This Sure Isn't A Lump of Coal

Believe in Santa is a fun puzzle game in the tradition of Diner Dash and other games of the sort. You play Sandy, whose grandmother just received notice that if she doesn't pay off her $10,000 loan in 10 days, the bank is going to take her gift shop. Being the golden-hearted granddaughter that you are, you decide to take action. It is up to you to raise the money to save your grandmother's store! But, you have help! Santa Claus himself has sent some of his elves to help you! They will help you manufacture toys to sell in your grandmother's shop. It truly is a Christmas miracle!

You're Hired!

Running the store is no easy task! When a customer comes in, they'll tell you what gift they are looking for. You have to grab the gift from your conveyor, give it to the appropriate elf to paint it the appropriate color, and finally add whatever accessories the customer wants before you give it to them. Once you give it them, they may also want it gift wrapped. If customers get impatient, you may give them a candy cane to calm their nerves, before they really freak out. You only have a limited number of candy canes on hand, though, so you better be quick with those gifts.

Some shoppers will be less patient with others. For example, little spoiled girls are very impatient. Mothers with young children don't like to wait, either. Nice old ladies, on the other hand, are very polite and will gladly wait. Sometimes you'll get a customer that will entertain everybody, like a clown! Sometimes clowns will come in and keep everyone happy. Sometimes shoppers will take pictures while they wait. I guess they don't see too many elves.

Things are Crazy up North

As you can see, this is no normal store. And that's what keeps it so entertaining! Very few games make me smile, let alone laugh, but Believe in Santa had me doing just that. The humor is just wacky enough to be clever, but never absurd. While the story may not be the deepest, it makes up for it with a stellar presentation - among the best I've seen! Told in comic book panels with gorgeous artwork, the tale of Sandy and her desperate grandmother is engaging enough to keep the game chugging along nicely.

As you get more customers and offer them more options, the action heats up pretty quickly; you'll find it increasingly hard to keep up with the demand. But the difficulty ramps up accordingly, never feeling unjust.

Put This Under Your Tree

This game is extremely fun and is the perfect escape for the hectic holidays. The story is touching and enjoyable, and it's worth playing just to see what kind of improvements can be had for your store. So grab a mug of hot cocoa, step back into your kid shoes, and Believe in Santa. You'll be glad that you did!