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:
A dark spell forces Zeus to forget his own children! Help the kids of Hellas in this time management quest!
Overall rating
5
/
5
41 of 45 found this review helpful
Genuine TM fun and strategy
PostedOctober 30, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is made by Jetdogs who make the "Hercules" series, and it's quality just shines through. Wonderful graphics, smooth gameplay where characters almost glide to the spot on the first click, and plenty to think about in terms of best strategy.
There are three levels of play, relaxed, normal, and difficult. As an intermediate player I find normal perfect, but it's good to see the experts are catered for also. There is a strategy guide too.
There is the usual TM needs to do, build and upgrade buildings, rescue workers (who are kids this time), and gather resources. And as it's a jetdogs game..find the puzzle piece!
The graphics are outstanding, and each time I opened a level I found myself totally consumed with figuring out my strategy. Looking for workers, looking for sheep who provide a golden fleece resource, and the utility buildings (kitchen, mines, workshop) And in this game also a fountain of mana, which automatically refills your bonus bar. Just as valuable to give you control as any amount of gathered stock.
The bonuses are run fast, speed up building, extra worker, extra resource. (so far)
One new feature I really enjoyed was trying to get to something with a patrolling minotaur near it. You must time your run, or get what is similar to an electric shock sending you back.
This is TM at its best and I am sure you will find it enjoyable for the eyes too. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Help the Romans and the Britons defeat the Filth in this exciting strategy adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
92 of 101 found this review helpful
The 'trilogy' lives on.
PostedOctober 23, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a great build, gather and 'where to next ?' game. If you have ever played the Atelantado series you will recognise this game. It is just broken down into small chapters with a timer (or relaxed if you like)
You must gather your resources, find hidden caches, build sawmills, fisheries, gold mines, quarries, and look after the needs of your workers, (and having enough of them to run your endevours by building enough houses, hiring wood and stone cutters etc) You are not limited in what you choose to build and where you place it mostly, only constrained by needing a particular building or resource to open up 'covered misted areas' and gold and granite mines have a designated spot.
You will need to destroy evil roots using mana resources in order to have enough room to build and expand your civilisation. There are also evil creatures who attack your buildings, and you must click on them until they retreat to their lairs, and eventually when you collect enough mana..you can destroy and get rid of them.
The skill is in the choices you make.. use the mana to destroy evil roots, thus expanding your 'territory' and building space, or use it to avoid such distractions?
You may have to complete quests along the way to move forward past a character who wants 'find 5 gems' or 'find five mistletoe'.. and you will have to hope you have opened up the right territories (left or right) to find them. (perfectly ok in relaxed mode..but when the timer is ticking..)
It is a fun and fabulous strategy meets TM game. I must admit that the challenge is strong. I had to revert to walkthrough to find 'all' the caches.
I enjoyed the wonder of 'where to build' and 'what is behind the mist?.. foes or resources?
Good value game.. enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Head the investigation team and help the Argonauts crack the case of the missing Golden Fleece in this fantastic time management adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
26 of 28 found this review helpful
Nice typical TM Game
PostedOctober 2, 2018
joybelle_1
fromAustralia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I wanted to give this game 5 stars but I couldn't due to the repetitive nature of the levels
This is a standard "upgrade' building collect resources TM game. I say upgrade because the resource buildings (food, gold, stone and wood) are already done. There are berry bushes to pick and other goodies along the road to add to your booty.
The graphics are very pleasant and probably what saves the game. Most levels require you to defeat various villians along the way to proceed such as minatours or ghosts, but even when a new 'villian' is introduced the gameplay is the same. There are bridges that require you to reach a switch lever to make them complete. Those who have played 'Hercules series' will know them, and similiarly there are times when you must free a goddess or character in order to defeat the villians also.
There are three levels of challenge, untimed, normal, and hard. I found playing on normal that the challenge was not very hard to get gold and the trophies rather hand fed to me. Still after the first ten levels, I was 'just' making it on normal, but without much stress or strategy required. I have not had to repeat.
I do recommend this game just because it is very smooth to play, and you can click ahead (even in front of some other obstacles) and also many things at a time when they are grouped. The bonuses (speed, +1, work fast etc) leave you with that great TM feeling of watching characters speed around your screen at a superfast rate.
I am smiling playing it, just because I simply love this genre. I didn't want to wait weeks to play it as an SE, and so I doled out the money for the CE. At the end of the day though, unless you are really into art or music as extras, I think this really is an SE with 10 extra levels (60) I could not find a strategy guide which is unusual but I had a pretty good search.
So a nice game, but not outstanding and probably better value as an SE unless you are like me and 'just have to have it now!'
I recommend this game!
When a notorious poacher steals every animal off a reserve, FEMA calls in the Rescue Team! Save the day in the time management rescue mission.
