ecblisa's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:3,199
- Reviews Submitted:76
- First Review:February 3, 2012
- Most Recent Review:August 10, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Enroll at Word U and spell words to get rid of the letters that are overrunning the library!
Overall rating
5
/
5
47 of 49 found this review helpful
Definitely not for kids -- just keep playing!
PostedApril 12, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I've played this game three times now, each time to an ignominious end at around level 23. (By that, I mean that I had moves left, but no place to make them.#
The game is deceptively simple: Just make horizontal or vertical words by moving one letter one space #later you get power-ups that are devilishly difficult to use really well#.
That simple start leads to a cross between word games and match-3 games, in that some of the letters turn into burning tiles #you cannot exchange them, but they do drop#, and then also stone tiles #you cannot exchange them, and they do NOT drop#. By the time you get to level 20 or so, the difficult tiles completely control your game, because you have to get rid of them, or you will be stuck.
Once you've finished the game, you will realize that your entire strategy has to be not just to make words, but to make the best words and use the best strategy. I have gotten as far as I have only because I know many words kids don't know. #I think "stucco" is my highest scoring word so far, using two multiplier tiles.)
So, if you like word games, ignore the "it's for kids" judgments of people who played only a few levels. This one is actually serious work. OK, not as creative as some word games, but tough enough for experts.
I recommend this game!
Free the world of fairies from the grip of a dark magic in Alice and the Magic Gardens, a fun Match 3 game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
51 of 55 found this review helpful
Beware the timer! Otherwise nice.
PostedApril 4, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I reluctantly bought this game, because it has a timer that cannot be shut off, and I have physical problems that make working against a timer difficult. So far (middle of group 2 of levels), the timer has not been a major obstacle.
The game is rather fun, because different levels have different goals, and different obstacles (spiders that make boxes unmovable, worms that eat your fruit, and worse to come). So it's not like every level is the same. The bonuses are worth getting and well explained. The story is brief, but building the garden adds a nice dimension.
There has been such a dearth of Match-3 games lately, that I recommend this one in spite of the timer. It is a bit different and a fully-fleshed-out game. For me, it is a challenge because of the timer, but speed-addicts will probably find it not enough of one.
One nice aspect is that the game tells you when there is something new to buy. You do not have to keep checking, only to find there is nothing new in the store.
I recommend this game!
A long time ago, the Dacians asked their gods to hide their treasures. Now, you have been chosen to find the treasures!
Overall rating
4
/
5
50 of 51 found this review helpful
Love this game after having played half of it
PostedMarch 6, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is one of those games we see a fair number of in the Match-3 genre, where the beginning turns you off, but then the rest turns out to be very good. for some reason the developers love slow, rather boring starts.
This is a hex-cell game, so a little more tricky than a square-cell game. The power-ups are slow to come, but they are very nice when you get them. There is a tutorial level for each pop-up power-up, and an explanation of each clickable power-up (those refill with a particular color token). Obstacles are the usual, ice, chains, rocks, and such, with each having one or more appropriate power-ups. Because obstacles are multiple at higher levels (double-iced, triple chained cells, and many of those), you have to work hard to clear the board.
Things you will like: There is a timer, but it only controls scoring, you do not lose the level because of time. Once you get the "more time" powerup, making "gold" time becomes much easier. The powerups are easy to use and the obstacles are explained. The game gets harder at a pretty good pace once it gets going. Thought definitely matters in attacking a level.
Things you might not like: To switch two tokens, you have to click and slide. Clicking on each will not work. This can be hard for some people, others love it. Some will not like the graphics -- although I did. I had some technical problems with the HOG scenes at the end of the chapters. Some of the hot spots did not seem to work. Not a big deal for me, because the scene is skippable.
All in all, this turned out to be a very addictive and satisfying game.
I recommend this game!
Step into a time tunnel and experience Luxor like never before in Luxor Evolved!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 24 found this review helpful
More Arcade than Match-3 Marble Popper
PostedMarch 1, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I agree that people will either hate of love this game. It is more of a shoot-em-up arcade game than a match-3 or traditional marble popper. Sadly, it runs too fast for my old arthritic hands, much as I enjoyed the early levels.
I do want to say, though, that the concept seems neither flawed not old-fashioned. If you are a fast shooter who can move a mouse quickly to capture the falling goodies, I would think this would be a very fun game to play. The graphics are original and seem to make targeting easy.
I recommend this game!
Epic Slots: Rock Hero
Guide your band from obscurity to the top of the charts in Epic Slots: Rock Hero! Spin the reels and earn fans!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
A fairly good slot game
PostedFebruary 17, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I hate to admit I buy slot games, but they fill a space in my head that sometimes needs mindless playing.
This one is not bad, but also not particularly interesting. By that I mean that there is only one graphic screen, no variations, only one set of characters for the wheels, and apparently only one type of super-bonus (playing a "gig" at a venue).
Still, it is somewhat different from other slot games, and the music, while it takes some time to get to the next track, is interesting, and apparently written for the game.
Given the dearth of games that are not some variety of IHOG or AHOG, I found this one to be a decent buy.
I recommend this game!
Build up Birds Town using incredible powerups, gorgeous gems, and more in this incredibly fun Marble Popper game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
138 of 161 found this review helpful
For people who love marble poppers, not arcade games
PostedFebruary 3, 2012
ecblisa
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
In part, I am responding to earlier reviews here. Mainly: this is definitely not just a kids' game.
This is my absolute favorite marble popper game, with lots of replay value.
I admit I'm old and arthritic, but I still love this kind of game. So, having those birds march on majestically #at least at first# with lots of opportunities to use strategy rather than just speed enchants me no end.
Major plus factors for me: Endless opportunities to replay a level you can't easily win #several of those for me#; power-ups in the game screen, not something you have to click on separately; and very interesting layouts, including very devious obstacles.
The birds start marching slowly, but two things happen as you advance: they move more rapidly, and there are ever so much more of them that keep coming. I have come within one bird of winning an advanced level every so often.
I highly recommend this game to anyone who likes marble poppers but isn't young or able enough to do the very fast ones. Plenty challenging for us, without being condescending.
Oops, got to go play another few levels . . .
I recommend this game!