What's New in Gamezebo
Christmasville Review
Santa Claus is missing and Christmas is doomed! Dooooomed! At least, that's what the Abominable Snowman would have you believe. Unless, in the guise of private detective Arthur Knight, you can solve the mystery. So, don your snow gear, sprinkle some magic dust on your noggin and it's off to Christmasville. With a bit of help from Yeti, Reindeer and Elf, you just may discover the truth about Santa before the holiday's ruined.
Play Lumines on the PC
With its trippy graphics and music, coupled with exquisite block-matching gameplay, Lumines is the reason a lot of people bought Sony PlayStation Portable consoles. Now you can play it on the PC courtesy of WildGames. Click here to check it out.
Friday Casual Games Weekly News Roundup
It's Friday, which means it's time for our casual games weekly news roundup. Highligts: Reflexive's Russell Carroll weighs in on the issue of cloning, and Rady Strude, heading of gaming strategy at Intel, says "The PC will kill the consoles" in an interview with Dean Takahashi in the Mercury News. Click READ MORE for the complete list of headlines.
Gamezebo News: Big Fish Games Buys Thinglefin, Casual MMO Developer
Big Fish Games acquires Thinglefin, a company I have not heard of yet, that is creating an undisclosed causal massively multiplayer online (MMO) game. Thinglefin is founded by veterans of video game companies Monolith and Sony Online Entertainment so it's interesting. We shall investigate. Click here for more details.
In other news, yours truly, Joel Brodie, was quoted in a new article by Paul "The Gamemaster" Hyman for the Hollywood Reporter on the value (or lack of thereof) of licenses in casual games. Click here to read the article.
Holly: A Christmas Tale Review
Everyone knows that the holidays are a magical time of year. And what better way to celebrate them than with Holly: A Christmas Tale, an interactive scavenger hunt that sees you helping save Santa and his elves' jolly behinds? Just be sure the entire family is gathered around the PC before attempting to tackle the adventure... stunningly depicted and atmospherically charming as the quest is, it's bound to give solo players the gift of extreme aggravation.
7 Artifacts Review
Ancient Greece has been the setting of many a casual desktop amusement, and once again it does due diligence in 7 Artifacts. A pattern-making puzzler that'll challenge your mind as much as it will your patience, the game scores with a stunning presentation and range of interesting extras. Unfortunately, it's also not the sort inclined to push the bar, relies mostly on gimmicks to engage the player and boasts less than stellar translation work, making the title a fun, but ultimately fleeting diversion.
Agatha Christie: Peril at End House Review
Interactive adaptations of Agatha Christie's beloved murder-mysteries have ranged from good (And Then There Were None) to great (Death on the Nile). Well, fans of these casual games will be pleased to know the latest adventure - Agatha Christie: Peril at End House - is the best yet, providing many hours of seek-and-find fun on your PC.
Home Sweet Home Review
Anyone who regularly tunes into television networks like Bravo and Lifetime or dreams of DIY (Do It Yourself) stardom will feel an instant affinity for Home Sweet Home. An original, eye-catching blend of puzzle-solving and real-time strategy mechanics based on an innovative concept - you're the interior designer - the title's sure to resonate with would-be decorators of any style or gender.
30% off all hidden object games on Big Fish
Get 30% off Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate, Agatha Christie: Peril at End House, Hidden Relics, The Scruffs and more as Big Fish is slashing the price of all 35 hidden object games in its catalogue by 30%. Use the coupon code BLIZZARDSAVINGS at checkout. Offer ends Dec. 2.
Chocolatier 2 Review
Enjoying the familiar flavor of your favorite chocolate is always a delightful experience, but game sequels face a greater challenge in that they have to bring new experiences to the table while retaining the charm of their predecessors. We're happy to report that the much-anticipated Chocolatier sequel - Chocolatier 2: Secret Ingredients - is another sweet experience.
