Chef Ramsay may seem like one tough shell to crack on the outside, but we all know he’s a softie on the inside. In Hell’s Kitchen, you can unlock this never before seen side to Ramsay, as long as you keep the kitchen moving. Prepare dishes, seat customers, and always get your waiters moving, as Hell’s Kitchen is a race to please the almighty head chef Ramsay and climb the ranks to the top chef.

Tending to the restaurant while staying on pace with Ramsay’s expectations, in the form of stars, is not all that Hell’s Kitchen offers the player. Real recipes, no doubt from the show and Mr. Ramsay, are found on every level the player progresses to. You can work your virtual kitchen and learn to make actual food in your own home all in one place.

The dynamics of this game are simple: point and click to make the waiter attend multiple actions, and point and click ingredients to prepare and cook meals as the chef. Picking up the game is similar to the Diner Dash series yet the concept is different. Players must choose how to balance between making the meal or serving it. The switching of kitchen to restaurant floor can become a little overwhelming, but apart from being a major aspect of the game, it’s still very rewarding to time a meal right and make Gordon tear up from your excellence as a chef. I give Hell’s Kitchen a 4 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

One of my favorite genres is platform games. I was lucky enough to come across Professor Fizzwizzle because of the unique and humorous name. The story of the game is that the Professor was working in his lab one day, when he decided to invent robots to help him do some of his work. Everything was going fine, until he accidentally turned the switch from happy to mad. The professor was promptly thrown out of his lab by the robots and is now forced to make his way back inside.

Like other platform games, the character has to reach the exit in order to pass the stage.  You control the Professor, who is unfortunately uncoordinated.  He is unable to jump and can’t climb over obstacles.  In order to get through stages, you must push boxes, land on rolling barrels and trigger different switch-gates.  All this happens, while trying to avoid those evil Madbots who follow you when they see you.

This game was very fun and I really enjoyed the puzzle/platform style of the game.  However, I am inclined toward Mario-clone games, just because it is what I am used to, so I do prefer games where you have the ability to jump.  Besides that, Professor Fizzwizzle has some great graphics and a kid-friendly plot that everyone can enjoy.  There is also a feature that allows you to watch the computer solve the stage.  This takes away from the challenge, unless you have the self-control to avoid the free pass on some of the more difficult levels.  Overall, this was a solid game and I would give it 4 stars out of 5.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Brain fitness is a popular term used today in referencing techniques needed to improve one’s mental capacity and function. Jig Words is a Mac game that can help with stimulating the brain to adapt to quick changes. It will keep your brain on its’ toes by random letters appearing on the screen for you to figure out as many words, three letters and more, as quickly as possible.

There are two game modes in Jig Words. To play the Jig Words mode you click on letter tiles to find all possible combinations of words. By completing each word, you get pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to reveal the picture on the screen. You can even upload your own photos to be incorporated into the games. How fun is that? Also there is a bonus round to enhance and give you more incentive to continue your play. The Word Duel play has free words, tiles with points, and freezing blocker piece meters.

If the Jig Words mode is not enough of a challenge for you who are competitive by nature, go into the Letter Racing mode. With an active internet connection you compete with 3 other opponents online. This will raise your game to a whole new level.

Jig Words is fun and often times a challenging workout for your brain even when you are not competing with others. I don’t think it will increase your vocabulary because you really need to know the words in order to complete the puzzle, but it does make you use your brain in a fast and orderly manner. Your critical thinking skills will be tested to the fullest. Good luck!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love Where’s Waldo? Book after book I would search for Waldo in every scenario, time period and location, looking for the familiar cap and glasses in the midst of tangled humanity. Gotcha: Celebrity Secrets is reminiscent of those days of cartoon hidden objects, or in this case people, games.

The scenario for Gotcha: Celebrity Secrets is Gaby’s world of blogging about superstars before her competitor can even get a wisp of a clue. She must be at the right place at the right time in order to get her scoops. She gets tips from callers on her cell and she goes looking for certain informants who could help her with the latest gossip on the celebrities.

Instead of looking for 1 character you look for many kooky cartoons displayed at the bottom of the screen. Sometimes you’ll only have a description of the informant. After finding the people, you will be able to play many side mini games like taking the picture of a movie star onboard a yacht, finding money in the mall, find pieces of an wedding invitation or playing a memory game with postcards.

