Caribbean Hideaway - GameBoomers Community

Posted By: oldbroad

Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 06:51 AM

Hi Marian,

I have started playing this game today and so far I like it a lot. I played 10 levels but did have to repeat level 10. The second time around I got it pretty quickly though.

Can you maybe explain to me a bit about how/when to use the items I'm accumulating on the bottom right of my screen (hammer, hourglass, workers?) and also the cannonballs and ships? Also, will the time increase at any point in the game or does it always stay at 10 minutes? (Just curious.)

So far, it is a fun game! Thank you for recommending it.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 07:34 AM

I found this post on the Big Fish forum, which explains this well and perhaps better than I could:

Quote:

Hourglass
It is the first icon on the lower right hand side. You fill the hourglass by making matches on the board with the tiles that have the hourglass icon on them. The hourglass adds additional time to the rope timer at the bottom of the screen. At first you get an additional 15 seconds with your first upgrade. You have to upgrade 2 more times in order to get 30 and 45 seconds extra. Always use the hourglass power up as soon as it is available. Don’t save it as it does not gain power if it just sits there.

Army
The army power up is the middle icon that is in the bottom right corner. When you use it they will destroy a certain percentage of your board at a time. When you start they destroy 15 % of the board, additional upgrades will give you 30% and then 45% destruction of the board. Always use the army power up as soon as it is available. Don’t save it as it does not gain power if it just sits there.

Hammer
The hammer is the last icon on the bottom right hand corner. It can destroy one tile at a time in the beginning. Later it can smash several tiles when it has been upgraded.

I just used the cannonballs and the ships when it seemed like a good time to do so. After you have gotten a better feel for the game, you will kind of know when using them is practically a must if you wish to finish the level in time.

I am glad you are enjoying it so far. There's a lot of variety to the game and I never get tired of playing it.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 05:38 PM

OK, thanks Marian. I had a little idea how the power ups work from playing The Spell and I know this game did give a description but I can refer back here when my forgetfulness kicks in. I'll have to experiment and see.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 06:10 PM

It'll become second nature after a while - at least, that's how it was for me.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 08:13 PM

Another 10 chapters under my belt, but I had to play #18 6 times before I beat it!!

Was I wrong saying 10 minutes per chapter above? I'm only seeing 8 minutes today.

I still haven't tried any of the power ups. I forget to use them and I know in The Spell when I used them I lost my concentration and then I had more trouble finding matches.

Time for a rest from that!!

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 08:46 PM

I really have no idea how many minutes per chapter there are, as I never timed it myself.

You can get away without power-ups for a while, but eventually they will become vital.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 08:48 PM

I'm not timing it. It shows you how many minutes you played and how many you had left after completing each chapter. That's where I'm seeing it.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 08:58 PM

Talk about memory loss - I didn't even remember the game showed you.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 09:34 PM

Time for a replay Marian.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/17/17 10:05 PM

I think I have finished this game 5 times in total. But I am sure I will hear that siren call before too long.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/19/17 04:21 AM

I'm officially stuck on Chapter 30. Already played it 14 times and am using all available power ups etc.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/19/17 04:33 AM

I just found this online. It looks pretty comprehensive.

It's definitely not an easy game, but it is doable. No question but that you have to be fast on some levels. I don't recall level 30 specifically or what it involves.

I downloaded it last night for a replay - so that I could just play a few levels here and there when I am in the mood. Made it to level 24 so far.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/20/17 01:47 AM

LOL: "I downloaded it last night for a replay - so that I could just play a few levels here and there when I am in the mood. Made it to level 24 so far. wave"

That's what I was trying to do, a few levels here and there for filling in some time but I get sucked in!

That was very useful information you linked to, however, when I'm panicking in the game I don't remember what any of the stuff does except the hourglass and the hammer.

Level 30 is probably a piece of cake for you and I will get it eventually.

What I like though is that I keep getting more gold even though I fail the chapter. And I have no unemployed workers stealing it either.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/20/17 01:52 AM

I played level 30 today and I actually only had about a minute left when I finished it; I had not used my ship power-ups, though, which probably would have helped things go a little more quickly.

Even with all the playthroughs I have done at this point, I still don't find it an easy game. Sometimes a bit easier, yes, but never easy save for the first few levels.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/20/17 07:22 AM

Marian - it took me 4 hours and many attempts but I am now through Chapter 35.

This game really is BRUTAL!!

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/20/17 03:19 PM

Wow! That's great that you made it through that level and then some.

Well, I did warn you...

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/20/17 05:23 PM

You did. I suppose you are almost finished with the game by now. You should see how many times you can play it while I struggle through one time.

