The third one is the charm, right? Well, in Hidden Wonders of the Depths 3: Atlantis Adventures it is. Even though it is much like Hidden Wonders 1 and 2 in the match 3 play, the timed game is very much a challenge. There are many differences in this latest match 3 version. The colors are more intense and vibrant, more hidden object games and less memory games. The music not as intense as before but it is appropriate to the play. The crab is still its sassy and impatient self, losing none of its funny personality.

The premise of this game is that you can resurrect Atlantis destroyed many centuries ago to its former glory by making matches to earn money, bonuses and upgrades. With the money you earn you can purchase buildings, statues and more to beautify the once grandiose city. Bonuses will get you fish, coral and other items to enhance the scene.

The match 3 is the main play still in Hidden Wonders of the Depths 3 with playful board designs and related icons. You swap 2 tiles to make a match of 3 or more similar items either vertically or horizontally. In addition you must make matches in front of the crab so he travels to the treasure chest. Also there are colored tiles you must make matches over to destroy before the level can be completed. I got the crab to the chest easily but the level did not end because I had missed one tile in a corner. If you should lose a level, you have 4 more lives in the timed mode and you can get more lives by playing the mini games.

There are fun bonuses and upgrades to help you along on your journey. Some will need a few levels to complete your upgrade tools. You’ll see them on the right side of the screen. The powerups are on the left side. There are many blocks that will need to be cleared with your upgrades to pass barriers. The blocks can be stone, vines and other things to block your passage. The crab himself is a block because you can’t move him to make a match.

Between match levels there are many mini games related to the story. The hidden object scenes will take you to undersea places where you will look for items. There is a beautiful mosaic puzzle you must return to its original design. Other games are the blank board with very few objects scattered around and the match by collapsing your objects game.

The rebuilding of Atlantis is a game in itself. You need to make enough money from your match games to buy different beautiful buildings and statues for your city. Remember you can only purchase one building a day. With each improvement you will win a reward like coral. To see your city any time click on the eye icon at the bottom left.

Many of these things are familiar and may be too easy for you, but it’s still fun to do and try out. The main play is very similar to the first 2 games, but the developers listened to your suggestions and improved on many aspects. The artwork is more vibrant and colorful from the first game. I checked it out. The music is slightly different and more calming. If you want a challenge, play it timed to meet your difficulty demands. If you liked the first 2 games, you’ll like this third improved version. Try it out and see what you think.

Features of Hidden Wonders of the Depths 3: Atlantis Adventures:
-Improved Match 3 Levels
-Rebuild Atlantis
-Lots of Mini Games

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The mystical land of Atlantis was a blissful, idyllic place where Poseidon created for his people, but as time past they neglected the god and darkness fell throughout the kingdom. The altar of Poseidon was separated and 7 crystals were sent to 7 countries and 7 cities to be sealed forever.

The hero will be the one to remove the spells and bring the crystals back together to resurrect and bring the power back to Atlantis. The hero is you, and you need to swap 3 or more like items in a row to conquer and win back the jeweled encrusted altar. In the match game there is an amulet of Poseidon power-up which must be used in the level. There are bombs once brought to the bottom of the game board can be used in a hard to destroy area.

This game is very similar to Around the World in 80 Days with a different story line, but somehow Call of Atlantis is not as an engaging of a tale. The play although is a match game like many match games, it was not as exciting to play. I thought it was good but not enticing enough to play it again. Maybe it is because I didn’t play the previous Atlantis games, but I think other match plays are more interesting. However, the artwork is excellent. If you are into Poseidon and Atlantis, this may be the game for you.

Features of Call of Atlantis:
-Part of the Atlantis Series
-66 Levels
-7 Lands to Explore
-7 Crystals to Recover

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

It seems like there are a lot of new and different match 3 games lately. Hey, I’m not complaining. In fact I’m happy about it after going through a whole slew of hidden object plays. Mac game Geisha – The Secret Garden is one of those new types of match 3 games. It took me awhile before I got used to the play, but it was well worth the effort to learn this new game.

Natsumi a geisha will guide you through 4 seasons of play while you create a beautiful zen garden. The game play is different from any match 3 I have come across. In order to make matches of 3 or more like items, you slide the mahjong like tiles horizontally and cannot move up and down. As a match 3 player this is frustrating at first because you feel like your hands are tied, but you learn to think differently and play this unique and fun game in just a few short levels. In addition to making the matches either vertically or horizontally, there are goals you must meet to complete a level. They are located at the bottom right of the screen. You can also slide a tile across more than one tile. The tiles also replenish slowly moving up the board and not down. You must keep making matches so the tiles do not reach the top of the screen. If there is a gap or empty space a tile can fall down the open slot.

