Customer Reviews

Microsoft Pandora's Box

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Pandora's Box is a engrossing, entertaining puzzle game. It kept me occupied for hours, and made time flow at twice the regular rate (or so it seemed). The puzzle types were unique, original, and for the most part fun. Here are some pros and cons:

PROS:

* Puzzles are presented in a game format. There is always a larger reason to finish a puzzle - to progress through the levels.

* Levels become more challenging. It took me almost three hours to finish the final level.

* Hints and Free Puzzles are plentiful. If you don't like a puzzle type, you don't have to do it. If your stuck, you can use a hint.

* The 3D aspect of the puzzles was really neat-o.

* When you are done, there are still puzzles left to do. The game includes 350 puzzles, and I still had 125 left when I was done. The fun continues.

CONS:

* Perhaps this was just my video card, but some of the puzzles seemed dark - so dark that I couldn't see where I was placing puzzle pieces.

* Some of the puzzles rotate, and require fine mouse movements to complete. If you have a physical impairment, you may have trouble.

* I thought a few (2) of the ten puzzle types were rather lame. All luck and little thought. But that may be just me.

All in all, this is a great game for all puzzle fans. I definitely recommend it - if you have time you want to lose.

Yesterday, I visited some friends who were in the midst of a four-day gaming party. A laptop was open and it had Pandora's Box on it (one of the gamers, Lee, was an artist on the 3-D puzzles). Not being a part of the on-going D&D game, I spent the next three hours (or was it four) unravelling the first level. It was midnight before I could be torn away from it! I haven't liked a computer game since Tetris. I hate the blow-it-up stuff, and Myst just takes too long. Pandora's Box has the beauty of Myst, the immediate gratification of Tetris, and an appreciate lack of bombs and body parts. Now I have to get a PC emulater for my Mac. Drat!

I've read reviews saying Pandora's Box wasn't aimed at young children, but my 7 YO twins can't get enough of the challanging puzzles in this game. For visual learners, this is a real delight. I wonder sometimes WHOSE young kids reviews are aimed at, because this is definately the best software purchase I've made in years. Most kids software is fun for a few hours, and then is tossed aside. My kids have been playing Pandora's Box for more than a month now, and are nowhere near the end, nor are they bored. They fight over who gets to solve the next puzzle! This is a real winner in our house!

The ultimate puzzle program. If you can work a jigsaw puzzle for hours, you'll be captivated by this game. To try out a couple sample puzzles, download the demo from Cnet (it's about 16 Megs): this is great for a high school or adult puzzle lover. Younger kids would lose interest fast.

Fascinating puzzles at a great price!

This is a must buy for anyone who enjoys jigsaw puzzles, slide puzzles, 3d puzzles, etc. without the mess or worry of lost pieces. The picture and art are beautifully rendered and the puzzle challenge progresses at a satisfying pace. The best game is the focus game which could only happen on a pc. My only complaint (and it's a minor one) is that "image hole" is nothing more than annoying and that the game with the many magnifying glasses (can't remember the name) can be beat in about 2 minutes even at the toughest level making it quite boring. Luckily thats only 2 of the 10 puzzle types. The rest are great. I finally completed the quest by solving only 180 of the puzzles but look forward to working the others and to reworking the old puzzles trying to improve my best times. Highly recommended

My sister gave me Pandora's Box for Christmas, and I find solving the puzzles just like a bag of potato chips-- you can't solve just one and stop. The puzzles are nicely varied (although they are all spatial-relationship puzzles), so you don't feel stuck doing the same things over and over. I'm not so good at puzzles, so I may never get past Level 3, but even that will have provided hours of entertainment. My only gripe? The HINTS are not well done. When you need a hint, you want some strategic advice, not to slide piece A to the left.

This game is excellant for gamers like myself who have limited hand movement for whatever reason. For those who's brains work fine but hands don't, then fast games are not usable ......but this game is very challenging without requiring hand speed. It is very addicting and holds your interest well from level to level with difficulty increasing as you step up in levels. It is very satisfying mentally and is great excercise for the brain. You can walk away and come back without having to relearn anything due to the great save features that keep you right on track. Recommend it as a "must have" for your collection!

I bought this game because of other positive reviews and I am so glad I did. It's an excellent game if you like to be challenged. Time flies and it's refreshing not to be shooting at someone. I highly recommend this game to anyone who likes to put their brain to the test.

I am a devout puzzle fan and for me this game rocks! I am a 30+ year old mother of 3 and this game relaxes me after a long day. The different puzzle types are what I truly enjoy-you don't just pick up a piece and place it. The focus point and rotoscope variations are my ultimate favorites. Anyone who enjoys a good puzzle should try this game. You don't kill anything, but you get to travel without paying hotel fees. Way to go to Pajitnov and Microsoft for bringing this game to the PC. How about Pandora's Box 2?

I recently purchased Pandoras Box. I cannot get enough of this game. I am not a fan of these shootem up or role playing games. This game is excellent for all family members. My 9 year old daughter puts me to shame in this game. She loves the game and is excellent at solving the puzzles that I get stuck on. We play this game for hours on end. I am not a big fan of Jigsaw Puzzles, but this game is terrific. The different types of puzzles are very intriguing and addictive. If you like solving puzzles and like a challenge I would highly recommend this game.