Posted By: Mad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/20/17 05:30 PM

You two sound like definite "gluttons for punishment" to me !!!!

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/20/17 05:48 PM

I love this game - I must be very sick.

I am on level 39 now. I may or may not play more levels today.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/20/17 05:55 PM

Hi Mad

In my defense, I AM kind of new to this type of game.

Posted By: Mad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/20/17 07:01 PM

I've attempted very few "timed" games in the Casual or Platform type genres.
I don't like them. I end up in panic mode and accomplish very little

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/21/17 06:41 AM

Working on 43.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/21/17 07:04 AM

Originally Posted By: oldbroad

Working on 43.

Excellent!

The only downside to all of this is that after playing this game, 99.9% of all match-3 games are going to be way too easy for you...

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/24/17 07:40 AM

Where are you at Marian? I spent a long, long time on Chapter 55 but have now finished 62.

What happens if my unemployed workers steal all of my gold?

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/24/17 02:27 PM

I opened up the game to see where I was, and I am on Chapter 63.

About the unemployed workers stealing gold, I have always just ignored that fact when I saw it, and just carried on. It never impeded my playing on through and finishing the game, so I never gave it much thought. I guess I just kept making money faster than they were stealing it and built enough new buildings that it didn't matter. If all the gold disappeared, I suppose then you could not buy more cannonballs or repair docks or the like, but the situation never got that dire.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/25/17 04:00 AM

Apparently they can't steal more than what you've received in taxes.

Been attempting Chapter 70 for a while now. Never did get back to Dead Reefs.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/25/17 05:30 AM

That's good to know.

You are doing really well with this game. I was playing a HOPA today but am on Chapter 66 of Caribbean Hideaway now.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/26/17 05:37 AM

44 tries before I conquered Chapter 70

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/26/17 06:23 AM

You are just as persistent with this game as you are with adventure games!

I am getting ready to start Chapter 68 or so - I have a cold/flu right now and my mind wasn't sharp enough to play more than one or two levels today.

Posted By: Mad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/26/17 02:12 PM

Hope you start to feel better very soon, Marian

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/26/17 02:31 PM

Thank you, Mad.

Posted By: BrownEyedTigre

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/26/17 04:53 PM

Hope you feel better quick, Marian!

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/26/17 05:02 PM

Thanks, Ana.

It's a real stinker. As soon as I am over it, I am getting my flu shot!

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/27/17 01:18 AM

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well Marian. I hope it doesn't last long!

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/27/17 01:27 AM

Thank you, oldbroad.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/28/17 10:23 PM

Just hit level 75.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/29/17 02:48 AM

I'm currently working on 86. It's a doozy!

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/29/17 04:03 AM

You are doing incredibly well. You have gotten way beyond the levels achieved by a lot of players.

I am on Chapter 78 and will play some more tomorrow.

EDIT: I played quite a bit today and am now on Chapter 96. I am going to save the rest for another day. These last ten levels never get any easier.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 09/30/17 11:53 PM

OMG Marian. I have been stuck on Chapter 88 and failed it 49 times already. I get really, really close but...

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/01/17 12:15 AM

Most players seem to never get as far as you have!

I am on Chapter 98 now, but am taking a relaxing break to play Ice Cream Mania.

I will get back to Caribbean Hideaway, though, when my muscles untense!

There was one level of Caribbean Hideaway that I had 2 seconds remaining when I beat it. There have been several really close calls like that one.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/01/17 12:34 AM

Yes, for me too. Several times I JUST beat it. My arm and shoulder hurt AND the last few nights I have been dreaming about the game ALL night!!

I am confident I will eventually finish the game but I was only hoping to play as filler at night when I was too tired to play something else. I have gotten hooked though and it is my main game being played, so I hope it doesn't take months.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/01/17 01:00 AM

It is addictive, isn't it? No matter how hard the level you just got through, the next level still beckons and it's difficult to resist.

It's a good idea to take breaks, though. I had one TM game where I was having fun, but I guess I was just too tensed up and ended up having a painful muscle spasm in my lower shoulder. Somehow I don't think that's what the developer intended...at least, I hope not!

EDIT: Just finished the game. :pirate:

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/01/17 09:50 AM

Think you're so cool don't ya?

I am still on Chapter 88. I have tried it 100 times, no exaggeration. I am keeping track so if I missed writing something down it could even be more. This was all today. It is 3:46 am and I have been at this since 11:00 am, on and off. Not very long breaks, but some.

I bow down to you Marian. You are the queen of the Caribbean Hideaway!!

Wait, that's a lie. I tried 22 times on Friday, the other 78 were Saturday. (I had to get out of bed to edit this!)

