Monday, December 24, 2007

Hidden Secrets: The Nightmare


Hidden Secrets: The Nightmare is a wonderful new mystery puzzle game!

You play as a woman who has had some kind of "accident" (or was it an accident? hmm...) and she finds herself trapped in a dream and cannot remember what happened.

Each level is a different location to search through. Find clues and objects that will trigger memories and slowly reveal the mystery of who she is and what happened to her! Between each level are mini puzzles that require logic skills to complete. Some are very easy and some definitely aren't!



I've had a really great time with this game so far (not finished yet!) and I've even started the walkthrough (you can get it here: Game Cafe Forum).

Attempted Murder Victim Flora Dale wakes up briefly as she is rushed into the ER. Uncertain of how she got there, and unable to gather enough strength, she is unable to tell the doctors anything and quickly falls into a deep coma. As she lies trapped in her mind she begins a incredible adventure piecing together clues about her life, her day, and what led up to the events which put her here. Will she solve the mystery? Will she wake up in time to name her attacker?

Screen Shots: (click to see larger image)



Download the free demo here!

Purchase the game from us here! (Even using your BFG Game Club Credits!)

I give this game an 8 out of 10!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Dream Day First Home







Dream Day First Home picks up the story of Jenny and Robert after their wedding and honeymoon as they buy their first home together! How romantic!

This hidden object puzzle game has some lovely graphics and equally lovely music! The game play is just as good as the first two games in the series, though I actually thought it was much better! The new mini games between the main levels really breaks up the monotony and makes the game so much better!

The highly anticipated third release in the Dream Day Series, Dream Day First Home finds Jenny and Robert back from their honeymoon and ready to make their first house into a home! As usual, they'll need your help - from choosing the house to shopping and redecorating, to solving inevitable Homeowner Crisis`! Find your inner decorator with Dream Day First Home, a uniquely satisfying Hidden Object adventure.

Choose your first home.

Unlock new levels.

Great mini-games to master.

I had a lot of fun playing this game and fans of the first two Dream Days won't be disappointed!

Click the images to see a larger screen shot:


Thursday, December 20, 2007

Home Sweet Home

Now available from PlayFirst - Home Sweet Home!

This is a great, unique game that I've had hours of fun with! You are a budding interior decorator, learning to meet the demands of your clients as you progress from home to home! Choose the right styles of furniture, wall and floor coverings, accesories and more according to your client's desires (or is that demands?! lol) and earn the big bucks!

If you enjoyed the home decorating part of the SIMS games, you'll probably get a real kick out of this game! As you successfully complete levels, more and more items will be unlocked, giving you a real chance to shine!



Use your earnings to furnish and decorate your own house in between levels and take snapshots of your finest work!

After you select the design elements for each home, you have to oversee your workers to make sure the project is completed on time. Earn big bonuses for finishing the job early, too!

Make a house a home! Learn about client preferences, create fabulous designs to match and direct your team in building it all. Pick from a plethora of wallpaper, paintings, furniture choices and more! Just make sure to complete all projects within budget and by the deadline. Nurture your inner interior designer in this fun home design game!

Unlockable furnishings
400+ furniture items available
50 rooms to design and 50 client riddles to solve



I had a great time with this game and I hope you will too!

Download a free demo or purchase the game here!

I give this game an 8 out of 10!

The Tuttles: Madcap Misadventures!



A new game created by the Starlight Foundation ! (A portion of all sales of this game benefit the Starlight Starbright foundation!)

Download the free demo here!

Purchase the game (even use your BFG credits) here!

In Time for the Holidays, Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, Legacy Interactive and
Animax Entertainment Break New Fundraising Ground With Casual Downloadable Videogame

Celebrity Voices Bring Online Charitable Game – The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures to life!

Los Angeles, Calif., (November 28, 2007) – Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation®, Legacy Interactive and Animax Entertainment today launched The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures: Starlight Charity Challenge, a casual platformer style downloadable videogame that pairs having a good time with doing good. Actors William Shatner, Bob Saget, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ashley Tisdale, Dominic Scott Kay, Dave Thomas and Dave Coulier contributed their voices to the animated game.

