What's New in Gamezebo
Just In - Leeloo's Talent Agency
Discover your inner Ari Gold in Puzzle Lab's latest time management/hidden object hybrid, Leeloo's Talent Agency, over at Real Arcade.
Download Leeloo's Talent Agency, write a review, or talk about it in our forum. Stay tuned for Gamezebo's review.
How Peggle Nights found a new way to an old conclusion
What do you do when you're just not ready to say goodbye?
That was the problem faced by the Peggle team. They wanted to continue their franchise, but they weren't quite ready to let go of the game that they'd had such success with.
Web Wednesdays: Bricks Breaking
Earlier this month Mochi Media released its list of the 10 most popular flash games of 2008, and Bricks Breaking was number eight. It's a simple puzzle game where the goal is to clear a grid by clicking on groups of like-colored bricks to destroy them. Other bricks collapse in to fill the space, so there's a fair bit of strategy involved in planning ahead and predicting where the bricks are going to fall. If you get stuck, you can use a limited supply of magic wands to remove single bricks. The game ends when you can't make any more moves and have run out of wands. Click here to play Bricks Breaking for free.
Westward III: Gold Rush Review
Northern California may not be in the throes of any present gold rushes, but circa the mid-1800s, nugget fever was in full swing. It's a state of mind cheerfully captured in Westward III, a satisfying hybrid of real-time strategy and life simulator which sends three all-new pioneers scurrying off to tame the wild frontier.
Liong: The Lost Amulets Review
Successfully blending mah jong with Zuma and bingo, offbeat puzzler Liong: The Dragon's Dance was nothing if not ambitious when it launched several months back. Sequel Liong: The Lost Amulets takes an equally innovative approach, mixing hidden object play with typical tile-matching challenges, albeit not always to best effect.
Casual News - Dec. 30
The New York Times interviews the makers of DQ Tycoon (and give a special shout-out to Gamezebo readers as well!); the Industry Standard ponders whether the games industry will be sustained by casual or hardcore gamers; and a new video game conference, GamesBeat 2009, is announced. These headlines and more behind the cut.
Monster Quest Review
If you loved reading those 4th grade science pamphlets about the inventor of the microscope and the discovery of penicillin, you'll find the History Channel's Monster Quest a refreshing change from a standard hidden object game. If you like stories, you'll like the fact that every object means something. If you prefer something more visually exciting than searching for muddy footprints in a marsh, you'll find it boring. Former science fair enthusiasts of any age will like the game a lot.
Just In - Can You See What I See? Dream Machine
Can You See What I See? Dream Machine, the sequel to Can You See What I See?, has launched! Download the game, write a review, or talk about it in our forum. Review and strategy guide coming soon.
Social Saturdays: Jigsawce
I love playing games, online and off, but what I hate the most is having to play them alone. The dilema lies in finding someone who likes the games I do and is willing to play a simple game like jigsaw puzzles with me. With the game Jigsawce (part of Iminlikewithyou.com), I don't have to play alone because people who want to play puzzles with me are never in short supply.
Natalie Brooks - The Treasures of the Lost Kingdom Review
Marc Saltzman in his review of Nightshift Legacy: The Jaguar’s Eye believes 2008 will go down as the year of the “HOG” as in hidden object games. But I think it would be the year HOGs shun the HOG label for point-and-click adventures like in the old PC days. Natalie Brooks: The Treasures of the Lost Kingdom puts a greater emphasis on adventure and less on hidden object finding.
Just In - Monster's Quest
History Channel's Monster Quest is the most pointless show on TV in my humble opinion. True, it's entertaining, but if they found the Loch Ness Monster, wouldn't that make the national news?
But how is the game? Download Monster Quest, write a review, or talk about it in our forum. Stay tuned for Gamezebo's review.
Dracula: Origin Review
So-called “large file games,” or titles whose massive file sizes require way longer to download and install (and consume more space) than the average desktop alternative, are a singular oddity in casual gaming. That’s because, as with Dracula: Origin, released six months ago on PC CD-ROM, they’re actually traditional desktop diversions masquerading as digital downloads. Happily, in this case, the game – a haunting adventure that excels for its superb storytelling and cinematic presentation – translates just as well to this new, albeit unlikely format.
