“It is not my intent to trash any game. Some are just more suited to a particular taste than others. There are cases where the designers just have totally different personalities than the player. I try to find the good points of games even the ones I don't like. In that way, my readers, can find games that are suited for them. A lot of work goes into game design and testing. It would be nice if all games found their audience. However, I will not recommend a game that I find objectionable or problematic. I also am on the look out for games that are suited for children. We often think of “games” and “children “ together... the truth is that many games are played by grown-ups and many are designed without concern for the “impact” on families. Sometimes it is obvious what type of people would like a game and some times it is hard to figure out who could possibly like the game. But, each of these games was designed by teams of people and went through trials so there is definitely support for each of the many varieties.
Links will still be provided for games that have not received a high rating. In some cases Fair to high ratings are given to games that I really don't like at all, that have excellent features . Credit where credit is due is important. I'll be honest as often as possible. I hope that when I release my game that, I have honest opinions with favorable responses and find my particular audience. Time will tell. “-
7 Wonders demo review 5 stars
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Setting & game modes
The theme is the Carribean Islands.
With 12 islands and 4 layouts for each, you have 48 tile layouts for game play.
You earn/collect postcards from your "cruise" by completing the different levels.
You can go "island hopping" and select the tile layouts that you like to play.
You can select from 4 different tile sets.
Graphics:
There is a good deal of animation.
The tiles and scenes are very colorful.
For me personally, "too much color" and animation is distracting in a matching game.
Bright colors on white backgrounds tend to hurt my eyes, which is why I change the background color on my personal screen. In a game you're color choices are set by the designers. My particular majong of choice would be those with darker color tiles and less animation.
But, bright colored boards go over big for the younger players.
Over all a game better be outstanding in order for me to play one with annoying color schemes.
I must give them credit for what is obviously a lot of work that went into designing this game.
However, after loading the demo more than 4 times I still have 28 minutes left. Let me say that Majong is one of my favorite games, but, I'll have to pass on this one.
There are very many different majong games and it is really a matter of taste. If you like this game then you will also like the other games I say are too bright or too animated for the particular game. I'll give this game 3 and one half stars. It's a good game that I won't play myself, but I can see where it may have an appeal for many others. Try it first and make your own decision. This is a game I find to be annoying
Other good games I find annoying: Magic Match, Druids- Battle of Magic, Magic Mirror, Zuma. If you like these games - hey - you might like this too. These are all very interesting, and detailed games that I just don't like personally. Sorry. When there are so many games to choose from, we should make sure our dollar investments go towards purchases that are suited for us.. I say play the trial version anyway and decide for your self. Never buy a game just because a million people like it. It may or may not be for you. In the store if you buy a game and open the software you can't bring it back. You have the opportunity here to try it first.
“If you can't manage to make it through 30 of the 60 minutes of a trial version - don't buy it, it may not be for you.. There may be a similar game that you just love with a demo that made the hour fly by. For each of the games I found to be annoying, I found similar games that I just loved.” - Debra Ford
I'm a good sport... Get installers for games I didn't like too:
Download Caribbean Mah Jong Installer
Magic Match -try BEFORE you buy it!
I tried to keep an open mind about Magic Match. Usually, I enjoy matching games. I played the demo three times and still had 40 minutes left. Since I didn't want to finish the demo, I let my son, who is 23 years old finish that game. He liked it at first but admitted that it started getting too silly by the time he finished it.
A lot of work went building this game. There is a lot of creativity in this game. The animated "magical assistant" was creepy. I can't really enjoy a game if I think some kid is going to have nightmares after playing this game. I never actually lost, I just couldn't force myself to continue. if you liked this game, I really would like to know what the appeal is from a gamer's point of view.
Bad instructions:
There is originality in the way you move the pieces and make groups. Unfortunately this isn't explained very well and it takes about 5 minutes to figure out how to move the pieces around.
Graphics
There is a lot of detail. Frankly the main character that talks creepy during the game, looks like someone threw “Gizmo” in the washing machine. I do know of someone who does likes the character though.
There is a lot going on in the game graphics wise and I cn see where there is much to gain a child's attention.
review of Magic Match by debraford123
Druids - Battle of Magic Demo Review:
Good
points and Bad points.
Good points:
It's a matching game with spawn points. It has a a lot of animation. Graphics very well done. There is a level editor so you can add to your game. Very interesting big eyed characters. Very similar to Big Kahuna Games.
Bad points:
The music is low and the sound effects are loud. Electronic midi music which becomes very annoying early in the game and you can't get to the option box quick enough. You can only turn the music on or off you cannot adjust the volume. The scores don't post to the high scores after you're done. There is too much animation. It is completely distracting and annoying if you want to make the matches. The whole game revolves around stolen magic books, magic spells, & casting spells. I think that "No explanation" for why you chose your game design is better than making up a story about "magic" to justify game play. There are some games where "magic" is an integral part of the game. Thats okay, if logic is needed to make decisions in the game play. In this case I just found it annoying. I kept thinking - hey- I could be playing Big Kahuna Reef and actually enjoy the game.