There’s so much to do in Gotcha: Celebrity Secrets that even though the hidden object play is simple, it’s still a lot of fun looking for those crazy characters. As the levels increased there are a lot of distractions to make your play more difficult. The tourist buses and cars moving across the scene took your mind off the search, but you can still spot your people eventually. The cartoons are funny, the music cute and the scenes are colorful. There are 40 screens, 1000 characters, 40 puzzles and mini games to keep you occupied for a long time.

I think the only thing that would make the game better is if the scenes had mini dramas among all the people. For instance, if someone was getting mugged, someone was slipping on a banana or some small comedy within this hidden object play, may have enhanced the fun factor. In any event, get working on leads and find your informants in Gotcha: Celebrity Secrets.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Make your grandma proud as the family gets back into the ice cream business to take down the evil Big Co. After being run out of business by Big Co back in the day, grandma now thinks that you have what it takes to revive the ice cream business out of non-loving corporate hands. Players must network their business riding around in your tricked out ice truck and sell ice cream to all the strange individuals in town. Halloween freaks, detectives, clowns, nerds and skate punks all flock to your ice cream asking for all sorts of desserts to buy. All that’s left is for you to throw it together while keeping up with the demand.

Ice Cream Craze: Tycoon Takeover is another point and click restaurant/business game that follows the popular Diner Dash formula: click to make and serve. The concept is generic and has little difference to others of its genre. Even with the extra upgrades to the truck and serving equipment, Ice Cream Craze had me thinking it was impossible to get a five stars out of any customer unless I was psychic in preparing the ice cream. The pressure put on the game is tiring but that’s how most of these games are played. Maybe not the most unique game, but was not a let down in gameplay. I give Ice Cream Craze: Tycoon Takeover a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Can you remember the good old days when video games were simple and fun? Well, I’m too young to remember that, but if I was a little bit older I would remember games like Titan Attacks more fondly.  This game is like the new Ford Mustang, it feels familiar but is so much cooler and feels so much newer.  Titan Attacks is a basic clone of Space Invaders, but brings the old into a new era.

The object of this game is to prevent the invaders from taking over earth.  You are in a tank that shoots bullets and bombs.  As you destroy more and more invaders, you gain money to buy upgrades in catagories like guns and shield.  This gives you more protection against the waves of enemies that drop down from the sky.  As the levels continue, the enemies get harder to destroy and come at you faster.

Titan Attacks, like Space Invaders, is an arcade game.  The highest score wins the game.  Personally, this game reminds me of good times down at the arcade.  This game is extremely addicting and lets you autosave the game, if you have to quit suddenly.  The only problem one might have with this game is the originality factor, but I saw it as a new and improved version of a classic. I would give this game 4 stars out of 5.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The name Baby Sitting Mania already makes me wonder how crazy this game could become. Babysitters controlling psycho brats are always enjoyable from a certain perspective. Why shouldn’t this game? To my surprise Baby Sitting Mania is a crazy ride that places players in the role of caretaking for rambunctious kids that will not seem to quiet down and go to bed.

Another surprise that came was this Mac game not being a cartoon, but more of having a 3D environment very similar to the Sims. The camera is moved throughout the house by dragging the mouse and chores and objectives are carried out by clicking or clicking multiple times to set up a queue of goals to be done by the babysitter. As levels become increasingly more challenging with new kids to sit, Baby Sitting Mania becomes a handful and delight. My overall feel for Baby Sitting Mania was a 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Escape the Museum 2 continues where Escape the Museum left off with Susan searching through the natural history museum downtown for her daughter, Caitlan, after a devastating earthquake destroys most of the city. David, Susan’s husband and Caitlin’s father, in a panic tries to reach them through the broken bridges and twisted streets in this hidden object/seek and find Mac game.

David must make his way through the debris spewed haphazardly across roads, businesses and houses, while rescuing trapped people and a lost dog. He has many tasks to complete before reaching his wife and daughter at the museum.

There are objects and inventory items to discover before finishing a level. You will need the inventory items to complete tasks . There are many puzzles and mini games to play on top of the main hidden object play. A homeless man will help you along your journey, but he comes with a price so be prepared to give him what he wants in exchange for some sound advice. Some of his requests are a little crazy but fun to do. In one instance you will be searching for dinky cars (match cars) for a hint, and another will be searching for seashells for an alternate route to your destination.

