- Platform: IBM PC Compatible
- Release Date: 2000 01
- Genre: Traditional
- Style: Jigsaw Puzzle
- Similar Games: Jigsaw-It!, Jr. (IBM PC Compatible), Jigsaw USA (IBM PC Compatible), 1200 Puzzles (IBM PC Compatible)
Game Description
Jigsaw Puzzles, by Blast! Software is a product that allows you to create a jigsaw puzzle from any photo or image on your computer. There are 1000 pictures included on the CD segmented into different topics like close-ups, animals, architecture, food, forests, magic, and more. To use any of these pictures, you must transfer them from the CD onto your hard drive.Featuring three difficulty settings, the number of pieces from 25 through 750 can bet set for those looking for a real challenge. A built-in timer is also included so you can work on becoming a puzzle master.
Jigsaw Puzzles supports a number of different file types, including .JPEG, .BMP, .WMFG, .PCX, .GFX, .PCD, and .CMP.
Included on the CD are the game, a browser to view the different pictures included with the game in thumbnail or large-form, and an electronic help file for troubleshooting or assistance.
~ Mark Kanarick, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
The game uses the~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
Jigsaw Puzzles is not the best of the jigsaw puzzle genre. Blast! Software did not really try their hardest at making this product easy-to-use and worthwhile. As is, Jigsaw Puzzles is a weak product and is very hard to understand.The first problem with Jigsaw Puzzles is that there is essentially nothing in terms of instructions.While, there is a manual you can view on your computer, a tangible manual does not exist. This leads to problems right from the start. After installing Jigsaw Puzzles, it is not clearf what your objective is.
There are 1000 pictures on the CD that can be turned into puzzles, however, it is difficult to complete the process of transporting these pictures to Jigsaw Puzzles. According to the manual, you must use the Browser+ utility, find the file you want, copy it, then put it onto your hard drive to use it in Jigsaw Puzzles. Problems were numerous in attempting this. First, you had to find the actual file that you wanted. Why is this hard? Because it takes considerable time to load all of the pictures in a particular directory. You must load all of the pictures in a directory in thumbnail form in order to choose one of them for use in Jigsaw Puzzles. Once they load, you must select a picture, and copy it to save it onto your hard drive. This may not seem that hard, but it is. It is much easier to use Windows Explorer to copy the file onto your hard drive. Even better -- use your own pictures!
The problems don't stop there. In fact, that is just the beginning. Jigsaw Puzzles itself is very troublesome. Assuming you are able to load a picture, you eventually get to set-up your puzzle. You can choose a difficulty level, the number of pieces, and a few other things. After that, the puzzle is created. The first problem is that unless you choose the option, the pieces are all over the place. They are on the screen, they are off the screen, they are on top of each other. It is close to impossible to see where all of the pieces are. It seems that once you find two pieces that match up, you can piece them together. Logical, right? But, if you find a corner piece or other end-piece, it is nearly impossible to put it where it goes and leave it there. This means that the pieces that you have connected are all over the place. Furthermore, they won't move from one place to another. Once you try to move them, they go back to where they were. It makes no sense whatsoever.
Jigsaw Puzzles is a very difficult product to enjoy, even for puzzle fanatics. If you want to give up an afternoon or two trying to figure out how the menu systems work, go ahead. Otherwise, stay away.
~ Mark Kanarick, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
Numerous glitches create more frustrations than fun.~ Mark Kanarick, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
It depends mostly on the picture you use....but the backgrounds are virtually non-existent solid colors.~ Mark Kanarick, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
There are very few sound effects, mostly consisting of pieces of cardboard being fitted together.~ Mark Kanarick, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
Whoever can get through more than a few puzzles using this program deserves a prize.~ Mark Kanarick, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
There's no physical manual, and the electronic file is pretty weak.~ Mark Kanarick, All Game Guide
Production Credits
Director of Product Development: Jeff Ziel; Quality Assurance: Andrew Petterson, Cynthia Kruse; Technical Writer: Kenneth Pruhs; Director of Operations: Scott Jensen; Image Librarian: Brian Heffron
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