There’s plenty of time to strategize your next move even with the timed mode, but if you want to really relax, try the untimed. Some levels will throw blocks like snow, ice and stone at you and will not let you slide your tiles. Most of the time you have to make matches below these blocks and cause them to break apart so you can continue with your sliding, but snow is different you must click on it several times to make it melt away. When you create a chain of 3 or more you create magic and produce helps. They are Steel, Fire, Water and Wizard. They will clear from 1 to many tiles. Money will be collected from making matches with colored circular icons. The coins will earn you stars and the stars will unlock the colorful dragons. The first dragon will cost you 20 stars. The coins will buy you the items needed for your beautiful zen garden.

The garden you create will start out very sparse and can grow into a amazing and gorgeous place. You can upgrade your items 3 times, move items around or delete things. I’ve seen some pretty awesome gardens made. Mine not so much but that play isn’t really my thing, but I appreciate the aesthetic beauty of the scene when done right. You’ll also get a fantastic wallpaper to use on your computer.
I eventually enjoyed playing this new type of match 3 game. I said eventually because it took a few levels before I got comfortable with the sliding aspect of it. It is addictive and fun so try it out.

Features of Geisha – The Secret Garden:
-80 Levels of Matching Fun
-16 Bonus Levels
-The Secret Garden

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The title, Smiling Pasta, reminds me of the pasta or cracker with the smiley face on it. It’s also a name of a Taiwanese soap opera. In any event, Mac game Smiling Pasta is a time management and match 3 pastime. Since we have been doing a lot of Hidden Object Adventures, I thought this would be a great break.

The story begins with Uncle Leo, the chef, leaving his restaurant, Smiling Pasta, to go to Italy. No reason, he just upped and left the café to Daisy the assistant chef. His confidence in her is incredible but that’s life and video games. Daisy must ready herself for the Best Restaurant Award by working hard and fast to prove she can do it.

The game is to serve customers what they want to eat. In order to make the pasta of choice, you must match 3 or more of the ingredients needed for the meal at the screen to the right. Match 3 or more tomatoes, meat, cheese, chicken and pasta. Each time an ingredient is matched and is needed for the dish, it will fly to the customer’s list of supplies. You’ll be getting helps like the fire when you make 4 matches that will clear (burn) several of the ingredients at once when you click on it. The star can swap with any of the ingredients but you need to make 5 matches. Once all the ingredients are met, the dish is finished and you click on the dish to serve the customer. Just be sure to serve your guests as fast as you can before they lose their patience (represented by the 5 hearts above their heads). You’ll be able to appease them by clicking on the candy dish at your lower right or if you have a coffee machine, give them a cup by clicking on the cup and then the diner. The happier customer will pay more. The money can be used at the Beach Mall for recipes and treats.

If you get only 1 customer at a time, it would be too easy, so you will be getting a multiple of guests to serve, some more patient than others. Once a chair is vacated, another customer will fill the seat. There are 2 modes of play in this game, but you have to find it first. It’s under the Option button. You can choose Normal or Easy. Normal for the casual gamer is fairly easy so this game may not be for the experienced sim time management player needing a challenge, but for the rest of us, this is fast enough. The match 3 game is not much of a challenge either but at least for novices and young kids, you have the Easy mode to switch to if you need.

All in all this game may not satisfy the sim time management fans or the match 3 fans. This hybrid didn’t have the challenge in either game and the cursor slowed down a bit and made matches difficult to make. The artwork is okay, but Daisy did look a little crossed-eyed in the opening sequence. The music started the game with a happy and upbeat tune but later got a little annoying even though they changed up the jingle. Under Options you can adjust the sound. Try it out and see what you think. I give it a 2.5 out of 5. Do you really want your pasta to smile at you?

Features of Smiling Pasta:
-Sim Time Management and Match 3 game
-7 Locations with 10 Levels Each
-Beach Mall for Shopping

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

There are match 3 games, logic puzzles, and simulation plays, but Mac game Pizza Chef 2 combines all 3 games in one play. Not playing these 3 things separately, but playing them at the same time. While you are making matches you must figure out a logic puzzle to fit onto the match board while pleasing your customers and keeping them happy. Most match 3 plays have sim plays after you complete the match game successfully but Pizza Chef 2 combines all three plays in one.

In Pizza Chef 2 you must deal with 3 main plays at the same time. I couldn’t believe it at first, but as you play this match game it draws you into the frantic sim part with the fitting of the foods correctly onto your match board. You will see a match 3 board with different food items to match 3 or more of the same objects to clear the board or in this case start the oven. The tiles will turn to blue when the oven is ready to cook the customers’ orders. You must clear enough room to fit each food order a customer at the right of the board in a tetris like play. If a man wants a pizza, you will see a pizza in the bubble by his head. You need to make matches to fit the pizza on the match 3 board. You need at least 2 tiles across and 2 tiles down to fit the pizza. For a sandwich you will need 3 tiles across or 3 tiles down to make the sandwich. The croissant sandwich is more difficult. You will need 2 tiles across and one down. You may need to click and rotate the croissant or sandwich to fit correctly on the tiles. You have to keep making matches so you can fit all the food orders from the customers sitting at the left of the board. Keeping the clients happy is very important in sim plays so you must work quickly in order to satisfy everyone concerned.

