Casual Friday: Casual game update for July 31 – August 6, 2010

It’s Friday again, and today is a day for puzzles. All of the new casual games released this week fall into either the hidden object or match-3 genres. Well, more hidden object, really, since there’s only one match-3 game. It may be a good time to get out a magnifying glass or some reading glasses.

El Sello Magico: The False Heiress is that sole match-3 game, and it revolves around matching colored orbs to form magic seals. If you’re successful, you’ll be able to save the real heiress, Maida, from those with dark intentions. So you’re matching, like in most match-3 games, but at least in El Sello Magico it looks a little different.

This week’s best bets are: Redemption Cemetary: Curse of the Raven (Windows) and El Sello Magico: The False Heiress (Windows).

Redemption Cemetary: Curse of the Raven Collector’s Edition
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: Big Fish Games, Harmonic Flow
Retail Price: $19.95
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: You’re trapped in a cemetery, and the only way out is to help the ghosts of the people buried there.
Demo Available: Yes

Journalistic Investigations: Stolen Inheritance
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: Big Fish Games, Harmonic Flow
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: Save Lora’s wedding by finding out who stole her inheritance.
Demo Available: Yes

Al Emmo’s Postcards from Anozira
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: Big Fish Games, Harmonic Flow
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: Bring people to Anozira by exploring the area and showing what’s there.
Demo Available: Yes

El Sello Magico: The False Heiress
Genre: Puzzle (Match-3)
Availability: Big Fish Games
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: Protect an heiress named Maida from dark forces by using magic to match colors and create seals.
Demo Available: Yes

Brunhilda and the Dark Crystal
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: Big Fish Games, GameHouse
Retail Price: $6.99
Platform: Windows XP, Vista and 7
Premise: Help Brunhilda save the Magic Realm from evil by traveling through it.
Demo Available: Yes

Enlightnus II: The Timeless Tower Collector’s Edition
Genre: Puzzle (Hidden Object)
Availability: Big Fish Games
Retail Price: $19.95
Platform: Windows XP and Vista
Premise: You must search the Timeless Tower for pieces of the broken Ageless Clock. This version also includes a strategy guide, achievements, extra quest and look at Enlightenus III. It also comes with a free copy of Forgotten Riddles: Mayan Princess.
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]