Review

I'm a die-hard FF fan. When a game has a winning combination, and it's unlike any other game, keep them coming!

Farm Frenzy: Ancient Rome introduces one new concept: upgrading factories now requires building materials (which have their own factories) as well as money. This makes things more complicated, and I needed a small stack of index cards with notes on the levels to help me.

What I love about the FF games is the surprise of each level. Is it something where you'll need to work as quickly as possible in a logical progression, or is it a "think outside the box" case to come up with a solution that's not so obvious?

The FF games have lately had a trophy bug. Recently it's been some level where the 'best time' is impossible. In Ancient Rome, it's the 'best time' trophy again, but this time it's because you need best time on 90 levels, and there are only 80.

My only complaints: the well area is very sensitive, and items that are shipped in and dropped near the well can't be picked up without filling the well (if it's empty). Also, the addition of the building supplies makes the Endless game mode a very slow starter.

I wish more game developers would use Alawar's Farm Frenzy formula on some of their games. If it's a great and original game, tweak it a bit and release a new version. Use the money to bankroll new game development ideas. Meanwhile, I'll take another FF over (yet another) HOG any day......