As I approached the computer this afternoon I was confronted by a dilemma. Do I sit and write something as I know I should, or do I log on to Facebook and try to march further forward through the Minty Meadows. If you know what the Minty Meadows are (coming just after the Chocolate Mountains and Lemonade Lake) then you too know the vacuum that is Candy Crush Saga.
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I had seen the posts on Facebook about friends reaching new levels and having success but I resisted. I had multiple requests come through my mailbox daily, but I resisted. I heard about combining cool candies to make super candy, but I resisted. Then one dark day, that changed. Oh I had seen the warning “it’s highly addictive” and I know I should have been stronger. I should have walked away. I can’t say for certain what turned my switch. I think knowing so many people were playing made me curious, really curious. Was this game worth all the hype? Would I find it as fulfilling as promised? Sadly, the answer is yes…
Matty ready for some heavy lifting.
Candy Crush Saga is the best of the beloved Bejeweled, with added twists. You have a goal for each level and only a limited number of moves (or in a few cases time) to complete the goal. It is a thinking man’s game, or that’s what I like to tell myself. You can complete a level and just get by and with earning only one star, or be a point hog and earn up to three stars. If you play through Facebook, there is an added level of completion. The game ranks you against all your “friends” who are also wasting their lives with this game. At each level you know which of your friends earned mega points and who is bottom of the pile. When you finish a level you have the opportunity to brag about your success on your page and to inform your friend who ranks just below you that you beat his/her score. In each stage (Lemonade Lake being a stage) which ever of your friends has won the most stars is awarded the cup! (No real value on these puppies, but hey you get noticed!) Sadly I do not have any cups, but I think I’m OK with that – it shows that my addiction has not completely taken over my life. I did however take pride in having the top score on one level. The game fosters competition, but also support from your other addicted associates. You need to ask them for help to move from one section to another and you of course, can send along to them much treasured extra lives.
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The worst part of Candy Crack for me is its overall accessibility. Through Facebook I am on level 42, on my tablet Level 53 and on my phone level 39. Now I could connect all these games through Facebook, but then I’d have less lives to burn through every day. You are allotted five* (unless you buy extra) and this way I have 15. Fifteen times to numb my brain and check out. Maybe that’s the draw, the check out? I know more mamas who play then do not play this game. A co-worker & mother of four recently told me she plays when waking through the isles in the grocery store. Better than in the car, but still a bit dangerous. I’ve told myself I’ll have a Candy Crack free day, but haven’t been too successful. I have played when the kids are in the bath and eating lunch. It has been, too often, the last thing I see before I go to sleep. Maybe I’m hoping for inspiration to come to me in a dream.
*The attendant at the Gas station today told me how to get around this on your tablet or phone, email me if your desperate enough to find out… Two weeks ago I looked up on a game forum where strategy questions were posted. Someone was asking for help to move past level 356. 356!!! There are currently now just over 400 levels. Oh help me – I don’t ever want to get there. This confession is helping me to see I may need to step away and besides, the newly encountered pop up chocolates are starting to make anxious. I think I’ll start with the phone & delete the game from there, baby steps you know. Time on the game is time away from the kids and other more important aspects of my life. The phone, yes, one less access point will be good. I will also try to have crack free days. If I could just combine the multi-color candy with the wrapped one and see what happens then my quest will be complete. Oh wait – that involves playing again. Well I did write first… now on to Facebook….
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William enjoying a pony ride at Lookout Farm
Enjoying the fruits of their apple picking labor!
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Post script – its not 7 pm. No Candy Crack yet, I spent the afternoon playing soccer outside with William – a much better check in.
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Copyright 2013 Motherhood Uncorked
Please do not copy or reproduce without permission.
Links are just fine, though.
Please do not copy or reproduce without permission.
Links are just fine, though.
