joybelle_1's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:3,596
- Reviews Submitted:94
- First Review:January 13, 2015
- Most Recent Review:October 16, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Join Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table on a new match 3 adventure to restore peace!
Overall rating
3
/
5
20 of 24 found this review helpful
I already own too many of these games.
PostedAugust 27, 2019
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I must agree with the 'top reviewer's comments on getting the same game again. I too am glad to see the addition of a 'timed' mode, but I am getting very sick of getting games that are too much the same and often exactly cloned as previous offerings. This is becoming more and more prevalent with developers.
It is a good game! If you don't own others you are actually lucky because you get the improved first up. But only this addition of a timed option to add any novelty sets it apart from the others I already own to make me buy it.
I recommend this game!
Discover a sweet and magical world in this fantastic point and click adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
Some are better...but I like it!
PostedAugust 25, 2019
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
A standard click and find puzzle adventure, I am really enjoying it. The aim is to find and complete all the objects that appear when you click over the game screen, assemble them and then use them on other objects and machines.
I find the challenge top notch, and the hint system requires you complete a 'berry challenge' game to gain your next hint. And it's highly likely you will use it! I am becoming quite expert at the hint game lol! There is a fair amount of help on the internet also.
I did strike one problem. When I tried to play under a profile name, my game got stuck and wouldn't progress with moving back and forth between the first two screens. As long as I only play under the default name 'player' it works fine! I don't know if that means it is a 'one' play game considering it allows for other profiles? That has me baffled.
I only took a star off because it doesn't have the warmth or total wow factor of some others, but the graphics are pleasant, the puzzles puzzling, and its a great way to play a really relaxing brain workout if there is such a thing. A good little game if you enjoy this genre..
I recommend this game!
In this time management classic, stop a mad scientist who's replicating the most destructive forces in nature!
Overall rating
5
/
5
25 of 29 found this review helpful
Old, New and Borrowed..But still great fun!
PostedAugust 24, 2019
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Well what a surprise! This offering takes parts of the series from way back, has added some new, and has borrowed some styling and graphics from other games by the developers. It's still a game of rescue, repair, gather, build and search. And even though this is No 9 it is still a fun game to play.
What's New?
*Devices you must gather the parts and assemble
*Swarms of insects to be removed using the above
*A store to buy tools, dynamite, hydrating and warming drinks (and traders sometimes too)
*Sandstorms and lightening doing damage
*The old trick of quickly demolishing a buiding and rebuilding same one quickly to get ''that' resource again, HAS GONE! buildings ONLY produce on a timeline that's faster if you upgrade. No instant production.
An 'evidence' board collecting clues to solve the defeat of Evil
*Devices you must gather the parts and assemble
*Swarms of insects to be removed using the above
*A store to buy tools, dynamite, hydrating and warming drinks (and traders sometimes too)
*Sandstorms and lightening doing damage
*The old trick of quickly demolishing a buiding and rebuilding same one quickly to get ''that' resource again, HAS GONE! buildings ONLY produce on a timeline that's faster if you upgrade. No instant production.
An 'evidence' board collecting clues to solve the defeat of Evil
Whats Familiar?
*The myriad of situations and characters that present the scenarios of each level;
*Police, hospitals, robber types, boats, chairlifts, cranes, helicopters, gas leaks, and most others. The buildings are the same. Burgers, houses, petrol stations and wood.
*Buying bonuses with your earned stars.
*The myriad of situations and characters that present the scenarios of each level;
*Police, hospitals, robber types, boats, chairlifts, cranes, helicopters, gas leaks, and most others. The buildings are the same. Burgers, houses, petrol stations and wood.
*Buying bonuses with your earned stars.
What's old?
Those 'pesky' little wandering pets that need 'real' searching for sometimes!! Groan..but they do make it fun really..you have to watch your goal screen to see if you have them all rounded up.
Those 'pesky' little wandering pets that need 'real' searching for sometimes!! Groan..but they do make it fun really..you have to watch your goal screen to see if you have them all rounded up.
To me the graphics in this one don't come up as well as in the last game of the series, they are smaller, and only the crooks seem to have moved forward in quality.But I have to judge this game stand alone and in itself it rates as great fun and plenty of challenge.
There are three modes of play (inc relaxed), a strategy guide, acheivements and 20 bonus levels as a CE. Its great that a developer can still produce a fun game without boring us after many games of a series. We will all have our favourites, but this one is a great little game that wont disappoint once you get used to it. Enjoy
I recommend this game!