Lost in Reefs Review
In the short history of create-your-own-world match-3 games, Lost in Reefs follows the same gameplay mechanics where you gather enough supplies during the actual puzzle games in order to purchase buildings reconstructing a once-famous dragon city. The question is: what does this game offer more for seasoned players of the genre?
Wed Wednesdays: Balloono
Dear Santa: This year, all I want for a Christmas is a free flash game where you splash monkeys with water balloons.
If this item is on your Christmas List, then congratulations! You've been a good boy or girl this year and allow me introduce to you to Balloono.
The Hidden Prophecies of Nostradamus Review
The Hidden Prophecies of Nostradamus from Cat’s Eye Games mixes a fairly easy classic Hidden Object Game with a variety of 8 types of mini-games, some very challenging. A limited number of SKIP options means every player will have to complete at least some of the mini-games to complete the game. Some players will enjoy the variety—others will find the extreme variation in difficulty frustrating.
What a twist! How Bejeweled Twist went from sushi to sensation
It's one of the biggest casual game releases of the year, but there was every chance that instead of spinning gems in Bejeweled Twist, fans could have been turning tuna in "Zoingo."
Can You See What I See? Dream Machine Preview
Clyde Curfuffle's in a pickle again. This time he needs your help to find two rare items he's supposed to be giving to his niece and nephew for their birthday in Can You See What I See? Dream Machine, the upcoming sequel to the popular Can You See What I See? hidden object game that Freeze Tag released earlier this year. (Read more.)
Casual News - Dec. 23
Citing poor holiday sales, Electronic Arts says it will lay off 1,000 employees and close several game studios; HappyNews.com profiles "serious games," and KingIsle Entertainment announces an expansion to Wizard101. These headlines and more behind the cut.
Conga Bugs Preview
GameTantra is close to launching Conga Bugs, a cute variation on marble-shooting games like Zuma and Luxor that has you shooting bugs out of your launcher to make matches of three or more bugs of the same color to turn them into butterflies. (Read more.)
Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates
Back when PopCap was still synonymous with nothing more than Bejeweled, and long before Johnny Depp had perfected his Jack Sparrow swagger, a small development team of six were creating one of the most unique massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) on the market today.
Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates (Y!PP to those that love it) has the magic that all MMOGs are trying to capture: it appeals to and satisfies both the casual and hardcore player; it can be played - all of it - for free, or you can spend boatloads of money if that is your preference to really put on a show; and, get this... people actually role-play! Yar!!
Adventure Chronicles: The Search For Lost Treasure Review
Adventure Chronicles: The Search for Lost Treasure is the sequel to Gogii Games' popular hidden object game Escape the Museum. This time, Susan travels to five different regions around the world in search of archaeological treasures. Well-integrated inventory puzzles, polished production values, and a good hint system all add to the pleasures of this untimed game.
Fix-it-Up: Kate's Adventure Review
If you're bored of managing restaurants, beauty salons or fitness clubs, perhaps you'll be "driven" to perform in a handful of auto repair shops. Such is the premise behind World-Loom's Fit-it-up: Kate's Adventure, a challenging and gratifying business simulation for virtual grease monkeys.
Just In - The Hidden Prophecies of Nostradamus
Discover the missing pieces of Nostradamus' crystal ball to try to bring his prophecies to light in the latest hidden object game to launch on Big Fish Games. Download The Hidden Prophecies of Nostradamus, write a review, or talk about it in our forum. Stay tuned for Gamezebo's review and strategy guide.
Just In - Adventure Chronicles: The Search for Lost Treasure
Remember Escape the Museum? The sequel to the hidden object/adventure game from Gogii Games has just launched over at Big Fish Games. Download Adventure Chronicles: The Search for Lost Treasure now, write a review of the game, or talk about it in our forum. Stay tuned for Gamezebo's review and strategy guide!
Just In - Westward III: Gold Rush
I'm back! I guess you did not know I was gone for the week on vacation, that's how good Margie and Erin and our team of writers are :)
To celebrate, Sandlot Games have officially launched Westward III: Gold Rush, or so I want to believe.