Recipes will open up and upgrades can be purchased to help you in your play. The match game will earn you coins to buy all the necessities of a successful restaurant. There are great bonuses you can buy to help you in the match 3 like turning all the tiles blue so you can put all the orders on the stove to cook at once, there are lightning and bombs to clear tiles. If an icon is shaking, you need to try and make a match with it to clear down the column and across the row. The blocks in the match 3 can be chains where you need to make matches over them to break the links and to place the food orders in a logical arrangement to fit all the foods on the oven.

The story is about Chris whose uncle disappears the day before they were to open their pizza café together. Chris boldly goes ahead and opens the restaurant with your help. Uncle will call in occasionally to give you advice. Listen to his words to efficiently work your café. Later you learn that some bad people are after uncle for his unique pizza recipe.

The story is not that interesting to me and I felt it is more of a distraction than anything else. As a match player it is hard to be playing a match 3 and need to switch gears and think about the sim and logic plays at the same time. However, it can be done and as the levels increase it is a challenge and becomes a frantic paced game so give it a try. Kudos for an original play of match 3, logic and sim games integrated into one nice activity. Oh, I almost forgot there’s hidden object and logic games in between the other plays.

Features of Pizza Chef 2:
-Match 3, Logic and Sim Games
-Mini Games
-The Secret Pizza Recipe

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The tale of the wicked spider continues in Rainbow Web 2 at the royal palace. This time the play is varied with a mix of mini puzzles interspersed among the match plays. The match games are very similar to the first Rainbow Web where you click on an orb to match 3 or more of the same colored ones on the web. You are to match the balls with the letters to retrieve the names of magic things the spider has stolen from the castle.

The only blocks in this game comes when there is a break in the link of the web (same as the first game). This will interfere with you making a match. I noticed there are more chain reactions in this game and the sound effects when the orbs popped are better.

After each level you receive your statistics: # of balls you used, # of combos, score, time. This is a new feature to the game. I don’t know if it is needed, but it is interesting to note your scores. Also in between the plays are mini puzzles to breakup the matches. One is a puzzle where you slide the pieces to form a picture of a clue. Another was a hidden object game.

Whereas this Rainbow Web 2 game is much better than the first, I never felt challenged in doing the match games even in the timed ones. The 2 modes appear the same. It is a relaxing game to sit back and play, so if you need some R & R, try Rainbow Web 2.

Features of Rainbow Web 2:

-82 Levels

-7 Web Patterns

-Mini puzzles

-Fun Story Line

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

A great drought is forcing you and your tribe to leave your beloved homeland. The Elders consult the Shaman and is told the bones have the answer. It is to leave this land and start over somewhere else. Your tribe must travel across the ocean to the land of Kalevala. Heroes of Kalevala is a match 3 and build a village simulation game. The Kalevala is a Finnish national epic work from ancient oral poetry, this mac game is based on this important piece of literature.

The match 3 part of the game is to swap items to make matches of 3 or more of the same objects to clear. Making matches over the yellow tiles will change them to blue. When all the yellow tiles are gone, then the level is complete. However, you must do so before the evil crow sent by the wicked witch Louhi flying the perimeter of the puzzle burns the entire board forcing you to start again. The puzzles are easy for a few levels and will begin to increase in difficulty and blocks like the icy tiles or double locked chains as you go higher. When you make matches of 4 or more, you will get bonuses like bombs to clear your tiles. You have the powerful Finnish gods to help you fight off the malicious blocks to your game. Il Marinen will throw fiery hammers that incinerate tiles and the god of sea, Ahti, will raise the water to flood and take away tiles. More helps will be unlocked as you advance in the play. At the beginning of each level you choose which god you would like to help you, but be sure to make the right choice for an ultimate experience.

The match 3 games will earn you cash to help build a town. The faster you complete the puzzles, the more money you will get. Once you get some structures up, it will attract people to your village. The people themselves will let you know what they want and what will make them happy. You use the shop to buy houses, trees and other things for survival and happiness. After building your first village, you move on to build more towns. There are medals you win for accomplishing different things.

Heroes of Kalevala has a lot to do from its match 3 with loads of bonuses to the sim play and additionally the interesting tale about Louhi, her crows and the ancient gods. The artwork is great especially the beginning of the story and the beautiful backdrops, and the music are interesting. There’s hours of playability and fun for all ages. Just keep in mind that the levels are challenging after about a dozen puzzles. Give this game a try and have an entertaining time.

Features of Heroes of Kalevala:
-Over 140 Levels
-Match 3 and Sim Plays
-Based on Oral Finnish Poetry

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I didn’t get this review out in time for Halloween but it’s still a fun Mac match 3 and simulation game to play any time of the year. It’s very similar to their Fishdom – Frosty Splash without the Santa theme and with lively ghostly items instead.