Dirty Dancing Review
Nobody puts Baby in a corner! Dirty Dancing is here, and who can forget the incredible dancing, hunky Patrick Swayze, Baby's coming of age, Jennifer Grey with her original nose... The game takes place in the steamy summer of 1963. The minimalist plot is loosely connected to the movie, and revolves around you staying at the Kellerman Mountain House while training to compete in a dance contest.
Just In - Cradle of Persia
Cradle of Persia, which we previewed here, has just launched. Click here to download it.
Friday Casual Games Weekly News Roundup
It's Friday, which means it's time for our weekly news roundup where we bring you all the industry headlines and features that were fit to print. Click READ MORE to see what went on in the casual game universe this week.
Just In - Agatha Christie: Peril at End House
Agatha Christie: Peril at End House has just launched! Click here to download the hidden object game sequel to Death on the Nile, and stay tuned for our review and tips & tricks.
Babysitting Mania Review
Babysitting is a common way for teens to earn a little cash on the side, and Stacy Wilson is no different. The high school student is saving up for a telescope (she's a bit of a science geek), and figures that looking after other peoples' kids is her ticket to the stars. That's the premise behind Babysitting Mania, a new time management game from the makers of Nanny Mania.
Farm Frenzy Review
Part arcade game part management simulation, Farm Frenzy combines elements from games like Alice Greenfingers and Cake Mania to create a fast-paced and entertaining foray into farm administration. It lets you slip into a pair of coveralls and play "Old MacDonald" with a bit of a business twist. The result is some egg-ceptional down-on-the-farm goodness.
Steals & Deals - Thanksgiving Edition
Many companies are celebrating Thanksgiving by offering great deals on the games we love, which is just one more reason to be thankful. And if you're not American and are wondering what all this Thanksgiving fuss is about, just go with the flow and enjoy the discounts anyway! Click READ MORE and see how you can save.
Fatal Hearts Review
If you're a big fan of stories in casual games then you won't want to miss Fatal Hearts. From independent game developer Hanako Games (the makers of Cute Knight), Fatal Hearts features a deep choose-your-own-adventure story where the choices you make affect not only the ending of the game, but how you get there.
Cradle of Persia Preview
We have Persian rugs to decorate our homes and Persian cats to "decorate" our rugs, but what do we really know about Persia, specifically the Persian Empire? For most, the answer's "not much." In brief, Persia is known primarily as Iran today. The Persian Empire, however, was actually a series of historical kingdoms that ruled the Iranian plateau and parts beyond. What's the significance? Well, the development of that ancient empire plays out in Cradle of Persia.
Finders Keepers Review
PC owners who dream of a life spent sailing the seven seas in search of fabulous treasure are in for a treat, as all-new arcade game Finders Keepers lets you do just that. A cleverly click-happy outing, we're delighted to say it's both innovative and slickly produced... we just wish the action was a little faster-paced and flush with more mid-mission excitement, so the title would prove an even greater splash.
15 Minutes of Game: FreeRice
This week's featured web game is FreeRice. It's a simple word game that tests your vocabulary by asking you to choose correct definitions. For every word you get right, 10 grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food Program. It might not seem like much, but every little bit helps - more than 2 billion grains in total have been donated since October! Click here to play FreeRice and start making a difference.
Garden Defense Review
As anyone who's tussled with a gopher or combated a mole in hopes of guarding their precious flowers and/or vegetable patch can attest, protecting one's home from pests can be a daily battle. Now, the pastime's also an incredibly deep and engaging real-time strategy game in the form of Garden Defense, another smash hit from the folks at iWin.
Fab Fashion Review
Kate is a talented young fashion designer with big dreams, and with a few clicks of the mouse you can help take her gorgeous clothing creations from the fitting room to the catwalk. It's all part of Fab Fashion, the latest time management game from Fuzzy Games and RealArcade.
Evolution Review
It's better to be a big fish in a small pond than vice versa - believe us, we know after playing Evolution. An undersea arcade game that challenges you to chomp your way up the food chain, the title taps simple Darwinian principles to ensure only those with the quickest reflexes survive.
