by Christina Brzustoski

Created on: May 20, 2008   Last Updated: May 25, 2008

Overall 2.5/5

While the name may evoke images of old ladies, musty books and worn-out clothes, Yard Sale Junkie is more fun that its name would have you believe. Although the premise of the game a young woman trying to raise money for her own California boutique by holding a series of yard sales is a bit silly, but it helps the game to move from yard sale to yard sale with some type of story arc.

Basically, this is a "Where's Waldo?" of computer games. Demanding customers arrive at your sale and you must find the item they request before their patience (i.e., the time limit) runs out. The game starts with simpler items: toaster ovens, fruits and an apparent overstock of backpacks. As you progress, so do the challenges. For example, for one yard sale you must toggle between the main screen and a table that is filled with different types of jewelry. If you meet this challenge, your next sale has another screen with two tables one with very similar-looking watches and another with an assortment of bracelets. It can be a fun test of paying attention to detail, or a tedious task. While toggling to the watch screen, for instance, you may also get demands for items from the main screen, which may be a bit frustrating for slower players.

The graphics are mostly pleasing. The objects to find are photo-quality and many are bright, playful and colorful. However, the "Yard Sale Junkie" herself is straight out of the Sunday comics and the disparity between the high- and low-def graphics can be jarring. As for the music, it is palatable but just on the verge of annoying. It can get a bit repetitive and doesn't seem to change much to suit the different yard sales that you visit. There isn't much creativity or innovation on the part of the game makers, or the game players. This is a tried and true search-for-the-hidden-object game, and while it is certainly entertaining enough for a rainy day, doesn't offer much beyond that. This is a game that will amuse most people for the hour-long trial period, but probably not enough to entice them to buy the full version.

Game Play 3/5
Graphics 4/5
Sound 1/5
Creativity 2/5
Innovation 2/5

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