Showing Some Love For The Casual Gamers

Welcome to the usual Friday gaming blog entry; however this week we have a little something special for our readers who sometimes don't get to play the games we review. Since I'm still waiting on a replacement graphics card, my gaming isn't at the level I want it to be; so i'll be reviewing games that aren't as graphically intensive as i'm used to enjoying until such time. Social/Casual gamers refer to most people that typically only play games on Facebook or browser/java oriented games. So this week we will take a look at some social/casual games that can be enjoyed by all my viewers, so they can go and try out for themselves at http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Live/Webgames. 

1. 

Bejeweled 3

The sequel to the online blockbuster is better than ever! Swap adjacent pieces to trigger chains of sparkling gems.

The core objective of the game is essentially the same as the previous installments in the series. Players are supposed to swap one gem with an adjacent one to form a chain of three or more gems of the same color. When this occurs the gems disappear and a new bunch of gems which are randomly generated drop from above to fill up the empty space. When falling gems automatically line-up a chain reaction known as a cascade is caused. Unlike earlier versions, players can now matching other gems during a chain reaction.

2.

Plants vs Zombies

Get ready to soil your plants! Defend your garden from an undead assault in this innovative "flower defense" game.

In Plants vs. Zombies, players place different types of plants and fungi, each with their own unique offensive or defensive capabilities, around a house in order to stop a horde of zombies from devouring the brains of the residents. The playing field is divided into a number of horizontal "lanes", and with rare exceptions, a zombie will only move towards the player's house along one lane (the main exception is if it has scented a garlic). Most plants can only attack or defend against zombies in the lane they are planted in.

3.

Zuma's Revenge

Fire stone spheres to make matches and guide your agile amphibian to victory in this hit action-puzzle game.

As in Zuma, the main objective of Zuma's Revenge! is to clear strings of rolling balls by matching balls of the same color. The player controls a frog that shoots colored balls at the strings. The frog always points in the direction of the mouse. When three or more balls of the same color are matched together, they are cleared from the playfield. Gaps can be formed through which the player can shoot more balls or collect fruit. Gaps are automatically closed if the balls at both ends of the gaps are (or become) the same color, potentially leading to chain reactions.

4.

Text Twist 2

Find a six-letter word to move on to the next round in this brain-bending treat that tests your vocabulary.

Form words from the letters provided. Find the BINGO WORD - a word that uses all of the letters - to continue playing to the next round. Find all the words for bonus points. Having an extensive vocabulary is definitely an asset when playing this game as simple as it may seem. Use either the keyboard to enter your words or feel free to use a mouse to click on the relevant letters.

After playing all four of these games i can say i honestly had the most fun playing Plants vs. Zombies and recommend you try that first. Feel free to try the others at your own leisure but i can almost guarantee that you will love Plants vs. Zombies. Plants vs. Zombies was recommended to me by one of our readers here on the blog (Neesy Spence); who is a veteran of the game and I must say as apprehensive to games of this casual nature as I am it was worth the time. Remember however that these are only free trials of the games and not the full versions so if you find yourself getting hooked you may want to buy the full game...^_^