm' for me.
Even though the game stated that it had three different levels of difficulty I was not able to see this as I played on the hardest setting and managed to get perfect first time on most and just took me two or three attempts on others, so I couldn't understand the differences in the difficulty levels (admittedly I didn't try the others), having said that if this is just a 'random' card game then surely they should not really be differing skill levels then does that mean that it is not a truly random game?
There is a 'wild card' feature in the 'wheel of misfortune' which can produce a positive or negative result.
You gain promotions the further on the game you play and these then reward you with features such as 'undo' (there is probably more the further you go but I am basing this review on the hour free trial).
An addition to this (from Fairway), is that you can get 'combo bonuses' not only from linking several cards together but also for things like matching cards quickly and getting a 'house' on one turn (not actually achieved this yet so don't know what the bonus is for this), but it keeps your interest on what could possibly be a 'bog-standard' solitaire game.
If you like this type of game it is well worth the hour trial, but are you really going to let the 'baddies' get away after this?
I recommend this game!