GameHouse has a new pictogram game out today ...

Mystery Riddles ...  by the makers of ...

Seven Seas Solitaire
Arizona Rose and the Pirates' Riddles
Avalon Legends Solitaire
Dress-Up Pups
The Perfect Tree
Runes of Avalon
Soccer Cup Solitaire

I thought, okay, I'll download it and then just play a few levels to check it out, thinking of how much I have to do before my sister gets here on Tuesday.  Well ... 55 levels later I finally forced myself to stop after I made a third error on the same board and didn't want to start it for the 4th time (I start each board again as soon as I make an error) as I was about 3/4 of the way through and it was a really hard 20x20 board.  The spirit was willingly but the flesh was weak. 

There are 2 different types of board (more about the second one later), 10 levels (locations) with 10 boards (tapestries) per level.  Over 200 levels with boards up to 30x30.  The tutorial for the pictograms was really easy (and you couldn't turn it off but had to do it) then you go straight into 10x10 boards.  And the learning curve is pretty steep as they get pretty hard pretty fast and the boards get bigger and harder pretty fast, hence I wouldn't recommend this game for pictogram beginners.  But it's great for those who've played them before. 

The music reminds me of Irish music and is really relaxing.  And some of it I found sublime. 

As for the second type of board, I can't remember what they called it but I've never seen it before - something similar but much easier than this one.  I can't remember the last time I felt so stupid.    I couldn't do the tutorial boards!!!!    I finally figured it out by clicking things on and off but never knew why their one solution was better than my solution - I'd obviously missed some really important bit of information.    I couldn't do the 5x5 boards so can't imagine trying to do 30x30 boards!    ** thud **  I won't try to describe what you have to do but it's nothing like the pictograms.

So I know what I'll be getting with one of my GameHouse PCCs. 

stusue wrote:

I've also got a punch card problem.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my punch card on Monday as I have 4 punches (2 to go) and 2 PCCs that have to be used first thing Monday.  I'd been hoping for a BOGOF, just like everyone else, but now I'm not sure what I'm going to do.    I suppose I'll have to see if there are 2 more SEs I want to get with some PCCs that expire next year. 

But what about the CEs I want?    If I get 2 CEs I'd only need 1 more SE but I want a BOGOF, not a buy one get one for $2.    If I can use GCCs that wouldn't be too bad, I suppose, 'cause I wanna play Christmas Carol while it still kinda feels like Christmas.    I just don't wanna pay any cash when I've still got lots of GCCs. 

You CAN use GCC's for the first CE and just pay 1.99 for the second.
 

I love your description of the second type of board, Stusue
I've been doing my figuring, too, and I just hate to let those punches go to waste and I have 2 more PCCs that have to be used in January, so I think I will rejoin and get 2 CEs, Madame Fate and Nevertales on Monday.  I have a PCC that expires the 1st so I'll have to use that one on Monday also, and whatever else I need to make an even card.  Then I have almost the whole month of January to wait for a SE BOGO, and I'll have PCCs to cash in on Mondays.  The way I have it figured, with the extra bonus punches I should only spend the $6.99 and the $1.99, 4 of my GCCs (2 of them on a future SE BOGO) and the PCCs that were given to me, and with cashing in everything on BP Mondays, I'll end up with 2 CEs and 10 or 12 SEs.  Then I'm done again until April or maybe even June, except for what these nice ladies give me.  That takes care of most of my wishlist, I'm putting Fierce Tales Marcus and Nightmare at Sea Siren off to the side for now, I think those are two games that I would get the CE or maybe not get at all.  They both have tons of collectibles in the CE.  If we get a real BOGO in Jan I will consider them.  Any advice on games is welcome

I played some Farmington Tales 2: Winter Crop.  Like my 2 free to play games, this game can be dropped and picked up whenever I have time and/or I'm in the mood to play wthout me staring at the screen and wondering what the storyline is.  And that's just the kind of game I need to play at this time of year.

I spent yesterday and today playing the FTPs, tonight I baked Oatmeal Scotties and I'm playing more of Christmas Carol.  I have to say it again, this is such a beautiful Christmas game.  I'm enchanted by it.  Each new scene I just stop and stare for awhile, it's just so pretty, like Barre's pictures.  I'm so glad I got it, and I never want it to end  There's not a lot of HOs, and they're pretty so I'm really enjoying them.  Not a lot of puzzles either, but I'm alright with that.  Not much backtracking, it's a small area for each theme of the game, and I enjoy walking through the winter wonderland, anyway.

Can't wait for tomorrow, I get to rejoin and buy some games again.  I think I'm getting
Madame Fate CE
Nevertales CE
Alex Hunter
Final Cut Encore
Cursery or Surface Pantheon

With the 4 punches I already have, that should give me 18 punches if my math is correct.  If someone has an expiring code they want to get rid of I could use it and pay back with one I earn tomorrow.