Neroli's Opinion: A cute match 3 and resource management game, but not as addictive or challenging as others in the genre. It might be good for kids, but the interface can be awkward.

Game Genre: Match 3, Resource Management

Platform: Windows XP/Vista

Release Date: September 9, 2009

Game Review:

Bumble Tales is a cutesie match 3 and resource management game that has you building up a village for bumbles. I'm not sure what a bumble is...it's not a bee, which is what I expected...but that's irrelevant.

The game play is much like all match 3 / Bejeweled games. You swap adjacent tiles, and try to make color matches of 3 or more of a kind. Inside each tile is a resource, like wood or gold or bricks. Each time you make a match, you add these matched resources to your collection. Once you've gathered enough resources, you can start building up your town by buying new buildings and structures.  Each new building grants you a special power up, which you can use when you play. You can also buy people to put in your city, and these guys come with power-up bonuses, too. Sounds easy, right?  It is...very easy.

One weird thing to mention – you can't drag the tiles. You need to click one tile, and then click the one you want to swap. This is different than many other match 3 games, and a bit annoying, but you get used to it quick.

For a match 3 game, the interface is a bit complicated. You can swap into the shop screen as you play, in order to buy upgrades. However, it's not intuitive getting back. I'd say this is good for kids, but I'm not really sure, because the interface has its quirks.

You can unlock Bumble gossip as you play, but it's not really an incentive. Bumbles lead rather boring, mundane little lives. Maybe it's entertaining if you're a Bumble.

I really like the colorful graphics and voice overs. It's very cute and perky, but not really different than many other match 3 games. It doesn't have the addictiveness of Cradle of Rome which was the first game to blend match 3 with resource management (and is free on iWin). But, back to the Bumbles. Yawn. You get the idea.

Where to get the game, or play the free demo:

DOWNLOAD TRIAL

Big Fish: $6.99
iWin: $9.99 ($6.99 with Club iWin)

Disclaimer: Casual game companies change their prices like most people change underwear! Always check before you buy.