“When you think of charity ‘signature events,’ it’s usually races, walks and golf tournaments. Starlight wanted to do something innovative that reflects how people are having fun today. We learned that there are more than 85 million casual gamers in the US, a growing number of whom are women, 40 years and older. That’s why we chose to design a national fundraising initiative around a casual videogame the whole family can play,” said Patricia Evans, Vice President, Development, Starlight. “The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures gives anyone with Internet access the chance to have fun at home supporting our cause, without the typical barriers to supporting
a traditional event, such as location, ticket price and hectic family schedules.”

The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures is a hilarious arcade adventure game about a thoroughly modern family trying to bond on a road trip to see the Alamo. Bob Saget voices father Barry, Jamie Lee Curtis is mother Barbara, Ashley Tisdale plays teen daughter Jess, and Dominic Scott Kay voices young son Zach. Other characters include Dave Thomas as The Australian, Dave Coulier as The Islander and William Shatner as the voice of the souped-up mini van that transports the family.


  • The family-friendly game features:
  • an original comedic script and characters designed by Emmy Award-winning Animax Entertainment
  • 40 engaging levels of side-scrolling action
  • the ability to play as each of the four individual Tuttle family members, all with their own unique
  • gameplay experiences
  • six lushly rendered environments from desert to undersea
  • flash-animated comic book style cut scenes and vignettes
  • more than 300 lines of dialogue featuring voice-over talents of some of Hollywood’s biggest names


The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures marks a return engagement for Dave Thomas and Starlight. In addition to being a well-known actor, writer and director, he’s also creative director and co-founder of Animax Entertainment, which has a long history of working with Starlight. Animax developed the award-winning “Coping with Chemo” webisode series for the organization, and is currently helping redesign its online social network for seriously ill teens called Starbright World.
Starlight partnered with Legacy Interactive on the game’s development and publishing. Legacy is contributing 75% of its proceeds from the game back to Starlight. The game is now available for download!


About Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation
When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For nearly 25 years, Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation™ has dedicated itself to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Through a network of 32
offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. To learn more visit www.starlight.org.




Wednesday, December 19, 2007

The Nightshift Code

A new hidden object mystery game from PlayFirst! With an intriguing storyline and some great puzzle action, this hidden object game is sure to please fans of this genre, and even those that aren't!


Take a mysterious and sometimes dangerous journey from an ancient history museum in Chicago all the way to a secret location in the Greek Isles. Search for hidden objects and piece together clues to unlock challenging puzzles, ultimately digging for a lost treasure. Are you ready for the night shift?
  • 2 modes of play: story and arcade
  • 6 chapters with more than 5 levels per chapter
  • 18 beautiful search locations
  • 6 challenging locked puzzles


I haven't finished the game yet, but I was able to focus test it through PlayFirst's First Peek program and I've been waiting for it's release ever since! This game is definitely worth the download time, imo! It's not only fun and challenging, but this game is also of the high quality that we've come to know and love from PlayFirst!

Download or purchase the game here!

I give this game a 9 out of 10!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The Shivah

An interesting mystery game from the makers of The Blackwell Legacy - Wadjet Eye Games, available today from PlayFirst.



Russell Stone is the struggling rabbi of a poor synagogue in Manhattan. Just as he is on the verge of packing it all up, he receives some interesting news. A former member of his congregation has died and left him a significant amount of money. Can Rabbi Stone just accept the money and move on? His conscience says no. Step into his shoes as he travels all over Manhattan in his attempt to uncover the truth.
  • Multiple endings
  • Professional voice acting
  • DVD-style creator's commentary and bloopers reel


Definitely different, with an immersive storyline and an intriguing mystery to solve, this game is really worth a try!

Download a free demo or purchase the game here!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Mystery in London

Mystery in London


A new hidden object mystery game from Big Fish Games! Mystery in London will please fans of the Travelogue 360 games, as the game mechanic is very similar - only without the headache-inducing scrolling screen! There are 360 views on this game as well, but you flip between perspectives instead of having the images scroll around slowly. A HUGE improvement!

The graphics are lovely and the mystery is intriguing! Can you solve it??

Your vacation to London turns into an investigation into one of its most notorious mysteries ever! Explore the city through 360-degree photographs of locations such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbeyeven the tailor shop where James Bond buys his shirts! Gather clues and challenge the locals to unearth the truth behind a murderous past.

  • Explore realistic levels.
  • Solve notorious mystery.
  • Master challenging mini-games.