By them self each of the animations was nicely done but, the whole game board was too busy.
Suggestions if you decide to try the demo - go right ahead and turn the music off completely.
I
give the game 3 stars. An extended review will NOT be done on
this game. It is unlikely that I will ever finish playing the
demo. I'll pass on this one. The over all game platform is a good
one. And if you feel comfortable with the graphics and don't find
them annoying this game could be very good for some people.
If you want to Download Druids Battle of Magic installer you can even buy it always try the demo first to be sure the game is compatible with your system and is suited for your particular taste.
(but I prefer Big Kahuna Reef - see the review)
Download Druids Anyway now http://arcade.reflexive.com/downloadgame.aspx?CID=21534&AID=586
Buy Druids Now - http://arcade.reflexive.com/BuyNow.aspx?CID=21534&AID=586&return=ref always try the demo first to be sure the game is compatible with your system and is suited for your particular taste. click or paste this link in your address bar
high scores will not be available for this game
this game review probably will not be posted to blog unless it's a slow day for me
Download
Installer Now
This is a very fresh approach to a familiar style of game.
Graphics
7 Wonders does an excellent treatment on graphics. Intertwining a variety of styles, they manage to keep a clean continuity in the presentation. There is animation through out the game. You really miss most of the side activity, if you do well on the levels. This does give that exra something that one player games often overlook. How do you entertain other people who are waiting to play? Well this game does an excellent job of it and can entertan both the player and the by stander.
Setting and Story and Game play:
The game is set in Egypt and you are escavating stone to build your pyramids. For each set of 3 or more over a stone background you free pieces of stone for the animate workers to carry away. You can make matches of three all day, but if you ignore removing the stone background your workers will go on strike and form picket lines! There are bonus for larger groups and special plays. There are very nice visual special effects for bonus. The round ends when you clear away all the stone backgrounds & get the corner stone all the way to the bottom of the grid/screen to the conveyor for the workers. You can't build a pyramid without corner stones. In between each level is a very short history of the pyramids and a map of of the area. It appears to be a game suitable for all age groups.
The music is nice enough that you don't need to play your own.
This game should do very well in public response
Based on a sixty minute demo it seems to have the makings of a five star game. But, we'll have to wait to see what the overall response is on the full game is, since this is a new release.
Over all the game was most enjoyable and “I DO recommend it”.
Game Demo Review of 7 Wonders by debraford123
Magic Lantern Demo Review
(While on the subject of Magic )--" Magic Lantern is an excellent 5 star matching game recently released – debraford123"
The
game tells a pleasant story and includes history about
Japanese Traditions and a town festival
Game play is excellent
“For one there is a very generous point system. The puzzle is a lot like the strategy games in Qbeez 2 and Super Collapse. The object is to remove groups of objects in this case “Paper Lanterns”. The larger the group the larger the amount of points for removing the groups. You have a target amount of objects to remove, with bonus points given for various things. There are special helps along the way to change colors. The bonus levels are very unique puzzles. Over all the game was most enjoyable and “I DO recommend it”. “ I have several games of this style and it may be a while before it is added to my collection, Look for extended reviews on this game in 2007.-debraford123
It is very wonderfully illustrated
Music is very good
Several modes available include
Lantern Quest
Panic Mode
Perfect mode
Puzzle Mode
Community page is available for highscores on line
Available in several languages
English
French
Chinese
Finnish
Yes
I want to Download Magic Lantern installer instead! Or
paste this link in your address bar
http://arcade.reflexive.com/downloadgame.aspx?CID=21534&AID=597
Buy Magic Lantern Now always try the demo first to be sure the game is compatible with your system and is suited for your particular taste.
Over all the game was most enjoyable and “I DO recommend it”.
More Info.. Download installer http://reflexive.net/index.php?PAGE=Download_Landing&AID=368&CID=21534
Zuma - great concept - but it hurts my eyes and my ears
There are many Zuma fans.
Zuma is rated highly
. However, the sound effects are quite irritating to me. Immediately, I turn off both the sound and the music for this game. At first glance, it seemed amazing which is why I have a full version. However, I can't play it very long at all.
Though the colors are pretty...the shades used with the light reflection streaming across the page is too much. It's not the fact that it's bright and flashy...it' has more to do with the color combinations and the way the light streams. I can last about 10 minutes and I have to stop. Though the background looks to be soothing shades, there is a speckle effect and it seems as though light is illuminating the page. Sure great special effects for the "wow factor". It gives me eye aches and headaches. Though I can turn down the background shades on my normal pages, you don't have much choice in games.
Something that should be considered when using demos.
Do you want to play the game for short sessions or long periods?
Hey, I'm not an eye doctor and I can't give you medical advice.
It is my opinion that if you want to avoid eye damage and you
really want this game then please turn down your monitor's
contrast settings during game play. I understand that they put
a lot of thought into picking colors that appeal to the larger
numbers of the public. I'm happy for the fans that love this
game. I know that if they changed these things in their updates
that most of the Zuma fans would be angry. Over all I like
"Popcap's" games, but, I don't think I'll ever get
through all the levels on Zuma.
