Love’s Power Mahjong

MahJongCollection presents: Love’s Power Mahjong

In the world of casual games, there were projects that tried to stand out not by quality, but by the sheer number of ideas thrown into one pot. Love’s Power Mahjong is a prime example of this approach. The game began with the telling of a sweet fairytale story: right during their wedding, the evil wizard kidnaps the groom, Tarlan, to drain his youth, and his bride, the fairy Ariel, embarks on a dangerous journey to save him. This premise promised an exciting adventure, but in reality, it resulted in one of the most ambiguous gameplay hybrids of its time.

At its core, the game was mahjong, but it constantly changed the rules. The first type of level was classic solitaire, but with the goal of finding not all the pairs, but only two hidden golden tiles. The second type was more like a mini-game of concentration, where you had to find the single repeating tile on an entire layer to make it disappear. The third mode turned the mouse cursor into a tile that you had to place next to its match on the board. On top of this, there were other mini-games, like puzzles and hidden object scenes, which turned the game into a true kaleidoscope of mechanics.

The real problem and the main topic of criticism was the insane, chaotic set of power-ups. In addition to virtually limitless hints, shuffles, and undos, a whole scatter of powerful boosters constantly appeared on the board: some allowed you to swap any tiles, others transformed some tiles into others. According to player reviews, the game dumped all of this on them at once, without any explanation, forcing them to figure out their functions through trial and error. All of this, coupled with a very questionable visual style where simple floral patterns were juxtaposed with tasteless and garish fairies, created a sense of chaos.

This game became a true apple of discord in the casual gaming community. On one hand, it was very warmly received by parents and beginner players. They were delighted with the variety and the fact that it was virtually impossible to get stuck or lose in the game. Their reviews expressed gratitude for a simple and sweet fairytale for children. On the other hand, genre veterans and experienced players on the forums absolutely tore the game to shreds. Their criticism was aimed at everything: the interest-killing infinite hints, the awful tile design, and the fact that the game offered absolutely no challenge. I recall that one of the most popular threads on the game’s forum was titled: This is mahjong for people who don’t know how to play mahjong.

My Verdict

Love’s Power Mahjong is a game with a severe identity crisis. It desperately tries to please everyone, but in the end, it can’t truly satisfy anyone. It’s a perfect example of the saying “a jack of all trades is a master of none.” For experienced players, it is too simple and chaotic, and for those looking for a beautiful fairytale, its visual style might be off-putting. It is a curious but failed experiment that might only suit the youngest players or those who are encountering the genre for the very first time.

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How to play the Love’s Power Mahjong game

• Objective: The goal of Mahjong is to match pairs of identical tiles and clear the entire board. Each game may have slight variations, but the core gameplay remains the same.
• Rules:
  • Tile Matching: Click on two matching tiles to remove them from the board. The tiles must be free on at least one side and not covered by other tiles.
  • Strategy: Plan your moves carefully. Removing tiles that free up more tiles is the key to progressing through the game.
  • Levels and Layouts: Each game offers multiple levels or layouts with increasing difficulty, ranging from easy to more complex patterns.
• Hints & Special Features:
  • Hints: If you get stuck, many games offer hint buttons to show possible moves.
  • Shuffle/Shake: In some games, you can shuffle or shake the board to rearrange tiles if no moves are left.
  • Bonuses and Power-Ups: Certain games feature bonuses, power-ups, or special tiles to help you clear the board faster or earn higher scores.
• Tips:
  • Start by clearing tiles that free up the most space or reveal new matches.
  • Take your time and think ahead, as matching the wrong tiles too early can block your progress.
  • Keep an eye on the time or move limit if the game includes them.
• Enjoyment: Mahjong games are designed to be relaxing yet challenging. Play at your own pace and enjoy the variety of layouts, themes, and game mechanics available.

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Features

• Multiple minigames
• Different game modes
• Save Ariel's fiancé!

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Requirements

• OS: Windows XP/Vista/7/8
• CPU: 800 Mhz
• RAM: 256 MB
• DirectX: 7
• Hard Drive: 41 MB