In Escape the Museum 2 you will find many puzzles and 100 scenes to occupy your time in a pleasant way. I found this game to be a little more interesting than the first, because you are outside and have more options for scenes than being inside a dark museum without lights. It was also a little more humorous than the first game with the addition of the sidekick. I did feel that like the first version this one also had a lot of tasks to fulfill, and it slowed the hidden object part of the game for me, but others may disagree so give this game and the first, if you haven’t done so already, a try and see for yourself.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

In today’s day and age the demand for medical services is as high as ever. For the recently graduated Sarah, her dreams of a laid back nursing profession are put on hold as the many hospitals she is working are overflowed with sick people demanding help. Sarah quickly learns that in order to keep up with the public’s need, she has to direct the patients, bring the charts, and clean the stations. With more and more patients arriving and fewer and fewer spaces available to accommodate them, Sarah runs into the heart of Hospital Hustle’s game play.

A unique aspect to Hospital Hustle that separates it from the usual point and click Diner Dash games is the customization of the hospital. By treating patients, you earn money depending on the quality, speed, and type of treatment. With that money, players can purchase new equipment to facilitate healing, decorations for atmosphere, and even increase the pay of other employees to increase productivity.

Hospital Hustle has a lot going for it. Before starting I expected myself to stop playing the game after 10 minutes because I’ve played a whole bunch of similar genre games, however to my surprise I was unable to stop playing. The excitement of upgrades and customization to Hospital Hustle sets it far enough apart from Diner Dash, which gives you the upgrades on each successive level. I give Hospital Hustle a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Jump into another hidden object mac game as the adventurous orphan Hannah. Hannah has been chosen by her former abbess to live out her destiny of finding Atlantis and the power of Poseidon that rests conveniently on her neck. By traveling the world and avoiding enemies, Hannah uncovers more to the Lost City and the God who drowned it than ever known before. Her skills and wits of adventuring into the deep go a long way as Neptune’s Secret is told.

The hidden object game does not have many forms when it comes to structural and stylistic aspects. The mouse is used to point and click on clues that are either given or in Neptune’s Secret’s case vaguely outlined on the right hand side in a certain timeframe. Clues are also a tool used by Hannah and her magical necklace. Other than that the game is similar to any other hidden object game. Get clues and squint until you see the objects. To some boring, to others the feel of Neptune’s Secret is smoother and has great background music for explorers in the deep blue sea. Overall I give Neptune’s Secret a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Chuzzle Deluxe is another cute and fun match Mac game by Pop Cap. The fuzzy fur balls with eyes remind me of the dust balls in the Japanese cartoon movie Totoro, but cuter and more colorful and a little crazy looking. These fuzzy balls are called “Chuzzles”, and they have their own personalities.  You will find yourself smiling while playing this adorable game.

Chuzzle Deluxe is made up of 4 modes: Classic is a basic game of matching 3 or more of the same color fuzzy balls. Speed has more locks to stop a row or column from moving. Zen has no locks and no level. Mind Bender creates a pattern to the left of the game board and you must duplicate the same pattern with the Chuzzles. There are hints if you need them, and hints are also given by the Chuzzles’ eye movements. This is very amusing.

To play the game you slide the Chuzzles up and down and from left to right. When you group 3 or more of the same color Chuzzles, they explode earning points in the flask located on the lefthand side screen. There are funny sound effects when the Chuzzles and flask explodes. The rhythmic music is upbeat and hypnotic. The locks and the oversized Chuzzles create a challenging and entertaining aspect to the game. Also there are trophies for outstanding plays.

I thoroughly enjoy playing Chuzzle Deluxe. The graphics are simple, but the primary colors, squeaks and fun noises make for an uplifting time.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

We can’t get enough of the Dash games and PlayFirst keeps pumping out the requested plays. What makes these games so fun to play and why do we keep playing the same type of sim time management moves every time a new Dash game comes out? Wedding Dash: Ready, Aim, Love is the latest line of these popular and entertaining Mac sim game.

This game is the sequel to Wedding Dash where Quinn is the wedding planner who makes each couple’s dream come true; within budget, of course. This time Quinn is getting married or is she? Quinn finds the exclusive Cloud 9 Resort has a last minute cancellation in their booked schedule. Quinn jumps at the chance of getting this elite honeymoon destination for her own wedding. The only problem is Joe has not proposed yet and even if he is thinking about doing so, time is running out.

