Alice Greenfingers 2

There's a great new game out, and it's a sequel to one of my favorite games of last year: Alice Greenfingers 2. Once again, you're trying to grow crops and raise animals for profit. But this time, it's your lazy uncle's farm, and he sure is creepy. He seems like a character straight out of one of those horror movies where somebody from the hills goes berzerk!

Creepy uncle aside, playing the game is a wonderful experience. You will find that your free hour flies by in a jiffy, leaving you wanting more. So I just had to buy this one, and I am happy I did. So if you haven't played a good game in a while, look no further than Alice Greenfingers 2 :)

Jewel Quest Mysteries

Sorry I have been away for so long, but rest assured, I am back and ready to comment on lots of games. The first of these is Jewel Quest Mysteries. This is a game that you could have predicted would show up. The Jewel Quest series has always been popular, and hidden object games are obviously popular too. So why not make a Jewel Quest hidden object game? The Indiana Jones style of theme is just perfect to find hidden objects, and they did it right too. The scenes look great, and it has the trademark storyline too. All in all, it's a very good game.

First Class Flurry....It's Anything But First Class

Now time management games have taken to the sky. What, did we run out of diners and hair salons? Are there no more veterinarian clinics that need your attention. First Class Flurry takes you to the friendly sky's and leaves you there longing for the good old days of serving burgers.

The gist of the game is pretty simple. You are a flight attendant and need to keep your customers happy. It is always all about keeping the customers happy. Or keeping your plants healthy. Or making the puppy's and kitty's happy and healthy. These Diner Dash wannabes all strive to keep everyone happy while the game makes you miserable.

There are no redeeming features to this game. The graphics are childish and the playability is such that you want a parachute to bail out of this plane due to total boredom!

It is best to keep your mouse in a "locked and upright position" and take a pass on this one.

Tradewinds Caravans

Just in time for the hot days of July, a Tradewinds sequel! If you have played the Tradewinds game where you trade on the sea, you know what this game is all about. But with Trandwinds Caravans they take those old concepts and add some new surprises. You have to be careful with sequels, if they are not done right they just seem to be redundant. But this one seemed very fresh even though I had played for hours.

Your job here is to build your trading empire as in past Tradwind games. But this one is a tad different, they seem to have put more weight to the storyline then before. And there is also a touch of humor that I found added to the gaming experience.

So curb your camel Habib and give this one a trial trek across the dessert, it is worth the effort.

Tropico Jong

I usually am not wild about Mahjong games but this one I like. Tropico Jong takes the frantic pace out of Mahjong and allows you to have some "kick back" fun. The premise of the game is that you are on a butterfly camera expedition and you travel though jungles and seafronts. You solve Mahjong puzzles along the way.

One of the features I like the best is the one that allows you to take time out and head for a soothing vally where you may review your butterfly's close up. The graphics are really good in this one and the playability never seems to lag.

If your into Mahjong, this game is worth a test drive.

The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes

I am up in the air regarding this game. It seems to have a lot going for it but I just can't get over the hump and be positive about the game. I love Sherlock Holmes and I really wanted to like this game.

What The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes has going for it are tons of screens (forty) for you to find your missing objects. Add sixteen separate cases to solve along with great locations within the United Kingdom and the formula for success is certainly there.

Perhaps I am just becoming too callous regarding the hidden object genre of games to be unbiased when reviewing this game. All the pieces were in play but It just didn't have the main ingredient that makes a game a winner, that being the playability factor.

If you like hidden objects and you like Sherlock then you may be well served giving this one a spin. I just don't know Watson, it didn't feel right to me.

Build in Time Great Summer Kick Off!

Eureka! Another nugget has been found! Pardon the celebration but nuggets are getting harder to find and this one comes just at the right time.

If you liked Build A Lot, you're going to think you died and went to heaven when you take this one for a spin. Build in Time is the offshoot of the former game and this one is wayyyy better! Don't get me wrong, Build A Lot was a good game, but Build in Time sets the bar a lot higher.

The graphics are better but it is the playability of the game that just went off the charts. The writers of this game tweaked this one in such a manner that your always doing something. There are just no lags or dead time.

Take it from a guy that is not to wild on time management games, download this one at once and you will see why I give it a "can't miss" label.

