Casual Friday: Update for March 13 – 19, 2010

This is, quite possibly, an epic week for casual gamers. Not because there are any major or highly anticipated releases, though the Dream Day Wedding series is quite popular. No, it’s outstanding because there are 11 new casual games making their debut on the internet. (One of them is even a Mac game!)

Of course, the predominant genre is yet again hidden object, but other genres are represented as well. There are a number of time management games in this week’s lineup, like Drugstore Mania (PC) or The Palace Builder (PC, Mac), along with simulation, mahjong, RPG and match-3 games. You should have no problem finding something to keep you busy this weekend, or at work next week.

This week’s best bets are: Dream Day Wedding: Bella Italia (PC), The Palace Builder (PC, Mac) and Treasure Seekers: Follow the Ghosts (PC)

Doors of the Mind: Inner Mysteries
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: Big Fish Games, Harmonic Flow
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: Visit a dream specialist to analyze why you can’t sleep after your father’s death.
Demo Available: Yes

Vampireville
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: Big Fish Games, Harmonic Flow
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: Every real estate agent who visited Malgrey Castle, which the government will soon own, has gone mad. You’re the next to go. Find out why everyone who goes there goes crazy!
Demo Available: Yes

It’s All About Masks
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: Big Fish Games, Harmonic Flow
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Note: Supposedly the game has issues running on some computers, so download and try the demo before buying it.
Premise: Detective Cunning must find the thief who stole important documents and return them.
Demo Available: Yes

Architect: Episode 1
Genre: Simulation
Availability: Big Fish Games
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: Become an architect and create your own town. Wait, wouldn’t that make you a city planner? Oh well, don’t overthink it!
Demo Available: Yes

MahJongg Dimensions Deluxe
Genre: Mahjong
Availability: Big Fish Games, GameHouse
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: Complete 3D Mahjong matching puzzles.
Demo Available: Yes

The Palace Builder
Genre: Simulation (Time Management)
Availability: Big Fish Games, Harmonic Flow
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista and Mac 10.4 or better
Premise: You’re a French architect in 18th century tasked with building a castle for the queen.
Demo Available: Yes

Drugstore Mania
Genre: Simulation (Time Management)
Availability: Big Fish Games
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: Help Liz run a successful drugstore.
Demo Available: Yes

Dream Day Wedding: Bella Italia
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: I-play
Retail Price: $19.95
Platform: Windows XP, Vista and 7
Premise: Help plan the perfect Italian wedding!
Demo Available: Yes

Oriental Dreams
Genre: Puzzle (Match-3)
Availability: Alawar Entertainment
Retail Price: $9.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: You have to clear boards by matching runes.
Demo Available: Yes

Sinners: Truth Be Told
Genre: RPG
Availability: Amaranth Games
Retail Price: $11.50
Platform: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista and 7
Premise: Queen Lorelai is the kind and good queen of Uboro, but now she faces a rebellion. The unknown force is trying to remove her from power, and hurt the innocent people of Uboro. Lorelai sends out her adopted daughter Victoria and two warriors, named Alkor and Celine, to hopefully save the day.
Demo Available: Yes

Treasure Seekers: Follow the Ghosts
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: Big Fish Games
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: Nelly and Tom are trying to save ghosts from an alchemist. Solve hidden object puzzles to find a way to free the captured innocents.
Demo Available: Yes

Editor’s Note: Due to so many casual games sites offering game plans or preferred member prices, which can cause a game to have multiple price-points, the games’ average retail prices is mentioned in Casual Friday.

Site [Big Fish Games] Site [PlayFirst] Site [GameHouse] Site [eGames] Site [Alawar Games] Site [Amazon] Site [Reflexive Arcade] Site [Harmonic Flow]