Blue Stub - Web and Casual Game Reviews

Talismania Deluxe Review - Mythological Linking

Popcap Games has introduced a new puzzle game called Talismania Deluxe (download free demo here).  Developed by RocketJump Games, this Greek Mythology-themed game puts the player in the role of legendary King Midas, who must earn enough Gold to build various buildings on each level to help those less fortunate than him.

The Talisman game play is different than a typical "Match 3" game in that the player must rotate a set of objects on a grid to connect them between two Talismans, with the longer connections providing higher scores, as each object turns into a coin when the Talismans are connected.  Each level requires a certain score to clear it, and then the coins are used in an intervening cut scene to build the desired building on each level - finish the building and clear the level.

As is typical of games these days, there are two ways to play it, with 40 levels in each mode.  Talisman opens up in Story mode which does not have a time limit on it as the player learns how to deal with the various power-ups and perils that appear with each successive level (E.g. Evil Medusa freezes 2 objects per level if not eliminated, while the bonus $ object increases the amount of Gold in that level when used).  About 1/4 of the way through that mode, the player unlocks the Hero Mode, which is a much more fun and hectic timed version of the game for those looking for a little more action.  The help screens and tips are quite useful, and can be turned off when necessary.  The graphics and sound are cute, but very cartoony, and the cut scenes and mini-games between scenes add a little levity and break up the game play.

All in all, Talisman deserves credit for introducing a new type of game play.  On the other hand, it's not going to be as much fun as what users see from other game play types, so it will appeal to a smaller audience.

Verdict - an interesting new game style for those tired of Match 3 games, but not as appealing.  Try downloading it here

Similar Games

None - has unique game play

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Birds On a Wire Review - Good Fun

Birds on a Wire is an enjoyable Zuma-inspired game from Dayterium Entertainment (download free demo here).  Just when one thinks that this entire game genre has become too crowded, Birds comes along to remind you about what a well polished, fun, simple casual game can deliver to its users.

The game has a wealth of content, with 3 game play options and 250 levels per game, as well as a high score feature.  The gameplay is absolutely fun, with great sound effects, different ways to bounce your shots off the wall & objects, and a huge supply of power-ups and possible traps as the user advances levels.  The pacing is great, the soundtrack is solid, and the game should be a big winner for all age groups.  Buy this game.

Review - Totally worth trying if you  like the cateogry

Similar Games

Zuma Deluxe - download here

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Hidden Expedition: Titanic Review - Underwater Mystery Case Files

BigFish Games has released Hidden Expedition: Titanic (download free trial here), a new game that is essentially a spin-out or line-extension of its best-selling Mystery Case Files (MCF) game franchise.  The "I Spy" gameplay goal remains identical - pick out a set number of objects in a room before time runs out, with each level getting progressively more difficult to solve in the given time limit.

How is Hidden Expedition: Titanic different from Mystery Case Files?  Outside of the the different venue, it's pretty similar in look and feel, but with enough twists to keep most fans happy with the outcome.  For example, BigFish has added 2 different types of minigames at the end of each level, either a puzzle game or an I Spy game with silhouettes instead of actual objects.  In addition, the user has to solve 2-3 rooms in each stage, as well as the subsequent minigame, all before the oxygen tank timer runs out.  Asking for a Hint or clicking on the incorrect object both result in subtracted time from the oxygen tank, but you can often find an extra oxygen tank on each level to help you solve the puzzle.  That's a change from MCF where there are a set number of Hints on each level, and where there is no actual penalty for clicking on the wrong objects.

Hidden Expedition: Titanic is a beautifully produced game, with gorgeous sound effects and a highly detailed set of levels with nice graphical touches such as bubbles pouring out from the oxygen tank.  There is some educational information about the Titanic experience as you solve the levels, and a thin exploration-related storyline, but it's not really relevant to the game progression, nor is the idea that the user can find and collect gems along the way.  There are a total of 17 levels, and the game play seems to get harder in a natural way, giving a fair amount of experience for the money.

Verdict:  a very polished underwater extension to the best selling Mystery Case Files franchise - go download it here

Similar Games

Mystery Case Files: Huntsville - see review here and download it here
Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects - see review here and download it here 

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10 Talismans Review - Mystical Match 3

Nevosoft recently introduced a new Match 3 puzzle game called 10 Talismans (download free trial here).  Similar to other games in this genre, the player must swap tiles on 50 increasingly difficult levels in order to match at least 3 of them in a row, causing them to be removed from that level, and scoring points for different types of tile combinations.  Once the player has caused a tile to be removed at least once from every square on the screen before the timer runs out, the level ends, with a score awarded based on the time left on screen, as well as a total of the types of tiles that were removed.  Unlocking 5 screens gives the player a "talisman" such as a dragon.

