4 Elements
Gameplay 7
Graphics 7
Sound 7

4 Elements is a polished and entertaining match three game that is well worth checking out if you are a fan of the casual genre. The story is aimed squarely at children, but the gameplay offers fun for all ages. It is one of those games that are perfect for playing when you have a few spare minutes to kill and don’t feel like firing up something more involving.

Gameplay: Addictive, but rather easy and somewhat repetitive.

Graphics: Colorful but nothing really special

Sound: The music remains unobtrusive for the most part

Summary 7.0 Good
Gameplay 0
Graphics 0
Sound 0
Summary rating from user's marks. You can set own marks for this article - just click on stars above and press "Accept".
Accept
Summary 0.0 Terrible

4 Elements

Developer: Playrix Entertainment | Publisher: Playrix Entertainment | Release Date: 2008| Genre: Casual / Puzzle | Website: Official Website | Purchase: Steam

An ancient kingdom is in trouble after the magic of the four elements is corrupted by evil powers. Only by unlocking four ancient books of magic can the lands be restored and predictable enough, you volunteered for the job. While 4 Elements is a casual game with a rather childish storyline, this is no reason to dismiss it, especially if you have children.

Predictable storyline aside, the gameplay is rather solid and consists of a nice blend between match three puzzles, hidden object scenes and spot the differences screens. For each of the four magic books you first have to reassemble hidden pieces that give you access to the key needed to unlock the book. It is then on to the match three gameplay segments which, with more than sixty levels, take up the bulk of the game. Each completed level reveals a bit more of a creature card which upon completion is host to a spot the differences challenge.

Instead of clearing the entire playing field in the match three segments, your goal is only to clear a path from beginning to end through which some liquid flows. This starts out simple enough, but eventually you start encountering obstacles such as rocks or frozen blocks. Since each level has a time limit these obstacles can slow you down, but fortunately you have some power-ups at your disposal. The shovel will let you dig up a single block while the bomb power-up will clear away rocks. You can also swap pieces with the right power-up or reshuffle the whole board. These power-ups are charged by making matches with the appropriately colored gems on the board, but you can also string together five or more matches to create an explosion. There are only four jewel colors, but the levels are large enough that there is rarely time to waste. It is a casual game though, so don’t expect anything too hectic.

The visuals are pretty basic but everything is nice and colorful. The game is also quite polished for a casual title and while the resolution is stuck at 800X600 it still looks good. There is a 4 Elements HD available for PS3 so it is a pity that the PC version was never updated. An increased resolution would have meant that more of the scrolling playing field was visible, which would have come in very handy. The audio isn’t too bad with some suitable music and even a voiced intro which is a rarity in games of this type.

As far as casual games go, 4 Elements is one of the better and more polished ones on offer. I picked it up in a Steam sale and it took me close to ten hours to complete the whole game. While it is unlikely that I will go back to it, having gotten most of the achievements, it certainly offered value for money. The gameplay can be a bit repetitive and the childish plot may deter some players, but if you can look past this you will find a very enjoyable game.

*Review originally published in 2008. 

System Requirements

    • OS: Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista
    • Processor: 1GHz or better
    • Memory: 256+ MB
    • Graphics: 64 MB/16-bit Graphics Card
    • DirectX®: DirectX 8.0 or higher
    • Hard Drive: 62+ MB Space Free
    • Sound: 16-bit Sound card

Related posts

A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build

A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build

A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build is a thoroughly entertaining and charming puzzle title suitable for players of all ages. The beautiful 2D visuals and excellent audio complement the addictive puzzle-solving gameplay, which makes for a memorable experience. We would have liked to see a few more puzzles to solve because the ones on offer are so enjoyable. Overall, it is the perfect game for when you feel like something relaxing and non-violent. Gameplay: The game is challenging and addictive without being frustrating or unfair. Graphics: The game features charming visuals with plenty of great touches. Sound: The soundtrack is great, as are the ambient sound effects.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing

While there is no danger of this game dethroning the Diablo series it is a solid action role playing game set in a unique gameworld. The mixture of steampunk and gothic elements offer some bizarre enemies and interesting locations to explore while the action never lets up. The complete pack also adds some essential DLC for extending the longevity and variety of the game. Gameplay: Traditional action role playing done right. Graphics: The visual style is nice and the creature designs superb. Sound: Great voice acting, meaty sound effects and some nice tunes.

Unrailed!

Unrailed!

Unrailed! Challenges players to team up and build a train track across an endless procedurally generated world. The twist is that it must be done while gathering the resources to make the tracks before the train that never stops moving runs out of tracks. The different biomes, each with its own challenges, and the frantic pace of the game make Unrailed! a blast to play, but it is definitely best experienced with friends. Gameplay: Very simple to play, but things can quickly escalate if all players are not working in harmony. Graphics: The art style is charming, but it can sometimes be hard to see exactly what is happening in the environment. Sound: The soundtrack is catchy and features plenty of great tunes

Gravity Ghost

Gravity Ghost

Gravity Ghost might appear to be a very simple and straightforward game at first, but the more you play it, the deeper it draws you in. Soaring around the levels using the gravitational pull of the planets to your advantage is a great feeling, and we often found ourselves lingering longer on levels than necessary just to soak in the atmosphere. It is a very tranquil and relaxing game with a great story tucked away beneath the surface. If you want to experience a unique title that is not about killing enemies or dying and failing until you succeed, check out Gravity Ghost. Gameplay: Gravity Ghost is relaxing and entertaining without ever becoming frustrating. Graphics: The beautiful hand-painted visuals and unique art style set the game apart. Sound: The soundtrack and voice acting is a perfect match for the tranquil atmosphere of the game.

Fallout 3 – Point Lookout

Fallout 3 - Point Lookout

The spooky swamps of Point Lookout are a welcome break from the dusty wasteland. Infested with mutated hillbillies and crazy cultists there is lots of interesting locations to explore. It is a little lacking in good loot, but the story and location hold up well. Gameplay: Less linear than previous DLC and a lot creepier. Graphics: A new location and a few new enemies. Sound: Still good.

Unruly Heroes

Unruly Heroes

Unruly Heroes is a gorgeous looking 2D action platformer that is loosely based on the Chinese epic, Journey to the West. It gives you control over a motley crew of four characters as they travel the land in search of the sacred scroll that will restore balance to their world. Unfortunately, the controls are not always responsive, which means this is a game that often looks better than it plays. However, it still features plenty of clever touches and variety, which elevates it above a lot of other games in the genre. It's not the easiest game out there, but it’s definitely worth sticking with it to the end. Gameplay: Unresponsive controls mar the experience slightly, but it is still a great game. Graphics: Everything about the art and visuals is top notch. Sound: Not the best voice acting, but the music is very good.

Leave a comment

17 − 3 =