Overall rating
5
/
5
33 of 46 found this review helpful
Strategic Delight
PostedSeptember 29, 2018
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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
What a delightful series and another quality game. There is not a lot new in this game from others in the series but it is still one of the best strategy time management games ever.
The only totally new feature in this game from others is the arrival of an 'animal protector' who comes armed with cages and the ability to disarm traps then rescue and pick up animals after the 'vetinarian' has healed them .
There are resource buildings to erect, rocks to remove, lifts to repair, generators to get started, cranes to repair bridges, dynamite to find, people to rescue be it by the workers, helicopter or the Barry and Larry the dogs from the canine clinic. (who of course can search ruins for survivors too)
The graphics in this episode are wonderful, though not new in design, seem to have a lot of warmth in the surroundings and the cut scenes. Perhaps aimed at children a little more as there is a relaxed as well as multiclick and normal on timed. This would be a great one to start them on.
This game is however you play it.. HARD CORE. Whilst sometimes it is hit and miss sometimes what to build as you cannot see through some misty screens until you turn off the source, it still comes down to great timing when to demolish a building and replace it with something else. It is one of my delights with this game and I have found myself at times madly demolishing and erecting buildings just to boost what I need as they always give forth on completion!
There was only one negative. The tutorial! I became so annoyed as an experienced player that it made me follow its direction no matter what. There were times I would have held off picking up 'speed up' cards from the ground until another time, but it would not let me move on, and I found it quite disconcerting to have my cursor stopped frequently. I have not seen any way to turn it off?
This is Rescue Team at its finest. As yet I have not hit any fires or people who need to be kept warm, but I know they are coming from the bonus tools you can buy with your stars you earn. There is also Base Camp to build with your money.
I really love this game.
I recommend this game!
It's time for the lady of the castle to take charge in this thrilling time management adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
37 of 43 found this review helpful
All the fun you expect
PostedSeptember 19, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
An old friend and fiend have returned. This has always been a fabulous series and this one won't disappoint once your eyes get used to it and you familiarise what resources are most important
Gameplay is classic I.Drac. Lots of running around, building resource buildings, clearing the road, mixing potions and spells, and talking to many characters along the way.
I had a few reservations at first as it wasn't until level 12 that the background screen finally came out of the dark. I found the ambience a little hard to work with in that environment, including seeing what resources I needed as the box was transparent making it a little hard to see until you got used to it. The main strategy in this episode is with which buildings to head for and upgrade first. I had to repeat some levels just because I didn't get that right first time.
One new feature are altars that you cannot pass until you find the goods to make a destruction spell, and a mist that blocks the screen so you cannot proceed until you find those items also. There are spiderwebs you must craft an axe to remove or you are stuck yet again. So lots to think about and do.
The level of challenge is as usual, quite difficult and getting harder all the time, however for those familiar with the series you will know the speed you must work at. There are various 'speed up' bonuses. There is a relaxed mode, casual to line up tasks, and expert for those who 'REALLY' want it difficult.
This is classic fun and games with a now beloved series. This chapter has enough new things to wrap your head around even for those who have already got the full collection of games. And remember, this is an SE, there is no guide. I am actually enjoying that to be honest, makes me proud I worked it out myself. (at this early stage lol) A great game!
I recommend this game!
Travel back in time to the land of the pharaohs to stop an imposter from seizing the throne! It's all in a day's work for Sir John and Lady Mary.
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 55 found this review helpful
Strategy at it's Best
PostedSeptember 12, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love this series, and I love this game! I am only demo length in, but having such a good time putting my thinking cap on and loving every minute.
There is so far nothing greatly new in this game, there is mana, trees to chop, houses and watchtowers to build, workers to rescue and ghosts to send John to deal with. Mary has a set of chests which contain resources which is one new feature, and strategy is needed to know when to use your mana to open them, and when to leave them alone depending on your goals
There are three game modes, relaxed, normal and expert. I am playing on normal and have had to repeat two levels already and really plan my moves. I love it!
There are bonus puzzle pieces to collect, and you can check if you have picked them up by hovering your mouse over the swords on the map. There is a large list of achievements as well. You get to choose a bonus "blind' every few levels not really knowing which one will be more important.
This game is going to keep me busy for ages and satisfy my sense of achievement when I beat a level. Really its got a lot of extra bits for an SE.
Just wonderful even though it is an old familiar friend. It's not easy on timed, but that's just how I like it. Thanks BFG for two TM's in a row!
I recommend this game!
Venture beyond the kingdom and solve the riddle of an ancient pirate map in this exciting time management game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
47 of 53 found this review helpful
Just missing one thing, Strategy
PostedSeptember 11, 2018
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
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I dearly would have loved to give this game 5 stars, but I just couldn't due to the total lack of challenge.