Quinn makes a deal with Cupid, who has troubles of his own, to help him out with his tasks if he, in turn, will help Quinn get Joe to propose. What an alliance! At least it’s not with the devil.

Quinn is to manage the first ten couples at the Dinertown Aquarium by ensuring the clients are happy with the choice of food, decoration and cake that she makes for them. In addition, the couple are happier if you stay under budget. After these decisions are made, you must make sure all the invited guests are taken care of at the reception. The guests will arrive with requests to sit at certain locations, to be seated by someone or not to be seated by someone. Once seated, you click on their wedding gift for the couple and then click on the present table. Afterwards the guest will request the type food they would like to eat, and you will click on the food at the counter and then click on the guest. After they eat the cake or dessert, they will go dance. The obstacles of this play is when a lot of guests wish to sit at the same place, someone’s dog gets loose and Cupid upsets the pile of presents at the gift table.

The upgrades for this game are many. They are faster shoes for Flo, food being made faster, and comfy seats for patience. A funny side game is when you shoot Cupid’s arrow at the people making them fall in love with each other. It takes a couple of times before you get the trajectory and strength of the arrow correct, but once you get it, it’s easy to match people together.

Wedding Dash: Ready, Aim, Love is almost identical to the first game, but it still is entertaining. I can’t explain it, but you have to try it for yourself. Flo, Quinn and the guests are familiar faces, the play is the same, but the game still manages to amuse you with Cupid, the crying woman and her yapping dog.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

At first, I thought I would enjoy anything to do with the Antique Roadshow, flea markets, and mahjong, but Mahjong Roadshow started off a little slow for me. However, when I continued with this Mac game, I got more and more engaged and enjoyed it. It’s not exactly mahjong or Antique Roadshow but a little mixture of both.

Your antiquing takes you to 7 locations; garage sales, grandma’s attic, estate sales and more. At each site you pair like tiles to earn money. In addition, you can make 3 or more of the same type of tiles to make a set which will garner you more money. Once you earn your money and cleared the tiles, you go onto the next level. With your earnings you can buy “hints” when you are stuck or a “shuffle” to shuffle the tiles for better pairings. You can also buy appraisals to learn more about a tile. This is needed to get your best Treasure tiles.

All this must be done in 50 days to build a collection of the Treasure tiles to take to the Antique Roadshow. The goal is to become the undisputed Master Collector. Even in the world of this unobtrusive hobby, there is much competition among collectors. In between the regular play is the Speed Auction rounds. This play will wake you up if you were on auto mode and will perk your interest a little more.

I enjoyed playing this mac game once I got into it and understood the instructions. I also liked the antique facts dispersed throughout your play; informative as well as fun. In addition, I liked the different sections of the game (mahjong, locations, earning money, finding the Treasure tiles and finally the Roadshow). The music and the art work had appropriate, old fashioned-like feel to it. If you are into mahjong or an avid collector of things, you’ll find this game very interesting. Give it a try all you garage sale hounds. You’ll find precious treasures without cluttering your home closets.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

You work your fingers to the bone and where does it get you? Fired from Pet Corp during their economical downsizing. You decide to open your own shop and take good care of all the pets in your town. You’ll show them with your expertise and experience in caring for all the animals.

The game begins in the Career mode because Survival and Shop are locked until levels are completed. You start off with 1 washing station, 1 trimming stand and, if you are lucky, a chair for your customers. The clients will come into your shop with their pet and sit down or stand, if you don’t have enough chairs, to wait. You click on their pet and whatever is above their head is what they want done. You click on the station requested and wait. Upon completion click on the pet and then click on their owner to deliver. Click once again on the person to get paid. Many pets will need multiple tasks done to them so it will take time. After each day when the goals have been met, you can shop for upgrades. Duplicate stations will avoid long waits that will make the clients happier.

The play is systematic and if you can get into a rhythm, you will be able to master the game. Higher levels will get you a lot of customers with more and more tasks, but this is where the fun and challenge comes into play so be ready and pamper the pets.

Also try: Pet Vet
                 Pet Shop Hop

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

What if Mario decided he was done with the plumbing business? What if he decided that he’d rather become a 19th century gold miner? Well, that game would be something like Gold Miner Joe.

