I got this game the last time it was offered but was delighted to get the heads up on the free Winter Edition & free bonus levels. Thanks to all who posted comments about that.

Thanks Alawar & GGOTD!

White Rabbit, I found all the level structure is still the same, only the "theme" is changed. For normal edition, world 1 is wood, world 2 is grass world 3 is iron, world 4 is marble. For the winter edition, world 1 is snow, world 2 is wood, world 3 is green world 4 is iron. Seems that the marble and snow share same tile (for some tile, e.g, broken tile). Well, the expansion pack iss free though, we can't complain too much. Beside that, the game was graphically good and the gameplay is challenging. Thanks Alawar! Snowy is great!

my most favorite giveaway ever!

OK,I give up...LOL! The activation code finally worked after about sixty tries. Fun game and I recommend it for all ages!

I too just downloaded and it is only giving me 60 minutes of play time - Is this right??? I see people questioning but no answers. Please let me know if I am doing something wrong.

MY son lives the games, He has his own computer but no internet access, how can i put the games from here and make em work on his computer, I dont really like him on mine.

Hi Dreams (Calvo?), I had no trouble downloading either packs, so cannot explain why you are getting the errors you say you are getting. Are you downloading them via the link in the game or by going directly to Alawar? I followed the link in the game and downloaded the free pack then the winter levels. I do hope you get it sorted.

To Nightowl comment #26, I installed the puzzle Islands giveaway first, then, (ensuring that the puzzle islands version was registered) installed the winter version into a folder I’d pre named Snowy Islands Winter edition. So to answer your question, no I didn’t install them into the same folder, just in the same parent directory. Sorry if my write up mislead you.


I checked out the games that Diane mentioned in her post #27. They are certainly excellent puzzles, but I hardly think they are worth the $70 you’d have to pay for all four of them. I’d certainly consider buying all four for $20, though. I would agree to a certain extent that the puzzles are much better, with loads of objects to manipulate and utilize; but graphically speaking they are in the dark ages, which is a shame as most people do like the graphics you get today. (Although I know graphics alone don’t make a game) Thank you for the link, I will be ‘trying’ to complete the free levels at least.. If I was a fanatic over these sorts of puzzles I’d probably buy a couple of them, but I think I’d feel a little cheated.

To Jen comment #30. All games given away from the game giveaway and the giveaway projects are full version games. Did you activate the game first by clicking on the activate icon? Once you click on that file, a window will pop up that says successfully activated (provided you are connected to the internet at the time). Then you can install the game. Most games can be activated after you’ve installed them, so try clicking on the activate button (then click on the game shortcut. If it’s still not the full version, uninstall the game then re activate it then install the game (in that order). I hope this helps. :)

Quick Review:

Now I'm pretty bad at puzzle games like this game. So I wasn't surprised when I got stuck at level 5 or 6. Even though I'm horrible at this game I still enjoyed it.

In the game your a little white bear named "Snowy". Your goal in the game is to reach the exit of each level. Sounds easy? Well its not. The puzzle starts off really easy but then it gets really hard.

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Scoring:

Gameplay: 8/10 - The controls are easy to use. Because all your using is your mouse.

Graphics: 9/10 - Great graphics.

Music: 7/10 - The music fits perfectly with the game.

Loading Time: 9/10 - Took about 10-15 seconds to load.

Installation: 10/10 - Installing the game was quick and easy.

Overall: 8.6/10

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Final Comment:

If you enjoy doing puzzles, then I would recommend downloading this game.

You just made my day! I had this game installed on my computer ages ago, but unfortunately lost it when I had to format. Personally, I think this game is great for all ages - anyone who likes puzzle games. Snowy is an adorable character, and he can be seen in many great Alawar games, and this is definitely one of them!

Thos game is a blast. Thank you so much GGAOTD and Alawar Entertainment. I followed whiterabbit's and others advice to download the winter edition levels. I copied my snowy puzzle island folder and renamed it snowy winter puzzle island. I ran the winter edition to the latter folder. One folder lets me play the original game. The other folder lets me play the winter edition. Now if I could only figure out how to download the extra levels for the Hyperballoid game. I went to Alawar but can't find the link to download it. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Whenever I try to activate the product, I get an error message stating that: "Activation module failed to connect to game.gamegiveawayoftheday.com. Software activation is not possible at this time. Try again later or check firewall settings." My firewall is disabled and I have tried activation several times since early this morning. What gives? I have downloaded and play several alwar games without ever having this issue...I do run Vista, but that has never been an issue in the past. Any suggeastions or fixes??

cool little game. installed no problem on XPsp2. Would have preferred a windowed setting but can live with full screen for a good game. The only problem that I had was when I went to "additional" and clicked download additional levels, my computer froze - Couldn't even pull up task manager or use escape. Finally had to switch off power source and wait a few seconds then reset power and restart computer. I came back to this site and clicked the link that whiterabbitt had so kindly provided and went to the Alawar site and downloaded the additional winter and simple task packs. Installed and plays with no problem.

