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!

You can download a free demo of Cradle of Persia here!

Like it? Buy it here - even with your BFG Game Club Credits!

If you're looking for Cradle of Rome, get it here!

The Story of Fairy Place

The Story of Fairy Place is a beautiful 3D matching game. You are there to help a small fairy rebuild her home and restore the fairy magic to the land!

There are tons of levels to play with increasing difficulty that offer quite a challenge later in the game. The 3D graphics allow you to rotate and tilt the play board. Earn upgrades for the Fairy Place upon successful completion of the puzzles. Unique power-ups help when things get tough!



I thoroughly enjoyed the animation and graphics in this game. Although it is a matching game, and there are more than enough of those out there, this one caught my attention with its imagery, storyline and game play!



When you're looking for a quiet, calm puzzle game to take your mind off things, this is a perfect fit! Easy enough to be relaxing, yet challenging enough to keep you interested, The Story of Fairy Place offers the best of two worlds!

Download a free trial of The Story of Fairy Place here!

Purchase the game here!

Systems Requirements:
Pentium II, 128 RAM,
Windows XP / 2000 / 98/Vista

Version 1.0 File Size: 13.34MB Price: $19.95

Land of Runes

Land of Runes is a great puzzle game released today at PlayFirst. I've only seen one other game with the same style of puzzle and I did enjoy it, but Land of Runes is just so much better!

Very cute 3D graphics and an engaging storyline add to the enjoyment of this game. The puzzles involve matching / stacking colored blocks in order to clear the puzzle board. Simple at first, but with increasing difficulty as the game progresses. A series of power-ups can be earned throughout the game which are very useful! Only by clearing the blocks from all of the ancient memorials, can you spare the village from the threatening volcano!

Two of the other things I found intriguing about this game are the interactive backgrounds - in each level there are treasure chests to be found that will add to your score. The scene can also be completely rotated, making the puzzle board (and backgrounds) easy to view!

The other point of interest was the mini puzzle in between the main level sections. A mahjong style matching game appears every few levels that is quite easy at first, but definitely requires some strategy later on in the game!

Eliminate stacks of colored blocks from ancient memorials located at the base of a fiery volcano. Rotate the monolith in an effort to find the best match, then toss your block toward the multicolored stacks. Although you'll have to work fast to clear each board before time runs out, bombs and other powerups are on hand to help. Can you clear the blocks fast enough?

• 80 Regular Levels
• 19 Bonus Levels
• 6 Bonuses

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I played the demo of this game from three different websites and finally purchased it. For me, Land of Runes is a wonderful quiet puzzler that is different, interesting and charming!

Download a free demo or purchase the game here!

I give this game an 8 out of 10!

(This game is also available here at BFG)

7 Artifacts

Today's release from Big Fish Games is a gorgeous matching game called 7 Artifacts. Granted, there are more matching games out there than I can count and more appear every day, so it's very hard to write more than "it's another matching game - nice graphics", but I'll try.

The storyline centers around a young magician named Lidia. Travel with her through Greece solving the mystery of ancient relics that are appearing all over the country. Match magical gems to receive letters that will unlock the power of the relics. Earn power-ups along the way to help solve the puzzles.

Unlike other games, 7 Relics does not start off with the storyline and then forget about it somewhere in the middle. The quest continues throughout the game and I found the tale to be very engaging.

Brilliant graphics add to the charm of this game and I did enjoy playing it! Wow, two matching games in a row that I actually liked? Do I have a fever? Nope. They're just really well done!

To download a free trial or to purchase the game, click here!

I give this game a 7 out of 10!

Deep Blue Sea

Deep Blue Sea is a new release from Big Fish Games. (Whether the game is new or not, I do not know, but it's new at BFG!) Now, before you roll your eyes and say "ugh, not another underwater match-3 game!", try this one out!

I personally am quite tired of matching games, especially underwater ones. There are just so many and most of them are nearly identical! Yes, Deep Blue Sea incorporates a lot of the same elements and game mechanics, but there was something about it that was different. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I actually enjoyed playing the full demo for this game and will purchase the full version!

The graphics are decent, the storyline is quirky and the soundtrack is alright. The gameplay is a snap to learn and the levels that I played were quite easy. I made it about a third of the way through the game within the free trial time. Amazingly, I wanted to keep playing and didn't go straight for the "uninstall" button.

If you're in the mood for a relaxing, graphically appealing match game, definitely give this one a try! If nothing else, it will be an enjoyable 60 minute demo!

Some tips and tricks:

• Read the text scenes that come up between the levels. They will tell you what shapes to match to earn the power up bonuses - which are very handy!
• For most levels, you need to collect three special items. Focus solely on those items as the time has a tendency to slip by quickly.
• Don't forget to visit the shop between levels for more power-ups and helpful items.
• Don't waste time matching the little black puff looking thingies because they're cute. (Trust me. This method does not lead to great victory)

Download a free demo or purchase Deep Blue Sea here!

