Build-a-lot 4: Power Source

Publisher: HipSoft

Developer: HipSoft

User Reviews

Average User Score:

Five Stars Review This Game!

  • Posted on Aug 18, 2009, 4:22am

    5 Stars

    User Review by SueKY

    BAL 4 is another step up from the last three games issued. It's a great game if you like strategy and precision. There are many more hours and variations of play in this issue. It offers oodles of challenge, hours and days of fun, and replay-ability. Power utilities have been thrown into the mix and are the most crucial component of the game. No power –blackout-- no points. If you are a veteran of BAL's, this new component makes it all new and more challenging. The Campaign site has 4 levels. You have the Tutorial which is not needed if you have played this game before; then there is the Main Campaign with 45 levels; followed by the Challenge Campaign with 10 levels; and finally, the Expert Campaign. I have completed the Main Campaign with all expert scores. On most levels, I had to replay them a few to several times to figure out the strategy and/or to learn all the requirements for a level. Those mayors like to surprise you with one or more requests just when you think you are going to make it. Sometimes you have to think outside-the-box which adds to the fun. On most though, once you have figured out the strategy, it works on many of the levels. When I advanced to the Challenge Campaign, I thought I'd never figure out the first level and than attain an expert score. I know I played it over 15+ times trying different strategies, and then trying to beat the clock. I finally made it. After that first challenge, the other 3 levels I have played so far demanded a lot less effort with an expert scort. That first one was hard, and you'll probably need a lot of persistence and patience to get expert. I don't know how many levels are on the Expert Campaign. There is also the option of Casual Play where you can relax, experiment, and not worry about the time limit. In Casual there is a goal to reach in 6 different neighborhoods starting with making $3 million and an Appeal rating of 50; and escalating with each neighborhood up to a goal of $50 million and an Appeal rating of 150. The other additional or different perks are: (1) a Journal Planner (It replaces the “buttons” for levels from BAL 3.) which lists the levels, and your proficiency, and where you can go to replay a level; (2) an Awards site with several different awards you can try to shoot for using both Campaign and Casual modes; and lastly, (3) there is a screen to show High Scores broken down into Local, Daily, and All Time. The High Scores screen is a joke and totally unrealistic. It's worthless. The top player scores listed, had them winning games in seconds. The top player had a score of 1 second with 5 workers on a Challenge level. The graphics are the same as in the prior BAL's with the addition of different buildings. I am not a judge here, because I go for game challenge and replay-ability. I could care less about the graphics, and I turn off the music on any game I play because it is distracting to me. Graphics and music are a nice plus, but they don't make the game. The only gripes I had were: (1) the High Scores site; (2) it would have been more interesting or challenging to have more of a variety in map layouts; and (3) the odd way they set up to get to the Awards site; where you had to start a game in order for the Awards button to be accessible. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Aug 6, 2009, 5:59am

    5 Stars

    User Review by micky7830

    Great game,it certainly lives to its predecessors...A lot harder than the other three to get expert on even early levels....But well worth the wait for this game, give it a try you will like it.. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Aug 5, 2009, 4:05am

    5 Stars

    User Review by tania1983

    it is great ,i love it so much Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Aug 5, 2009, 12:07am

    5 Stars

    User Review by stcyhood

    One word... Awesome! Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Aug 3, 2009, 7:31am

    4 Stars

    User Review by gilowyn

    Smooth gaming, just like all BAL games. Fun to play, a tad more challenging that the last three to get expert on all levels. Energy plants add some fun additions. I am just disappointed that they really didn't improve anything with regards to graphics or look-and-feel. Nothing, nada - the game looks just the same as all the other ones. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Aug 1, 2009, 7:19am

    5 Stars

    User Review by alunau7

    Another Build-a-Lot hit! The "low power" sound is enough to remind you to add energy sources...lol. Loved the game! Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

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