Download Westward III: Gold Rush, write a review, or talk about it in our forums. Our review is coming soon.
Steals & Deals - Dec. 20, 2008
All games on Big Fish Games are half price until January 1. MSN Games is offering 40% off on 12 hit games including Peggle Nights, Dream Chronicles 2 and Women's Murder Club: Death in Scarlet. Over at Brighter Minds Media, get 35% off all software (boxed copies only). And LDW is offering Virtual Villagers: A New Home, Fish Tycoon, and Plant Tycoon for 50% off. Check the holiday steals & deals we posted earlier as well by clicking here and here.
Mystery Legends: Sleepy Hollow Review
The Headless Horseman is a well-known figure in American folklore - the ghost of a soldier who terrorized the residents of Sleepy Hollow by riding out at night to search for his lost head while relieving unlucky townspeople of theirs. In Mystery Legends: Sleepy Hollow, you'll experience the story as told through a spooky hidden object game.
Mr. Biscuits: The Case of the Ocean Pearl Review
Mr. Biscuits: The Case of the Ocean Pearl is a hidden object game from Jenkat Media. As you solve each of the hidden object scenes, you collect clues to a murder mystery. At the end of the game, you can use the clues to identify the criminal. The concept is clever, but the execution suffers from poor graphic design that will leave many players feeling frustrated.
Quizmas in Lapland Review
Cold weather has finally arrived in Texas and I love it as I stay cozy inside with a warm blanket, peppermint mocha coffee and a holiday game to wrap me in lovely holiday spirit. None other than St. Nicholas plays host - a Christmas version of Alex Trebek - in the holiday Christmas game Quizmas in Lapland.
Just In - Natalie Brooks:The Treasures of the Lost Kingdom
Alawar has just launched the Natalie Brooks: The Treasures of the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to the hidden object game Natalie Brooks: Secrets of Treasure House. Download the game from Alawar now and you can save 30% by using the coupon code ALAW-BOJE-CCFA. Discuss the game in our forum, or write your own review. Stay tuned for Gamezebo's review and strategy guide!
Casual News - Dec. 19, 2008
Hasbro has dropped its lawsuit against the makers of the popular Facebook Scrabble clone Scrabulous; PopCap offers the first free level pack for Peggle Nights, and Her Interactive (makers of the Nancy Drew games) reports record profits. These headlines and more behind the cut.
Agatha Christie - Evil Under the Sun Review
Great visuals and superb voice acting in Agatha Christie: Evil Under the Sun help counterbalance clunky game mechanics and illogical inventory tasks. The "little grey cells" may not get much exercise, but fans of Hercule Poirot will enjoy the clever dialogue and fine detail of this full-sized point-and-click adventure game.
Steals & Deals - Dec. 18
Here are a few more goodies for the holidays: Download 5 extra levels for Peggle Nights free from PopCap Games, and save 50% when you preorder Westward III: Gold Rush from Sandlot Games. (The game hasn't launched yet, but it's coming soon.
Just In - Mr. Biscuits: The Case of the Ocean Pearl
Mr. Biscuits: The Case of the Ocean Pearl has just launched over at iWin. Download the hidden object game now, write a review, or talk about it in our forum. Stay tuned for Gamezebo's review and strategy guide.
Floating Kingdoms Review
For people who are turned off by the complexity and micro-management of most strategy games, there's Floating Kingdoms, a king of strategy-lite that holds the player's hand through everything from gathering resources to deciding which structures to build next. In fact, the game does so much for you that it sucks a little too much of the challenge out of what was otherwise an interesting concept.
County Fair Review
County Fair is a neat tycoon game and carnival-building simulation that puts you in full control of building and maintaining some very cool amusement parks. From carousels to ring toss games to deep fried candy bars, it has everything you'd expect to find in a real-life fair.
Web Wednesdays: Frost Bite 2
In Frost Bite 2 you're a climber trying to get to the top of a mountain using the arrow keys to move, and your trusty grappling hook to propel you to hard-to-reach places. On the way to the top, you'll collect goodies for points, and encounter obstacles like monsters, dark rock that your grappling hook can't stick to, and rotating elevator lifts. Play Frost Bite 2 now for free.