Whiterabbitt you are a gem for goving us such detailed info about the games and your pc savy has taught me a lot! Thank you for leading me to several cool games and sites. Your comments and photo uploads give me a really good idea as to whether or not my low vision can handle a game. My keyboarding is horrid but I can handle the mouse quite well - so prefer mouse controled games. Rganks again!!

Thank you Alawar and GGOTD for yet another great game! :)

When I try to activate it, it says the Giveaway period for the software is over. The website says there's 12 hours left though...

Jsut curious - I installed this and got the "you have 60 minutes of gametime" notice as well. After 20 minutes of play, it did show that I only had 40 minutes left. I thought the free download was that you actually got the game for free? You can find hour trials all over the place. Am I downloading it incorrectly? I've used this site once before and had no problems, so I'm not sure if that was the fluke or if this is...

downloades game,, but it will not activate,, it only goes to the demo. any help here will be good.. thanks

Ooooooo! Ooooooo! Ooooooo!

There are now TWO additional worlds to download for this game at Alawar's site. Both expansion packs are on the Snowy: Puzzle Islands page at Alawar.

Here is the link.

http://www.alawar.com/games/puzzleislands/

"Download Winter Edition (6.4 Mb)" is directly under the write up for Puzzle Islands. Snowy Puzzle Islands : Winter Edition is FREE if you have Puzzle Islands installed evidently, because I just got it. There are 44 Kids levels and 66 Standard levels. The levels that say " additional", I don't know. maybe there is a way to install the brain shaker and winter edition into the main Snowy Puzzle Islands Game. I didn't do that.

Brain Shaker level Pack

Snowy Puzzle Islands : Brain Shaker expansion Pack (currently for $14.94) is a bit further down the page. I'm not sure if it needs to be purchased or is a free download since I already have it. At this rate, Alawar may offer it one day soon anyway :)

For anyone who isn't familiar with this game: You are a little white bear and need to step from block to block by clicking on them. The little bear must get from point A to Point B to win. Some move by clicking arrows on them. This slides them sideways until they meet an obstacle. They go one way, two ways or four ways. Walkways may crumble, move, or require a key to open a lock. The levels get increasingly difficult of course. Some are littered with platforms in the way or that you do not need at all, just to ruin your day.

Alawar. Game Giveaway of the Day. Thank You. I have this one, but you just prompted me to go to the site and find 110 new levels.

Very cool.

This game is very similar (but simpler) to Everett Kaser's Mesh:Hero's Hearts that's been around for years (originally a DOS game). It was recently updated to version 3.0. There are 4 paid games but all use the same driver. The 4 games which include well more than 1,000 puzzles are: Hero's Hearts, Hero Defiant, Falling Hero and Hero's Friends. You can get the paid versions as well as many many more free puzzles from: http://kaser.com/mesh.html

They also have a level editor so you can make your own puzzles including your own objects. That's where all the free games came from!

I'll keep this newbie as a simple version of Hero but it's definitely not as good.

BTW - it works great under Vista. I got the extra free pack from alawar (thanks whiterabbit) and it downloaded and installed even easier!

Whiterabbit, I'm a bit confused about what one should do when installing the Winter Edition. Should it be installed in the same folder containing the original game? Or a separate folder under the same parent directory? Wouldn't the former lead to overwriting the program? Would the latter still work and still be fully registered...you'd choose whichever version (original or winter) to play? By the way, I enjoy your reviews very much! :)

I have this one from the first time it was offered. I grew bored with it after a few weeks but my Grandchildren love it, as they do with all the snowy games.

I just downloaded this game earlier this morning and I LOVE IT! I’ve never played this game before and I haven’t been able to stop playing since I installed it. Thanks to the OUTSTANDING reviews by Whiterabbit I decided to give it a try. I usually won’t install a game unless it gets a good review. I’m very picky about what goes on my computers.

I grabbed my laptop from my bedside and checked GAOTD & GGAOTD as I usually do every morning. I read the reviews, downloaded and installed the game, and, needless to say, I’m still in bed playing it. It is now almost 10:30am ET and I am currently 2½ hours late for work. IT’S A GOOD THING I’M SELF EMPLOYED.

