Big Fish Games $2.99 Game Deals: Murder, She Wrote & Royal Envoy

O

Otty Ott

CAGiversary!
Today's Big Fish $2.99 Daily Deal game is:

Trial Of The Gods: Ariadne's Fate - a match 3 game.

Click here for Trial Of The Gods: Ariadne's Fate

Now no coupon code needed. To get the $2.99 price, you must either be a Game Club member or do the 1 month Game Club trial which you can cancel after buying the game.

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Big Fish has also started a $2.99 Catch of the Week:

Redemption Cemetery: Curse Of The Raven - A hidden object game.

Click here for Redemption Cemetery: Curse Of The Raven

Now no coupon code or Game Club membership needed. Available to everyone.

I will update this post every day for the new game each day.
 
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I don't think you need to have played the first two. Separate story. But if you enjoy this one, you will probably want to pick up Gates Of Night and The Lost Orb, which do continue the story.

Personally, I skipped the first one. It didn't have mouse control. Only keyboard controls. Drove me nuts, so I skipped to the second one. To be honest, I haven't played Lord Of Twilight yet....
 
Gamezebo review:

"Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy will likely satiate fans of HOGs - even if they're not familiar with Poe's literary works or mysterious death. Give this one a try and be sure to dim the lights and turn up the speakers!"

Pros: Dripping with atmosphere. Good "HOG" gameplay. Some adventure game-like puzzles. Mini-games. Most objects are related to environment and story.

Cons: Only one game mode. Objects always in same place. Some confusing objects.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars; Player Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy
 
Gamezebo review:

"Overall, I enjoyed the difficulty of the various puzzles. There is a lot more to Mystery of the Persian Carpet than simply hidden object play. However, the confusing user interface and ambiguous help screens made the game more difficult than it had to be. The graphics were well done and very atmospheric. There were no voice overs for the dialogues between Watson and Holmes but the period background music was charming and not distracting."

Pros: Atmospheric graphics. Rich storyline. Many puzzle styles.

Cons: Very challenging with ambiguous help screens. Confusing user interface.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Sherlock Holmes: Mystery Of The Persian Carpet
 
Today's Big Fish $2.99 Daily Deal game is:

Hostile Makeover - A hidden object game based on the novel and Lifetime TV movie.

Click here for Hostile Makeover

Use Coupon Code: HOSTILE299

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Big Fish has also started a $2.99 Catch of the Week:

Cassandra's Journey: The Legacy Of Nostradamus - A magic-themed hidden object game.

Click here for Cassandra's Journey: The Legacy Of Nostradamus

Use Coupon Code: CATCH299

I will update this post every day for the new game each day.
 
Gamezebo review:

"Hostile Makeover has an engaging theme and some interesting new twists, but be prepared for unanswered questions and a lot of pixel hunting. It's a HOG that manages to be easy and challenging at the same time."

Pros: Interesting murder mystery with lots of quirky suspects. Two cool new hint system power-ups that you earn by buying fashion outfits. Many scenes.

Cons: Some screens are dark, and some objects are tiny and blurry. Holes in the plot. Objects repeat a lot. Silhouettes shown in some hidden object scenes are ambiguous.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Hostile Makeover
 
Gamezebo review:

"As far as hidden object games go, Cassandra's Journey: The Legacy of Nostradamus delivers one of the more entertaining spins on the popular casual game category. While it doesn't really bring anything new to the genre, it's a highly polished and fun diversion, with many mini-games to keep things fresh and a story you might actually be interested in."

Pros: Well-made with decent story, memorable characters and relevant items. Different search criteria and multiple Hint types. Many mini-games, which can be played at any time. Attractive graphics. Can unlock fortune-telling fun.

Cons: Questionable replayability. Only one game mode with items in the same place. Some clicks don’t register. Some confusing words.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Cassandra's Journey: The Legacy of Nostradamus
 
I could not find a review of Midnight Pool 3D for PC. However, the WiiWare version is based on the PC version. IGN gave the WiiWare version a 7.0 out of 10.0.

If you are on the fence about it, you can always download the trial and see if it is any good before buying it...
 
And I happen to know that Nintendolife gave it an 8 out of 10. However, that score was largely based on the quality of the motion controls. It has a lot of options and unlockables, so it's probably still a good purchase so long as the controls are acceptable.
 
