Mixed thoughts

12/19/15 Update: Well, it looks like that app may have run its course. I havent gotten new area animals in over 6 months even though there are others out there based on the forum & other websites. I have to conclude in order to move past where I am, I have to complete one or both of the two that have been sitting for at least that amount of time. I do not think I should be forced / compelled to spend gems to move on. Previously after a certain amount of time passed, the islands disappeared (you snooze, you lose) & a new quest set would start.
Most recently & the primary reasons Im posting, there hasnt been an update in quite some time. Plus there has been a weekly weekend event that, without warning or explanation other than were trying to figure out a loophole was terminated 6 weeks ago. It doesnt take that long to determine what the issue is.
The daily scratches are worse than they were when I updated a year ago. Heres the way theyre going to breakdown: no weekend event; youre going to get coins & leaves, weekend event; youre going to get a bunch of food, a mix of leaves, coins, keys, but mostly food.
At this point if you arent playing, I would not recommend it.
11/1/14 Update: Since posting this review Ive gotten no gems through the daily wheel spin, none through the daily scratch off and only a few gold treasure chests (3?) have netted gems on islands. Add to that today one of the hidden chests found while clearing islands which have always given one gem gave a bag of flour. Flour!!
A little disclosure: I do buy into apps if I like them. Usually its only once, much like if you buy a Wii or Xbox game. I strongly believe apps & devs deserve support. One of the daily scratch events for a special animal was botched & even though it had me in the top 10, they took that prize away & gave everyone a small conciliation prize. Given the fact that 375 gems were spent on another event to earn an extra 40 swipes AND the issue was their error, they should have given everyone the animal like they have done in the past. We are on the 2nd event since then & even with swipes hoarded, unless you buy in getting a special animal isnt possible.

Ill continue to play once or twice a day, but for all intents & purposes this app is being shelved in spite of buying in 3 times. I refuse to pay more for an app than I would for an exceptionally well put together X-Box or Wii game.
---------------

Original Review:

Mixed Thoughts

That said, in the case of this app, they should have made it a buy-in app from the get go. I power play everything, dont have to have every item or animal thats released & dont feel any pressure to move fast. It happens when it happens. Even with my laid back attitude with the competitive aspect of the game yet the aggressive manner in actual play (collecting coins, making food, clearing islands, completing puzzles ad nauseous, etc) I still have a difficult time earning gems.

The game is clearly, almost humorously, stacked. If the daily wheel has an odd item that day (spade, food, etc) thats what youll be getting that day. The quests where you have to collect puzzle pieces in the daily scratch off are all but impossible to win. Speaking of the daily scratch off, when its an average day, youre most likely going to get coins or leaves, but if its one of the map collection events, youre going to be collections a lot of food.

If you are not an aggressive player & dont have to have everything that comes out, you dont have to be the first or best at whatever, if you can play passively in that aspect, this game is pretty cool. There are worse apps. I wish they would be straight forward about the give always & contests.

It isnt horrible. It isnt great. Im still playing it for now. :)

Pcg8r about Animal Voyage: Island Adventure