First Impressions:
Orchidia is a downloadable PC puzzle game with panache. The bright graphics and the unique theme of flowers and orchids will please any gardening enthusiast. The game is soothing, addictive and fun. Many times downloadable puzzle games are nothing more than a flash game that lacks the depth to make it worth the money when you can just play it in a browser. Orchida is different. It has several qualities that might make it worth the buy.
Gameplay:
You can choose a female playable character. The gameplay is a "match three" style game with several easy to master twists. The flowers need to be matched up as they flow down a bubbling river. You are accompanied by elves that make comments about your progress and give you hints. There is a 60 level story mode with an amusing (if simplistic) story as well as an eternal mode that is a non-stop where the goal is to match as many flowers as you can.
The story is that magic in Orchidia is being destroyed by an evil villain named Orchus. The river that is the main backdrop of the game has blockages in it which you need to release. Orchus is being held captive by the magic of Orchidia’s river, and if he can destroy the magic then he can escape. You job is to save Orchidia and stop Orchus from getting free by matching flowers and winning charms to unblock the river.
There are power ups such as pretty orchids to collect. From time to time you will need to rescue a penguin or a rubber ducky. Controls are easy. You can play with the mouse only or the keyboard. The flowers come down river in ones, twos or threes and can be manipulated like Bejeweled jewels. The flowers 'stick' together unlike blocks or buttons in regular match threes. You can collect items and free little critters that get trapped behind ice blocks.
Graphics:
What sets this game apart are the lovely graphics. There are daisies, bluebells and of course orchids in the game. The river that is the main screen where gameplay takes place bubbles prettily. The flowers bounce and float as if they really are suspended in water. The scenery is relaxing and refreshing. It doesn't give the static feeling that you get from playing a puzzler. It almost feels like a light adventure game.
Enjoyment:
An hour playing this game flew by before I knew it. It is a quick pick-up-and-play game with a five minute learning curve. It is a very girly game and it was clearly designed to be enjoyed by female casual gamers. It is relaxing and the sound track is subtle as well as powerful and it ebbs and flows well along with the gameplay. The sound of water, the rising bubbles and the flowers feel more like a spa treatment than a PC game.
There are a bazillion downloadable puzzle games that are brought to our attention. It has been a long time since one of them has been worth writing about. I give Orchidia an 8 out of 10 for a very good job done where others haven't quite gotten it right.
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