This game downloaded and installed PERFECTLY on my Vista laptop. I activated the software, installed it, and was playing in no time with no problems. I explored the game by navigating around the menu choices which are very user friendly. I changed the color to 32 bit with ease. As per Whiterabbit’s advice, I even downloaded the free expansion packs with ease. This game uses the mouse only which is perfect on my laptop’s touchpad. After I am done here I am going to download and install it on my Windows XP desktop machine for my wife and kids. I love the graphix too!

I would like to thank you GAOTD AND GGAOTD for doing what you do despite all the whiners and the people who don’t realize what FREE means. I would also like to thank ALAWAR for your outstanding games of which I have several, both free and paid, and Whiterabbit for your very insightful reviews despite your condition (which I hope you get well soon). Well I seriously have to get to work (after I play for a few more minutes, LOL) and get my customers’ projects done so I can play more games. If only they would bring back The Treasures of Montezuma. I missed this one on account of work. GGRRRRRR.

I know someone said, “You don’t stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing” (or something like that), I just don’t know who. They are absolutely right! I’m 33.

Thanks again to all involved!

Already have this one from previous giveaway. It is a great game for all ages earlier levels is good problem solving skills for even my 4 yr old he likes all of the snowy games. In the later levels adults even need to think about how to complete them :) WTG GGAOTD and alawar for all the great quality games you give us. We do appreciate them.

? for Whiterabbit:
I tried to download the Free SimpleTask Pack & the Winter Edition as you recommended, but each time got "500 Internal Server Error" screen. Any suggestions? This game is a keeper! Thanks, GGOTD team.

Well, I don't know what I am doing wrong, I have downloaded from here before and had no problems. I downloaded from the mirror site because the 1st site wouldn't come up, after downloading I ran the activation, as always, and I get "Fatal Error: Invalid Key". When I install the game package It tells me--You have 60 minutes play time.
Not very much by my standards.

Dave

I love these 'Snowy' games. Got the first one for my grandkids, and I got hooked on it! Thanks for providing these!!

i love this game it cute good graphics now if you can bring back snowy lunch rush i be very grateful

Love it! Thank you Alawar & GOTD team! I love it & so will kids! I agree, it's relaxing & fun! Installed EZ! Figuring out each part is a blast! I like the no rush part a LOT! I seem to be only going back to playing my Dragon snake/marbles game a LOT lately, as ya gotta rush but its kinda a mind-grabber when stressed and yet its not hard. If ya think that sounds pathetic, it is, yeh. especially with all the great games we've been getting here.

Great game! But I miss the "windowed mode". It always starts in fullscreen mode, but e.g. the third or fourth kid's level is not playable because there are still fruits right beside my LCD monitor (resolution 1280x1024).
Is there something like a command line parameter to start in a window instead of fullscreen?

good fun game very relaxing and challenging at the same time.

I forgot to include the links to the screen captures I took;

All on one page:

http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/Snowy%20Puzzle%20Islands/



As a slideshow:

http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/Snowy%20Puzzle%20Islands/?action=view&slideshow=true

This is an excellent Snowy puzzle (one of my favorites from the snowy series), which was originally given away early February this year. It received 93% thumbs up from 164 votes, so it’s definitely a popular one. You can check back over what was said then by following the link below:

http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/snowy-puzzle-islands/#comments

In –particular check out the following comments:

# 10 & 11 by Bonnie who provides a link for the Brain shaker levels pack, which adds an additional 60 levels to this game

#14 by Promo who mentions about having to activate the game separately for each profile on your computer

#16 by Game Seeker who mentions that there is a set od kiddies levels for the young ones and an adults section to challenge the more mature mind. He also adds to Bonnie’s comment about there being an extra 5 free kiddies levels:

http://www.alawar.com/games/puzzleislands/



The zip file unpacks to give you three files, the all important read me file for those who are new to Alawar and the two more important modules that activate and set up the game. As Promo previously mentioned in February, if you run multiple profiles from your computer, it may be advisable to activate the game from each profile to ensure that you get the full version from each profile. I personally only run an administrators profile as I seem to remember reading running more than one profile can slow your computer down. I cannot qualify this at the moment though, but I do seem to remember when I did remove all profiles apart from the admin there did seem to be a noticeable difference in loading times and everything just seemed generally faster. (When I have the time and the inclination I’ll comment on this in the forums)

As I’ve mentioned previously, if you are interested in keeping your computer in tip top running order, it’s always advisable to install your games and utilities onto a different drive to your boot drive, (usually the C: drive) which unfortunately all installers seem to be set to by default. This can easily be changed though (provided you have more than one drive) by changing the install location via the install window. Just type in the new path you wish to install the game to. For example I install these types of games to the following path:

G:Arcade Games/Puzzles/


Once the game has been installed you can set the sound and music volumes by going into the options menu and using the sliders to adjust the volumes. There’s also a video quality and a VSync setting. The VSync option is not necessary with most computers these days as it was used with the old CRT monitors. If you are still using CRT monitors (I do with two of my computers) and your computer is quite old, I would recommend turning it off, as it may cause graphical glitches (you can read why via the Wikipedia article I’ve given a link for below). I’d test the game out first though and if there are no glitches, just leave it. It is switched on by default, so if you do have problems with respect to the graphics being messed up, you will need to uncheck it. For more details about VSync read the Wikipedia article below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vsync


As usual I’m a little late starting the review so I’ve copied and pasted what Alawar had to say about the game:


Quote:

“Snowy: Puzzle Islands is an adventure through a colourful world made of switches, moving platforms, teleporters and locked gates. Your goal on each of the game's 100 levels is to use these objects to help Snowy reach the exit. Along the way, you can collect fruit bonuses and other goodies.
Puzzle Islands features a 60-level campaign for serious thinkers as well as an easier 40-level campaign designed to teach kids simple logic skills. Whether you're a seasoned puzzle game fan or just want to perform simple tasks while enjoying vibrant graphics and pleasant music, Puzzle Islands will appeal to you.
In addition to the original game, registered users can download the free Simple Tasks add-on and purchase our Brain Shaker expansion pack, making for hours of brain-teasing fun for Snowy fans everywhere!”


Once installed and started you are firstly given the option of creating a profile then once that’s done you can select between the kids levels and the standard levels. If you click on the additional levels button it will take you to a screen that says “You do not have Additional Game Worlds”, and then it says “Click here to download additional game worlds. Do click on this link as not only will it give you access to the free kids levels, but a whole new winter levels pack. Click on the “Download Winter Edition” and run it. Choose the same installation path that you chose for today’s giveaway.
Once installed you will find that the Winter edition is fully registered, (to FDC). It’s still called Snowy Puzzle Islands but all the squares are full of snow instead of the wooden crates, and the shortcut that’s installed onto the desktop says Snowy Puzzle Islands Winter Edition. I checked a few levels (of the same level number) from each game and found that they were all different.

Follow the link below to see what those downloading this game from Alawar had to say:
http://www.alawar.com/games/puzzleislands/comments/

This is a fabulous game, that both my children played out the first time it was given away, only then I didn’t discover that you get a whole new game for free if you download the winter edition, provided you have the original Puzzle Islands registered. What a bargain that is.

I give this a 8 out of 10 for playability and stimulation. Thank you Alawar and the game giveaway team for a great repeat, and thank you for the extras that are attached to the game. (ie the free winter pack and the kids pack). :D

thanks! I have become addicted to Snowy since the last give away with him. Now If I could just find some game hints!!!!

chipo, if you like this game you might also enjoy wonderland: secret worlds. i highly recommend it. http://www.midnightsynergy.com/games.htm

Thank you GAOTD for this great game. snowy games are always fun!!

I love snowy games. Thanks GGAOTD!!

Good puzzle fun!
I will play it for a while.
Nice for children too.
The snowy character is a funny one.
thanks GOTD

Now it DOES run on Vista - must have been doing one of those darned hidden checks!!!!

Sorry to be hogging the comments this morning but it would be a shame is Vista user missed this.

Maybe a moderator would like to delete my last comment (and this one)

We have this game on the XP machine and are pleased to now be able to put it on the vista m/c Thanks for the repeat offer.

Does this game works in Vista?

Good graphics, enjoyed the game controls, the main character is very cute, good premise for the puzzles.

However the puzzles appear to be too easy for my age group, they did not become challenging enough to keep my attention, even though I could see that the puzzles could become hard enough to make even a genius IQ challenged.

Their did not appear to be any real reason to solve the puzzles, a ‘back story’ would add value to the game play… save a princess, save the planet, win a ‘toy human’ for the teddy bear?

I believe that this game would be appreciated by players aged 5 – 12 and more likely liked by girls.

This is really fun. My 8 year old cousin and me worked it out together, and had lots of fun. Can anyone tell me what these kind of games are called and where to find more?

A GREAT giveaway. Thanks, GGAOTD! I have this one, but it's the best Snowy yet. Starts out easy, then THINK and enjoy! A wonderful puzzler, with something for all ages.

Already looking forward to going home to show my kids that there's another Snowy game available. My kids love them and this one looks like something I'd play too.

Thanks GGAOTD for another good one.

I already have this game from the Alawar Game Box, but I really suggest it. This is a fun puzzle game, and the bouncy music makes it relaxing. It also starts up quickly, and isn't particularly processor intensive, so you can just play for a few minutes.