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/01/17 02:36 PM

I am getting old, so it's nice to know that I can still be cool at something.

The game was released on Big Fish in 2008 and I have played it off and on since around 2009, so I have had many years of experience with it. The only other match 3 game I have found to be almost as unforgiving in the latter stages is the original Cradle of Rome - and I never finished that one. Maybe someday I will get back to it.

Someone who is a whiz at these games posted this about Caribbean Hideaway on the BF forum:

Quote:

I finally finished...it took a complete restart before I could. What a tough game! Normally I don't mind if a game is timed, but as fast as you have to go near the end, it doesn't seem like a very accessible game to many. That aside, if you don't mind a serious challenge, this is a unique and well thought out game that can be played over and over.

If you are getting really frustrated (and who wouldn't be at this point?), maybe get away from the game for a while and go back to it when you are feeling more kindly disposed towards it. That helps me sometimes.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/01/17 06:53 PM

Ah, here it is. I couldn't see it last night with my bleary eyes.

I bet you're cool about a lot of things. Is cool even a word anymore? I don't know the current language.

I wonder why that person (in your quote) would have to do a complete restart. How would that help? That is one thing I don't like about the game. When you click play, it asks if you want to continue or start over. I am afraid I will accidently click start over.

I DO need to find some self control and stick to it when I tell myself, just one more try.

Though I was getting a little frustrated last night (when I needed to clear only 2 tiles), the game is fun so you don't feel the frustration so much. You have me really nervous though about the rest of the game. I still have a long way to go!

Arr Matey

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/01/17 07:29 PM

I have never felt the need for a restart. Maybe that player was thinking that she had figured out the power-ups usage better and decided to start over for that reason. A restart never seemed necessary to me.

There might be a few levels after where you are that are a little more difficult than what you have already faced, but overall I don't think the next levels will be worse.

And yes, you have to be very careful to click on continue rather than start over!

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/02/17 12:55 AM

Try number 129 did the trick with 14 seconds left on the clock. Whoo Hoo! Another 4.5 hours of my weekend gone.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/02/17 01:23 AM

Your picture should be next to the word "perseverance" in the dictionary!

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/05/17 03:14 AM

Conquered Chapter 90 today!

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/05/17 03:16 AM

Fantastic!

Posted By: Mad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/06/17 03:48 PM

I am in definte AWE of the pair of you !!

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/08/17 04:53 PM

125 attempts made at Chapter 91. All failed. Still working on it!

Though, I'm going to try NOT to work on it today. After playing all day yesterday, my arm hurts.

Hope to "adventure" today!

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/08/17 05:19 PM

Sounds like a good time to take a break!

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/12/17 06:02 AM

The 182nd attempt got me through Chapter 91. I only needed one attempt for Chapter 92 though.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/12/17 06:17 AM

What a contrast!

Onward and upward - and best wishes!!

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/19/17 01:15 AM

Just in case you think I gave up, I did not.

It took 135 tries but I finally conquered Chapter 97. 3 more to go.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/19/17 01:17 AM

Yowza!!

I never thought that you had given up. I figured you were just letting your muscle soreness recover.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/22/17 12:04 AM

So, it took 51 tries for Chapter 98, and only 2 tries for both Chapters 99 and 100. After reading the epilogue is that it? It seemed like there might be something more that was supposed to happen since it let me recharge my power ups.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/22/17 12:08 AM

No, that's it; you are all done!

Strong congratulations are in order - there are many people who were never able to finish this game.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/22/17 12:16 AM

Most all of the chapters were fun though, even the ones that took me over a hundred tries.

There was only one chapter I didn't like too much. I should have noted it so I could tell you which one but I didn't. I can't even remember what I didn't like about it. It wasn't one of the ones I spent forever on.

Now I will probably have withdrawal symptoms.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 10/22/17 12:30 AM

I always feel a bit of a void after I complete the game.

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 01/07/18 09:04 AM

I'm already replaying. 25 Chapters tonight.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 01/07/18 03:14 PM

Originally Posted By: oldbroad

I'm already replaying. 25 Chapters tonight.

That's great!

Posted By: oldbroad

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 01/20/18 07:10 AM

Marian - finished and did a lot better this time with the exception of Chapter 91. That was 154 times but that is less than the first time I played the game. The next highest was only 21, so all the rest were under that.

Thankfully, I finished because my arm and neck have been hurting and every time I close my eyes the last couple of days, I've been seeing the game and matching stuff.

Posted By: Marian

Re: Caribbean Hideaway - 01/20/18 03:34 PM

That was a great playthrough!