Kickplay offers casual games with a personal touch
Ask any gamer: There's nothing better than sitting down for a few rounds of Match 3 or Asteroids. But what if your ship or your gems could look like you? Or your grandkids? Or a favorite celebrity? Wouldn't that be a bit more compelling? Kickplay.com, which launched today, is counting on it. Users of the site, who pay no fees, can personalize a bevy of classic games like Solitaire or Connect Four with pictures from their hard drive, or from a large collection of images other users have shared.
Fashion Craze Review
Surprise! You don't have to be a snappy dresser, or even able to match a tie with a shirt, to enjoy the sartorially-themed challenges offered by new time management game Fashion Craze. As long as you're a dab hand behind the mouse, and don't mind spastic, click-happy action that's also bound to tax your noggin, you'll find it adds a welcome splash of color to any otherwise drab day.
The Great Tree Preview
If you stop by the offices of Reflexive Software this month, chances are you'll see someone unloading cleaning supplies. That's because they're putting the final coat of polish on The Great Tree, a new casual offering that combines the visual style of Reflexive's own Monarch: The Butterfly King with the star-collecting action of Neon Wars from Blitwise.
Kongregate pays to take Flash games to next level
In the world of Flash games, Kongregate doesn't want to be a one-game-stand. It doesn't want to be one of the many fish in the sea. Kongregate wants to be the one you settle down with. To that end, they've put their own funding into developing new casual properties with a wider scope, and with more depth than the usual casual fling.
Today the site announced the first five offerings from their Premium Development Program: Dinowaurs by Intuition Games, Remnants of Skystone from Flipline Studios, Lila Dreams by Creatrix Games, Zening from developer Michael King and Argue (About Everything) from development duo Adam Schroeder and Roger Bankus.
Lucky Clover Review
If every day is St. Patrick's Day in your world, or you fancy you've got the luck of the Irish, don't hesitate to have a look at Lucky Clover. An all-new hidden object game that challenges you to find hearts, stars, moons and more throughout the Emerald Isle, it's guaranteed to leave certain gamers green with envy. Then again, be forewarned: If the thought of listening to toe-tapping jigs and people speaking in stereotypical Celtic brogues at any great length sounds less than appealing, the title may also have you seeing red as well.
Val'Gor - Dark Lord of Magic Review
So, what do a Venetian mask, butterflies, the Catholic Church, a cannon, and an assortment of mechanical cranes have in common? The answer - they've all been magically altered by Val'Gor, the villain in the puzzle / hidden object game Val`Gor - Dark Lord of Magic. Apparently, Val'Gor has eclectic tastes, but you'd expect that of anyone a few centuries old.
15 Minutes of Game: Fresh Air Solitaire
Our featured web game this week is Fresh Air Solitaire. Enjoy nature's beauty while playing classic games of solitaire. As you win, you'll progress through the four seasons and enjoy 13 different background seasons along with pleasant sound effects like chirping birds and flowing water. Click here to play Fresh Air Solitaire.
Agatha Christie: Peril at End House Preview
Oberon will soon be following up Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile with a new interactive adventure based on Christie's classic murder mystery Peril at End House. The game will once again combine an intriguing whodunit story with "hidden object" style gameplay.
Fashion Fits Review
Working in retail is a thankless job as employees deal with fussy customers, the messes they leave behind, and many personalities. In Fashion Fits, a time management game from new studio Fugazo, players experience working in a clothing store with mouse clicks replacing hard labor.
The Office Review
Who knew that a British TV show would turn into a hit in North America, followed by a computer game? The Office certainly isn't the first British import, but the American version is so successful that the number of episodes has long passed its predecessor. The Office game exceeds expectations with its brilliant depiction of the quirky characters and their relationships.
El Dorado Quest Review
Rather than sit around the home or office whiling away the hours in front of PowerPoint presentations or monthly budget plans, who wouldn't prefer trekking off through the Amazon in search of Incan gold? Thankfully, now you'll get the chance with El Dorado Quest, which sees two explorers - Bob and Jane - starring in a pattern-matching puzzler that takes them deep into the heart of the rainforest in search of the lost city from which the game draws its name.