The frog bothers me. Where
is he getting all those wooden beads he keeps shooting out his
mouth? If they are bubbles, I don't feel anymore comfortable
about chains of spit bubbles than spitting wooden beads. Try
out the demo for yourself...you may be one of the many millions
of people who give this game your approval.
Full Version
Review by debraford123
I found it extremely difficult to play without it hurting my eyes, and yes, I have played the full version.
“I like Luxor” , “Pirate Poppers “and “I am a personal fan of “Bubblefish Bob” and others much better than Zuma , along the same style of game play. I understand that Zuma is indeed quite popular.I do NOT recommend Zuma. An extended review may or maynot be done for this game.
Download Magic Mirror which I found quite aggravating and I had headaches after the trial was over. Yes, it too is known as a big hit. Usually I like puzzles where you have to find the differences quite a bit. Not in this case. I have to give them a whole lot of credit for graphic quality and originality even though it annoyed me severely.
2 Stars –
It's
like playing “Bewitched “in the dark. Yeah it may be
nice to have a game with your movie's name on it, but this game
is just aggravating.
4 1/2 Stars – Davinci's Secret is an Excellent game Download the installer
Based
on matching groups of 3 or more with extra incentives to use
your logic skills to enhance play.
The more you input on your in the more elaborate and stunning the graphics become.
If you simply use luck or if you are very young, the games mentioned here are still done nicely enough to stay entertaining. 4and 1/2 stars
Over all the game was most enjoyable and “I DO recommend it”.
Teddy Factory Demo Review
is a very nicely done game based on a story and level transitions that will make children sad or even cry it loses 2 stars because of the story line. Everything else about the game was excellent but, I would not want to be the one responsible for giving this game to a child. You run an orphanage... your uncle who used to donate teddy bears has gone bankrupt. You have to work at a factory for the mean old miser who bought your uncles business to get bears for your orphanage. And at the end of every level they tell you how many orphans you have made unhappy by not making enough teddy bears. Urrrgh!!!!! The Game “otherwise would have been a 5 star game” but, I am so mad at the story line that I won't bother. If you are GROWN with a dark sense of humor you will love this game. But it would be depressing to most of those who still love teddy bears. “I Do NOT recommend this game for children” I must give special credit to the game designers for excellent graphics and innovativeness. My beef is with the person who approved the story line. If they made a later version without the story I would get the game...but as it stands ...not hardly.
Download Teddy Factory
always try the demo first to be sure the game is compatible with your system and is suited for your particular taste.
Download Teddy Factory
which
is also an assembly line game is excellent!!!
the pieces are rings and stars and you assemble sets of three rings or stars that interconnect. The pieces are brought to you by conveyor belts. Special pieces are multi-colored which can match with any other color pieces. There are special pieces that remove all like colored pieces and pieces which will destroy or remove all nearby pieces. There is a certain time allowed if you can keep the pieces from rolling off the end of the conveyor.
The objects are simple but very nicely done with that enhanced 3D effect.
The completion of each level reveals a portion of a cosmic image or art by removing drawings associated with the constellations of the sky chart. All illustrations and graphics are excellent.
II DO highly recommend this game demo
Recommended for all ages
This review was done by -debraford123-
This file may be edited and updated at the reviewer's discretion.
Who knows you might like these games - Have Fun!
The cheer you up Lady,
-debraford123-
to visit highscores go to ( High Scores for this game will be posted after it is added to my permanent library and are not yet available)
highscores can be found at http://www.debraford123.com/debwebgames/highscores/index.html click or paste this link in your address bar
If you haven't replaced all the original scores that were on the game when you first got it, then you really haven't beaten the game. If you can't beat your own scores then you haven't improved. Now you can still play a game again – not beat the scores and still have fun. The object is to enjoy yourself. You don't need an extra hard challenge to smile. Challenge yourself to smile.
Life is about challenges and growth. Knowing when to push forward and when to move on is something we each must learn.
Effort will be made to designate a method of exchange so that visitors to www.debraford123.com/debwebgames can submit their scores screen shots. Screen shots of actual games will not be posted, only the scores.
I actually spend more time doing testing and reviews than actual game play.
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Other Full Game Reviews with High Scores:
The game Sky Bubbles Deluxe is exquisitely
done. You feel like a winner when you're done. The graphics are
stunning. You find yourself taking it real slow trying to check
out the graphics. There is a great built in motivation to try to
meet the challenge...so you find yourself abruptly ignoring the
graphics and trying to clear the levels. There is so more to do
than just match beautiful groups of color. Learning to earn and
select the best power ups in the heat of the action can make all
the difference. The transitions between levels is wonderful. The
music and sound effects are top shelf. You can set the 3D
background to fly over snowy peaks, volcanoes or a variety of
other choices. Extended review and Known problems can be found at http://www.debraford123.com/debwebgames/reviews/review_skybubbles.html |
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