What can one say about yet another game in this well-traveled genre?  10 Talismans is a well-polished game with all of the check-box features for the category.  It has 50 increasingly difficult levels.  It has a standard set of power ups (hammer to break up tiles, flashing tiles to explode large groups of near-by tiles, etc) and perils (locks that must be broken or tiles which must be hit twice to be eliminated, etc).   It has 2 modes, a timed Classic one and a relaxed Timeless one.  It has truly beautiful graphics with great special effects when you trigger large combinations, and it has a wonderful Far East-style soundtrack.  There is nothing wrong with this game, but there isn't a lot that's new either.

Verdict - a solid, beautiful Match 3 game.   If you love the genre, download it here.

Similar Games

Big Kahuna Reef 2 - see review here

The Da Vinci Code - see review here

Tino's Fruit Stand - see review here

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Big Kahuna Reef 2 Review - Ocean Match 3 Fun

Reflexive Entertainment has released Big Kahuna Reef 2: Chain Reaction (download free trial here), the sequel to last year's best selling game.  This is a Match 3 game where the user must swap icons on a board to produce at least 3 in a row, causing them to be eliminated from the screen and scoring points.  The boards get more complex as the game progresses, and power-ups and additional perils are introduced.  Although this is a classic design, BK2 is a great example of how developers can still offer a compelling puzzle experience in the midst of a sea of similar games.

There are over 750 levels in BK2 and the game offers the ability to download/trade additional levels over the Internet, so there is a huge amount of gameplay here, with ever increasing difficulty levels, but also lots of creative options, such as a Mah Jong level.  What also makes BK2 stand out is the addition of the fish discovery mode where the user can unlock special fish as he/she progresses, making the program into a rich underwater screen saver, incorporating the newly unlocked fish.  The players can take turns playing levels with a "Hot Swap" option, and both Relaxed and Timed options are available.  Although the PC system requirements are quite low, the graphics are beautifully done and the sound fits in well too.

Verdict - a worthy sequel with a lot of great gameplay - buy it or try it here

Similar Games

Jewel Quest - download free trial here
Bejeweled 2 - download free trial here

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Fashion Fable Review - Match 3 Meets Dress-Up Dolls

Indie Game of the Week

Fashion Fable (download free demo here) is a new game from a casual indie developer called Creatrix Games.  This Match-3 game introduces the concepts of fashion and dress-up dolls (following the theme of our Meez avatar concept) in order to spice up the overall game play.

As expected, the play concept is that the player needs to match 3 similar pieces in order to eliminate those pieces from the board.  The key twist here is that there are a set number of "Imps" which need to be part of those matches in order to finish the board - you just can't keep matching random combinations since time will run out unless the Imps are dealt with.  The complexity and size of the game arena expands along with the 60 levels of the game, giving a fair amount of gameplay.

This game starts slowly, looking like a typical clone of other similar games, but it develops its own character as you play further.  The Imp concept can be a little frustrating when you're stuck trying to eliminate the last one, but it adds a new dimension to the Match 3 genre.  In addition, the Dress Up Doll functionality will appeal to a variety of users since the user can accumulate coins in each round to purchase more items to outfit the main character in a wide variety of options (are there no male ones?).  On the other hand, it would be more interesting if players could do something with the resulting dolls, such as upload them to a web site or compare them to others who played the Fashion Fable.

The graphics are a little simple, but they provide their own character, and the Sound effects are just fine for a game of this type.  The help function works well when you're stuck, and the player can purchase power-ups along the way to help finish each round, such as the ability to extend the time limit if it's getting close to the end. 

Verdict - A twist on the Match 3 concept - worth trying if you like the genre.

Similar Games

Bejeweled 2- download free demo here

Jewel Quest - download free demo here 

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Babel Deluxe Review - Desert Word Games

Zylom has released a new word game called Babel Deluxe (download free trial here).  This is a game category which has received less attention in the past year as casual games have gotten more sophisticated, but which still has a certain appeal for those looking for relaxing brain teasers.