Like in the Frosty game you shop for your fish tank with a Halloween theme. In addition you must keep your fish happy by buying comfort or beauty items or other fish. Click on the Shop button and then choose from Fish, Beauty and Comfort. The Fish tab will display a variety of different sea creatures to choose from, Beauty will have plants and Comfort has different water cleaning devices. Of course, all these items cost a lot of money and in order to purchase these great things, you must make cash. This is where the match 3 games come in.

The match 3 levels have sea and Halloween related items to match. You swap 2 items to line up either horizontally or vertically 3 of the same objects. When this is done, it will clear and more items will fall into place from above. You must make matches over the gold tiles to destroy and when you get rid of all the gold tiles, you win the level. If you make your matches quickly, you will win more money. There are blocks to impede your movements like chained items (single or double) where you must make matches with them to clear. The double chains you must make 2 matches to destroy. Even with the many block different blocks, there are as many helps to aid you in your quest to finish the level. Making matches of 5 items or more will get you bombs, firecrackers, lightning and more. Also look for the shape of the match boards because they are in forms of spiders or other things.

Fishdom – Spooky Splash has all the fun elements of the other Fishdom match plays with a Halloween theme. If the relaxed mode is too easy for you, try it timed to challenge your match 3 skills. Either way the game is great fun and should be enjoyed by children and casual gamers. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 for an entertaining play. Try it if you dare. Boo!

Features of Fishdom – Spooky Splash:
-Halloween Theme
-Lots of Match 3 Levels
-Fish Tank to Decorate

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

A historic view of the American gold rush in a match 3 Mac game Gold Fever is an unique play for all ages. Travel through the northwest in a smoking, wood burning locomotive of the time period (circa 1850) looking for that one huge mother lode to retire on. Gold Fever takes you on a ride far from the usual gold rush scenario with interesting tidbits of information that you do not always know. You only hear about the California gold rush in Sutter’s Fort so the journey through Oregon, Montana, and Colorado came as a surprise to me.

Gold Fever is your usual match 3 or more like symbols to destroy Mac game with a little twist. You do not slide or swap the gold coins but you flip the like colored, 2-sided coins to match the symbols. There are gold nuggets you must get to the bottom of the screen and the wooden cart will take your prize away. To complete the level you must make matches over the entire gold background. As the levels increases, the gold coins will have more variety of colors and western symbols like the sheriff’s badge, pistol, cowboy hat and horseshoe.

The dynamite at the bottom of the screen with the long burning fuse is the timer for each level. There are 3 helps you can earn by getting enough matches to buy either the pick, timer or hammer. The pick will destroy 1 coin, the timer will get you 30 seconds more while the fuse stops, and the hammer will destroy the coin and the gold background. You start with 5 lives, and you can lose a life if you do not complete the level before the dynamite is set off.

Gold Fever starts off slowly for me because of the flipping the coin method, but I enjoy it more in the higher levels. What I like about match games is the action and explosions of the power-ups. This game’s demo does not have them. Perhaps it gets more active in later levels. I do not like the music, but I like the artwork. I found this play to be pleasant but not very dynamic or exciting.

Features of Gold Fever:
-Gold Rush
-160 Levels
-Power-Ups and Challenges
-Gold coins

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

A prehistoric twist to the shoot rocks at a chain of stones snaking down the tube towards the skull head Mac game. These match games are always fun to play. Stone Loops! Of Jurassic has 3 modes of play. The Classic will unlock Strategy and Survival.

In Classic there are three difficulty levels: easy, normal and challenge. The play is simple. You grab a stone from the chain and shoot it back to rocks of 2 or more of the same color to destroy them. All this must be completed before the chain reaches the skull head or the level is over. If you complete the level you will receive an upgrade to your jungle home.

There are many power-ups in this game from lightning exploding through the rocks to changing color extras. After finishing a level jewels will float down and you must catch them for extra points. After completing a few levels the Strategy mode is available. This play is different from the other 2 modes because the chain of rocks do not move until you make a move by taking a rock and shooting it back. This could be a little frustrating because the chain may stop at a point where you cannot get a good aim at the rocks. They slowly move forward and this give you a chance to strategize.
Completing a few more levels will open up the Survival mode. In this mode you can select the different game board to play and it also gives you a rank to increase and improve.

Stone Loops was an okay play for me, but I didn’t see anything special to differentiate it from other match and shoot games except you can get the rock and shoot it back. The only way you can tell if one is more fun than the others is by trying them so go ahead and shoot away.

Features of Stone Loops of Jurassic:
-75 Levels
-9 Power-ups
-Upgrade your House in 5 Different Lands

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Mac game Perfect Tree is a perfect game for the holiday season or any season for that matter for match 3 players. It has it all. 110 levels of amazing match 3 fun decorating the perfect tree, beautiful backgrounds and Christmasy music to entertain you in a happy and relaxing game for everyone.

For the match 3 levels you match the Santa hats, candy canes, chocolate cake, snowflakes, bells, snowmen and more holiday items to clear the board of the violet tiles. Match 3 or more of the same items to turn all the violet tiles to blue and the level will be complete. There will be chains, double chains, gold and other obstacles to hinder your match making skills, but there will also be dynamite, bombs and snow swirls to counteract those barriers and continue your fun. As the levels go higher the blocks will be bigger, however so will your helps.

