Holiday Mosaics Christmas Puzzles is a port of a jigsaw game that is where the goal is completing Christmas jigsaws. The game was originally available on the app store. Nevertheless, it subsequently has ported to various other digital platforms such as steam. The steam version is the version I have played on and based my review upon.
Content wise with regards to what the port offers. The game hasn’t received any new content. This is disappointing since there is actually in game achievements which should have been steam achievements. However, the only changes to the game made have been in the removal of micro transactions. As the appstore version provides players with the option to pay for coins earned in game which are used to buy hints. I welcome the removal of micro transactions as you have to pay for the game on steam. Technically however, there are no changes between the 2 versions as far as I can find out.
Even though the game’s name does suggest that the game is about Christmas mosaic puzzles. If, as suggested by the game’s name, you were hoping for mosaic puzzles, you will be disappointed. Since the images in question aren’t mosaics but rather photographs.
Also I have noticed that the images in this game don’t hide the cracks in the image very well. I noticed this when I was completing puzzles. Whilst in some instances there are no cracks in the image. On a good amount of the levels I could see visible cracks in the image. This is evident when pieces of the puzzle are placed together. But even if the images aren’t of the greatest quality. I feel that this is a somewhat Christmassy game with decent cartoon like art in the background. I also like the games soundtrack. Even though the games soundtrack is limited to just 4 songs, the songs are very festive.
For anyone looking at this game thinking that they have seen something familiar this game plays exactly the same as Alice’s patchwork (read my review for it here). For anyone not familiar to what the game play is. The game gives you a selection of 5 different jigsaw pieces to choose from. Your objective is to complete the images in the allocated time without making a mistake. The gameplay in game is great.
This is a gentle game that isn’t very hard to play on. As expected the difficulty does go up the further you get on. However, I think that some of the level requirements maybe a bit difficult for some players. Primarily because in order to get points you have to complete the objectives for each puzzle. For some players they would struggle with some of the levels on the main game. However, there is free play levels that have a laid back approach. I like the inclusion of this mode. As this mode provides a gentler mode to the game to those who may need it. The visual layout for this game is also very much the same to Alice’s patchworks even down the menus. Essentially, the game is a seasonal version of Alice’s Patchworks but with Christmas photos.
Overall I would generally avoid the game. Primarily because, it is a copied and pasted port of a free to play game with no changes made. Personally I don’t think too much of the game as it is short and poor quality. This game also has no unlockable rewards in the game. Sadly, after you have completed all the levels available you have seen everything that is on offer.
