Just because you didn't major in interior design or business doesn't mean you can't profit off hosting a few yard sales and sprucing up the inside of your new home.
Fabulous Finds gives you that opportunity. So, get ready. It's time to tap into that inner you and pull out all the creativity possible.
In the game, you're you. And just in case you didn't know, you had a Great Aunt Beatrice who lived in Carmel, California before passing away. You're not left much time to grieve because you've inherited her home. It's beautiful except for the fact that the decision is made for you that it isn't your style and it needs renovating. Sounds easy, right?
There's a catch. You essentially have no money. So in order to beef up your piggy bank, you sell your aunt's things. The game consists of you needing to rummage through screenshots of your new attic, basement and garage to find items that fit a specified theme, such as gardening or healthy lifestyle. The themes relate to events happening in town that you discover by reading the newspaper. It makes sense to sell items related to those upcoming events, because shoppers will be looking for them before they head that way. You have an extended amount of time to search around and click on items that match up with these themes, such as finding a garden hose. And some items require helper items that are needed to get the full effect, like a nozzle to go along with the hose.
After you pile it all into a box, you then sell the items to shoppers who stroll into your new yard. Each shopper has a theme and something specific they are looking for. Fathers with newborn might arrive looking for a new crib or a Santa-themed character may be searching for a sled. As you progress through the game, there are more shoppers, more items to browse through and less room for error. But as you keep going and succeeding, your bank account grows faster.
And after each yard sale, you're given the opportunity to decorate a new room, whether it be the master bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. You're given the chance to fancy up the flooring, walls, windows and appliances. But the funny thing is, you're given an agenda of what the put in the room to earn more stars, 5 being the goal per room. Instructions might call for wood to be the primary theme in a kitchen. And if you load up the room with what was called for, sounds will go off indicating a progression in stars. There's wiggle room to still be creative, but not as much as originally thought.
There are mini games as well, such as sorting things into boxes on a smaller scale in the dark with a flashlight in your hand. Also, throughout each search game, you're given 5 hints that tell you where something is if you can't spot it. As the game goes on, you'll have to look through one more than room at a time with just 5 hints. So it's important to use them wisely. Hints carry over to the yard sales as well if you can't seem to spot what a college professor seems to be looking for.
Overall, the game flows well, yet can become monotonous. And sometimes it's hard to tell what items are because they aren't drawn exceptionally well. You can strain your eyes searching for an item and begin to just start clicking around randomly hoping you'll miraculously find it. But if you misclick too many times, time will shed off the clock. So you can't be too aimless. The game offers fun for every age type though, so everyone can play or gather round the computer and help out.
Pros: Fun for all ages, flows well through course of game, easy learning curve.
Cons: Hard to tell what items are at times, poor sound, becomes monotonous.
Sound: 1.5
Controls: 3.0
Graphics: 2.5
Fun Factor: 2.5
The Info: Platform: PC, Publisher: Oberon Games, ESRB: E, Players: One, Price: $19.95
Download it here.
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