Everything about this game is a delight, the characters, the story, the smooth gameplay, the wonderful graphics and the wonderful array of different tasks that must be done. Clear nasty plants, spider webs, bombs, build hunting lodges, wizards quarters, and storehouses which add resources.
In some ways it is a wonderful mixture of many TM games before it. Shades of Royal Envoy in the map and smoke hiding things, Hercules the way the resources are circled, and MKFP with the giant rock clearing.
It is unfortunately so easy as where the circles show available resources they also only take you exactly where you need to go. Anytime I thought "oh I need wood' there it suddenly was available. As soon as upgrades were shown, I learned I may as well do it because the game knows I will need that lol. I always finished the levels without any anxiety and time on the bar. One time I mistook my warrior for my wizard icon, and still had time to wander over, build the wizard home way after it told me and still beat the level.
It is a delightful game and such a shame it leads you everywhere. There is not one thing wrong with this game other than its TOO EASY.
I can't recommend it as a CE, because the main feature is always the strategy guide and you wont need it. There is music and wallpapers too.
For a beginner or young player this would be fabulous, but not for we TM players who thrive on strategic upgrades and direction choices. I do recommend the game if you are not chasing a challenge. I am still enjoying it just for the fun and relaxation, like chilling out with mindless match 3.
I recommend this game!
The elven queen and her husband face a new disaster and now must reclaim their crowns.
Overall rating
5
/
5
24 of 30 found this review helpful
Delightful fun and Challenge
PostedSeptember 1, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Yet another series with a long history. Although this game has all the familiar characters and gameplay we have seen before, the developers have added some new features and friendly eye pleasing graphics.
There are 3 different collectables on each level, and a strategy guide that shows them. A shard, a flower and our furry black friend that pops up and down to distract you from your tasks.
Having talked about the friendly and colourful look of this game, do not be fooled, you are thrown straight into putting your strategy cap on as to the order of upgrades and where to head off next. Any game that makes me repeat a level or two in the first ten, is a clever game! There is relaxed mode for less experienced players or those who wish to try a level first. I appreciate this so I am playing straight away and not held back for tutorial/game orientation in the first part.
The dialogue boxes (story) can be skipped, but the "how interesting' and "it shall be done' parts are with us as usual. I guess it alerts you that at least your character is on it's way.
Enough new features, graphics and collectables to just make this a wonderful, eye pleasing and challenging CE. It is both challenging and relaxing to play. Love it!
I recommend this game!
The King has disappeared with his entire retinue! Save the King and return prosperity to the kingdom.
Overall rating
3
/
5
42 of 48 found this review helpful
Just the same again
PostedAugust 28, 2018
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
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Oh dear, my beloved Gnomes Garden. What is happening to you? Well into the game I am almost becoming bored with it.
This series has never been known for outstanding graphics, but I believe they have actually gone backwards in this game. I found it very hard to distinguish the buildings and almost skipped building one as it just looked like a pile of wood. The graphics are rather cold rather than the whimsical ones of past games.
The characters are all there doing their jobs but named differently and whilst you get used to this, just renaming merrymakers (who do the same job) does not constitute a new idea really.Its just confusing.
I have not completed the entire game but half way through I am very glad this was offered on a half price sale, as it is certainly not worthy of CE status, and only art etc are the "extras'
I am always hungry for TM games, but this game was just a bit old and tired, and graphically inferior to what I am used to. It has become just a list of chores to achieve and all the fun feeling has really disappeared.
I will play the game and enjoy it on some level, but I cannot recommend it as a full priced CE. It is acceptable at an SE price.
There is a relaxed mode, which may invite this to become more of a children's or family game, but it would be too hard for youngsters to beat the timer I think.
This may be the last of this series I may purchase unless the developers update and actually start to improve the game each time. Not the worst TM around, but nothing exciting here. I am almost emotional at having to not recommend an instalment of Gnomes Garden after years of fun with the series.
I don't recommend this game.
Guide Hika-Ri and Kao-Ri on the adventure of their lives and enjoy countless hours of time management fun on the enchanted island of Tapa-Tui!
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 29 found this review helpful
Another gem
PostedAugust 22, 2018
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
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I bought the CE version of this game. Whilst there is not much new it is just a great game to play.
All the old Moai friends are here. The ghosts, the underwater light fish, the burning buildings, the locked lots, sick residents to heal, and plenty of manna
It really is a good mixture of the previous games with no one feature being dominant. If you are looking for something completely different, it probably isn't here, but the variations make it a bit like a bag of mixed lollies. And the timer is not too cut throat. The game runs smooth and fast.
All the Moai series are great quality games and this one is a little gem also. It's worth adding this one to your collection
I recommend this game!