Babel Deluxe has a desert-style Ali Baba design, with the goal being to solve enough world puzzles that the player can raise the size of the Babel tower to ever higher heights - score badly in consecutive games, and the tower will tumble into the sand.  The game starts with a basic set of word puzzles (e.g. remove letter to create another word, match words that have passed by as a memory exercise), and the player can unlock another 20 of them over the course of the game by reaching certain cumulative levels of point scoring.  The graphics are extremely simple, and the soundtrack is fairly basic, but the gameplay is stimulating in a "Brain Games" way, especially as the pace picks up later in the game.  In addition, the game intelligence is fairly smart, allowing the user to create a wide set of words out of the dictionary to win some of the games.

Verdict - a clever set of word-based brain teasers

Similar Games

Bookworm Deluxe - download free trial here

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Mahjong Escape - Ancient China Review

Playtime Games recently released Mahjong Escape - Ancient China (download free trial here), a highly enjoyable version of the ancient game of mahjong.  This game offers 2 versions - a classic solitaire one, and a newer casual-style one with 5 different power ups and a story line going through 11 different dynasties, each with different graphics.

Mahjong Escape is a great game for new mahjong players.  It has a Hint option (costs points to use it) and a Shuffle option if the player gets stuck, and the player can also turn on and off the "Free tile" option to change the game difficulty.  There are 15 different backgrounds, and the look of the tiles can even be changed in the Options menus, but the music gets a little tiresome after a period of time.  The classic version offers 125 different layouts, enough to satisfy any veteran player.  This is an addictive and relaxing game, with very few faults - it's good to see companies like Playtime continuing to improve and interpret classic game formats like Mahjong to introduce them to a wider group of players.

Verdict - a wonderfully done Mahjong game for both new and veteran players.  Try it here

Similar Games

Mahjong Endless Journey - download free trial here

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Ocean Express Review - Tetris Meets Ports of Call

Hipsoft recently introduced an interesting new puzzle game called Ocean Express (download free trial here).  It's a Tetris/Tringo-style game where the player needs to place different puzzle pieces into a wide variety of puzzles, with the goal of correctly placing all of them without leaving any orphaned holes in the puzzle.   The entire game is done in a shipping metaphor so that the user is packing ships with cargo, where each puzzle piece is worth a certain amount of money to the overall monetary goal for that level - if you can't place the piece, dump it into the water to make room for the next ones.  Succeeding levels can be unlocked using tokens gained in each round, and the new locations (e.g. San Francisco, Seattle) each bring a new special puzzle piece into the game.  There is a timer involved to keep the pace up, and different types of bonuses come into play in later rounds.

This is a simple, but fun puzzle game which, similar to Shopmania (see review here), adds the puzzle element to an existing game metaphor.  What's most interesting is the idea that users can create their own puzzles with a really easy tool that comes with the game - these puzzles can then be played locally, or even better, uploaded to a server where they are shared with other players.  It's a great way to keep the game fresh and Hipsoft should be commended for making the process very straightforward.  In addition, your score easily uploads to a high score chart where you can see a set of charts about how other players have done - is a nice touch.  The shipping-style sounds (foghorns, bells) are nice, although the general music soundtrack could be a little higher budget.  Graphics are pretty simple, but the scenes between levels are nicely built.

Verdict - fun puzzler with the added ability to constantly update the puzzles - download here

Similar Games

Shopmania - see review here

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Tropix Review - A Melange of Casual Games

Gamehouse recently published a fun tropical-themed puzzle gamed called Tropix (download free trial here).  Tropix doesn't have much of a plot line, but is focused on a monkey playing a wide range of simple casual games in order to win enough "Sand Dollars" to move on to the next island where your monkey can enjoy itself even more.

The game has simple versions of a Luxor-style game, a Zuma-style game, a vine-swinging game, Sudoku, Solitaire, bowling, and a few more, all with a successively harder levels, power-ups, greater threats, and chances to win more Sand Dollars.  None of the games are as deep as a full version would be of each game, but they're pretty long, and a lot of fun to play if the user likes a wide variety of puzzle games.  The graphics are bright and cheery, with a nice Island-style soundtrack.   The player uses Sand Dollars to buy items in the Store which give the monkey enough Fun, Comfort or Food to fulfill his needs, where he can then purchase the next island, but the purchased items don't appear to affect the gameplay at all.  All and all, it's not a deep game, but Tropix is a great starter casual game since the player can try out so many different gameplay styles.

Verdict - A fun mix of all of the casual gameplay styles - give it a shot

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