Making matches will earn you stars and the stars will purchase the decorations for your perfect tree in the forest. If you have enough stars you can purchase bulbs, candy canes, bells, stars, garlands and presents. However, they will cost you a lot of stars so you must keep playing a lot to earn enough for the decorations. Luckily the play is very addictive with its smooth mechanics and pleasant music. You can even keep making matches while the board is still clearing tokens from your last match. For me that’s the most important match 3 feature.

The game has 2 modes for you to choose from: Timed and Relaxed. Having the 2 modes will open up the game to less experienced players and kids.

All of these features are a big plus for Perfect Tree; the ease of play, the gorgeous sceneries, Christmas like music, and the fun decorating the lone tree in the forest play. The only minus may be that one item you are having difficulties clearing in a match. You know the one thing stuck in a corner where 3 sides are surrounded and you can’t get to it to make a match. It would have been nice to have a power-up to get rid of that one item with a hammer. However, the play is so enjoyable, that doesn’t matter. Maybe on the sequel they can add that feature. Don’t wait for the holidays to play this entertaining game and have fun making matches and decorating a tree any time of the year.

Features of Perfect Tree:
-110 Levels of Fun Match 3s
-Power-ups and Bonuses
-Decorate the Tree with Ornaments

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Not many Mac games can feature their artwork as the main draw to their game, but hidden object game Wispa Forest’s beautifully hand-drawn watercolor scenes are exceptional. Villages, swamps, mountains, and even tree stumps are painted in a creative, genuine way depicting a light pastel painting full of wispas or fairies and forest denizens.

Underwood land where Lyia a young Wispa feels the sadness in the breeze and consults her grandmother to what this may mean. Always the wise sage her grandma tells her there is corruption coming and someone must take care of it. She prophesies that a friend and stranger will help Lyia who volunteered to eliminate the unscrupulous enemy.

The main play is the hidden object game. In several scenes you will clear the forest of objects to help restore the land to its former glory. The secondary play is the match 3 game to destroy the corruption on the board. The HOG has the list of items needed at the bottom right of the screen. The objects are drawn simply and sometimes it is difficult to make out what it is so you need to hover the cursor over the object and the word will appear to your left. If this doesn’t help you find the item, you can use hints. The hints will cost you mana that you earn from playing the games. The cost of the hint will depend on if you want a vague overall area or more specific and accurate location. There’s even a hint where you can receive 2 accurate locations for a lot of mana.

The match 3 games, interspersed periodically, are to fight corruption and the wicked witch. The mini games are easily won. There are 3 hearts you must rid in order to win the level. The objects you must match by swapping positions of 2 items are natural things you would find in the forest: water drops, apples, leaves. The other objects are flames and knives. There are highlighted tiles you must clear to win a heart. After 3 rounds of match playing, you complete the level. Lyia is there to help you win the matches. She has 2 spells for you to use if you need it: shuffle and destroy. I really didn’t need either one of these to destroy the tiles.

The illustrations of this game are original and wonderfully drawn with the story in mind at all times. One thing I didn’t like about the game was that the some of the listed objects were hard to decipher or tell what they were from the drawing. The subtle environmental message is cleverly done in this game. It is there but not in your face to clean your surroundings. I think this game would be great for children and casual gamers with its many hints and fun drawings.

Features of Wispa Forest:
-Great Artwork
-Lots of Hidden Objects
-Match 3 Plays

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Jewel Quest III is still a lively exciting match Mac game to play especially on a rainy day to get you in the mood for more of Professor Rupert Pack’s arduous adventures into the jungles of the Yucatan. This time he is on a quest to find the cure for his and Emma’s daughter, Natalie. At the opening of his new museum, Natalie opens a box with an ancient game board in it, and it spews blinding spores planted by Dr. Pack’s arch enemy, Sebastian Grenard. The spores were intended for Pack as revenge for taking Emma away from him (all in Jewel Quest II). The search for a cure is underway in the jungles of the Yucatan and who knows where it will take you from there?

The match 3 or more icons is the same as the first 2 games, Jewel Quest and Jewel Quest II. The chain reactions are many and the flow of the game is good. The extras are the gold coins when matched will unlock the vaults. When you click on the left mouse button or control button, the gems are taken away and you can view where you need to concentrate on your game to make gold squares. If you have played the first 2 Jewel Quest games this third one is very similar. Even though it is almost the same, the game boards are new and it is still a fun play. I would highly recommend you try the first 2 games in order to be able to follow the complete storyline, but if you are not into the adventure tale, playing any of the 3 games is equally enjoyable.  Traveling around the world as the levels are unlocked, you find yourself challenged in a foreign country to play a match game against an opponent.  Also if you find yourself in Iceland, there are iced encased gems to thaw out and destroy.