Gamezebo review:

"Tightened time constraints and tougher grid layouts... Just a few examples of the ongoing challenges you'll face. But dive headfirst into the journey and you'll find it never aggravates, nor ceases to satisfy. Simple and yet oh-so-undeniably addictive, this one's a true classic in every sense of the word. If you haven't checked out Jewel Quest yet, well... what are you dilly-dallying for? Suffice it to say you won't be disappointed, and that there's a wealth of good times waiting in store."

Pros: Gripping tale; Sound game balancing; Sharp backgrounds; Fun in both short/long-term spurts

Cons: Slow-moving at times; Single play mode

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Jewel Quest
 
Jewel Quest is a classic. There have been many sequels and spinoffs. But the most exciting thing for me seeing this in the Daily Deal program is that it is an iWin game. This could be a sign that a lot more iWin games could be coming soon. Hopefully we will see Jewel Quest Solitaire series, Mahjong Quest series, JoJo's Fashion Show series etc...
 
Gamezebo review:

"Call it a great two-for-one deal: All-new brainteaser Puzzle City combines the best that construction sims and head-scratching mindbenders have to offer into a single, spectacular outing - and in a way that's completely original and innovative to boot. The upshot being, of course, that if you're as much aspiring tycoon as lover of logic-driven conundrums, you'll find plenty to admire in its simple, yet addictive mix of civil engineering."

Pros: Great concept. Staggering production values. Skillfully blends multiple genres. Range of bonuses and in-game options.

Cons: Sometimes maddening action. Can get repetitious. Random nature of play.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Puzzle City
 
Gamezebo review:

"While mostly recycling 20 year-old play mechanics and slapping on a fresh, mainstream-oriented coat of paint, 2007's Defender of the Crown simply proves the strength of its original concept. That players starting at age 10 ranging on up to 100 can find just as much to rave about here only further speaks to the game's overall prowess. While some strategy players might not appreciate their game being interrupted by the occasional action sequence, and vice versa, it's hardly worth mentioning. Capable of attracting fans from both audiences - and enthralling an entirely new generation of gamers with its slick looks and polished excitement - this one's easily worth its weight in shields and lances."

Pros: Graphics; Sound; Depth; Faithfulness to original; Action-based mini-games; Use of bonus cards.

Cons: Learning curve; Difficulty; Some won't enjoy arcade-style side-quests; Third coming of the classic.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Defender Of The Crown
 
Today's Big Fish $2.99 Daily Deal game is:

Season Of Mystery: The Cherry Blossom Murders - A hidden object game by Square Enix.

Click here for Season Of Mystery: The Cherry Blossom Murders

Use Coupon Code: BLOSSOM

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Big Fish has also started a $2.99 Catch of the Week:

Cassandra's Journey: The Legacy Of Nostradamus - A magic-themed hidden object game.

Click here for Cassandra's Journey: The Legacy Of Nostradamus

Use Coupon Code: CATCH299

I will update this post every day for the new game each day.
 
Gamezebo review:

"Square Enix is a Japanese publisher best known for creating the epic role-playing series Final Fantasy, which is why we were surprised when they released the cute puzzle game Yosumin! as a digital download earlier this year. We were surprised again to see Square Enix's name on the title screen of Season of Mystery: The Cherry Blossom Murders, a hidden object game set in 19th century Japan."

Pros: Beautiful music and graphics. Cleverly hidden items. Interesting mystery story.

Cons: Items and locations repeat too frequently.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Season of Mystery: The Cherry Blossom Murders
 
Gamezebo review:

"The Hidden Prophecies of Nostradamus from Cat’s Eye Games mixes a fairly easy classic Hidden Object Game with a variety of 8 types of mini-games, some very challenging. A limited number of SKIP options means every player will have to complete at least some of the mini-games to complete the game. Some players will enjoy the variety—others will find the extreme variation in difficulty frustrating."

Pros: Good production values, objects are easy to find in the hidden object scenes.

Cons: The mix of easy hidden object scenes with some very challenging mini-games unbalances the gameplay and will frustrate some players.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of The Hidden Prophecies of Nostradamus
 
Gamezebo review:

"One grrreat thing about the game comes in the added animals and colors in later levels. Huskies originally come in gray, but brown ones show up later. Purrfect Pet Shop begins with dogs and cats, slowly adding different types of dogs and cats, rodents and snakes. In spite of the impurrfections, Purrfect Pet Shop offers long-lasting, family-friendly gameplay and music that gets you dancing in your seat."

Pros: Upbeat music. Good graphics. Customize a special pet. Pet photography feature.

Cons: Gameplay feels slow. Weak game instructions. Boring mini-game. Difficult to maneuver at times.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Purrfect Pet Shop
 
"Righteous Kill 2: Revenge of the Poet Killer is better than the first game, but still feels mediocre compared to what else is on the market. It starts off pleasantly enough, unfortunately seeming to lose focus and steam towards the end instead of building towards an interesting ending. There's enough to satisfy hidden object fiends, but don't go in expecting the next Mystery Case Files or Women's Murder Club."

Pros: Longer than the first game. Fun four-way spot-the-difference challenges.

Cons: Too much repetition in objects and scenes. Hint reveals hotspots, not items. Cheap looking cinematics.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Righteous Kill 2
 
"Dig into Burger Island, the coolest electronic exercise in slinging food to unruly patrons we've spied in several weeks. Despite the frantic pace at which the game unfolds, and the inevitable onset of repetition, it's a surprisingly polished and gratifying experience that's sure to satisfy any craving for spastic, arcade-style fun."

Pros: Fun challenging game-play; Production values; Soundtrack; Sense of humor

Cons: Pacing will not please those who like their games relaxing; Challenge level.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Burger Island
 
There was no review of Mirror Mixup on Gamezebo. They did have 2 user reviews, both which gave the game 4 stars out of 5. On iWin, 5 user reviews gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Here is a description of the game:

"Mirror Mixup is the picture puzzle game with a great new twist. Levels are solved by selecting areas of the picture and twisting them! Mirror Mixup features 4 great game modes. There are 150 levels to solve and 200 unlockable bonus levels. The 'Custom Play' mode also allows you to use your own pictures and music."

One of the comments that was made repeatedly about the game is how challenging it is. With its different style of gameplay, it may be a good game to try before buying.
 
"If you want a sushi game that really teaches you about sushi, you're about to get your wish. Youda Sushi Chef is a deliciously frantic time management game that has you rolling up maki and serving nigiri to an endless barrage of hungry customers. Aside from the rapid pace, it's full of quirky originality, and definitely not your typical restaurant dash."

Pros: Clever twist on the genre. Suitably fast-paced game play. Plenty of challenge and strategy. Authentic Japanese sushi theme. Simple to learn, yet addictive.

Cons: Requires some memorization. Repetitive tasks and music. Upgrades don't carry over as you advance, so you need to earn the same ones over again at each new stage.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars; Player rating average: 4 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Youda Sushi Chef
 
Gamezebo review:

"Experienced hidden object gamers will love the challenge while those newer to the genre may find it an aggravating experience. Give the trial a try. It won't take long before you encounter small objects to decide if it's worth the yo-ho-ho to trek on in The Magician's Handbook 2: Blacklore or if you should make it walk the plank. "

Pros: Use of spells. Integration of story and game. Game modes. Bonuses.

Cons: Tiny, hard to see objects. Crashes. Spooky scenes not for younger set.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of The Magician's Handbook 2: Blacklore
 
Gamezebo review:

"Amazing Heists -Dillinger has a lot going for it, but its mini-games can be a real drag. It's a bit on the short side, too, but the hidden object levels are very satisfying. Ultimately the game is a bit like Dillinger himself: undeniably charming, but with more than a little risk involved."

Pros: Great music. Fun characters. Well-done hidden object levels.

Cons: A bit short. Tedious and repetitive mini-games.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Amazing Heists - Dillinger
 
Today's Big Fish $2.99 Daily Deal game is:

Rooms: The Main Building - A sliding puzzle game also available on DS and Wii.

Click here for Rooms: The Main Building

Use Coupon Code: 299ROOMS

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Big Fish has also started a $2.99 Catch of the Week:

Echoes Of The Past: Royal House Of Stone - A hidden object game themed on the popular movie.

Click here for Echoes Of The Past: Royal House Of Stone

Use Coupon Code: CATCH299

I will update this post every day for the new game each day.
 
Gamezebo review:

"Players who are willing to work around the quirks will be richly rewarded. Rooms: The Main Building isn't the most accessible puzzle game, and it's not the kind of title you'll breeze through. By the same token, though, its thoroughly unique concept and absolutely ingenious level design are impossible to ignore. Expect lots of head-scratching and restarting of levels and feelings of exasperation before you've finished – but the challenge is also what makes conquering a level that much more rewarding."

Pros: Addictive and challenging gameplay. Unique and quirky concept. Nice graphics. Moody ambiance. Level editor to create own levels.

Cons: Inadequate tutorials and help. Unclear instructions often leave player to figure things out by trial and error.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Rooms: The Main Building
 
Gamezebo review:

"The question begged by Echoes of the Past: Royal House of Stone, a hidden object adventure game from Orneon with great art and some very clever puzzles, is this: How long should a game last to be worth our money? I was having a fine time playing when all of a sudden, at just a hair over two hours into the experience, the game abruptly ended with a "to be continued" message. Does such a short play justify digging into one's wallet?"

Pros: Fun and fair hidden object scenes. Challenging contextual puzzles. Good art design. Interesting whodunit story.

Cons: Amateur voice acting. Dissatisfying cliffhanger ending. Much, much too short.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Echoes of the Past: Royal House of Stone
 
Today's Big Fish $2.99 Daily Deal game is:

Destiny Architect - A Tetris-style game where you have to fit the falling blocks into set patterns shaped like buildings.

Click here for Destiny Architect

Use Coupon Code: 299DESTINY

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Big Fish has also started a $2.99 Catch of the Week:

Echoes Of The Past: Royal House Of Stone - A hidden object game themed on the popular movie.

Click here for Echoes Of The Past: Royal House Of Stone

Use Coupon Code: CATCH299

I will update this post every day for the new game each day.
 
There was no review of Destiny Architect on Gamezebo.

On iWin, the average player review was 4 out of 5 stars.

Here is a short review from itexpressions.com:

"A young girl is found to have levitation powers and is taken away to be trained by Master Architect Paralegus, who constructs great towers throughout the mystical land. The magical powers can be used to place bricks where mere mortals would have problems lifting the heavy blocks into position.

"Destiny Architect is a tetris like strategy game where building blocks are placed within a marked space. You levitate the blocks, moving them into position, so they will fall within the allotted space. Of course there are powerups and bonuses you can use to make blocks fit or correct errors that occur by placing blocks outside the given area.

"Excellent strategy game that is quite addictive, with a good story and graphical playing board. Destiny Architect is worth trying so grab the free trial download and see if you have the power to levitate the bricks to build something fit for royalty."
 
Today's Big Fish $2.99 Daily Deal game is:

Puzzle Hero - A match 3 RPG....while it sounds like Puzzle Quest, it plays more like Bookworm Adventures.

Click here for Puzzle Hero

Use Coupon Code: 299HERO

* * *

Big Fish has also started a $2.99 Catch of the Week:

Echoes Of The Past: Royal House Of Stone - A hidden object game themed on the popular movie.

Click here for Echoes Of The Past: Royal House Of Stone

Use Coupon Code: CATCH299

I will update this post every day for the new game each day.
 
Gamezebo review:

"If Puzzle Hero is your first experience with this type of game – one that combines match-three with role-playing elements – then you'll probably think it's the bees knees. But Puzzle Quest veterans who are used to the more sophisticated and polished experience will likely find Puzzle Hero disappointing by comparison."

Pros: Customizable outfits that show up on avatar throughout the game. Creative monster types. Two modes.

Cons: Derivative and simplistic gameplay. Weak story. Gameplay lacks variation or advanced strategy in later levels.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars; Average player review: 4 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Puzzle Hero
 
Gamezebo review:

"Despite some issues with the interface, Baby Blimp is strangely addictive and grows on you the more you play. Once you've figured out the details and learned how to work most efficiently, it's enjoyably challenging and fast-paced. The biggest issue is the learning curve, which will quite likely frustrate many users when first playing the trial. However, if you have the patience to stick with it, it's a cute and original title that's fun to play."

Pros: Unusual and funny theme. Some unique time management tasks. Extended gameplay.

Cons: Instructions are vague and incomplete. Frustrating learning curve (due to lack of tutorial). Occasional language mistakes. Unclear graphics make some tasks artificially difficult. Some graphics recycled from KinderGarten.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars; Average player review: 4 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Baby Blimp
 
Gamezebo review:

"Wild Tribe is a Virtual Villagers-style strategy game where you must care for a desert island tribe by helping them build things, gather food and water, defend themselves, grow and make new discoveries. Instead of people, though, your tribe consists of creatures called “wobblies” that can evolve into different animals. While it’s a cute twist, Wild Tribe doesn’t have the same level of depth as some of its contemporaries."

Pros: Unique animal theme. Not too complicated for beginners.

Cons: Slow pace. Not as much depth as other games in the genre.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars; Average player review: 4 out of 5 stars

Click to read the Gamezebo review of Wild Tribe
 
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