Gold Miner Joe is an energetic platform game full of action and adventure.  You are Gold Miner Joe, determined to find all the gold that you can get your hands on.  At your disposal are unlimited rocks and sticks of dynamite that you find on the ground in order to destroy the cavemen, crustaceans and bats that attack you at every turn.

The point of the game is to collect all the pieces of gold scattered throughout the level.  Once this is accomplished, the exit to the level opens and you are free to move further into the mine.  In addition, there are other bonus items, like pick axes and shovels, that you can pick up to increase your score at the end.

Overall, this was a very solid game.  The game play worked really well and the added option of the joystick was nice.  The player controlled well and the jump button was touch sensitive, making jumping much easier.  The main differences I saw that made it different from a “Mario-clone” was the fact that there were no power-ups, enemies could not be killed by jumping on them, and that it took two hits to kill Miner Joe.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

What would it be like to work for a movie star? In Sunset Studios: Love on the High Seas will let you do just that and more in a fun hidden object Mac game. Katherine Connick, mega celebrity, is looking for an able body assistant who must find and retrieve props and personal items for her and others on the set.

In each scene you look for 12 items within a time period to finish the level. If you should find all 20 items, you will earn 5 stars. During your search the cell phone will ring with one of the characters requesting specific item. If you should find that particular prop in a few seconds, you will get a chance to win a hint button. There are many types of hints to garner like the lights that will come together at one of the items. Another hint will give you written location of an article.

There are other items to search for in each scene to get power-ups to aid your search. Look for the popcorn, hidden camera or the film reel.

There are 60 levels, 5 studio environments and many props and personal stuff for a movie star. There’s a funny story and quirky characters to follow, and perhaps a romance? Sunset Studios: Love on the High Seas is an entertaining hidden object game to play when you want to have fun and relax. There’s no stress to this amusing game. I think casual gamers will get a lot of enjoyment out of running errands for movie star and diva Kat Connick.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Great Chocolate Chase is a delicious sim type Mac game play about making chocolates. Who wouldn’t want to make candy? Evangeline Baumeister of the Chocolatier fame with the help of Klaus Werner, eccentric inventor of chocolate machines, is opening chocolate shops in different, remote part of the world.

You are there to man the stores and work the machines. In the shop you click on the customer to give them a menu, when ready to order look at what they want, go to the appropriate machine, click on that one, click on the finished product, take it to the next station, either to flavor or shape the candy, click on the completed chocolate, click on the customer and finally click on the money. This is simple until in the higher levels you have more clients, a variety of flavors and shapes to deal with at maximum speed.

The Chocolate Chase has a less involved story and play than Chocolatier and Chocolatier 2. This Mac game is more in the line of the Diner Dash games where the play is the main attraction. The artwork and timeframe is in the olden days and is done quite well. It is a charming change from the cute cartoonish look you see so often in other games.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Based on the famous novel, which I am fairly unfamiliar with, The Count of Monte Cristo is the story of a ship captain who through some depressing and fortunate events is on an investigation to clear his name from jealous rivals. By finding clues with hidden object games and progressing the storyline with puzzles, Edmond Dantes slowly begins his transformation into the Count.

The gameplay of The Count of Monte Cristo is nothing special. Any point and click game that requires players to search for hidden objects on a list is never that complex or original. The defining aspect of The Count of Monte Cristo is the story that unfolds when challenges are met. More parts of the actual book are read to the player and more of the plot is summarized and depicted in dramatic pictures. This feature not only takes the need of me ever reading the book, but it keeps the gamer involved in the game itself. Overall the Count of Monte Cristo has positive characteristics that makes it different to may hidden object games, however I would give it a 3 out of 5 stars because hidden object games are not exactly exciting if a book is thrown into the mix.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

How cool is it to make your own jigsaw puzzles from your vast collection of digital pictures? Better yet, go out and take pictures of what you would want to make into puzzles. Maybe a picture of your child’s favorite toys, your children, friends, your pet, a decorative motif of crafts, knick-knacks, or a tasteful display of fruit made into a puzzle? What about a favorite vacation spot, your alma mater or grandma’s house? Jigsaw Puzzle Player – Pro allows you to make your own scenes for anyone to use and enjoy.