The Clumsys

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At first blush I thought this game might have something interesting to offer. The concept is pretty good. The premise is a time machine invented by grandpa transports the grandkids into different time periods. Now grandpa has to track down the twenty grandkids before they alter time by their actions or by articles they took to the specific time periods.

So off you go playing the part of grandpa trying to make sure the time line remains unchanged. The Clumsys had a chance to be a good game in this genre with this premise. They failed to deliver on this chance!

There is not enough to differentiate this game from the flooded field of hidden object games to recommend it for purchase. And that is a shame because the premise was one that could have led to a fun time with a good game.

True to its namesake, this game is just "clumsy."

Larva Mortus....It's A Bloodbath!

First and foremost, this game is not for the wee ones. It is a total bloodbath! And it is a terrific bloodbath at that!

This is a 360 degree shooter that is actually pretty darn good all the blood and gore aside. Lava Mortus is very reminiscent of the recently released Zombie Shooter but I really think this game outdoes the latter. The playability is just a tad better.

The storyline is set in the late 1800's and you are fighting the forces of evil with a tad of black magic thrown in for good measure. But the storyline isn't the strong suit here, it's the action!

If your squeamish about blood and guts you better take a pass on this one. If you don't mind seeing a lung or two explode, by all means take a run at the trial and give it a test drive.

The Casualgameguy gives this one two severed thumbs up!

Vogue Tales.. Someone stole Wendy's Dummy

This is a good one. Someone stole Wendy's dummy. And she has to make enough cash to be able to travel the globe and catch the thief. And to make this cash she dresses mannequins and sells clothes. Wow, that must be some dummy!

The truth of the matter here is if you buy this game you become the dummy. Vogue Tales is just another time management game bringing nothing new to the table. The graphics are amateurish and the storyline is so far fetched that even the very young females targeted by this game will will have a hard time buying in.

The fashion gig has been done dozens of times and if your in the market for a game with this theme in this genre you can find better buys for your gaming dollar.

So do yourself a favor and pass on this one. Your no dummy!

Laura Jones...She is No Indiana!

Another hidden object game to quench your thirst for this genre? A sleazy attempt to cash in during the time frame that the new Indiana Jones movie hits the big screen? A so so game with lots of screens and some puzzles and mini games to take your mind off the pain your experiencing while pouring over screen after screen of missing objects? The answer is yes to all of the above.

I didn't even get through the trial of this game before I had to wave the white flag. I surrendered unconditionally! I just couldn't take any more. Laura Jones does not have a whole lot going for it. The graphics are run of the mill and the theme is cheesy. So save your money and go see the new movie instead of wasting it on this game

Mystery PI - Vegas Heist

The Mystery PI games have always been and, as it seems, continue to be high quality productions. Mystery PI-Vegas Heist is what you would expect from these producers.

Even the most calloused game reviewer would admit that this game is a true bargain for the gaming dollar. There are twenty-five unique screens to utterly ruin your eyes searching for the hidden articles you need to solve the crime. And, gasp, you actually have to use your noggin to decipher the meaning of what you discover.

This game shows that you can indeed offer the casual gaming public a quality product in a genre that has been beaten like a dead horse.

Clue Classic ..... It Really Is A Classic!

Finally a golden nugget! Just when you think that an entire week could go by without the release of a true winner we are saved by the bell. Clue Classic is indeed a classic! This is the board game only virtual. They were smart enough not to change a thing.

But they did bring some goodies to the party. They gave us great visuals and even better sound to add to our experience. They took the best of both worlds and created a masterpiece.

If you love the board game this virtual game is going to send you into orbit. This game is one you will haul out from the depths of your C drive every day the weather is inclement just like your parents hauled out that cardboard game for you.

Professor Plum looks pretty sinister and I don't like the way Colonel Mustard is looking at Miss Scarlet! Take a look inside Tudor Mansion, you won't be disappointed. This game is a can't miss and worth every penny.

Dairy Dash...... Got Milk?

Sometimes I wish Diner Dash had never been released on the unsuspecting gamers who enjoy the casual game scene. How were we to know that we would be inundated with clones covering everything from hair dressing to veterinarians. And now we must suffer through yet another as Dairy Dash has hit the market.

When is enough enough? I suppose not until every nickel is "milked" from you the buying public. But as long as the nickels keep coming in, there is no relief in sight. We will be dashed and smashed with every sort of time management game and most will be Alice Greenfingers wannabes.