I really enjoyed this game and was able to be part of the beta test group as well. As tired as I am of hidden object games, I have to say that the new ones coming out recently are quite good! I recommend this game to any HOG fan!


I give this game an 8 out of 10!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Dress Shop Hop!


Dress Shop Hop is the newest release from PlayFirst - their entry into the frenzy of fashion themed games currently dominating the market!

Help Bobbi make cool custom clothes! Fulfilling your desire to find that perfect outfit every time, Dress Shop Hop™ incorporates the plate-spinning fun of the Diner Dash® series with the added challenge of using a set of wacky machines to make the exact clothing match. Can you keep the customers happy and Bobbi's business afloat?
  • 2 modes: Career, Endless Reception
  • 50 levels of gameplay
  • 5 unique shops, from Dinertown to Miliano
  • 11 customer types


The game is much improved over the focus test version released awhile ago and the game play is definitely on par with the other popular fashion time management games!



Bright colorful graphics, clean game mechanics and lots of upgrades make this time management game a winner! Give it a try today!

Download the demo or purchase the game here!

I give this game an 8 out of 10!

New Christmas Screensavers



Forest Demo

Buy it here! $9.95
Gift Shop Demo

Buy it here! $9.95
Winter Valley Demo

Buy it here! $9.95


Three new lovely iscreensavers today for the holiday season! Click the thumbnails for a larger image preview.

First is the Christmas Forest screensaver which features soft, music-box style holiday music which quietly plays in the background as a gentle snow falls in the winter forest. One of the trees is decorated for the season with garlands and blinking lights! (Gently blinking though, lol). A snowman watches over the scene. Peaceful, relaxing and lovely!

The next new screensaver is the Christmas Gift Shop! Again, this screensaver features the ambient and gentle Christmas music playing softly in the background as a musical enhancement to the holiday scene. Snow is falling outside in the street in sharp juxtaposition to the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the gift shop! Another lovely and calm holiday program!

The last screensaver today is called Winter Valley. Bright sunlight sparkles against the white snow and ice that covers the quiet valley. Watch large birds in flight as they pass overhead. There is no music in this screensaver, but gentle nature sounds enhance the experience! Just beautiful!

You can use the links above each image to download a free demo and the links underneath the images to purchase them! These are not compatible with Windows Vista however!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Aveyond 2 - and Walkthrough!








I am so excited about this game! It's been a long time in the making and it's finally here. It DEFINITELY lives up to all the hype!

Fans of the first Aveyond will be very pleased with the newest installment in the saga. If you've never played Aveyond (or its predecessor), I urge you to give this game a try!

Aveyond 2 is a role play game, very old school style with charm, magic and an incredibly immersive storyline. It's the kind of game that plays like a good book. You don't want to finish it because you don't want it to end, but at the same time, you can't wait to see what happens next!



For those who aren't familiar with old school RPGS, here is how they work:

You start off with your character (in this game, Ean). You wander around and explore the world, completing quests (for instance, Ean's mother needs you to find some honeycomb for the biscuits she's baking), solving puzzles (what is the beast in Shadow Woods and how can you stop it?), and battling monsters of increasing difficulty.

You earn experience points through your actions and gain strength and skills as you grow. You will meet others that will join you in your endeavors and become members of your traveling party. You will get new methods of transporation that will allow you to fully explore the world!

The graphics are fantastic (for this genre of game, its not WoW so don't expect that! Think more like Legend of Zelda or the original Final Fantasy game!) The musical score is very well done and the overall gameplay is just wonderful.

I give this game a 10 out of 10! Yay!

You can buy the game right from us at Enigmadness with (or without!) your BFG Game Club credits!

Click here to download a free demo of Aveyond 2!

Click here to purchase Aveyond 2 with BFG Club Credits! ($19.95 for non-club members)

Click here to become a member of BFG's Game Club!

If you need the Aveyond 2 Walkthrough - I've just finished writing it and it is available to all registered members of the Game Cafe forum! Click here to join the Game Cafe free!


Monday, December 10, 2007

Babysitting Mania

Babysitting Mania, the long awaited sequel to Nanny Mania has recently been released. It's now available at PlayFirst as well!