In this time management adventure, three princes compete for the hand and heart of the beautiful Princess Leya.
Overall rating
2
/
5
34 of 35 found this review helpful
Too much of a 'hot mess' for me
PostedAugust 20, 2019
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
No one likes to get a boring TM where you don't have to use your brains, but this one put mine on overload! Once it FINALLY loaded..there was so much tutorial dialogue that it was hard to take in.
In the gameplay (even though the interrupting princess had told me 'something about potholes') it took me ages to realise the obstacles in this game (straw, potholes etc) reappear but all you get told is 'no path' until you realise you must fill the holes AGAIN! (they don't change appearance you have to find which one!)
I did better on level 2 once I worked out where to buy the currency of 'chickens' (all food counts as chickens lol)..and I had realised I needed stones to open the chests, and who to get a key from to open the gate, and how to use the upgrades.. yada yada..and I got gold easily.
Level 3 however then introduced ghosts that can steal your stuff!! I actually play TM's for enjoyment and strategy and a bit of fun. This just left me anxious and puzzled a lot. A far cry from their first offering which was so easy as to be boring, the developers have gone to the other extreme here.
People who like to really stretch themselves may get to really like this, but for me its just too much brain input for no fun. I just cant be bothered with it.
I don't recommend this game.
A new and unforgettable time management adventure that has you visiting the Louvre, ancient Egypt and even Atlantis!
Overall rating
5
/
5
49 of 56 found this review helpful
Feel good Fun..Plenty to do.
PostedAugust 10, 2019
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The extraordinary can often overshadow the merit of the excellent. This game on its merits is not the 'greatest' TM ever made, but it really is a fabulous quality offering.
A standard gather resources, meet the goals, upgrade, build and explore. Even though there is not a great amount of difference in the gameplay to others in the series, the developers have made a great effort to give variety, thoughtful timing, good strategy and pleasant graphics. The gameplay is very smooth.
A few features different from the others in the series is that the tasks are not all shown at the start..just when you think you have finished with plenty of time..a new task pops up, and you need to hope you have not been neglecting any collections, or upgrades along the way in your view of how well you are doing against the timer. You really never know when you are 'quite finished'. I loved this.
There is also a bonus room Museum to restore with your level stars. One other very new feature is you are often taken aside during a level to explore a cave which has the major resources you need and then you return to the level to complete it. I think this adds to the fun factor.
There is of course the familiar play in this series, collecting a puzzle piece on each level for a jigsaw (which are well hidden in this one but you can go back and collect them anytime) The CE strategy guide also shows where they are. Achievements are shown on the map, and there are three levels of difficulty. Something for all.
At the end of the day it's a great little gem, and has the fun factor feeling of actually rushing around, using bonuses and strategy wisely and wondering what may be in store on each level and enough variety to keep your interest. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The Argonauts Agency experiments with a magical Midas glove and a hilarious blunder ensues!
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 19 found this review helpful
Finally a strategy guide! Otherwise..same old..
PostedAugust 3, 2019
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is a very standard clear the road, gather resources game which requires a small amount of strategy to achieve the goals of upgrading and gathering set for each level.
One unique feature of this game though is that unlike some others, you do not always need to clear the immediate resource in front of you to get to others. ie: you can walk past food to get to wood in order to upgrade something quicker or get a building operating. Most times if you don't use this ..you find it quite hard beat the timer.
One feature is a chest that fills up as you complete levels giving you a choice of three to get your bonuses. These only last a few levels before the disappear and you must 'lucky dip' for your next one.
I was very glad to see that in this offering they have at least provided a strategy guide (that's what reminded me I could skip ahead sometimes lol) A CE TM without one is not good form. There is a relax mode for those who choose so.
Despite that I am on the fence whether I recommend this game or not. There are plenty of levels, 50 plus the bonus chapter, but without any warmth to the characters or fun factor involved its hard to get immersed in it. You will need to apply strategy yes, but the tasks and the features are fairly mundane. So really as a CE you just get more levels of the same.
Its not the worst game around, and its ok as a filler in when you just need a new TM to play, but not a great offering. I don't see anything much added in this installment to the others. Can only recommend it as a CE if there is a really good sale on.
Try the demo. Some will love it, some will expect more. I did.
Try the demo. Some will love it, some will expect more. I did.
The adventure continues as the Fearless General Flavius with his detachment begin a perilous journey to end the Filth once and for all!
Overall rating
5
/
5
43 of 44 found this review helpful
Welcome back old friend. Such a winner!
