Arabica:
Installation:
Today’s giveaway, Arabica (I want to write beans here, lol) is the usual simple unpack and install sequence. The zip file opens up to a dual activation and set up module and a read me file. The download size is 15.4Mb and installs to 31.5Mb, by default to the boot drive.
Introduction & Game info:
This was previously given away last January 08 and received a positive 72% of 399 votes. You can read the previous comments by following the link below:
http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/arabica/#comments
Are you hooked on matching games? Then Arabica is for you! With a fresh and innovative game play style, this matching game will keep you enthralled for hours. Rearrange gems from different columns in order to align three or more of the same colour. While it may seem easy at first, this becomes a game of wit and tactics quickly.
Reference: http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/1446/arabica/index.html accessed 15th Jan 09
The main menu gives you access to the usual options menu, which shows you the key bindings to use for four different tile movements, for moving tiles from the outlaying four columns which are used to move tiles to the central column - using the z, x, c, v, keys.
These can be changed to ones more comfortable to the individual if you wish. . You can also use the mouse to move tiles by clicking on the appropriate place. The options menu enables you to change the game mode from quick play to story mode and the style from collect gems to spread gems. (see below for explanation of each mode and type)
• In story mode, you help a young man named Arif survive in the desert so that he can find and rescue his beloved ‘bride to be’ Salma. To rescue Salma (and thus win the game) you have to collect all the trophies, which can then be used to pay the ransom that will free Salma.
• Quick Play challenges players to play as long as they can with increasing game speed.
• In Spread mode, collect gems from the outlaying four columns and place them into the central column, matching three or more gems of the same kind.
• In the collect mode, you need to arrange gems falling to the central column between other four columns, matching three or more gems of the same kind in any of the four columns.
You can see a reasonable, (but small sized) video of the game play via the video over on the Big Fish Games site.
http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/1446/arabica/index.html
There’s a one page animated instruction manual, which shows you the difference between the two game modes as well as a demo button that takes you through a game with pop up windows telling you what you need to know. The first game contains hints to help you understand the game play and the Story mode is introduced with a short 2 page story and then a levels map.
You can also change the game speed from 1 to 10 and game position1 to 10 from the options menu, as well as toggle between widowed and full screen, and of course the ubiquitous music and sound effects toggles for turning on or off sound and music. There is no slider to adjust these, so you will have to use the speaker volume control :lol: The Quick Play and Story mode are also accessible from the main menu. There are four bonus items to help you succeed in your quest to complete each level, these are:
• Joker – Changes the neighbouring gems to the same colour
• Mine – Blows up the gems above it
• Bomb – Blows up the gems in the column it falls into
• Clock – Stops the falling gems for a short period
You have 41 trophies to collect (you can see what they look like if you have an image viewer that can see Targa files. The music file found within the sound file is an MP3 so if you don’t like the music (It’s actually quite decent in my opinion) you can put in whatever you like. You could even put in a whole group of your favourite music, but you’d have to splice them together using a suitable audio editor (see the freeware section of the Giveaway project):
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/freeware/cat/Audio_Video/
Features:
• Unrestricted game play in Quick Play
• 26 levels in the Story Mode
• Two exciting game styles: Collect Gems and Spread Gems
• 10 speed levels (difficulty settings)
• 4 special gems for more challenge
• Tranquil and original music
Video:
http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/1446/arabica/index.html (click on the green button)
Follow the links below to see some screen captures:
All on one page:
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/Arabica/?albumview=grid
As a Slideshow:
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/Arabica/?albumview=slideshow
Googled:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=Arabica+game&btnG=Search+Images
System Requirements:
OS………………Windows 2000/XP/VISTA
CPU:……………600MHz or faster Processor
RAM…………....128 MB
Conclusion:
I found this game a refreshingly different type of match three game when comparing it with the usual ones available and believe it would complement anyone’s match three library. Because it’s different I think you’ll also find that it’s more challenging than what you’re used to?
Playing the quick mode was certainly challenging for me; even when set on the lowest speed, :lol: I would recommend that you download and try this game. I know we’ve had loads of match three games over the last year, but because this is unique (as far as I know) think it’s worth trying, though I don’t think it quite matches the quality of Treasures of Montezuma or the latest Atlantis game (Call of Atlantis). Also I do think the overall look of the game is a bit dated. Still, it’s the game play that’s the most important. It’s got to be worth at least 7 out of 10, any more though and I’d be lying, lol.
Thank you very much Merscom LLC and the Game Giveaway team for bringing us another new game.
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