I really felt the urge to play some sort of computer game, but my Playstation 2 and Nintendo 64 is packed away in the garage and can't be arsed to go and get it, though Zelda OOT and MM, and The Sims Bustin' Out, has been on my mind a lot lately (e_e)
Then I thought about online games, Restaurant Empire, The Movies Game, and The Sims 2 plus expansions being some of my favourites. The discs are on top of my wardrobe but I couldn't be arsed to reinstall them on my fussy laptop. Habbo Hotel, nah, Miniclip, nah, Doll Divine, nah.
THEN, I remembered that I LOVE playing Time Management games, and my laptop has this pre-installed HP Game Centre where you can play free demos of games. Yesterday was a pretty awful day, but I spent the whole evening playing Cake Mania Main Street, and LET ME TELL YOU! It is SO much fun.
Cake Mania Main Street has the classic format of having items in a store, you serve customers who will tell you via thought-bubble exactly what they want, they have hearts that decrease if you take too long, bonuses for three/four or more action combos, and best of all, you can upgrade your stuff with the more money you get from each level.
When I first started playing, I was heavily embarrassed at the exaggerated acting but then I remembered that this game is for kids (lol not really aimed at 21 year olds!) so it's going to be more exaggerated than subtle. Before and after each level, you get a bit of dialogue from whoever's shop you're running, and I really loved that, it was always entertaining (Jack seems extremely clumsy. Like, extremely). There were some references in there that I don't really think a child will get, though. The ex-Sumo wrestler (Tiny, I think his name is?) talks about Cherry Blossom Festival and Shuriken and the Yazuka and the deadly puffer fish and Puroresu (I think), and ironically I knew what all of these were from my (slight c: ) obsession with Japanese culture, but ten years ago when I was 11, I wouldn't know ANY of these things. Even now, I was suprized that I recosgnised the Japanese word used in every level. (I never knew that I knew so many words, though don't ask me to string together a sentence!) This must go straight over a normal child's head, lol.
Also I didn't agree with them trying to take down a big shopping centre just because it shatters the memory of their past. I can see the cons of having it there, but what if the people of the town actually LIKE Baker's Corner? The motive of the game is meant to be noble but it actually comes across quite selfish.
SO.
I looooved the different types of customers you get! It's so funny!The first character really shocked me - it's this anime cat-girl! I was like 'WOW, Anime's reach is truly far and wide!' =D Then there's this buxom black woman who does the stereotypical neck-jerking, but then you get there really awesome customers.
There's a pirate who loves nature channel (lol); an alien whose hearts are always restored when you turn on Sci Fi TV; a vampire who may bite the other customers (this turns them into a vamp themselves and they change their order); a superhero called Super Matt (I HATE THIS GUY) who will freeze whoever's standing next to him (so you can't serve them); a gangster-crook who'll steal any money left on the counter; this old lady with a cat who takes FOREVER to order; a ninja who'll use a smoke attack on the customer next to them so they can't order; this... French guy (shrug) who gives you a Rush Bonus every time he walks in (- !! LOVE this guy!!); a grumpy hot-dog man who loses hearts real fast; a chef who turns into the hot dog man if he waits too long; etc etc. Plus, there's this hilarious hippy-like guy who will take anything - ANYTHING! - so he's always really quick.
There's these two songs that play at the Sushi restaurant stage that I love, they've been stuck in my head all day. Wanna go back and play again, but....
Well, you get two free plays of a the game on HP Games, then you have to buy it. Normally I finish the game within the two free gos, but yesterday it froze twice, so that's it for me. I got up the the Sushi one, I'd fully upgraded the Cake shop, unlocked more than half of the town landmarks, got to at least stage eight in every shop. I wish I could have finished it, but I think i might actually just buy it. Easy solution ^_^
Classics and Favourites
Diner Dash (1) was the first time Management Game I ever remember playing, and it's really the one that got me into it. Now I think they've got up to Diner Dash FIVE (O_O) (that's right, 5,) and there's various spin-offs as well.
I really dunno what makes this game so good. Flo is a likeable characters, I like how the combos can be both actions and what colour-coded customer you put in which chair. I can't remember if it's this particular game, but I think certain customer have different traits as well... ? No, I think that's Belle's Boutique. ANYWAY XD it's bags of fun and I'm always happy to while away the hours with Flo.
Belle's Beauty Boutique was one I found shortly after wondering if there was anything like Diner Dash about. This was lots of fun. You get different types of customers with different patience levels, and if you seat certain people next to each other, they will gossip or flirt and that raises their hearts. Lotsa fun.
Juliette's Fashion Empire is an AMAZING game. I remember being hooked on it, playing the whole game in about a day and then feeling really sad when it was over. I seem to remember a makeover star that would get your model completely ready in a cloud of dust and sparkles and it was always such a bonus to have it. Hopefully there is a Juliette's Fashion Empire 2 :)
Posh Boutique was also one I ADORED. I truly love that game. As you go along, you open up different shops and get different clientele for each one. There's a Posh Boutique 2 as well, I think I finished both of 'em. :3
It wasn't Family Hero I played, just the normal one (below)
Jane's Hotel was okay, it was one of the hidden games I found (It's surprisingly hard to find a good Time Management game). I never got very far in it, but I can't remember if I used up my two free gos, or if I didn't actually like it much. But I remember I didn't hate it... *laughing*
Jet Set Go is greeeeeat!! It's really great, and it's a nice change from A. food (diners, bakeries) or B. fashion (boutique, salon) Time Management games. Very challenging. It's a travel agency. First you help people decide where they wanna go, then you actually GO with them and make sure they have a good time! It's great! And there's one level where there's like a dance thing on the cruise boat, and you press the buttons to match the steps like dance mat games. Actually, while I remember, I'll see if there's a Jet Set Go 2. I'm telling you, this is one of my favourites.
I just downloaded Cake Mania 3 and I'm gonna play that now. I hope I won't have to use my brain this evening. I'm exhausted all over and everywhere, even my brain is exhausted. And my shoulders hurt. (e_e) Oh well.
Um, I just took my hand off my leg and there's blood on it =/
*sings* ...freeaaaaaakeeed ooooouuuut......
Star xx