In Jewel Quest III there is a Tournament mode you can play against people from around the world. It has 40 unique game boards. The sound effects and graphics on this 3rd game are amazing and worth checking out especially the beginning where the 40’s car drives up to the museum with pigeons flying overhead.  This game is very theatrical and movie-like with it's main play, but all these things add up to one great game.  Take a challenging journey into the green jungles of Central America one of my favorite places in the world or the frigid air of Iceland and be pleasantly surprised at what you may find there—possibly the fabled golden game board?

Features of Jewel Quest III:
- Fabled Golden Jewel Board
- 200 Level in 11 Different Regions
- Play Tournament Mode
- Hidden Jewels

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Rainbow Web 3 is the latest game about a giant wizard spider. In the earlier games this spider took over the castle in the kingdom of Rainbow and you became the hero who solved match 3 puzzles to release letters to reverse the curse.

After defeating this evil sorcerer spider, twice, you must once again solve match 3 puzzles to release letters and save the village of Rainbow covered in cobwebs. You go from house to house rebuilding the structures and bringing the villagers back to their homes.

The match 3 play is very similar to the first 2 Rainbow Web games except this last game does not have a timer as an option. You match 3 or more of the same color orbs to match along a spider web. Some of the orbs have letters when matched will release to the top left of the screen to create words. It’s like playing Wheel of Fortune, but it’s much easier to solve. Once you solve the puzzles, you will earn magic dust to buy furniture and items for the shops and homes in the village. In addition to this play, there are some hidden object games and puzzles to solve in order to remove special curses.

There are a few blocks to your match game. The orbs or beads can be frozen and you have to make matches over them twice to unfreeze them. Also some parts of the web are missing making it more difficult to make matches across in a straight line.

The game play is not difficult and without a timer, you can relax and enjoy the puzzles. The sim play of rescuing the village, mini games and puzzles add to the overall game, but all the mini games are standard from jigsaws to hidden objects. The artwork is good and the music appropriate for the story. If you liked the first 2 games, you’ll love this one also, but if you are new to this series, start with 3 and see what you think.

Features of Rainbow Web 3:
-Web Match 3 Games
-Restore the Rainbow to its Original State
-Mini Games and Puzzles

[rated:3]

I found the premise to be a little creepy in Mac hidden object game Faded Reality, but I think that was the main objective so it was effective. The story is about Monica who wakes up from a cornea transplant. Something that is routine from donors who have died. The weird thing about Monica’s transplant is that she starts seeing things when she closes her eyes. Things and places she has never been to or seen before. Somehow she knows it is connected to the donor’s environment. She goes in search of these places…..

Each location in this hidden object game has another location to search for many objects and letters. You cannot click on an object if the word is not complete. You search for the letters (A, B, C, etc.) to complete the word. Once the word is completed that object will be removed from the scene revealing another object you are searching for. The list of the objects is at the bottom of the screen. You cannot click on items or letters unless they are listed. This is a little frustrating since you see letters and objects you know will be on the list later when you find the present listed things.

In addition, you may have to go back and forth from one location to another. When you reach a house, you will search outside and inside for objects. Another thing I found annoying was when I took the cursor over an object, sometimes the incomplete word of the item would appear and get in your way. The letters are important to this game because the letters will help Monica recall the words.

A side game is to unscramble the found letters to send you to a location for more things. Other mini games are the solitaire plays, matching 2 halves of torn playing cards and logic puzzles like shining lights in the correct direction to unveil a scene.

I give Faded Reality credit for an original story and creative hidden object play with letters. Sometimes the words of an object will obstruct your search because I like to take the cursor across the screen looking for the items and the pop-ups kept getting in the way. The music was appropriate and the artwork good. The story did keep you interested in going on in the game. I give it a 3 out 5 for all of the above.

Features of Faded Reality:
-Engaging Story
-Lots of Mini Games
-Hidden Object Play with a Twist

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Sebastian Grenard is at it again. He claimed the Golden Jewel Board from Rupert and Emma’s museum belonged to his family and convinced the Feds enough to confiscate it. Now Rupert must prove the true ownership of this prized treasure by going backwards through his family tree all the way to the Aztecs.

In this fourth installment of Jewel Quest, you find Rupert once again fighting Grenard, his nemesis, this time over the sacred Golden Jewel Board. If you have followed this series you know there will be a long and intriguing journey before Rupert can reclaim his rightful board.
The game travels back in time through Rupert’s family tree discovering his relatives, speaking to various characters, and playing match games to open each branch of the family. You begin with Natalie, Rupert and Emma’s daughter and at the beginning or bottom of the tree. Here you will learn to play the game and also can return here to practice your skills. If you are new to the series, this is a great place to hone your adeptness. The games start off easily and increase in difficulty while you discover the individuals on this family tree. If you have played any of the Jewel Quest match games, they are all timed and are not easy to complete in the given span. However, practice does help increase your ability to conquer the board. Once a level is completed, you get a puzzle piece to advance the game, meet new relatives and open up more boards.

