[b]fantasy mosaics 34[/b] would be bad even if it was the developer's first nonogram game, but this is the THIRTY-FOURTH entry in the series and it's still bleeding from many wounds. even if they were sold for 2 or 3 eur I'd ask who keeps buying them, let alone at the price they actually go for.
the game offers [b]100 levels[/b] in 20 packs of 5, only one pack, and within only one level is unlocked at a time, not ideal. they're [b]colored nonograms, as big as 20x15 and with up to 6 colors[/b], so you have to keep switching between them, thus highlighting relevant areas of the grid with their relevant numbers. [b]this actually makes levels a lot easier[/b], if you get stuck in one area, switch to another and eventually it'll all come together. just keep in mind that [b]different colors don't need a gap between them[/b], so 'yellow 2' and 'green 2' can fit into 4 cells, while 'yellow 2 2' needs 5.
you get a bronze/silver/gold rating based on the number of mistakes, a 3-star rating based on the number of hints used, and your time also gets logged for the level complete screen, but the timer is not visible while playing (this is a good thing in my book). none of these matter or do anything though, just some stats. after each pack solved the eponymous garden gets upgraded with something, but it's not a pleasant sight. there are a couple of [b]bonus mini-games[/b] in the building and some of the level backgrounds are not bad.
there are [b]3 game modes[/b], but [u]casual[/u] and [u]advanced[/u] are basically identical, the only difference is that numbers get crossed off automatically and one by one in the former, but only upon completing an entire row or column in the latter. once a line is solved, the rest gets crossed out automatically as well, but you can't remove a cell's contents in either mode. [b]power-ups and hints[/b] are charged by marking cells correctly (one power-up solves a single cell, the other a 3x3 area), and with the [b]locked colors toggle[/b] you can have all of them available from the start of a level or unlock them gradually, but [b]levels reset after a few mistakes[/b], which is why I never touched this series.
and this is where the new [u]zen mode[/u] comes into play, which will be part of every game from now on. [b]it gets rid of the mistakes counter and level reset, you can remove a cell's contents, but it's worse in every other way[/b] and not worthy of its name at all. the issues are as follows, considering it's supposed to be the easiest and most convenient game mode:
- [b]numbers don't get crossed out automatically, nor can you cross them out manually[/b]
- automatic filling after solving a line is disabled
- the hint system is disabled
- power-ups are disabled
- locked colors are disabled
it's actually the closest to how nonograms should work, no unnecessary gimmicks or the game practically playing itself, like in other modes, but without quality of life features (automatic or manual) zen mode is just a pain in the neck. and this is on top of other issues:
- [b]level progress can't be saved[/b], which is another major dealbreaker
- marking cells by dragging the mouse gets canceled if you leave the current row or column
- holding right click doesn't stick to the current line either, leading to unintentional mistakes
- windowed mode only produces an unresizable 4:3 window, no resolution options
it's a really poorly-designed game (at least it has separate volume settings, but taking screenshots doesn't work), and I honestly can't believe there have been 40 entries (and counting probably, though only about half are on steam right now), and these issues are still present. it's [b]one of the worst nonograms I've ever played[/b], stopped after 20 levels, and unless serious changes happen, I'll never touch any of them ever again, but since there are so many, there's clearly an audience for them, probably people who never encountered a decent nonogram before. look harder and [b]don't bother with this series[/b].
