More challenging than the average time management game because there are always several paths of action available to you. Both a plus and a minus...I think I like but I also wish I were better at picking the right path. :)

Hi!

It loaded fairly quick and opened easy! Play is smooth and graphics are good! I played through 3 levels
and am stuck. Only choice I can see is to start over, which is not one of my favorite things to do!!
Why there isn't a further choice I'm not sure. That would be one big hangup for not playing or liking the game as much. I will give it another try and see. Thanks for another good game! Lee

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Thank you Lee

Tried to install on my wife's computer. Download was the correct size but the installation program would not run, only the activation program would run. Since it would not run on her windows 10 Computer I tried it on my windows 7 machine I use for gaming. Same result only I got and error from Microsoft that allows me to send the error to them

I then re-downloaded four hours later and went through the whole process again, to no avail. Sorry guys maybe next time.

Win10 64bit Home. Game loaded and played really well. I had no problem at all. Love this sort of Time Management Game. Thank you.

This looks pretty nifty with an interesting premise. However I've learned that nowadays, I just don't do well with Time Management Games - I'm slow and can't handle deadlines.
Thank you tho!

Downloaded, Installed and Activated with no problems using Edge as the browser. Anything you get from Alawar games is guaranteed to have very nice graphics and at least decent gameplay.This is no exception. I AM getting a little tired of the overly "cute" graphics though to be brutally honest. This is a time management game and about par for the course as far as gameplay goes for this type of game. Now.... I'm NOT saying anything bad about the genre as its probably my favorite for "these" games. I put "these" in quotation marks to differentiate them from class A games (The Witcher series, Crysis , GTA etc.)

A nice little bonus/difference in this game is the ability to change your shape i.e. stone giant, wizard etc. I play a lot of T.M. games and this is a first for me. Was/is nice but a little awkward at first to choose just WHICH shape to use for what task. But as I said was/is a nice little touch. Overall I'd give the game 7 out of 10 stars.

My only REAL beef is that when I close out the game it crashes and I have to do a hard shutdown. Now, this has been happening to me a lot recently but only on games from MyPlayCity, Big Fish , My Real Games and other free game sites. I'm assuming its got something to do with the "phone home" action when you close them. I'm playing on a MSI GE 72 Apache Pro machine with an overclocked i7 - 7700 and a Geforce GTX 1060 GPU , installing the games on a Gen.3 Nvme M2 ssd so I KNOW it has nothing to do with my machine. As I said its only on the games I get from the free sites that this happens. Even the games I BUY from these sites forces me to a hard shutdown, so it pretty much has to be the phone back file. My class A games all shut down just fine btw.

Anyway, This is a nice little T.M. game if you like this sort of game and I would encourage you to try it, "cutsie" graphics and all lol. But as for myself I've already uninstalled it as I am in the process of doing for all the games I've gotten free OR paid for from the free play sites. Durn shame too as I've given more than a few bucks to a couple of them.

Oh, if you uninstall this it leaves quite a few leftovers behind and that's just lazy coding imho.

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Thank you for this excellent feedback. I'm adding your name to the list of Steam key winners. I'm way behind in sending out keys, but everyone will get a key eventually. Just go HERE and choose a game from the list. I'll email the key to you via the email you used to log in.

A quaint little game and much more my style than yesterday's brickshooter which , sad to say, has now become much too fast for me. If I had to suggest a change it would be to leave off having to run the cursor over already picked resources. This seems a bit of a time waster after you have already given the order to pick them.
However, it is a nice game with enough challenges to keep me interested. Thank you to all concerned.

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Thank you for your feedback DJ

The Beardless Wizard
A time management game from MPC which took a bit of time to download today, but installed well, and right upfront have to admit these are not one of our favorite genres, so that should be kept in mind in this review.
Very colorful and nice visuals but not many screens so far, she did have a bit of fun rounding up workers, but did mention the interactions quickly become very alike, and they may want to vary them some more.
Neither one of us are real fond of timed games so if they had a 'relaxed' mode it would greatly benefit this game, or make it a 'for kids mode' even, but once you start collecting the potions (and do remember to get as many as you can) she did start getting more interested. Busy day for us so not a lot of time on this game yet, but will try it again later or when we get more time to see if it grabs her attention more..again keep in mind these aren't normally our favs. so YMMV. Do want to thank GGAOTD and MPC for providing these games for us, as our economic circumstances wouldn't let us purchase them at this time, now we have to run!

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Thank you for your feedback JBurt.

I don't usually like time management games -- real life has enough time stress that it doesn't feel "fun" to me to have it in a game -- but the wizard apprentice storyline and the ability to morph make this sound intriguing, so I'm gonna try it anyway.