To make your own puzzle is easy as 1-2-3. First you pick your photo, use create puzzle screen, select the number of pieces you wish and the shapes, and click create. Making the shapes will take the most time. You can now start putting your puzzle together or send it to someone. Since you can pick the number of pieces you may want, you can create these puzzles for young children or adults.

Jigsaw Puzzle Player – Pro works like all their other puzzles. You can zoom in or out and use their split screen view. Rotating the pieces is easily done, and by putting the items together, it will produce a sound. The jigsaw pieces will snap together creating a beautiful scenery or picture of your beloved dog. This is a great activity for everyone and will make a fun puzzle for a child or good friend.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Mac game Mean Girls: High School Showdown is based on the movie with the same title starring Lindsay Lohan. This RPG/match 3 game starts in North Shore High with a new student, Cady, from Africa. Making friends is not easy to do and Cady is finding this to be true.

Cady is befriended by Janis and Damian who help her assimilate to the new school. They warn her of the popular girls’ click called the Plastics. Janis feels since Cady is new she will be able to infiltrate the group and bring them down. You choose your avatar and your skills. Depending upon what you choose, your personality and strength will match wits with various students in the school where you will gather information as you go along the school hallways. Once you encounter people along the way, you will be challenged to a match 3 or more like items to garner the skills of the icon such as the whip will smack your opponent and the hearts will endear you to your new friend and they will join your group. You can be nice or mean when playing this game.

Stats will show your stamina and strength in addition to your opponents. If your stamina is depleted, you lose the match. You must watch your loyalty gauge because your opponent can win you over to the dark side.

This game is not difficult to play and is a lot like Puzzle Quest, Dangerous High School in Trouble and a little like Spandex Force. If you liked those games, you may enjoy Mean Girls: High School Showdown. Musicaltrack claims the story of the Mean Girls is based on the girls in his former high school. Wow, I’m glad I didn’t go there, but you’ll all agree there are girls in every high school similar to the mean girls. In Mean Girls: High School Showdown you will be able to match wits with these students and possibly take them down or if you were one of them, join forces.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Back to the world of waiting tables as Quinn, a friend of Diner Dash’s Flo and wedding planner, as weddings are in need of being organized and monitored. Following the similar objectives of keeping patrons satisfied, Wedding Dash adds the elements of love and different wedding oriented meals and gifts. Wedding dash is the expansion of Diner Dash as it goes beyond the conventional restaurant atmosphere and the characters are of the wedding variety.

 Gameplay in this wedding mac game is nearly the same as any of the Diner Dashes. The point and click control of the waiter is identical just as the time management of guests shares a similar strategy from before. The new wedding factors are interesting and fitting for the theme, however the game before was fine how it was. If anything Wedding Dash is Diner Dash with a setting change and earns a 3 out of 5 stars. Fun but it’s the same game.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Where’s Waldo and the Amazing Race for the computer? Yes please! The Race is a fast paced object spotting scavenger hunt that tests your former skills of I Spy to a competition that’s spans the whole globe. Travel to famous parts of the world finding knick-knacks on your list while racing other teams for the gold trophy.  With Mario Kart competition scoring, the race for every cup is not always a disappointment if you come in second.

The Race plays like most point and click hidden object games, but has a factor that can turn the tide of any scavenger hunt. The tool bar to the right of the screen offers hints and power-ups that can slow down the competition or aid in your discovery of more objects.

If you are a gamer that enjoys games that test your eyesight and optical illusions, this game fits. However, the levels can become a tad strenuous and monotonous as you progress throughout the world. This game should be recommended to gamers that are into crossword puzzles or Sudoku because of the set in stone layout of each level. There aren’t many surprises, but new things to find. I give The Race a 2.5 out of 5 stars. You can’t beat Where’s Waldo on a classic book and the Amazing Race fad is just about over.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Personally, I love history, so I was drawn to the title of this game.  The plot exceeded my expectations, as it was as close to the plot of the movie National Treasure as you can get without copyright infringement.  The basic story is that two friends find a Book of Legends and decide to follow the clues that the book leaves for them.  This leads the friends in a treasure hunt around Washington D.C. through many historical sites like the White House and the Lincoln Memorial.

The point of the game is similar to a game like Righteous Kill, where you point and click on different clues, that the checklist requires.  In addition to the usual point and click story, you use some of the items that you have found.  For example, the first level requires you to find gas tanks and a funnel, then take the items and fill your boats engine.  After that, you drive the boat up and down the Potomac River to find the exact spot where you can figure out the clue.

As I have previously stated, I am not a fan of point and click games.  But this game had a plot that really interested me, so it was definitely more compelling than most games.  That being said, the cursor sometimes lagged and some of the clues were really difficult to find in the often strange light.  The graphics were pretty good, but the character’s dialogue was strange and unnatural.  Overall, I would give this game 2.5 stars out of 5.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

The memories of youth are brought all back in this Mac hidden object game Little Shop: Memories. Lemonade stands, attics filled with knickknacks, the drive-in theater, outdoor Weber barbeques, and the local hardware store are featured in this seek and find/I spy plays with mini puzzles in between. There are a lot of things going on in this game; 2 game modes, 12 environments and bonus rounds (mini plays).

Find at least 10 items from your past at each location to earn a keepsake for your scrapbook. Also look for prank cans (snakes in a can) and instant photos. These items will win you a trophy. 2 cameras in each scene will give you a flash peek at a set of items you are looking for, but you must be fast and memorize the locations because it disappears in a “flash”. Look for question marks for additional hints. When you press the hint button at top it will change the words at the bottom of the screen into pictures. This isn’t as good as locating each item for you, but it does help. If you find the thermometer in the scene, it will help you with the location by showing flames if you are near and ice if you are cold.

A bonus round game is to click and drag to restore a vintage photograph. After completion you will get the combination for a safe. In another side puzzle you match jewelry in a drawer.

I liked Little Shop: Memories. It is a classic hidden object with many scenes full of items to look for game with a minor story line where you are filling up your scrapbook. The only drawback to this game is that you go back to the same scenes. I think it would have been better if the game moved forward more. Other than that, the music is an easy, jazzy piano sounds that is conducive to a relaxing play.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The evils of big business and the resilience of small entrepreneurs are reflected in this unique Mac game Profitville. The megamarts moved into Profitville with aim to take over the town. Your job is to help each store produce the best possible merchandise, pack and ship their wares to make a profit and prevent mega business from taking over this quaint, charming town.

This game is to click on each item, such as toys and furniture in the shops, rolling continuously down a conveyor belt. You click on the items moving forward on the  belt, click the appropriate packing box and when the box is filled (the number is on the box) click again to the loading dock then again to ship. All broken pieces must be placed in the recycling bin. There’s a power up to reveal all the broken items. Another good power up is the stop to halt the conveyor belt to give you time to pack up your boxes. Combos will get you higher profits. In each level you must meet your monetary goals.

Profitville is a little like Santa’s Super Friends without the Christmas music. It has the conveyor belt and any broken pieces go to recycling. Both have a lot of movement and action in its plays. I think kids and casual gamers will enjoy this different kind of action play. Beat the mega businesses at its own game by making a huge profit and save this quaint town!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Today, as I sat down in front of my computer, I was determined to find an enjoyable game after the last couple of games I reviewed were boring and made my eyes hurt. I decided to take a chance on Around the World, as it shares the same name as my favorite Daft Punk song. Luckily, my instincts did not fail me this time, as I found a game that I enjoyed.

Around The World is a puzzle game that works in a similar way to games such as Bejeweled 2, in that you have to match three similar icons in a row to earn points.  Each block can only be moved down and must be moved into a match with two of the same icons.  In addition, as the game progresses special blocks begin to appear.  For example, there is a block that (after matched with two like blocks) will explode like a bomb and take out some of the surrounding blocks.  Another is one that you can not move, and can only get rid of by matching it with its two identical blocks.

I thoroughly enjoyed this game and the different stages that it offered.  There is a story/adventure mode, where you travel around the world and unlock puzzles of famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty.  There is also an endless mode, where you work against the clock to get a high score.  As simple as it is, the makers of the game really made a winner.  I would give it 4 and a half stars out of 5.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

When you think there’s enough casual, cartoon sim plays, Sally Salon comes along. Is it any good? What more can you do? Well, Sally Salon did it with their wash, dye, cut and style play in this active Mac sim game.