PostedJuly 31, 2019
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
So excited to see one of the best quality SE Adventure TM games back for another installment. If you are familiar with the Atelantado Trilogy you will know what this game is like (but superior)
If you love a true adventure, a sense of the unknown, and a great strategy game, this is it. A game of gaining territory, building, seeking and looking after the size and variety of your settlement.
This installment is centred around Tolkien Elven folklore and the tasks take on a magical/druid like tone.
There are various modes of play from relaxed, easy, normal and hard. I learnt my lesson last time and am playing on easy so I have more time to look around for the hidden caches on each level. So it makes for a long lasting game when you go back to find them! (I like gold rings, but you do not have to find the caches to advance in the game)
I think the developers have shown their skill in this offering with new features as well as the familiar, the crisp graphics and the excitement factor, combined with extremely smooth game play. I usually skip the dialogue but I am finding it quite interesting this time around.
Please try the demo if you are not familiar with this series, for those familiar..this is yet another gem and even the best yet IMHO. Enjoy TM, Strategy and Adventure fans alike!
I recommend this game!
Step into the shoes of Confucius and learn more about the man whose teachings live on to this very day.
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 15 found this review helpful
So Zen there isn't even a timer
PostedJuly 30, 2019
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
If you are after a relaxing game that goes forever until you complete your goals and get the gold cup..this is for you.
I actually would have bought this game if it had a timer to add some challenge to it, just as some do like to choose relaxed mode for their own reasons. Without that choice, to me its just an excersise in meditation, and I cannot see the point of the gold cup, as there is no level map that shows your wonderful prowess. Well there is no need of course as you will never have to replay a level lol.
It is a gentle game where you get to build some sweet landscapes with your score loot, and a fellow that pops up with Confucius quotes..and then off you playing again endlessly.
I just really cant see the point of this game at all.
I don't recommend this game.
Stop a fuming pharaoh from ravaging an island paradise and send his mummified army scrambling for safety as you rebuild and defend your land!
Overall rating
5
/
5
69 of 73 found this review helpful
A gem of an SE
PostedJuly 17, 2019
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This was a great surprise! A gather, build, upgrade, hire workers TM but with good variety and swift strategic gameplay.
There are three modes of play, relax, casual and hard. I am having to scurry just to make it on casual.
There are achievements, a chest to find on some levels, and you must hire workers in this game and send them to work in what you build. (I often forgot to do this after I built and wondered why my goods were not forthcoming) You don't have to send anyone to pick them up though just cursor over them.
The gameplay is smooth, the challenge is very good and the only fault I can find is the graphics colour which takes you a bit to orientate to, and things don't stand out well. Also you can't skip the opening dialogue, but its over quickly.
But all in all I think its a fabulous offering for an SE and you wont be bored. Try the demo though always.
I recommend this game!
Dig into this deep match-3 expedition! Take a dive into the mine and search for your grandpa’s lost items as you help rebuild the town of Farnsbury.
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 41 found this review helpful
New spin on a favourite gamestyle.
PostedJuly 10, 2019
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Yes its similar to other games in this style. Most of the tiles will be familiar to those who have played Silvertale or the gameplay style similar of Paridise Quest or Vesuvia..but the features of those type of games have been switched and mixed around enough to call it a good effort at a new game.
Your time is spent down a mine looking for G'pa's satchel, and you cant go home without finding that and having explored most of the map to find the item that unlocks other boards where it probably is. You will also need to find talismans to get out of the exit or you will be stuck down below.
With the loot that you gather along the way you can sell at one shop and then go buy powerups and things at another (but you still need to charge them during play..a rip off really lol) and new goods are only offered if you also upgrade the shops with your own money and goods! I haven't opened all the shops yet..so I guess it will get more in depth also.
One new feature is your lamp (necessary for mining)..if you don't copy the sequences of matches listed to charge it..your playing field and your light decrease until you only have a tiny circle of light to work with. (clever) A bit like real mining!
To even get out of the mine, you must also find a talisman which may be hidden in 'puzzle mine' or on the board. You cant access the exit otherwise. You also need to buy plenty of keys open chests BEFORE you go down to play the level. (they are not discovered or found in this game)
To jump to a new part of the board you must also power up your 'dig' meter with spade tiles. Then you can just pick a spot on the map if it is charged and jump straight there. Absolutley nothing much in this game comes free other than the gems found in the dirt you dig or board opening items..
All in all I would say this is more challenging than many other games of this ilk.. Much is familiar here, and much is new. I am really enjoying it! Try the demo though!
I recommend this game!