This new game has several different match 3 or more gems to destroy and turn the tiles gold modes. The classic play is to swap 2 gems to make a match of 3 or more similar items until the entire board is turned to gold. The second mode has limited number of gems to use when the gems drop from above to the lighted area, and the third play has limited number of moves to clear the board.

I liked all the Jewel Quest games and this one is no exception. The board games, as always, were entertaining and challenging since all are all timed. The different modes of play are a welcomed break from playing the same swap game over and over. The story line got a little boring even though it was a voice over rather than reading the text. Luckily, you can skip it so you can get to the plays quickly. Sorry, Uncle Percy. The music and artwork are their usual high quality work.

Features of Jewel Quest Heritage:
-175 Levels
-35 Locations
-Family Tree Going Back to the Aztecs

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

A pirate’s life is rough and dangerous, and no place for a girl, but in Mac match 3 game The Adventures of Mary Ann: Lucky Pirates a young woman will take down the mightiest of pirates, both dead and alive.

There’s a lot of different things to do in this match 3 game from beating out your enemies to fighting monsters the action packed play keeps you moving along the treacherous map to your final destination Skull Island in either timed or untimed modes. Whatever your fancy, you can switch if you feel differently in mid play. The main map is the Caribbean Map and each location on that map will take you to smaller maps for different types of match 3 puzzles, mini games, treasure hunting or fighting opponents from ghosts, sea monsters to other pirates.

The match 3 game is to swap items to make 3 or more identical tokens in a horizontal or vertical row. Depending on what type of game you are playing, you will beat enemies, gain more pirates for your ship, gold, health, weapons and more if you win the game. Just remember to not let your opponent get the creepy skulls down to the bottom of the game board. Mini games can consist of navigating through murky, waters to get treasures, equipment or face your doom if you click in the wrong areas. You’ll need to go to Pirate School to get your sea legs and then venture into deeper waters to complete your quests.

In addition to the match 3 plays and their many side puzzles, you can get to a casino location and play keno, poker, wheel of fortune and slots. It’s like being on a cruise ship.

The Adventures of Mary Ann: Lucky Pirates is a game for match 3 players and casino players. It will keep you moving from one game to another, although some of the mini games may get tiring and repetitive, overall play is exciting. Even the story about poor orphaned Mary Ann swabbing decks and turning herself into a real pirate leader will peak your interest and keep you plowing forward looking for more riches, enemies and Skull Island. This is a fun and entertaining match 3 game and with everything else included in the play like the casino games, it brings life and vitality to the genre. I give this game a solid 3.5 out of 5 for a jolly good time. Lift the curse and become the leader of the pirates!

Features of The Adventures of Mary Ann: Lucky Pirates:
-Fantastic Pirate Tale
-Match 3 Fun and Mini Games
-Casino Games

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly, Mac match 3 game Charm Tale 2: Mermaid Lagoon is not a sequel to Charm Tale. The stories and plays are different and you do not have to play the first to understand the second. Dorothy in Charm Tale 2 has lived her life as a normal human being until sailing one day she finds herself underwater. To add to the mystery she does not need a mask or oxygen to travel at the bottom of the sea.

This begins Dorothy’s bizarre adventure to find answers to her peculiar powers and family history. In order for her to see clearly the inhabitants in the ocean, you play match 3 gems to fill a status bar. You chain together in one row the similar color gems. When you chain 6 gems, you get a coin that you must click on before it disappears. You have 10 seconds but that can go quickly if you are not careful. You need all the coins you can find so you can buy upgrades. There are 24 upgrades in all to buy from explosives to shuffles and lightning. Your usual power ups to help you clear your gem board. There are 2 modes of play: normal and relax. You will not need the upgrades in the untimed version since matching the gems is not difficult. The normal or timed mode will get a little challenging at times. There are also bonus gems when you match 5 or more gems. A transparent gem can be used with any color and the rainbow one will let you match 2 different colors together. The blocks can be when you cannot find a match or frozen plates that takes a couple of matches to thaw out. Oh, I almost forgot about the distinctive feature that makes this match 3 gems game different from all the rest. When you match you match 8 or more of the gems, you get a giant gem. You then match that huge gemstone with 2 or more of the same color gems. This will turn the large gem into 7 smaller gems to match.

There’s also a hint button if you should need it, but the board will start pulsating to show you a match. Sometimes this feature appeared too quickly when I didn’t need a help.

In between the match games, you are sent to the grotto for a hidden object play. You initially go there to light up the area by finding all the lanterns. Later you are sent to find the same type of items.

So there’s a little variation to this match 3 game with a story, hidden object plays and the huge gems. Even with all these things, I didn’t find the play or the story engaging. I like swapping better than linking gems together. That’s my odd preference when it comes to match 3s. I think kids can get into this match play since it is not difficult and has plenty of bonuses to help you along. Since you have to read the storyline, it will be good reading practice for children. For those reasons I give it a 3 out of 5.

