Mighty Charms by MooMoo
Software, Price: $10
Reviewed September 2003 by David Peach
Mighty Charms, developed by MooMoo Software,
is a lines style game in which you line up three or more
of the same icon in a row, vertically, horizontally or diagonally.
The game play is like Bejeweled but with an additional diagonal
movement.
There are three game modes with progressing
difficulty. The first mode gives you unlimited time to line
up as many charms as you can. The second is the same game
with a timer. The third mode is a faster version of the second.
Very rarely have I made it past the first level in this third
game mode! I still play all three modes depending on how
much time I have for a game.
You need to line up enough lines to increase
your bonus bar at the bottom. When the bonus bar is full,
the game gives you bonus by taking away random charms. This
refreshes your list of possible moves. In the no time limit
game mode, you start with an empty bar and work on filling
it up. With the timed games, the bar starts in the middle
and works it's way down. If you are able to keep up, you
can clear enough lines to fill the bar up and then get the
bonus. If you get a hint from the game, it takes the bonus
bar down considerably. On the timed games, the bonus bar
moves down faster as you increase in levels.
The game's long-term playability comes
from the high score list. You can see the scores from all
three game modes on the same screen. This list contains the
score, player's name and what level was attained.
The ten game icons are very distinct from
one another. Many lines games try to make the game difficult
by giving you a similar look for the game pieces. But with
Mighty Charms, if you find the game too easy, move up to
the next level. There are not too many people that would
say the "Timed Expert" mode is too easy. As well
as being distinct in style, the colors of the charms are
easy to distinguish. Mighty Charms has a good help file and
the ability to pause the game. The only thing that I would
like to see is another icon set. I like the set that is included,
but think having another one would be better.
I can say it is by far the most popular
game on my Zaurus. My whole family plays it. Even my friends
will ask to borrow my Z to play Mighty Charms. The game is
compatible with Zaurus SL-5500, SL-5600, SL-A300, SL-B500
and SL-C700. Make sure that you have a screen protector or
get a stylus with very smooth tip while playing the game.
Playing Hints and Tips
When playing the non-timed or Timed Normal
modes, work on having one row at the bottom as your "last
effort" line. As you work from the top to the bottom
and run out of options to make rows, you can use this final
line to give you a chance to get more rows and fill up the
bonus bar. There is not enough time to do this with the Timed
Expert mode.
Working from bottom to top will give
you more opportunities to score multipliers. Multipliers
come from clearing more than one line at a time. But working
from top to bottom will guarantee that you get points.
I usually start the game by working from bottom to top
and then top to bottom when I get a decent enough score
to be careful.
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