Just In - Mystery Legends: Sleepy Hollow
Dive into the classic story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman in the hidden object game Mystery Legends: Sleepy Hollow, which has just launched. Download the game, write a review, or talk about it in our forums. Stay tuned for our review and strategy guide.
Steals and Deals - Dec. 16, 2008
Check out these holiday deals from Alawar, iWin, Legacy Games, MumboJumbo, PlayFirst, PopCap and Shockwave. (Read more.)
Kids to Obama: Consider this!
Pundits around the world are offering ideas and advice to President-elect Obama. Now kids have their turn through the "Dear President Obama" contest, which launched today on kids' virtual world SecretBuilders.com.
The contest invites players to submit a picture and message to President Obama. The winning entry will be published on President's Day (Feb. 16, 2009) on the Huffington Post, and runners-up will also be featured on Gamezebo, political website Slate, and CNN's iReport. (Read more.)
Nightshift Legacy: The Jaguar's Eye Review
Without a doubt, 2008 will go down in the casual game history books as the "Year of the HOG." No, not "Year of the Pig" (which was 2007, according to Chinese astrology), "HOG" as in "Hidden Object Game."
The latest HOG puzzler is Nightshift Legacy: The Jaguar's Eye, a title that once again introduces heroes Mike and Isabel, last seen in 2007's The Nightshift Code, who travel across the globe - and even back through time - to find the mysterious Jaguar's Eye and wield the power it contains.
Ashtons Family Resort Review
A resort-themed time management game sounds great, especially if you don't have plans to travel during the holiday season. However, Ashtons: Family Resort compels me to reconsider that position.
The game introduces an newlywed couple void of personality who open their dream family resort business on a lake shore in the U.S. After a slow start with little action, the game moves on to Switzerland in hopes that a change of scenery would provide the lift it needed. Alas, my journey with the Ashtons ended with a crash, both literally and figuratively.
Totem Tribe Preview
Enkord has offered us a sneak peek at its next game, Totem Tribe, a title that will combine hidden object elements with real-time strategy and adventure gameplay.
Casual News - Dec. 16, 2008
Mochi Media announces Flash Gaming Summit 2009, the first game conference dedicated to Flash games; The Hardvard Crimson argues in favor of video games being recessino proof; and Iminlikewithyou launches a new "MMOPG" (massively-multiplayer online puzzle game). These headlines and more behind the cut.
I-play announces Women's Murder Club sequel
I-play has confirmed that the next game in the Women's Murder Club series, Women's Murder Club: A Darker Shade of Grey, will launch in February, 2009. A retail version will be available on store shelves in March, 2009.
Burger Island 2: The Missing Ingredient Review
More of the same, only tastier: That's the kind of dish new time management title Burger Island 2 serves up, delivering an even juicier helping of food service fun than its predecessor.
Heartwild Solitaire Review
You don't generally expect to find stories of domestic violence or promiscuity in casual games, and you definitely don't expect to find them in solitaire! When I first started playing Heartwild Solitaire, I was very surprised to see the direction the story was taking. Still, as uncomfortable as it was, I found it very hard to stop playing because I wanted to see where the story went.
Just In - Heartwild Solitaire
In a beautiful and distant land a heartbroken woman picks up the pieces of her shattered life, determined to share her cautionary tale with others, by playing. . . solitaire.
Heartwild Solitaire, a hybrid solitaire adventure game, has launched on Sandlot Games. Download Heartwild Solitaire, write a review, or talk about it in our forums. Our review is coming soon.
Brain Training for Dummies Review
The (Insert Skill) for Dummies series of books was created to help us succeed in skill areas where we were previously deficient or incompetent. So when I heard about Brain Training for Dummies, my first thought was, "How could they make a game that was How Not To Be a Dummy... for Dummies? Well, I've been pleasantly surprised.
Mandragora Review
Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics, would be proud of Mandragora. The game lets you cross seeds to create new plants that share similar traits as its parents. You need to work fast in taking care of the trees by watering them, swatting bugs repeatedly, chopping down trees to make room for new ones, and protecting trees from flooding while trying to create new breeds.