Features of Charm Tales 2: Mermai Lagoon:
-8 Locations
-44 Levels
-Mermaid Tale

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

If you can’t make it over the great pond to the British Isles, the next best thing is to play Julia’s Quest: United Kingdom. It will take you to all the great tourist locations like the Tower of London, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Westminister Abbey, National Gallery and the now iconic London Eye. Not only will this game take you to the many fantastic places but it will also give you fun facts and interesting stories behind each location.

This is mainly a match 3 game with a short story about Julia searching for clues and answers by following her grandfather’s diary and his fascinating travels for the final prize. The match 3 plays will take you to different places in the United Kingdom with fun British tokens to line up either horizontally or vertically. Match 3 or more identical items to clear the board. Make matches below the jigsaw puzzle pieces and bring them down the screen to fill the small board to the lower left side. After you get all the puzzle pieces, you put together jigsaw revealing a beautiful place. There’s a Bonus Shop to buy or sell bonuses, however the cost of each item is very high. Completing the match 3 puzzle within a time period will win you a gold, silver or bronze medal.

This is a straight match 3 game with your standard bonuses, good facts about each location, awards and finally the code to open the bank safe. Even with all these things you don’t get the excitement factor like in other match games like the clashing power ups of Treasures of Montezuma or the adventure in Cave Quest. Julia’s Quest: United Kingdom has good artwork and great sound effects and music, but the buttons in the match 3 game stays basically the same and there’s no frenzy in the play. You can replay any games to get an higher score to get a better medal. I give this game a 3 out 5 for a solid match 3 game.

Features of Julia’s Quest: United Kingdom:
-Match 3 Games
-Jigsaw Puzzles
-Fantastic and Interesting Locations

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Escape from Paradise 2: A Kingdom’s Quest is a conglomeration of many genres of Mac games. For the most part it is a sim play developing your own tribe of people. It is up to you to make sure there is enough food, water and building supplies for a successful life.
This game is a continuation of your life after a shipwreck stranded you on an island. You work to earn your freedom off this paradise isle, but found that life on the island wasn’t so bad after all, and you try to assimilate back into the tribe. The chief, a jealous and vindictive person, ban you to the outskirts of the island to prove to him you are worthy of returning.

The game starts at this point after you choose your avatar. If you choose a male, a princess will help you. If you choose a female, you get help from Prince Perusah. He will have an explanation mark over his head if he needs to speak to you. The tutorial and play will start you off with simple challenges like gathering wood. The challenges will be posted at the top of the screen with the bottom part of the board with useful stats on your person. In addition, there are buttons for building and another for items. You need to click on them for structures you need to erect and items you find scattered throughout the island. Happiness levels stay below each person for you to keep an eye on the bar so it doesn’t dip too far down. You need to keep everyone in your tribe happy and sated for tasks to be completed. Also at the bottom are the numbers for the amount of tribe members, food, and wood. If you help people build, they will give you their loyalty. When you click and drag people to a tree, they will either chop for wood or gather food. The prince will help you out with tasks also, but if they tire, you can see that they need to rest in the hut. Also if anyone is near food or water and they need it, they will eat or drink until they are satisfied but be sure to have plenty of food and water for them.

After you complete a challenge, you may receive a reward in a form of a crate washing ashore. The first reward is a monkey who will assist you in finding hidden objects. Of course, with the added responsibility of a screeching monkey, you must build him a home. After completion of this house, you have a new ability. You must build up your own skills and the skills of others so you can expand your ability to build different types of things so you can go on to your next challenge. In addition to your skills you must increase your population by marrying couples. In time they will have a baby and that child will grow into an adult who can help with the many tasks. Unfortunately people will die and that will decrease the numbers in your tribe.

The mini games are many and you can go to them when needed since the plays will earn you food, wood and skill points. They can be a match game with your option of playing Tiki Topple or Classic. The Classic play is to match 3 or more like items to collect points, and Tiki Topple is a match game with you playing against the clever chief. It’s tough to beat him, but fun to keep trying. There are Sudoku plays and card games to enjoy.

If that’s not enough for you, the island slowly reveals secrets but only to true souls. At one point steps to a temple all of a sudden appeared from the sands of the beach. The items you uncover will assist you in many ways. Also remember, sometimes you need your monkey close by to be able to see some of the hidden things. He will be screeching for you to do something. Eventually you will need to connect to the other islands so you need to somehow get rocks to cross over to the other side. Dynamite may help you so look, dig and find your TNT.

Escape From Paradise 2: A Kingdom’s Quest is full of many interesting things and surprises to do for your island tribe. The mini games are a nice distraction from your daily tasks on the island. I never played the first game so I don’t have that to compare this new sequel, but I’ve played other similar games such as Virtual Villagers 1, 2 and 3, and Wild Tribe. I found Escape From Paradise 2: A Kingdom’s Quest a better game even though there are many similar aspects to the sim play, you get a lot of fun and well thought out side games to keep you engaged during the entire time.

Features of Escape From Paradise 2:
-Customize Your Hero
-Keep Everyone Happy
-Chief of the Tribe

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars