On paper, Zen Fashion works marvels, combining two favorite passions - inner peace and haute couture - into an intriguing match-three puzzler that sends you trotting about China, Japan, Korea and the bulk of the Asian continent. Unfortunately, a snappy Far Eastern aesthetic and soothing soundtrack, not to mention somewhat novel play conceit (donning new duds to mix and match powers), can't save the title from an inconvenient truth. Specifically, that the melding of these twin concepts suffers due to inconsistent level design, too-leisurely pacing and a handful of issues that'll have even the most patient player ready to kick the creators right in their dharma.

Starting out, you'll take on the role of a young woman hoping to follow in the footsteps of her grandmother, a famed fashion designer. To master the craft, she needs context, and therefore sets out to explore her roots by traveling to the Orient's most fashionable cities. Working your way across an attractive campaign map spanning a dozen destinations such as Singapore and Bangkok, you must progress through 96 levels - 8 per stopover - to ultimately achieve success. And, of course, master the all-too-familiar basics of the mostly innocuous outing, which simply involve dragging your mouse to link horizontal, vertical or diagonal chains of three or more flowers, which disappear from play when grouped.

Incredibly relaxed in nature, stressed out owners will find the setup further benefits from the presence of between-mission "zen breaks" that let you stop and stare at glistening lakes and gorgeous sunsets. The chief problem being that, despite the presence of periodically hard-to-reach pieces or obstacles such as blocks that must be destroyed by eliminating tiles around them, meeting your end goal - removing all colored tiles by making matches atop them before time runs out - is seldom difficult, let alone engaging.

Moments of excitement generally come at the expense of serenity as well. The most frequent example: Times when you're desperately trying to collect a poorly-located tile, but can't because play's mercurial nature (eliminated flowers are automatically filled in with randomized replacements instead of existing tiles filling in from above) inherently works against you...

I really loved the Zen Fashion game’s graphics and relaxing sounds and as a matter of fact, the guys at Boomzap Entertainment themselves are proud about the overall presentation of the game. In fact, there’s this Zen Break feature also wherein you get to take a break from all the hectic action to watch a beautifully rendered wallpaper scene featuring Zen-themed locations in Asia. But what I really liked is how Hana looked good in all those clothes. Well, not really because I’m some perverted guy, but it’s just because I’m into all those fashion stuff myself… HONEST!

Moving on, I also liked the additional features of Zen Fashion like the trophy system and how you can mix and match all the Asian costumes presented in the game. If you’re into fashion (like me, lol), the game will let your creativity soar as you dress Hana with all the combinations of 108 fashion pieces you can collect throughout the whole adventure. It’s quite a wonder too how the different Asian costumes can blend together, showing us how much we are all just intertwined in this crazy world (that’s deep analysis for you)...

Zen Fashion didn't exactly get my attention with its title, but with the magic word, "puzzle". I actually haven't played a casual puzzle game in a while, so I jumped right in.

Zen Fashion could be described as a "match three" puzzle, but the mechanics are actually similar to a connect-the-dots game. You must connect any adjacent flowers of the same kind to clear the tiles, with a minimum of three. The flowers must be touching either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, which makes up for some rather large combos in some cases. You just click the first flower, then drag the mouse over the matching ones to make your combo.

So why the "fashion" in the title? Your protagonist sets off on a trip through Asia, researching traditional outfits and fabrics. The game is separated into 12 areas, each composed of 8 levels, depicting lovely landscapes. When reaching certain levels, you unlock new outfits for your character: a hair style, a top or a bottom piece. Each piece in your wardrobe (with the exception of the starting ones) has one or two Zen Powers that will prove helpful while clearing the puzzles, since they get more and more complicated as you advance through the adventure stages.

The initial tiles you need to clear are golden, which means you only need to match a flower on them once. But there are silver tiles (match two flowers), blockers (match a combo near them to open up the flower) and chained tiles (match two combos near them). Since in the normal adventure mode you are on a timer, every power-up helps. For example, a bomb to replace all the flowers in a particular area, a hand to remove a flower, a lightning bolt that clears a golden flower tile, time bonuses, and a few more. If you find yourself out of moves, the puzzle field will be replaced with a new set of flowers...

One of America's most popular TV game shows goes interactive - again - in Wheel of Fortune 2, the latest computer game that lets players be a virtual contestant and win virtual cash.

This downloadable digital diversion offers a couple of improvements over its predecessor - such as multiple game modes, contestant creation and winnable trophies - but the absence of Vanna and Pat (and any voices at all, for that matter) takes players out of the all-important suspension of disbelief.

As with the television game show it's based upon, Wheel of Fortune 2 lets you partake in a kind of "Hangman"-like word game, where you spin a wheel, land on a dollar value (such as $500) and guess a consonant from the alphabet. If the letter appears in the word(s) you're supposed to guess, which are turned around so you can't see them, you receive that dollar amount for each time. For example, finding three letter Rs in the phrase "BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY" will net you $1500. You can then spin again, buy a vowel or try and guess the phrase. Be forewarned, however, you might land on a "Bankrupt" or "Lose your Turn" spot on the wheel if you choose to spin again. The object of the game is to solve the puzzle before your opponents, and make as much money as you can.

The spinning wheel and letter board look just like the television show, plus the sound effects are pleasantly authentic, as well. But without Vanna -- who did appear in Atari's 2003 version of Wheel of Fortune for the PC -- it's simply not, well, Wheel of Fortune. Note: Vanna and Pat were also not in Sony Online Entertainment's first Wheel of Fortune. At least in this sequel players can now customize the look of their contestant with skin color, facial features, hair styles, and clothing, though it has nothing to do with the game itself...

...After playing Road Trip for quite some time (the game feature where you get to travel on different parts of the USA), I honestly found the Wheel of Fortune 2 game more enjoyable than that of SOE’s JEOPARDY! 2. While the graphics are pretty much the same awesome 3D animation, the game play can get quite addicting and I’m guessing that review holds true only because in my opinion, Wheel of Fortune is really loads better than Jeopardy. And I would like to commend SOE for doing well in capturing the game’s overall enjoyability.

One thing I noticed though is that this game also lacks any music just like JEOPARDY! 2. While the sound effects are really nice, I honestly think that any casual game is incomplete if it doesn’t have any background music. Besides, the game can get real boring too when you’re just waiting for your opponent to finish on his/her turn, and from my experience, music always tends to be the savior when these kinds of things happen...

Wheel of Fortune 2 is a captivating game that brings tons of fun and help to develop logical thinking. It features high quality graphics, diverse sound effects and suitable instrumental music. As for graphics, it is well done and rendered; characters are highly customizable and animated realistically. You surely like their gestures and behavior, when they win or lose. You can customize any character selecting gender, skin color, hair color, hair style, clothing, facial hair and glasses. Another neat feature is the ability to earn trophies while playing - if you play well you can win up to 36 trophies that include "Biggest Bucks" (win $70,000 in a single game), "Bonafide 5 Play" (win the bonus round five times) or "Gameplay Captain" (play for 25 hours), etc. The spinning wheel and letter board look just like the television show, plus the sound effects are pleasantly authentic, as well. Unfortunately, there are no Vanna and Pat, who make the game much original and realistic. All in all, despite of new interesting features, namely the Road Trip mode and trophies, Wheel of Fortune 2 isn't really different than its predecessor...

Sprill - The Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle starts off with the line "It was a sunny day in the Bermuda Triangle..." which is a sure sign that something is about to go wrong! Sprill the fox is spending a quiet afternoon on the ocean when he is kidnapped by aliens and taken deep under the sea! He is forced to help them solve the mystery of a magical pearl before the aliens will let him go.

Sprill's alien captors direct him to a series of underwater locations to begin searching for clues to unravel the mystery of the pearl. If Sprill is successful, the pearl can be used save the planet, but it won't be easy to find.

This new hidden object game begins when the aliens send you to a sunken ship to start your quest. A list of items to find within each setting will appear on the side of the scene and you will have a (rather generous) time limit to find the needed items. Search high and low to find everything by scanning the setting and clicking on the items as you locate them. If you get stuck, you can use a hint to help you, but don't waste them or you might find yourself out of luck.

The various items are all hidden within the background. Some are very easy to find but others take a lot of hunting and hawk-like vision to spot. However, within almost every level, there are additional hints you can earn by finding variously shaped and colored question marks and clicking on them. These will become very useful as the timer runs low or if you have to find items that you aren't familiar with, such as a balalaika or numbers of amphorae.

After every few levels, you will have to complete a different mechanical puzzle in order to proceed to the next location. These puzzles are similar to the ones found in the Mystery Case Files games, though far less challenging. There weren't very many of them, which is a shame as they break up the monotony nicely.

Within these puzzles, you will be presented with a challenge such as finding a magic shell. In order to accomplish that goal, you will have to figure out a series of steps to maneuver the items on the screen. For instance, one of the puzzles involves dropping lead weights (perhaps cannonballs?) through peg boards onto a seesaw style contraption and then launching one of them up in the air and catching it with a magnet. Once you move the magnet to the center of the screen, a magical item appears...

Our little character has decided to go fishing to the famous Bermuda Triangle. He couldn't even fancy what the whole trip will lead him to... One moment while relaxing aboard his ship the fox felt something strange was going on with his head. When he regained his conscience, he found himself on the bottom of the ocean, and, which amazed him greatly, he felt absolutely no discomfort, for he was able to breathe. This was the work of small green aliens he saw around him.

The aliens told our hero about their problem. Yes, aliens also have problems, whatever you could think. Their home planet, Akvatar, is in danger, and only the Pearl of Poseidon can save it. And...I'm sure you guessed! And that's correct - the Pearl is on one of the ships which have been sinking in the area for quite a long time. Many people taken hostages as Sprill have tried to find it before, but none succeeded. Now Sprill has to do it, otherwise he will be forced to stay underwater forever. And what about all the interesting things waiting for him on the surface? Surely, the courageous fox is determined to complete the mission and return back to his beloved Earth.

This is what the story says. And the game play is quite simple and presents absolutely no problems - you have to examine rooms on different ships to find clues concerning the possible whereabouts of the precious Pearl. For each level you are given a list of items to find, and a number of hints to help you...

Our favorite fox cub, Sprill, is back! Sprill: The Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle is a new hidden object game from Alawar Entertainment. The story begins with aliens abducting Sprill and taking him to the bottom of the ocean. The otherworldly visitors explain that they've been sinking ships and planes over the Bermuda Triangle because they need help finding a special pearl that can save their world.

With 35 levels and dozens of sunken ships and planes to explore, there are hours of fun to be had. Each stage must be completed within a specific time limit. While you're searching for the objects you need, Sprill can be seen at the bottom of your screen marking things off his list...

I admit, I was worried that a sequel to Build-a-lot could not recapture the ambience of the original game, which I truly love. However, developer HipSoft managed to keep all that was good about the first game and add some fantastic new features that only increase the overall enjoyment. Build-a-lot 2: Town of the Year really delivers the goods. (Or is that materials? Ha! A little Build-a-lot humor there...)

For those who have not played Build-a-lot, let me explain a little about how the game works. The story takes place in a series of towns where the locals want to expand and improve their properties. As a contractor, you'll spend time in each town completing assignments that meet the requirements of the local leaders in order to progress to the next level. Completing the goals quickly earns a gold ribbon.

In this real estate development simulation, the local leader of each town will give you a set of goals to accomplish as well as a time limit in which to complete the level. Goals can include building certain homes, raising the town's appeal rating, earning significant amounts of cash and more.

You will build various houses, buildings, shops and parks according to the goals of each level. The houses range in style from small bungalows to giant palaces, featuring brand new designs from the first game. You can earn rental income from the homes you build, or sell them for huge profits.

Support buildings, such as workshops and recycling centers, can help you along the way, providing deep discounts for training new construction workers and super cheap building materials. Other structures, like the coffee shop, can give you an added income. A variety of parks, including a play park for the kids and elegant Zen parks, increase the overall appeal rating of your towns while providing lovely scenic touches.

You will need to learn how to manage your cash carefully, since you'll have to spend money to make money. Materials can be expensive but there are several ways you can earn income. Selling homes that you own can give you quick financial boosts, but leave you short on properties in the end. The bulk of your income in most levels will come from the rent you collect from your homes. Shops, like the coffee shop, will pay you every month with the new profit sharing feature and banks can dish out significant amounts of interest. Finding the right balance for each town can be challenging.

Build-a-lot 2 boasts several new features and improvements over the original game. You now have the ability to custom paint any homes you own or build. This may not sound like much, but I found that it really broke the monotony that can set in when building several homes all in the same style. Painting the houses also gives you a nice bonus to your town's appeal rating, increasing the overall value of your properties...

I think most of you have at least tried the first title of the series - Build-a-lot. And most of those who tried couldn't stop playing. Well, for me it was like this. So I am really happy to tell you about the sequel to our favorite strategy game - Build-a-lot 2: Town of the Year.

This time the Mayors of 8 towns taking part in the Town of the Year competition will invite you to complete their projects and help them get the towns ready for the contest. From Maple Creek to View Haven - you are welcome to build the town of your dream! Surely, each Mayor has his own plans and vision of his kingdom development, so your tasks on each level will be absolutely different. But all of them challenging, that's what I can say without doubt!

The game play is basically the same as in the first part - you draft blueprints, construct or buy houses, upgrade them (meet a great new feature - paint the houses in any colour you wish to increase social appeal of the vicinity), repair if necessary, than sell them for profit or demolish if they are no more needed - whatever you like. You will also build parks, shops and other buildings making every neighbourhood much more attractive for citizens...

Late last year HipSoft released Build-a-lot, a casual real estate tycoon sim where you buy and construct houses, raise their value, and stack piles of cash behind your desk. The successful paring down of a complex subject matter was a huge hit, and we learned just how fun it can be to have the power of bulldozers and million dollar incomes at our disposal. The sequel, Build-a-lot 2: Town of the Year, has just been released, and a critical question immediately came to mind: why not call it Build-a-lot-more? Ok ok, so I'm no marketing genius, but according to this game, I might be a real estate whiz.

The over-arching theme of Build-a-lot 2 is to improve each town's value by meeting goals set by each area's mayor. Tasks range from building a number of houses/buildings to earning a set amount of cash or increasing rent income to a certain level. All the while you must manage three things: cash, workers, and materials. Money rules them all and is used for every action you take. With money you must ensure you have enough materials to build new houses or upgrade and repair existing ones. Workers are necessary to carry out your plans, and the more you have the more jobs you can undertake at once.

Build-a-lot 2: Town of the Year doesn't deviate much from the formula established by its predecessor, which is a very good thing. With a few simple mouse clicks you travel from town to town buying up empty lots and building houses in their stead. After drafting the right blueprints you can build several types of houses, each requiring more upkeep, materials and resources to construct. Bigger houses bring in more rent, and in order to meet each level's goal, you'll have to rake in as much cash as you can...

It’s quite amazing that our review of the first Build-a-lot game immediately took place after we transferred here at Casualicious dot Com (coming from Blogspot). And now, I guess it’s just like an anniversary as we get to review HipSoft’s much awaited sequel to the real estate Time Management simulation game. So without further ado, I now present the Build-a-lot 2: Town of the Year game review.

The Build-a-lot 2: Town of the Year game, as well as the first Build-a-lot game gets you to fill in the shoes of a real estate developer, whose task is to satisfy construction requests from your local clients. And on the case of this game, your clients are the mayors of each of the town you get to have projects on, themselves. Fulfill the requests, learn the ropes of real estate planning, and of course, earn money and reputation in the process. And if you’re good enough (or fast enough since this is a Time Management game), you get to have some of those shiny badges too for all your efforts...

Casual gamer, come on down! You're the next contestant on The Price is Right. Yep, one of the most popular television game shows has gone interactive with Ludia's first computer game offering, The Price is Right, that looks and plays like the real deal - though without Drew Carey or Bob Barker.

As you'd expect from a game like The Price is Right, you first choose a contestant and give him or her a name. You can't create your own but can choose from one of four characters (two males, two females). After typing in your name, the camera pans across the overly excited audience and naturally, you've been picked to "come on down" to be a contestant.

Similar to the TV show, the goal of the game is to win as much money and prizes as you can before getting three red strikes.

Contestant's Row is the first part of the game, where you and three other contestants must guess the price of a product without going over; whoever gets closest to the actual price gets to jump onstage and partake in three other games. For example, if you guess $500 for a patio heater from Desa - and yes, these are all real-world products in this game - and the actual price is $525, you'll likely win.

If you win Contestant's Row you get to play one of 16 different pricing games, ripped right out of the television show, such as Cliff Hangers, Punch-A-Bunch, Hole In One, Range Game, Master Key, Push Over, Freeze Frame, and so on. Most of these challenge you to guess the real price of a real product - like Scott's bathroom tissue paper or a Ghirardelli chocolates collection - with some slight variation. In Plinko, for example, you must guess if the left or right number in a two-digit price for a product is (e.g. $35) correct; then you get to drop coins down a Plinko board and hope it falls into the $10,000 slot instead of the $0 slot.

After you win a pricing game you can then test your luck by spinning The Big Wheel, with the aim to get as close to $1 dollar as you can without going over. If you land on, say, 85 cents, you might opt not to spin again, but you can spin twice. If you win against other contestants you finally play the Showcase Showdown. You know the drill: Rich Fields, the announcer, tells you about all these elaborate prizes like trips and cars, and are complimented by short video clips of real The Price is Right girls showing them to you. You must guess the value of the entire prize pack without going over. Be closer to the real price compared to your opponent and it's yours...

If you have never heard the game show host shouting "Come On Down" then you have missed one of the classic game shows of all time. The Price is Right played across the world and was more than popular with millions.

Now you can play The Price is Right on your computer and relive the game show action in your living room once again.

Basically the game follows the show theme where you guess the price of objects and if your the closest guess to the actual item price, you win...

Come on down! You're the next contestant on The Price is Right! One of the oldest televised gameshows still in production today, The Price is Right has seen several dozen seasons in the United States and is broadcast in almost as many countries (OK, il prezzo è giusto!, anyone?). That's a whole lot of people sitting in their living room trying to guess the price of a wine rack with removable shelves. Now, developer Ludia is bringing the same formula to the casual gaming realm, dropping you front row center as one of the contestants!

The Price is Right is a gameshow centered around guessing the prices of various retail items. From paper towels to dinnerware to cars, you'll come across a huge variety of things, some easier to peg than others. Each game begins with a showdown between you and three other contestants (computer-controlled in single player mode, but you can get some friends in on the fun, too!). A fully-voiced announcer describes each product in detail along with a short video clip from the television show. Then, enter your guess for the item's retail value. The contestant who comes closest without going over wins and earns the chance to win even more money.

After the price war is over, you'll participate in one of nearly two dozen minigames culled from the gameshow. Cliffhanger is here (you know, the yodeling hiker guy), along with Master Key, Range Game, Hole in One (or Two), and yes, Plinko! Each game is a variation on the price guessing theme, and the possible winnings vary with the level of difficulty. After completing one of the games, winners will move on to the Showcase Showdown, spinning the famous wheel just before the final competition begins.

Analysis: I'll admit, The Price is Right does command a bit of nostalgia for me, as it seems the show was always on TV in the background of my youth. Part of the reason this game is so fun is because it captures the show so well, only now you can actually participate instead of just yelling at the screen. My first few minutes playing taught me something very important: apparently I'm terrible at guessing prices...