You finally passed your babysitting course and are ready to help your school raise money. What you didn't expect was 20 of the craziest households you ever imagined! Face a barrage of kids, birthday parties and huge houses to get in order, all before bedtime! Can you get the kids to sleep and the house clean before the parents get home? Find out if you're the ultimate babysitter!
  • Over 15 hours of addictive gameplay
  • New "Time Out" and "Bedtime" features
  • Birthday Party Mode will keep you on your toes


I know that a lot of people really liked Nanny Mania (I wasn't one of them, sorry!) and many people have been anxious to get their hands on this game as well! Why? I'm just.. not sure.. lol.

I have to be totally honest here. I don't understand this game. Really. It's redundant, the levels are all just about the same. It's pretty much the same as Nanny Mania with a few new twists (like chasing kids to bed before the parents get home). But for the most part, you run around the house cleaning up the messes the kids make and then have the added fun of chasing them down when its time to get to bed. Over.. and over.. and over again.

So, I'm posting the game here for those that have been wanting to get it.. but that's all I'm sayin'. lol.

Download the free demo or purchase the game here!

I give this game a 2 out of 10.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

News, Views and Previews!

News!

The Blackwell Trivia Contest Winners
are - Ginuk (Shany) and Xchain! Ginuk already owned the Unbound game and is a self-proclaimed die hard fan of the Blackwell series, so the free copy of Unbound passed to Xchain! Congrats! That wasn't just a nice thing to happen, it was an added bonus as Xchain's copy of Legacy has an odd bug and she can't even play it anymore! (Though I think Dave Gilbert took care of that problem too!)

It was a great night with some tough questions! I was very impressed with the amount of correct answers - I had the answers in front of me and I didn't even get as many answers correct as Ginuk! lol

I will be posting the 5 extra tie-breaker questions (the super hard ones!) on the Game Cafe forum today for anyone to take a stab at!

I'd like to say thank you to Dave Gilbert for coming to visit with us in the chat and sponsoring this event! It was so nice to get to know the person behind the games that have brought us so many hours of enjoyment!

I'll be doing a feature post on Blackwell Unbound so stay tuned :)

Game Cafe News
The Game Cafe is expanding! We'll be adding a series of walk-throughs for as many games as we can! As I'm the only one writing them right now, this will be a slow process, lol, but if you'd like to submit your own walk-throughs, please let me know!

This section of the forum is only open to registered members and may not be copied or reproduced anywhere, in any form, so register today for free!

Previews!

Sneak Preview - Purrfect Pet Shop!
There is a new game coming out soon that I'm really excited about! It's called Purrfect Pet Shop from eGames! In this game you assume responsibility for your Aunt's Animal Rescue Center while she's away.

You take in stray animals - many of whom need special care such as medicine, food, a good bath and more. When the animals are happy and healthy once again they can be matched up to the perfect (or is that purrfect?) owner! Pay special attention to the customers that want to adopt a pet and match them to the pet of their dreams.

The overall game play is a time management mechanic, which is very well done. It's not frustratingly slow and it's not too fast and hectic either. Plenty of upgrades are available in the game to help things along!

A new and unique feature of this game (that I loved!) was the Special Pet addition! Sometimes a very special animal will be rescued that needs extra attention! With a "design your own pet" feature, you get to choose the type of pet, it's name, the fur, color and markings, eye color and more! Create the pet of your dreams and give it that extra special TLC. I quickly became attached to my special pet and can't wait to get to see him in between the main levels of the game!

Purrfect Pet Shop is heads and tails above the other pet themed games that I've tried. (Pun intended! Sorry! lol) I'll let you know as soon as it's released!

Sneak Preview! Dream Chronicles 2!
Word on the street is that PlayFirst is putting the finishing touches on Dream Chronicles 2! The game is just as gorgeous as the first - if not even more so! I can't say much about it yet, but as soon as it's released, I'll blog a review with download links! I simply CANNOT WAIT for this game!

While we wait, why not check out the first Dream Chronicles if you haven't played it yet? You can get the demo here!

Views!

Everyone once in awhile I learn something new. Hard to believe, I know! lol I've been around the internet for a very long time. I remember the first version of AOL and that ancient connection thingy - "dial up" ugh!

I've had all kinds of websites, from personal blogs to commercial games. I've built for MUDs and MMORPGs, moderated huge health and wellness forums, even have my own web design company!

However, none of that prepared me for the intensity of running my own forum, populated in part by several self-proclaimed divas of the gaming world. lol. There was a post long ago on the PlayFirst grapevine which was about how "There is one on every board...". You know the type, always has something negative to say no matter what the topic is about, always instigating arguments and the like. And that is very true. There IS one of those on every board I've ever seen. One thing that post failed to mention, which might have prepared me for my own experience, was that there is also one of another type on every board as well - the "drama llama". lol

I've been pondering this a lot lately, as the drama llama spit has hit the fan on my own forum. How do these other boards deal with it? What's the best way to handle it? I've come up with a few answers.

1) Most other forum admins and site owners are not directly involved with their board users. Take PlayFirst for example. The PF employees and site admins occasionally post to the board, but rarely. It's exciting when they do post and now I can completely understand why they don't take an active role in the discussions. You just can't get involved as a site owner or you will inevitably be drawn into the drama circle.

2) Most other forums tend to handle the drama llamas by letting the users duke it out amongst themselves, ensuring only that the boards terms of service are not violated. Eventually the issues will come to a head between the users and either the ones responsible for the drama will leave the board in a huff, or they will be talked through it by their peers and the issues will be resolved. But the site owners stay well away from it - for good reason.

A few people that I know are embarking upon the creation of their own websites, so here are some of the lessons I've learned the hard way, hopefully it will spare them the same problems!

Lesson 1 - Don't get involved on a personal level with your site users. Although the desire to be friends is strong, eventually it will bite you in the rear as you'll be put into situations where you'll have to choose sides.

Lesson 2 - Do not ever discuss your own personal feelings about another board user with anyone else. Although others may agree with you, whatever you say to anyone will end up repeated and often twisted!

Lesson 3 - Do not ever send personal emails to your users about anything off-topic. Stick to business lest your personal emails end up forwarded to the rest of the board!

Lesson 4 - You cannot please everyone all of the time. Don't even try. Stick to your own game plan, take all suggestions into consideration, but ultimately make your own decisions. Sure, not everyone will like it, but there is no other way.

Lesson 5 - Just because someone volunteers to help, doesn't mean you should take them up on their offer! Thankfully, I've been blessed with users that have volunteered. The majority of them have truly wanted to help out and have done a phenomenal job! (Thanks to Gable for filling in last night with the contest!) However, every once in awhile you will get those that want THE POWER... lol. They confuse helping run a site with some sort of twisted self-validating power trip of being in CONTROL and will generally abuse the authority they are given. This will cause huge problems among the rest of the board and then you find yourself back at lesson 1!

Lesson 6 - Understand going into any venture such as running your own website that eventually things will go wrong and no matter how it started or who was responsible, you will take the blame. Be prepared for it and when it happens, cut your losses quickly and move on. Keep forging ahead as the internet is a vast place and site users will come and go. Keep building. Keep expanding. Keep marketing.

I hope this will help those breaking out into their own sites. It's not as easy as it looks. It's a lot of work and it can be emotionally draining as well. Stand strong and all will fall into place. :)

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Reminder! Trivia Contest Tomorrow!


On December 7th at 7pm CST (8pm EST and 5pm Pacific time), Enigmadness.com and Wadjet Eye Games will be presenting the next Game Cafe Trivia Contest!

Dave Gilbert, of Wadjet Eye Games will be on hand to challenge your gaming knowledge and also answer your questions about the casual game development industry! Ever want to find out how a game goes from an idea to a finished product? Here's your chance to question a successful game developer!

Wadjet Eye Games is sponsoring the event and will be giving away a FREE copy of Blackwell Unbound - the amazing sequel to The Blackwell Legacy - to the winner of the contest!

There will be 30 questions asked, ranging from easy to guru, based on the popular Blackwell Legacy game! If you haven't played the demo, download it HERE now to get ready for the contest! If you played the game and like it, you can order it from PlayFirst here or from Wadjet Eye Games here! You can even download a free demo of Blackwell Unbound here!

This will be a very special event and we're so pleased to have Dave Gilbert joining us (as we're huge fans of the Blackwell games!)

In order to access the live chat room at the Game Cafe forum for this event, you'll need to register at the site - it's free! Click here to visit the Game Cafe forums and sign up today!

Once you are registered, you will see the link to the chat room towards the bottom of the main page. If you have any trouble accessing the room, please review the help files and ensure that your java is enabled in your browser. If you need more help, send me a PM at the Game Cafe website or email me at thegamefairy@enigmadness.com!

Hope to see you all there!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Diner Dash Hometown Hero - Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland Restaurant

(click images for a larger view)

PlayFirst has released a new diner for Diner Dash - Hometown Hero! This diner is called Winter Wonderland and takes place inside a warm, welcoming ski lodge!

Serve hot foods to frozen skiers in 10 full levels and one expert level! Let them warm up by the fire and sip on holiday punch (eggnog maybe?) in glasses with moose ears! Cute! Watch the snow fall through the large picture windows and see skiers and sledders race down the hillside.


Choose decor upgrades for the lodge to customize the look and feel of the new diner! Choose new tables, counters, wall decor, lighting and a cozy carpet! You can also get a FREE Santa hat in the online boutique! (The top image shows Flo wearing the new hat!)

Some people were not happy that this wasn't a Christmas themed restaurant, but you can't please everyone all of the time. Had it been a Christmas diner, no doubt some people would have complained about that as well, so PlayFirst found a happy medium that incorporates the fun and beauty of the winter season!

The complete diner is available through the DDHH online boutique. Log into your game and click on the shop button! For $4.99 you get the diner with all 11 levels and multiplayer features. If you're like me, you've been collecting the new restaurants as they're released and already bought this one as well, lol.

This diner is winter the way I like it.. seen through a window from inside by a warm fire! :)

Monday, December 3, 2007

Elf Bowling 7 1/2 - The Final Insult




Hold on to your stockings! The elves are up to no good and Santa needs your help to show those crazy elves what the true meaning of "strike" is. It`s quirky, hilarious bowling fun just in time for the holiday season! Compete in a crazy bowling game with the elves - oh that naughty Santa - serving as the pins and providing their own special, colorful commentary. With just the flick of your mouse, bowl to get a spare or strike, winning trophies along the way.
  • Unique bowling lanes.
  • Quirky avatars and pins.
  • Creative power-ups.



    I have to say that this was one of the most unusual holiday games I've played this year, lol. Different modes of gameplay allow you to play against a friend, against the computer or try the story mode for a bowling adventure! The game play is rather easy, which is good as I was incredibly distracted by the Elves and their sarcastic comments, lol.

    The graphics are bright and cheery, the sound is alright and the commentary of the Elves is just hysterical. Overall, I thought this was a very cute addition to the list of holiday games available!

    Click these links for pop up screen shots: Image 1 - Image 2

    To download a demo of the game, click here!

    To buy the game, even using your BFG Game Club Credits, click here!
    (Please allow pop-ups from Enigmadness.com so your order form will appear!)

    I give this game a 6 out of 10!

    Sunday, December 2, 2007

    Brainiversity

    Released from PlayFirst today is a very game designed to get those synapses firing! Brainiversity is both entertaining and educational, or at least requires a bit of thinking, which is more than most casual games ask, lol.


    Play your way through a series of exams, including spelling tests, memory tests, math quizzes and many more! The difficulty increases as you successfully complete exams.



    Stimulate your brain with 16 different activities covering Language, Memory, Math and Analysis. Earn stamps, record your daily workouts and compare your results with friends. There's nothing like a good mental stretch to keep your brain fresh!
    • 10 different stamps to earn
    • Practice mode lets you hone your skills
    • Daily chart visually tracks your progress
    There have been reports that casual computer games can stimulate memory and brain function and this game is designed to do just that!



    I give this game a 7 out of 10!

    Mahjong Holidays

    Mahjong Holidays (2006)


    This game was released last year, but I wanted to put it up as its a great holiday Mahjong game that I own and enjoy a lot! I don't play Mahjong games all that often, but when I need a break from Diner Dash: Hometown Hero, I need something quiet and relaxing, lol.



    It's time to ring in the holidays with Mahjong Holidays 2006. Break out the eggnog, throw a log on the fire, and settle in for some real mahjong fun! This festive version of a classic game will delight everyone. With three gameplay modes to choose from, your holidays can last even longer.
    • Create custom boards.
    • Holiday art and music.
    • 34,000+ layouts.
    Truth is I'll play just about any game with a holiday theme.. but there are ones that I actually like! This is one of them. If you didn't grab it last year, you can get it now! ;)








    Farm Frenzy (Again)



    Farm Frenzy! (Again!)

    I know I've already posted about this game, but it's just that good so I'm posting about it for a second time, lol.

    Seriously though, the reason for this post is that you can now buy Farm Frenzy right here with your BFG (Big Fish Games) Game Club credits! Yay!

    If you are a BFG club member and want to purchase the game, click here!
    (Even if you're not a club member, you can still buy it through BFG by clicking that link)

    To read my review of the game, click here!

    Saturday, December 1, 2007

    Cradle of Persia

    Cradle of Persia



    A sequel to the hit game Cradle of Rome, Cradle of Persia recreates the fun in a new locale!

    Build up the glorious heart of Ancient Persia in this engaging puzzle game! This land was adored with luxurious metals and gems that were set to impress peasants and visiting nobles alike. But its exotic gardens and impressive architecture have long since vanished in the passing sands. Now you have the chance to seek out the riddles of these ruins. To do this you will need skill and a keen wit, but the result will unlock a mystery never before seen by man, here in the Cradle of Persia.
    • Sequel to Cradle of Rome.
    • Impressive match-3 action!
    • Unique power-ups!
    Click for a screen shot of Cradle of Persia!
    Image One - Image Two

    As I've said before, match-3 games are not my favorite kind of game and there certainly is a preponderance of them around lately. However, I really did like Cradle of Rome and Cradle of Persia is just as good! The only downside is that Cradle of Persia is very, very similar to it's predecessor, and feels much like the first game with some new graphics. But, that's not the end of the world for fans of the series. The game is bright, fun and easy to learn and play. And of course, you get to build a new city!


    Friday, November 30, 2007

    Bloom

    Bloom
    Roses are red, violets are blue.. Well, there are a lot of flowers in this wonderful game but I'm not feeling very poetic at the moment! Bloom is a beautiful puzzle game that I've just come across in my travels and I wanted to share it here!

    The object of the game is to connect series of pipes in order to deliver water to all the flowers in the garden. Collect the blossoms and sell them for profit! You can use the money you earn selling your flowers to upgrade your own home with trees, a lake, additions, flowers and more!


    Click on the images below for a larger view:





    I really enjoyed this game and bought it right after the demo finished. Why? Well, the graphics are lovely, the sounds are soothing, the game play is rather unique and I found it to be a very relaxing game. The puzzles aren't all that challenging, but it did take a few tries to finish some of them! (I haven't finished the game yet either, still another 5-6 levels to go!)

    If you're looking for a calm, relaxing, non-violent puzzle game with great graphics and a gentle musical score, this just might be the game for you! The flower animations are so pretty and I caught myself watching the flowers grow instead of solving the puzzles a few times, lol.

    Key features of the game include:
    • Auto-saves your last game
    • 60 levels!
    • Unique store - earn the coins during the game and buy decorations for your house.
    • Exotic flowers look really fabulous!
    • Comprehensive In-Game Help
    • Nice soundtrack with sounds of nature provide a relaxing atmosphere
    • Tools and Power-Ups
    • Play offline and full screen




    File Size: 25.50 MB
    version: 1.6.0
    Game Price: $19.95
    OS: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Me, Vista
    Requirements: Processor: 600 Mhz Intel Pentium
    Memory: 128 MB RAM
    Disk Space: 28 MB



    Carl the Caveman - Christmas Adventure

    Christmas Adventure

    Carl the Caveman wants to enjoy Christmas, but when he wakes up eager to open presents, madcap mushrooms are on a rampage and treasure chests are scattered across the prehistoric world he calls home. So he picks up his trusty hammer and sets out on an all-new holiday adventure. As in his first game, Carl must push rocks, smash boulders and avoid traps in order to reach the exit in 60 all-new levels.

    Dragons, Goblins and crazed Mushrooms will try to spoil Carl's Christmas celebration, but he can dispose of them by pushing boulders onto their heads. He'll also need to collect keys that open locked doors and use magical springs and teleporters to reach higher ground. It's a challenge, but at least Carl will be able to appreciate the beautiful 3D winter wonderland through which he'll travel. Santa has elves and reindeer to assist him during Christmas. Will you help Carl the Caveman?