I give this game a 7 out of 10! (which is a miracle for a matching game!)

Halloween Night - Pumpkins Match!

(click the image to download a free demo!)

Halloween Night - Pumpkins Match is a cute new matching game with a spooky theme! Pumpkin Jack only comes out of his eerie mansion once a year to gather the souls of the departed for a Halloween celebration! He needs help freeing the souls and gathering them and has chosen you to be his helper this year!



The game play is simple, but the graphics, music and overall feel of the game make it quite enchanting! Play through plenty of levels, earning upgrades for Pumpkin Jack's home along the way!

Match groups of cute animated 3d pumpkins to free the trapped souls and take them to Jack's celebration. 3D controls allow you to rotate the playing board and change the viewing angle as well!

I am a total sucker for seasonal and holiday themed games and I really enjoyed this one! It was not hard at all and was a very relaxing break at the end of the day!

Download the free trial here!

Buy the game now!

Systems Requirements:
Processor: 800MHz or faster; RAM: 128;
Video card: 16MB Video Card
Version 1.0 File Size: 0MB Price: $19.95

I give this game an 8 out of 10 for sheer enjoyment value!

Cindy's Sundaes

Help Cindy make her ice cream parlor a success. Match scoops and design beautiful ice cream sundaes. Upgrade your parlor by unlocking new flavors, toppings and sundae designs to create more icey wonders. Dish out some sundaes now!

• 2 game modes
• Design your own sundaes
• Enjoy 5 unique parlor themes
• Unlock 20 sundaes and 60 toppings
  

Well, what can I say about Cindy's Sundaes? Erm.. it's.. an ice cream themed game, that has to be good right? Well, maybe. I'm sure there are some people that will really enjoy this game! It's cute and the match-3 play is a little different from the normal style, which is always pleasant. The "make your own" sundae part of the game is definitely cute - and delicious! This game wasn't for me, but it's worth trying the demo! You never know, you just might like it.

To download a free trial or to purchase the game, click here.

Need tips, tricks or hints? Sign up at the Game Cafe forum!

I give this game a 3 out of 10.

Jewel Craft

Fans of matching games will love this interesting new twist on the classic style game. You play as a young apprentice gem cutter as he learns and grows to become a master jeweler in the kingdom.

The goal of the game is to cut a series of gems by matching pieces in each level. The cut gems are used to create lovely pieces of jewelry and each completed piece increases your skill so that you can create more intricate works. 21 levels of increasing difficulty make this a short, but satisfying game. Two modes of play allow for a challenge or story mode version. Unique power-ups will help along the way.



The game mechanics are slightly unusual and I strongly recommend paying attention to the tutorial. I didn't, and wasn't quite sure I was doing it right during the demo! The graphics are beautiful and the storyline was engaging.

To download the free demo or purchase this game, click HERE.

I give Jewel Craft a 5 out of 10.

Magic Shop

Magic Shop is a relatively new matching game that's just been added to the PlayFirst website.

In the game you play as a young magician who begins work in a magic shop. The object of the game is to clear matching gems in order to collect enough magic to create the special treasure items that your customers want to purchase.

During the game you earn rubies that enable you to sell bigger and better treasures and increase the profits - points you earn towards level completion. A memory style match game in between levels allows you to unlock helpful characters that will visit your store and aid you in your quest.

I found the game to be enjoyable and creative. Although the style of game play is not new, the graphics and storyline are engaging. Creative power-ups are easy to obtain and I was able to complete each level easily.

If you're looking for a new puzzle game, this just might do the trick!

The game is available from several websites, including PlayFirst. Click here to be taken to the download page!

I give this game a 6 out of 10.

Zenerchi

PlayFirst Quote - Enter the world of Zenerchi, a meditative mind game which alternates between calm, flowing levels and delightfully complex puzzles. Find your zen as you match the vibrantly colored rings, filling your color containers with energy and eventually encountering your inner chi.

• 2 gameplay modes, journey and zen
• 50 levels of gameplay throughout 10 worlds
• Inspirational quotes when you obtain an expert score!

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Zenerchi is a very unique match-3 puzzle game that I found to be quite relaxing, yet challenging at the same time! Even though it technically is a match-3 game (and many of us are getting tired of this genre!), Zenerchi really doesn't fit into that category!

The game can be difficult at times, but it's not impossible! I found it actually refreshing to encounter a matching game that required thinking, logic and skill! The music is very relaxing and the inspirational quotes (unlocked after reaching an expert score) were wonderful!

To download or purchase this game, click HERE.

I give this game a 6 out of 10.