Friday Casual Games Weekly News Roundup
It's Friday, which means it's time for our weekly casual games news roundup. Click READ MORE to see all the casual gaming news that made headlines this week.
Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate Review
After spending Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst holed up in a mansion, it's nice to be back investigating suspects in Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate, the fourth game in the series. Madame Fate, the fortune teller at the local carnival, is convinced that she'll die at the stroke of midnight, and it's up to you to find her would-be killer before it's too late.
Discovering Nature Review
Whether you're a fan of 3-in-a-row games or love animals, or a bit of both, Discovering Nature is a fun and educational puzzler that offers many hours of clicking fun.
Steals & Deals
The Office Preview
Dwight's being weird. Michael's his usual annoying self. And Ryan, well... that self-starting pretty boy intern just doesn't know when to give up. As for us, we're just happy favorite characters such as Jim, Pam, Andy and Kevin are also around to add comedy value in The Office, a soon-to-be-released interactive adaptation of NBC's hit television series from publisher MumboJumbo. Taking the concept of standard time management games and turbo-charging it with a super-size dose of wit and personality, we're confident it's one title that even those who aren't primetime viewers will enjoy tuning into.
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords Review
Classical fantasy trappings and detailed role-playing infrastructure aside, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords proved a surprise hit on consoles like the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable for one simple reason - it's a casual game at heart. So don't be so quick to dismiss the outing, just because you're not the sort who usually appreciates the complexity of Dungeons & Dragons-style romps or balks at the thought of playing swordsman or spellcaster. To do so would in fact be a major stumble, causing you to miss one of the year's most unsung gems, especially with the tale now available in a specially-enhanced edition for PC owners to enjoy as well.
15 Minutes of Game: The Fancy Pants Adventure
Our featured web game this week is The Fancy Pants Adventure. It's a physics-based platformer where you guide a little stick figure character around cool pencil drawn environments to collect "squiggles." You can even earn in-game achievements. Click here to check it out.
The Tuttles: Madcap Misadventures Preview
It's not every day that celebrities get involved with casual games, but William Shatner, Bob Saget, Jamie Lee Curtis and others will be adding their voices to The Tuttles: Madcap Misadventures. The game was developed in partnership with the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, and a portion of all proceeds from game sales will go towards supporting seriously ill children and their families. The game launches later this month, but we were lucky enough to get our hands on a preview.
First Look - Super Granny 4
Granny's showing no signs of slowing down as she gears up for the release of her fourth game. You'll be able to experience the goofy arcade action (featuring Granny in her signature lavender jump suit) in early December, but in the meantime click READ MORE to check out some screenshots.
Season Match Review
Fans of 3-in-a-row games looking for a relaxing puzzler to waste away a lazy afternoon might not be disappointed with Season Match - but it's very easy game-play and slow pacing might bore more players than enthrall them.
Friday Casual Games Weekly News Roundup
Welcome to the Friday news roundup. The Casual Games Association released its annual Casual Games Market Report this week, declaring, among other things, that the casual games industry is now worth $2.25 billion per year, and that casual game players are almost evenly split between men and women. On the off chance that you won't be shelling out $1,500 to buy the report, we've brought you a selection of commentary and responses to the study from around the web.
The Blackwell Legacy Review
The Blackwell Legacy is a bit of a departure from the kind of games Gamezebo usually reviews, but the mature story - about a psychic medium and her "spirit guide" investigating cases of unhappy ghosts - had us intrigued, as did the retro two-dimensional art style that made us fondly recall classic adventure games like King's Quest and Quest for Glory.
Build-a-game: How HipSoft kept working until they got it right
Gameplay and theme are, in the casual space at least, sort of a chicken and the egg type of relationship. Which gives birth to which? The answer varies from game to game, but every once in a while, the two arrive so closely together that it's hard to know where one ends and the other begins. Such was the case with Build-a-Lot, a title which has its gameplay and theme so entwined, it would be almost impossible to separate the two.