What's New in Gamezebo
Wizard's Pen Review
One of the biggest gripes I have as a game reviewer who follows the casual space closely is the lack of ingenuity. That is, once there's a breakthrough game type - such as match-three, time management or hidden object puzzles - along come 101 clones that do very little to push the genre forward. Sure there's such thing as a well-made copycat, but critics like me smile ear to ear when a developer dares to try something different.
Such is the case with PopCap's Wizard's Pen, a highly entertaining puzzle game that puts a unique spin on the hidden object genre.
Cake Shop Review
Are carbs making a comeback? Not long after the release of Cake Mania 3 comes Cake Shop, another time management game that sends players to the bakery. I should say upfront that while Cake Shop is a decent game on its own, it doesn't really compare to the length, depth, or difficulty of the Cake Mania titles. That said, it does have its own personality, and it's easy and relaxing to play.
Casual News - Sept. 30, 2008
PopCap announces that a new Bejeweled title, Bejeweled Twist, is launching next month; THQ is bringing Desktop Tower Defense to the Nintendo DS; and Mobile Magazine ponders the future of gaming on Google Android. These headlines and more behind the cut.
Just In - Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave
Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave has just launched as a digital download on Big Fish Games. Click here to purchase the game (there's no demo for this large adventure game file), click here to write a review, and click here to talk about it in our forum.
Lost Secrets: Bermuda Triangle Review
It was only a matter of time before a hidden object game was based on the mystery surrounding the Bermuda triangle - and the good news is that Lost Secrets: Bermuda Triangle does a good job of bleding an interesting story, memorable characters and hidden object gameplay.
Neverland Review
Neverland is not your typical hidden object game. At least, not as far as its narrative goes. What begins as an enjoyable toy-filled dream takes a slightly demented turn almost immediately. Think of it as Fractured Fairy Tales (from the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show) meets the Brothers Grimm with a dash of Lemony Snicket on the side. It's not frightening, just slightly disturbing - but in a good way.
Delicious - Emily's Tea Garden Review
Delicious - Emily's Tea Garden is proof that a casual game doesn't need to reinvent the wheel to be a lot of fun. After all, we've seen this restaurant-themed time management game mechanic many times in the past, but here it's pulld off very well for the most part.
Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir
With so many popular casual PC games migrating over to the Nintendo DS, it was only a matter of time before mega-popular seek-and-find series Mystery Case Files followed suit. You might well ask, "How on earth could anyone cram scenes full of hidden objects onto that tiny little screen?" Read on to find out how Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir adapts itself to the DS's unique layout.
Social Saturdays: Geo Challenge
Playfish's fifth Facebook game, Geo Challenge, is a fun trivia game that lets you show off your knowledge of countries, flags and cities and see how you rank against your friends and other players from around the world.
Just In - Hidden Secrets: Bermuda Triangle
The latest hidden object game to launch is Hidden Secrets: Bermuda Triangle. Click here to download the game, click here to write a review, and click here to talk about it in our forum.
$83.3 Million Big Ones
There are two numbers that are big news lately: $700 billion for the US government to bail out Wall Street and $83.3 million venture capital investment in Big Fish Games.
Both confuse and intrigue me. I can't fully explain the $700 bail-out (and if I did, I would end up writing a boring and depressing tirade comparing the current administration with the Hoover presidency). But, I can share my thoughts on the $83.3 million that Big Fish Games just raised.
Casual News - Sept. 26, 2008
CasualGaming.biz interviews PopCap's European PR Director Cathy Orr, PocketGamer.biz examines how major mobile games publishers are approaching iPhone games, and momentum builds for Casual Connect Kyiv. These headlines and more behind the cut.
Just In - Wizard's Pen
PopCap Games today released a new hidden object game, Wizard's Pen. In Wizard's Pen, players identify an object through fragments or "layers" of a picture that are revealed in various ways using a magic pen.
Click here to download the game, click here to review it, and click here to talk about it in our forum. Stay tuned for our review and strategy guide.
The Hidden Object Show: Season 2 Review
The Hidden Object Show returns for "Season 2" with more polish, better graphics, and - if you can believe it - even more bang for the buck. If you thought the first game was long, wait until you sink your teeth into its sequel, which boasts a mind-blowing 300 rounds - that's three times more than the first game had.
Wagons Ho! Review
When it comes to simulating the trials and travails of America's mid-19th century pioneers, think The Oregon Trail is the only game in town? Guess again, because refreshing new strategic outing Wagons Ho! challenges aspiring quartermasters to march a train of wide-eyed settlers across the wilderness to a new life in the West.
Just In - Pageant Princess
Keep your girls looking and feeling their best in Pageant Princess, a new time management game that has just launched over at iWin. Click here to download the game, click here to review it, and click here to talk about it in our forum. Stay tuned for our review and strategy guide.
Just In - Delicious - Emily's Tea Garden
The third game in the Delicious series, Delicious - Emily's Tea Garden, has launched! Click here to download the game, click here to write a review, and click here to talk about it in our forum. Review and strategy guide coming very soon.
Web Wednesdays: Globs
In Globs the goal is to turn a grid of different colored paint splotches into one giant... well, glob. Use the keyboard to change the color of the nearest splotch, and any splotches of the same color will be absorbed into it to form a bigger glob. Absorb more and more splotches until the glob covers the entire screen, but you'll have to strategize because you only have a limited number of moves to do so. Click here to play Globs.
Casual News - Sept. 24, 2008
MCV's Tim Ingham tells game publishers and retailers to "drop the casual attitude;" A panel at the Austin Game Developer's Conference discusses envolving business models in MMO; and Bejeweled is coming to World of Warcraft. These headlines and more behind the cut.
MochiAds Super Flash Game Friday Contest winners announced
Last week I had the pleasure of being on the judge's panel for Mochi Media's MochiAds Super Flash Game Friday Contest. Ten winners were chosen from more than 800 entries, and each winner received $1,000 and a Bamboo Fun Wacom Tablet. Check out the list of winners and their awesome games behind the cut, and stay tuned for our Web Wednesdays where we'll be taking a more in-depth look at some of the winning games.
Just In - Neverland
A new hidden object game called Neverland has just launched. Click here to download the game, click here to write a review, and click here to talk about it in our forum.
SKIP-BO Castaway Caper Review
On the tail of UNO Undercover comes SKIP-BO Castaway Caper, a casual game remake of another of Mattel's card games. If you haven't heard of it, Skip-BO is similar to UNO, but while UNO is often compared to Crazy 8s, Skip-BO more closely resembles Spit, or the traditional card game sometimes known as Cat and Mouse or Spite and Malice.
Syberia Review
A lot of the games we play require quick thinking and quicker reflexes, which is why it's nice to take a break every once in a while with a slower-paced but no less engrossing point-and-click adventure game. Like Syberia.
Pet Show Craze Review
With pet-themed time management games raining like cats and dogs on the casual game industry, we've come to expect more from the late-comers. Although Pet Show Craze won't win any Best in Show awards, it does deliver a couple of treats.
Social Saturdays: Tetris Friends
Tetris Friends puts a social spin on the classic falling block puzzle game Tetris. The gameplay, where you rotate and drop different-shaped blocks as they fall from the top of the screen to clear lines and score points, is as solid as ever, and Tetris Friends offers four different modes to test your mettle.