    Adorable, funny and holiday themed, what more could you want? Although platform games aren't generally my favorite genre, I really liked this one - mainly for the graphics and overall theme of the game! It's very cute! Some of the levels were a lot more challenging than I thought they'd be, but it wasn't frustratingly hard at all. Even if platformers aren't your cup of tea, I think you'd enjoy the demo of this game! :)

    Full version features:
    Christmas visuals bursting with color
    Toe-tapping holiday music
    Two campaigns: Snow Challenge and Winter Trap!
    60 all-new levels to solve
    Free updates and technical support



    Expansion pack available!

    Although the winter holidays are over, Carl the Caveman's adventures continue in a new expansion pack! This time our primitive protagonist, Carl, needs your help pushing rocks, smashing crates and avoiding traps. Can you help him through 50 levels of arcade puzzle challenges?

    Dragons, Blue Goblins and Mad Mushrooms will do their best to prevent our hero from reaching his goal, but you can get rid of them by using a hammer and pushing boulders onto their heads. You'll also need to open locked doors and use teleporters to reach new areas. It's a challenge, but at least Carl will be able to appreciate the beautiful 3D winter wonderland through which he'll travel. Will you help Carl the Caveman to enjoy the final days of winter?

    Note: This is an add-on for Carl the Caveman: Christmas Adventures. To play it, you need to own version 1.2 or higher of the full, original game.




    Version 1.2

    File size: 15.7 MB
    Requirements: PIII-750 / 128M RAM / 3D Video 32M
    License Price: $19.95
    Limitations: Limited features and number of levels

    Santa Claus - Save Christmas! Arcade Game


    Santa Claus, Save Christmas!

    Santa Claus - Save Christmas! is a classical action platform game for arcade lovers of all ages. In this enchanting adventure game with smooth graphics and sounds, the player will have fun all the way jumping and picking presents and special items through the levels in one the best Christmas themed game of the year. If you are a big fan of platform games you will absolutely love this one. Grab your copy and join Santa Claus in this adventure; you will feel the Christmas Spirit right away.

    Features
    ►81 levels to beat
    ►Smooth cartoon graphics and Christmas music
    ►Lots of presents, items and enemies



    I found this to be a very cute holiday game. Not too challenging and loads of fun! The game mechanics are easy to learn and the graphics are entertaining. And of course, it's holiday themed! Yay!

    Download the free demo right here!

    Like it? You can buy the game right here! ($19.95)

    System Requirements:
    Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, 500MHz or faster Processor,
    128MB RAM and DirectX 8.0 or higher

    New - Winter Lake Screensaver


    Frost and snow cover the ground in this enchanting winter screen saver. Sunlight glistens across a deep blue lake as soft, white clouds sail across the cerulean sky. I love the colors and the detail in this screen saver, from the delicate plants to the soft background sounds.

    One of the great things about this screensaver is that you can use it all season long, not just for Christmas, so you'll get a lot more "mileage" out of it!

    Download the free demo of Winter Lake here!

    Purchase Winter Lake Screensaver here! ($9.95)

    Matching desktop wallpaper (animated) available for demo or purchase!

    Animated Desktop screensavers Version 5.07 size: 5.5MB
    Systems Requirements: Pentium II, 128 RAM, Windows XP / 2000 / 98
    Not compatible with Windows Vista

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007

    Fashion Craze



    Fashion Craze is the release of the day at Big Fish Games. Of the preponderance of fashion themed games that hit the market recently, Fashion Craze is one of the better ones. (One of the two that I enjoyed - along with Fashion Fits!)

    In this game, you run a trendy clothing store. Instead of selling finished items, you need to make the clothes to order while the customers wait. Select the fabric, deliver it to your seamstress, collect the finished garment and deliver it to the customer, along with any accessories they may want. Show them to the dressing room, wait while they try it on and then collect the cash!



    You can earn upgrades for the shop as you successfully complete levels and customize the look of your store. The graphics are decent, but not stunning. There is a varied array of customers to tend to, each with their own patience level, likes and dislikes, which adds a bit of a challenge. Overall, the game was rather easy to play and enjoyable. Definitely worth downloading the demo.

    Download a free demo of Fashion Crazy here!

    I give this game a 7 out of 10!