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.