There is nothing new about this game. It is all old news. The only variant is that you must rely more on your resources then your skill at clicking. But that's it.

Take my word for it. This one just never leaves the barn.

Titan Attacks...It's Space Invaders AGAIN!

I am a big fan of nostalgia. If you read my blog you know that. I really love when they take the old games I played with the kids when they were growing up and revamp them. And many are very good utilizing the new drivers and graphics available today. Unfortunately, Titan Attacks is not one of the good ones.

This is Space Invaders revisited. And as this has happened so many times before it takes a lot to make the grade with a clone. Many have tried, most have failed. This game is amongst the latter.

OK, I'll admit the graphics are pretty good. And some of the power ups are somewhat unique. But these two facts are not enough to push this game over the top.

With so many games offered on any given day, save your time and give this one a pass. You will thank me for saving that precious five minutes of your time.

Women's Murder Club

Every time a casual game takes its lead from a successful best seller there is a lot to live up to. And in the case of Women's Murder Club, the game comes close to holding up it's end of the bargain. But close only counts in........ well, you know.

Perhaps it is my disdain for the hidden object game genre that makes me give this game a thumbs down. Or perhaps it's my annoyance at game producers who shamelessly target games at woman as they know they are the ones more likely to open up the purse and make a purchase. I shouldn't blame them for this tactic, it's called knowing and understanding your marketplace. But c'mon game producers, give the ladies a fair shake. Give them some quality offerings.

The game has all the trappings of every other hidden object game we have seen over the past year. It does have some tricky puzzles and that is probably its best feature. But hey, if you liked the book and your into this genre of games, maybe it will provide you with some fun.

Pastry Passion....It's All About The Eye Candy

Just what we needed, another game themed with food. From burgers to Ice Cream and everything in between, we just cannot seem to get enough. And with warnings out from every government agency around that our kids are dangerously obese, you would think that cramming games down their throats with food themes would be the last thing an industry should do.

I had to get that off my chest. With that being said, Pastry Passion is not to bad a game. It is your typical match game with the usual whistles and bells. But what sets this one apart is spectacular graphics. The graphics in this game are so good that they should be used as the standard for all other graphic artists to shoot for when making a game.

If match games float your boat, give this one a spin and enjoy the eye candy. Bon appetit!

Money Tree..... It DoesGrow on Trees!

We have been told that money does not grow on trees all our lives. And now we find out that it actually does! It just goes to show that in the casual game marketplace anything is possible.

The premise is pretty simple. When a leaf falls from your Money Tree you catch it and transplant it on another fruit tree. That tree then bears fruit and you sell the fruit to make money. Think of it as diner dash in the garden with Alice overseeing the operation.

When I first gave this one a spin I thought it was destined for the now bulging trash can of poor games from the past week. The graphics were amateurish at best and your first impression is that some game programmer wannabe managed to get this thing released. But then as you play the game you realize the game has some legs. Goes to show you just can't overlook playability as the main ingredient for the success of any game. And playability is this games strong suit.

If your into time management games, I am pretty sure you will like this one.

I always thought the Virtual Villagers series was just borderline in the fun department. With the release of Virtual Villagers 3 the game has now headed south of the border! It's the same old same old in a new location. You now lead your community to the north side of the island to a place they call Isola. There you find a hidden city and try to discover the secrets left behind by the original inhabitants. And of course all the while you must continue to find food for the hungry villagers.

I really feel this is one of those games where the developers decided they could milk some more profit from a game with some name recognition. They didn’t come up with enough new twists or turns to differentiate the game from their two proceeding offerings. It is for this very reason that the casual game marketplace is inundated with sub par games every day of the year.

I wish they would wake up and realize that more is not always better.

Autocross Racing

I feel the need for speed! And Autocross Racing is just what the doctor ordered! I have said in several of my blogs that finding great games in the casual game marketplace is somewhat akin to panning for gold. With this release, you have just discovered a rare nugget.

What I really love about this game is its presentation. It is a top down race game meaning you view your race car as if you were in the Goodyear Blimp looking down on the race track. The game incorporates all the real aspects of racing such as drifting and places real emphasis on where you enter turns and how much you keep your foot to the accelerator.

There is a slight learning curve to the game and in my opinion it just makes the game more fun as you discover new ways to increase your proficiency behind the wheel. And with ten distinct and different race tracks to ply your skills, this game is a tremendous value for your gaming dollar.

As far as success in the marketplace, this game will absolutely take the checkered flag.

Mr. Smoozles Goes Nutso - And So Will YOU!

Ed is trying to stop Mr. Snoozles and his evil band of invading Goragons as they attempt to turn earth into something more to their liking. Your job, should you choose to accept the assignment, is to guide Ed and turn back this evil horde.

Mr. Snoozles Goes Nutso is a fairly intense game and might just be a little over the top for some of our younger gamers. It resides in that no mans land on the fringe of the casual game segment of games. That being said, I really enjoyed this game as it had some very interesting puzzles. But what really took it into the fun zone for me was the unique interaction that the game brings to the table.

Give this one a test drive, it is worth 15 minutes of trial to see if it makes you go "Nutso."

Some casual game creators just seem to get it. And the authors of the Professor Fizzwizzle series of games are amongst that group. They have a formula that works and they stick to it and continue to supply consistent quality and fun with every release.

The latest offering, The Brain Train is no exception. It sticks fairly close to its now familiar successful roots. And with five distinct categories that encompass fifteen total games, there is a lot of value for your gaming dollar. The categories allow you to "fine tune" your gaming experience to the particular mood you might be in when you fire the game up. This is a very unique feature and serves the playing experience quite well.

So jump on board, this train is pulling out of the station and is on its way to having some fun.

Flower Stand Tycoon

How many time management games can we possibly have with flowers or crops as the main theme? Apparently not enough as Flower Stand Tycoon has just been released. There is absolutely nothing new about this game, just the same old tried and true basics of the time management genre.

Flowers, vegetables, burgers, pets, haircuts, you name it, they have all been incorporated into some form of time management by the movers and shakers of the casual game marketplace. And there seems to be no end in sight. Why you ask? Because you keep buying them!

Finding a good new and refreshing game in the market right now is equivalent to panning for gold. If you find one, yell Eureka and send it my way.

Until then, save yourself some time and energy and take a pass on this one.

Little Farm

Does everyone know an Uncle Nate? I have the feeling many of us know someone like this character. And that is one of the reasons I really like Little Farm! Yes, it is a match game and exhibits many of the now normal features associated with this genre of games. But it also has one that many casual games strive for and few possess, and that is a feeling of attachment to the main character. No matter what, you really like Uncle Nate and want him to succeed. Alice brought this same phenomenon to the forefront and was rewarded handsomely as a result.

Uncle Nate must match like-colored areas of his farm to obtain water. He then plants and harvests as one would suspect. And yes, there always has to be a few obstacles to hurdle and this is where the crop eating pests come into play.

I really liked this one and think you just might as well. It is worth planting five minutes worth of trial to see if it sprouts for you.

Zen Fashion - Paris gives way to Hong Kong

Just when you thought there could be no more casual game producers jumping on the fashion bandwagon a new entry appears from the mysterious far east. I suspect that as long as this type of game brings in the mula, we can expect any number of substandard clones to follow.

There is one redeeming feature to Zen Fashion, the artwork is above the norm. Other then that, this match game is pretty much run of the mill and shamelessly targets our gentle gender players to exploit.

We usually are blessed with some pretty darn good games once the kids leave school for summer vacation. Until then I suppose we must bide our time and suffer through the release of games similar to this one.

If you truely possess Zen enlightenment, you already know to take a pass on this one.

Lucky's Rainbow - A Unique Twist on a Match Game

There is only one true difference between this match game and most other match game, but it is a significant difference. It changes the entire character and game play of the normal match game. And unlike most attempts at changing the character or roots of the game, this change actually succeeds.

In normal match games you replace pieces or swap them to create your three or more of a kind matches. In Lucky's Rainbow you rotate the pieces! It is very clever and creates scenarios that could never be achieved with normal piece swapping. It really takes some getting used to but in the long run, it makes this game better then ninety percent of the match games out there.

I think the producers of this game will indeed get lucky. They just might have a successful casual game on their hands.

I admit, I am a Yard Sale Junkie

Ok, I have to admit I like yard sales. It is the only way I have to satisfy my desire to hunt for hidden treasure as I will not be booking flights anytime soon to exotic locations to search for sunken Spanish ships laden with gold.

Perhaps that's why this game caught my eye. I went into it without a great deal of anticipation however as you know my disdain for this genre of games. After a half hour or so of playing Yard Sale Junkie it dawned on me, I was enjoying myself.

I think my enjoyment came from the dynamic nature of the game. It was not the old "find em and forget em" game play that encompasses most games of this type. You actually use your finds to further the game play and that is why this game will be successful.

This one is absolutely worth a test drive!

Eye for Design

I give credit to the companies in the casual game marketplace. They understand their market. Now I will let you in on one of their secrets. Women make up the largest demographic regarding purchases. So it seldom surprises me when a game comes out targeted entirely at the gender clicking the mouse on "buy". And Eye for Design is one of these games.

And why not! Give the customer what they want is a quick path to financial success. Games like this one do not appeal to me, and they shouldn't. But I can really see how young female players and probably many older players will get a kick out of this game. And as a game like this actually teaches somewhat of a skill, it does it in a manner that is fun and challenging.

So as they say, "You Go Girl" and have yourself some fun. You deserve it!

Magic Seeds - Where's the Magic?

Lets face facts, Alice Greenfingers was a huge hit in the casual game market. Why, I don't have a clue as it sure didn't float my boat, but as many of you have pointed out, I apparently have no idea of what constitutes a fun game.

The success of Alice was sure to bring about the "jump on the bandwagon" crowd of casual game creators searching for a quick buck. But just when you thought the garden clone games had come to the end of their life cycle, Magic Seeds is released.

Instead of Alice, your new heroine is Jane. Other then the change in name, it's hard to tell any difference. This game confirms that the designers and producers of games in the casual game market feel that the market is populated with consumers with very short memories. And the sad part of that statement is that they are probably right.

Have faith casual gamers, the summer will soon be here and traditionally better games soon follow when the kids are no longer in school.

Mystery Cookbook

So, when is the last time you saw the words "mystery" and "cookbook" together? Well hold your measuring cups Betty Crocker, Mystery Cookbook has arrived on the scene.

This slick little offering is in the hidden object genre of games and the premise or more correctly "premice" is helping a cat and a mouse work together to whip up some gourmet food. I usually have a hard time recommending many of the hidden object games but this one is going to get my seal of approval. Why? Because it takes a very light hearted approach and involves no lost treasure or gruesome murder to solve. This game is one you can play with your "little cook" and not worry about any lasting negative impressions left on a little mind.

I love it when games try not to be something that they are not. (Did that make any sense?) And Mystery Cookbook fulfills the old adage of "Nothing says lovin like something from the oven." I give it four out of five cake pans.

Family Feud: Dream Home

And you thought you only could purchase a hybrid at the Toyota dealership! With Family Feud: Dream House you may purchase a hybrid for considerably less then what that Prius is going to set you back.

Here is another lesson that you can ruin a perfectly good game by going overboard. Family Feud is a classic, no one can dispute that claim. But when did this classic ever involve decorating! Well, it does now and that fact took a great fun game and sent it to the scrap heap.

You play the game in the normal and well known fashion. All well and good, right? Well guess what reward you receive if you win the game? You take your winnings and you decorate your house! Now that may be fine for all you Martha Stewart wannabe's, but quite frankly Scarlett, well, you get the picture.

Now for a little fun of our own. Name the top five answers given to the question "Why will this game not be successful?"

Hidden Wonders of the Depths

It had to happen. It was just a matter of time. And it looks now as if the producers of casual games are trying to make up for lost time. There has always been a great deal of "Cross-Pollenization" taking place in the market. The recent onslaught however of every manner of game incorporating some form of "hidden object" has reached epidemic proportions.

And such is the case with Hidden Wonders of the Depths. While it is primarily a matching game, they felt compelled to burden us with hidden objects. I don't know about you, but when I play a matching game I want to play a matching game. If I wanted to strain my eyes looking for hidden objects, it's sure easy to find a game of that genre. But keep it out of my matching games!

Those of you who enjoyed Bejeweled and Super Collapse may like this game. And I will give it this, with over 200 levels you get good value for your gaming dollar. I just can't get past the hidden object boat anchor that keeps this game from sailing.

Posh Boutique

You know the drill. This is a time management game that features Alicia running a chain of posh boutiques. Stock the right products, upgrade your shops, etc. etc. etc. This game seems to have a very narrow target group of young females with a few bucks to spend in the casual game marketplace. Is that a large enough group to sustain sales and make the game a success? You bet your Posh Boutique it is!

I will say this for the game, the visuals are better then most. Is it worth a test drive? Not for me. But then again, I'm not the target audience. Makes one wonder. If I did like the game would I have the courage to admit it, lol.

Tumble Bugs 2....Twice the Fun

The Bugs Are Back! And not a minute too soon as far as I am concerned. It is about time another 3D game hit the casual game market. The original Tumble Bugs 3D was a hit with the community and it was little wonder why. With Tumble Bugs 2, I think it is quite safe to say the same.

The visuals are out of this world and the gameplay is just simple fun. Those two facts are enough for the Game Guy to tout this one. The premise is still the same. You must rid the yard of another threat, the dreaded black bug. But wait! Help is on the way with your new friends the frog, butterfly and Rhino Beetle.

This tight little game is just a great "getaway" from finding hidden objects and serving burgers.

Zombie Shooter ... The name says it All!

In Zombie Shooter, you get to shoot Zombie's. But ohhhhh, you get to shoot so much more! One of my favorites are these huge overgrown rats that attack you and chew on your ankles. Get the picture? This one is raw with a lot of blood and violence But I do not believe it takes it over the top for the casual game market. After all, we are just shooting Zombies and Rats, and well, who can really protest that?

I have to admit, the game guy really did enjoy this one. Perhaps its just my deep set disdain for rodents, I don't know. But I give this one two severed thumbs up!

Can You See What I See?

I guess the title kind of says it all. No surprises here, you cannot mistake this game for anything other then a hidden object game. I like that in a game! It is what it is.

Of course the graphic representation is great, but one now expects that in this era of polished games. What I do like is the quirky semi-plot to the game. You need to find the high priced objects in Clyde's Collectible Store because you need the money to keep the store open. Run out of time and you face foreclosure. Hey, what a timely plot!

Can You See What I See? is worth a test drive. If you are really into the hidden object genre of games, you will probably give this one passing marks.

The Price Is Right Game

I have to admit, I do not watch the game shows on TV. That being said, I will not lie and say I have never enjoyed watching The Price is Right on television. Who cannot watch a final showcase and not throw out a bid?

This game is a darn good production and incorporates all the famous games like Plinko and Cliff Hangers. It even throws in a Punch-A-Bunch for good measure. The game has remained very true to its roots and does not go off on wild tangents like many games that have copied popular TV game shows. So in that regard, where The Price is Right Game is concerned, the Game Guy invites you to "Come On Down!"

Ice Cream Mania

Sigh, another time management game, this time with ice cream. It makes one wonder just how many of these games are going to be jammed down our throat!

In Ice Cream Mania you serve ice cream to your guests and have to keep them satisfied. Yeah, so what else is new, could just as well be burgers, right? The game gives the gaming community nothing new in the basic premise.

But in all fairness, the game does bring a little to the table with the storyline. You play the part of Cindy who can serve ice cream with the best of them. Unfortunately, so can her evil sister Jeanne. The two sisters compete against each other for the ultimate big prize.... the family fortune!

I am sure some will like this game as the competition between the two sisters is kinda cool. But in my world, this one just doesn't fill the cone.

The Dream Continues!

First off, I liked the original Dream Chronicles a lot. Second, I thought a sequel was probably a mistake as most games just try to cash in on the success of the first game by adding a few changes and then ripping off the casual game player with a less then stellar product.


Nothing could be further from the truth with the release of Dream Chronicles 2. This one actually captures the spirit and the fun of the original and takes the game to a new level. In the game you help our heroine Faye navigate the eternal maze to escape after she was confined there by the Fairy Queen of Dreams. The hidden objects and the puzzles in my opinion are better then those presented in the first game.

If you didn't buy the first game, don't bother. Your better served buying the sequel. It is just a better game. And in this day and age, that is a rare commodity.

Where is Vanna White?

What, the folks at Wheel of Fortune have a problem with this game? I guess that is the reason the game was released under the title of Pat Sajaks Lucky Letters: TV Guide Edition.

Lets take a stab at this. You spin a wheel, guess the lucky letters and solve a puzzle. Gee, sure sounds familiar to me!

This game is fun. That is the bottom line here. The concept, much like the show on TV, has withstood the test of time. The game is faced paced and the lightning round where you play against the clock borders on fanatical frenzy!

Don't let the title of this game scare you off. I am sure there were some legal reasons for naming the game the way they did. But take it from the guy, this little offering is a winner no matter what you call it!

Yahtzee Texas Holdem - A Marriage Made in Heaven

It never ceases to amaze me just how clever the makers of casual games can get. How do they think of all these ideas? One of the best new hybrids to be released is Yahtzee Texas Holdem.

Yahtzee was a tremendous success when it was released as was Texas Holdem, and why not, the real life versions of these two games are incredibly popular. So I guess it was natural that someone would combine the two.

The premise is quite simple, you make your hand out of two dice you roll plus three common dice on the board. You then play against your opponents hand just like you do in Texas Holdem. It is most simple and easy to play. And guess what? The combination is absolutely addictive!

Give this one a test drive, you will thank the casualgameguy after you have blown off hour after hour on this little offering!

Airport Mania

Tired of all the flight delays? Tired of all that lost luggage? Think the Delta/Northwest merger is going to be bad for consumers? Well, step up to the plate bunky and see if you have what it takes to do any better and go a few rounds with Airport Mania!

The time management genre of games just touched down a very timely topic, the airline industry. And believe me, this is a lot more fun then flipping burgers or growing veggies. You are in charge of determining what planes land, what planes take off and the order in which they arrive at the terminal.

There are eight different and distinct airports to manage, each with their own quirks so you won't blast through this game quickly. If your into time management games, you just hit the jackpot!

Get your boarding pass ready and place your tray tables and seat backs in an upright and locked position. This game is taking off!

Runes of Avalon 2 - Morgtana is Back!

Runes of Avalon 2 has arrived, unfortunately, so has Morgana!

In a time long ago there was a vast empire known as Avalon. But that was before Morganna arrived on the scene. This sorcerer cast numerous evil spells before she was eventually overthrown but her legacy of spells and curses lived on and the empire was but a shell of its former glorious self.

That's where you come in. You are the one that can restore the empire to its former glory. To do this you must (big surprise here) match runes.

If you were a fan of the original Avaloln game, you will just fall in love with this one as it is loaded with new twists and turns.

Burger Shop - The BurgerTron 2000 is Here!

The BurgerTron 2000 has arrived! Just when you thought every possible scenario regarding time management games had been exhausted, wham, a new clever idea hits the casual game world. This one comes in the form of the BurgerTron 2000 burger building machine!

It all starts when you receive a strange set of blueprints. And who could ever resist building the machine on the prints, right? Well, if you build it they will come. And presto, you have a burger building machine that is capable of revolutionizing the entire fast food industry.

But wait, all is not right! Is there something more to this machine than meets the eye?

This offering is a lot of game value for your gaming dollar. It has 60 upgrades and 90 trophies to obtain, and believe me, you will be at this one for many an hour.

Lets Fry!

Westward 2 - Its the origianl on Steroids!

I was somewhat a fan of the original Westward. It was just ok in my book and followed the course of games like Alice Greenfingers and Build-a-Lot. But that was as far as it went, nothing new, nothing to write home about.

So when I saw Westward 2 I thought "here we go again." But I gave it a spin on the test track anyway and I am glad I did. I actually liked this one. I think what put me over the top was the Mad Russian!

The premise is easy, build new settlements in the wild west. That would be enough if it was just to be an Alice clone. But the creators of this game threw in a couple of wild cards, the Copperhead Gang and the Mad Russian. I don't want to give too much away but suffice it to say that you need to bring the outlaw gang to justice and the Mad Russian, well, I'll let you find out all about him on your own!

Westward H0!

Identity Quest

This is a tight little game that has its act together! We were blown away with Identity Quest when we saw there were six distinct modes of play incorporating mind melting puzzles. The story mode is the one that really made this game receive high marks in my book. It was most ingenious and contained an outrageous thirty chapters! And to add the cherry on top of the sundae, there are sixty-five goals to grab, and that fact pushes this game into a category sought after by many game producers but seldom achieved. It is a tremendous bang for your gaming buck.

And as you know, the casualgameguy loves a bargain!