The play is easy but quite busy when it gets underway. The salon is opened by Sally and the game begins. The clients will come in and sit in the waiting room. Above their heads are the colored chairs that correspond to associated actions they wish to have done. You click on the person then the matching chair, and the person again to perform their request. Afterwards the client will go to the register to pay and you click on the desk to complete the procedure. If this is the only thing you need to do, it would be simple, but these sim games are never easy. As the levels increase, the number of customers increase, and they need more steps at the salon before they are through. Besides the wash, cut and style the additions can be dye, shape eyebrows and more. Fortunately, you get upgrades to help you get your work done, and if you have enough money, you can hire assistants to help out.

What I didn’t like about this game is when anyone wanted a haircut you have to scroll through many styles until you find the one the client is smiling and happy with. The haircuts were interesting, but it slowed down your play. This also happened when someone needed their brow shaped. What I liked about this game is that people got different haircuts and colors. It was funny to see the customers leave with their new dos. The clientele are all quirky characters from the goth to the prom queen. So move fast and buy your upgrades to enjoy Sally Salon with its fast paced sim play.

Also try: Fashion Dash

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Back to the basics is the name of the game in Mac word game Super Text Twist. You can play timed or untimed, find the longest word possible, and you can link to online word definitions.

The screen is similar to Text Twist 2, but with the blank spaces for words are along the left side instead of at the top of the screen. There are balls of random letters where when you click on a letter, it will go to the large boxes immediately above the balls. You make 3 to 6 or 7 letter words to fill the squares along the left. If you make the longest word in the level, you qualify for the next level, but will not take you to the next round unless you end the play or complete all the words available. If you play the timed mode, and I suggest you do, then after your 2 minutes, 30 seconds are up, your game is over. If you made enough words, you can go on to the next level. If you get stuck, click on the twist button to jumble the letters around. This may jolt your brain a little to form more words. Also a helpful button is the last word button to use when you want to add a S to make it plural and a longer word.

Super Text Twist is a good, solid word play, and the new word offers will help your brain fitness and possibly learn new definitions. Although this game does not recognize all words found in other games, it has many words to use. This game went back to the basics and eliminated the other games that Text Twist 2 offered. So if you like variety, choose TT 2 and if you like just to play the twist game, go for Super Text Twist. Your brain will thank you for it.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Diner Dash is a name that I have seen on more than one occasion. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the logo and main character’s face on a box or game site somewhere. Besides remembering where it’s from, Diner Dash looks like it would be a good game if it managed to have over 4 or 5 versions. I just happened to stumble upon Diner Dash 2 and was pulled right into the intense world of restaurant waiting.

Diner Dash 2 is the story of the return of Flo to the waiting business that is in need of her expertise of waiting tables. When an evil corporation plans a takeover of all the local restaurants, only Flo can save the day by waiting tables for all of her friends. This Mac Game starts off Flo at a simple setup that leads to more tables, fancy settings, and more customer types. The goal of each level is to make enough money to pay for the restaurant’s rent and to get a good tip.

The gameplay for Diner Dash 2 is a regular point and click computer game that becomes more and more meticulous with the clicking when the restaurant gets busy. The joy of waiting tables can only go as far as my attention span for reading the newspaper. Although very intricate and well thought out, Diner Dash 2 is not the great game I remembered it to supposedly be. I give it a 3 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Initially I chose Scrapbook Paige because the title grabbed me. Yes, I am a closet scrapbooker. Then I find it’s an hidden object Mac game. Oh, no!  This is a kid’s game I thought. However, once I got into Scrapbook Paige I thoroughly enjoyed it and the time flew by quickly.

Scrapbook Paige begins with the store clerk (you) searching for embellishments in Paige’s scrapbook shop. Each item (rubber stamps, stickers, cutouts, metal clips, doilies, etc.) is bright and colorful in themed (vintage, holiday, western, farm animals, circus, tropical, and more) drawers and not always easy to find. The magnifying glass is a great help to see closeups clearly of the things in the drawers. After discovering all the needed items, including solving a riddle, you get to create a scrapbook page for Paige’s client. For a more challenging game, play the timed version for some excitement. Otherwise, the untimed, relaxed play will be more than satisfying for any gamer.

Scrapbook Paige is an engaging and fun Mac game. The colorful and detailed shop is enhanced with pleasant music which give it a light and airy feel to the play.  It is a great entertainment game for young kids and adults to play together or by yourself. If you are a scrapbooker or into “I Spy” games, then this  game is for you.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars