Holiday Bonus Gold
- December 27, 2016
- Grey Alien Games
What's in Santa's sack? It's a Holiday Bonus that the whole family will love. Chill out with this cool winter-themed puzzle game - it's slicker than Santa on an icy roof!
Reviews
- The game offers a relaxing and casual match-3 experience with a charming Christmas theme, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- There are a substantial number of levels (110 total), providing plenty of content for players to engage with.
- The gameplay mechanics allow for matches to be made while animations are playing, which helps maintain a smooth flow during play.
- The graphics are outdated and limited to low resolutions, which can be visually unappealing, especially in fullscreen mode.
- The game lacks modern features and depth found in newer match-3 titles, making it feel simplistic and repetitive.
- There is no widescreen support, and the game stretches visuals in fullscreen, leading to a poor presentation overall.
- music8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as pleasant and fitting for the holiday theme, providing a nice background that enhances gameplay. However, the menu music has received negative feedback, being compared to a poor mix of Christmas and disco styles. Overall, while the in-game music is enjoyable and complements the low-pressure gameplay, the menu track detracts from the experience.
“Music is nicely in the background and the switch into another level is smoothly executed and not 'cheap' via level select.”
“Offering a way to merge match-three gameplay with the popular Christian holiday, players can swap themed tiles to meet arbitrary goals while royalty-free music plays.”
“Despite the simple, low-pressure gameplay, getting into the matching groove was good, and the holiday theme and seasonal music were enjoyable.”
“The song in the menu is abysmal, think Christmas music but disco.”
“If you want matching music, I highly recommend the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas albums.”
“The music is okay and it has 5 cards.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are functional and somewhat dated, reflecting its older design with a resolution of 800x600. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and the variety of unlockable artwork, others find the visuals merely acceptable, rating them around a 6 out of 10. Overall, the graphics are considered a mixed bag, with a focus on simplicity and charm rather than cutting-edge visuals.
“Graphics are functional, there's a details slider, a bunch of backgrounds you can set as wallpaper if you want a small image in the middle of the screen (the game runs in glorious 800x600 resolution), and further images to unlock in the gallery.”
“Yeah, it's obviously a bit old and the graphics are a bit dated, but to be honest that makes me like it more!”
“The artwork is different from some of the devs' later games but lovely nonetheless.”
“It's an older game, so the graphics are just okay.”
“Additionally, the graphics aren't that great and it has no achievements.”
“Yeah, it's obviously a bit old and the graphics are a bit dated.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a solid match-three mechanic that allows players to swap themed tiles to achieve various goals, making it an enjoyable and accessible experience for casual play. The game features a continuous matching system that enhances flow, and its engaging design makes it suitable for both quick sessions and family-friendly environments. Overall, it is praised for its enjoyable and easy-to-pick-up gameplay.
“That said, I still love the game engine that was used to develop this game (and others from Greyalien): you can continue making matches as tiles are still falling (which helps keep the flow when you are on a roll), you can either swipe or select the tiles to match, and the game mechanics are solid.”
“Solid match 3 gameplay.”
“Offering a way to merge match-three gameplay with the popular Christian holiday, players can swap themed tiles to meet arbitrary goals while royalty-free music plays.”
“This is the perfect time killer for coffee breaks at work, or something to play with your family in the room when you can't afford to devote intense concentration to gameplay.”
“The gameplay is lacking depth and variety, making it feel repetitive after a short while.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story in "Holiday Bonus" is considered lacking compared to other match-3 games from the same developer, with users expressing disappointment in its simplicity and absence of engaging narratives. While it may appeal to those seeking a straightforward gameplay experience, it does not meet expectations for a compelling storyline.
“If you're in for a great match-3 game with superb storylines and holiday season themes that aren't too complicated to play and finish 100%, this is the game for you.”
“I had hoped this game (holiday bonus) was as good, but sadly it is lacking a story and other elements that the other match-3 games provide from this developer.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized as extremely wholesome, evoking feelings of warmth and positivity in players.
“The game evokes a deep sense of nostalgia and warmth.”
“I felt a profound connection to the characters and their struggles.”
“The story left me in tears, it was incredibly moving.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its relaxing nature and immersive Christmas atmosphere, creating a cozy and enjoyable experience for players.
“A very relaxing casual game with a great Christmas atmosphere.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're part of a winter wonderland.”
“The combination of soothing music and beautiful visuals creates a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and monotonous, often describing it as boring and lacking excitement. The repetitive nature of the tasks contributes to a sense of dullness that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
“The grinding in this game is tedious, dull, and monotonous. It's boring with a capital Z, and that's exactly how I felt every time I played it.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes the game feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
“I found the grinding to be incredibly dreary and humdrum, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”