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Thank you for your feedback Corylea, agree with you fully on what you say. Out of all the different genres of arcade games TM games are the least likely to give me enjoyment apart from mabye those anime story book games.

This game is an ok game . I really don't play this kind of game. I don't see anything wrong with it . Don't see how you could improve it.
Thanks gotd and mpc for the free game for today.

Can't get it to install on windows 10 64bit

can't install. Sophos reports contains generic pua bh

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Hi billk

There is no malware included with this game. The games exe file is wrapped in a Themida based code that protects the game from being ripped by hackers. Trouble is, Themida can also be used to hide malware, so some security programs block the installation. To install the game you can either reboot your computer in safe mode then install, white list the wrapper or temporarily turn off your security while you install the game. The giveaway team have been giving games away virtually every weekend for the past 10 years (and for 18 months every day back in 2006 to 2008) and have never given away a game infected with malware. the giveaway team thoroughly check all files for download to ensure they are safe. They are highly regarded by the major search engines; if they allowed malware to be downloaded they would lose this standing.

Please only post comments about today's game giveaway; other comments either inappropriate, or not about today's game will be deleted at the moderator or administrators discretion; however a little light banter among community members and with the moderator to keep this a friendly place to visit is acceptable and welcomed. All comments not specifically about today's game giveaway will be judged by the moderator and if deemed not appropriate, will be deleted with no explanation. Please see the end of this review for a link to more details about posting comments, other game deals and other links. If you need to contact the give away team you can do so HERE and if you're unsure about posting comments the moderation policy is HERE and the FAQ's thread is HERE.

The Beardless Wizard

In Brief

A time management game

Suggestions:

Whether you like or dislike The Beardless Wizard please give some feedback about your opinion of todays game giveaway, for example, what you liked or disliked about the game, and how it could be improved from your point of view. If you don't like this genre at all, please explain why. What improvements would change your opinion? There are thousands of subscribers to the game giveaway of the day every weekend which makes this an ideal forum for giving developers ideas as to what their consumers (i.e you) would like to see in a game. For example, you could suggest extra content such as better or more original mini games, or a level editor that you would like to see that would make it more appealing to you. Maybe you think the graphics are a little dated and are in need of re skinning, or maybe you've just had enough of the genre and want to see something different or something with more originality? Giving such feedback instead of saying nothing or just saying this game is rubbish or good may bring more developers to the site, which could mean more and better games. Would you give away thousands of copies of a game (or extra content for a game) away to a community that complains all the time instead of giving useful feedback? It only takes a few moments of your time. This site could be transformed if only the community would be more forthcoming in their opinions of the games they are getting for free instead of complaining about the way this site has changed or that they don't like Steam games. If something isn't for you then move on to the next giveaway, or check out the extra's section at the end of this review; you never know, you may find something that interests you.

If you miss today's game giveaway you can always get the game via MyPlayCity 24/7 HERE. If you prefer to purchase the game via one of the other game distributors for example via Big Fish games you can get it HERE. It costs £2.99/$2.99 if you are a new subscriber otherwise it's £7.70

Installation:

The Beardless Wizard downloads to a 425 MB zip file that unzips to three files, (a setup.gcd security wrapper, the set up file and a read me). Those with multiple hard drives are able to save games on any drive they wish. The newly installed game is 447 MB in size. The game installs to the following path by default, but can be changed by the user if you prefer:

C:\Program Files (x86)\MyPlayCity.com\The Beardless Wizard

Four shortcuts are installed to the desktop. three of which can be safely deleted (Play Online Games, MyPlayCity Games and shortcuts to a free online game which vary each week). Also, if you don't like icons installed to the quick launch task bar, make sure you uncheck the box when the additional tasks window appears (after the Select Start Menu Folder window)

Introduction:

Fight with a mad scientist to set your master free in the time management game The Beardless Wizard! A young magician Eugene and old master Godgory practiced sorcery far away in the deep wood but the evil scientist appeared out of the blue to kidnap the old mage. It’s time to set out a journey to the bad engineer’s shelter! Accept the challenge and start your way full of dangers and mysteries in the amazing game The Beardless Wizard! Cope with all the missions to achieve your goal – gather resources, use artifacts and build a castle. Unlock new characters: golem, dragon and ghost that will be helpful in your long journey!

Reference accessed HERE. 14th May 2017

Main Features:

⦁ Collect magic artifacts and brew potions!
⦁ Become a golem, a dragon, or a ghost - you choose.
⦁ Dozens of achievements to earn and secrets to reveal!

If you have a problem installing or activating or getting The Beardless Wizard to work please visit the FAQ's thread HERE

The Game:

The Beardless Wizard is a time management adventure game. Actual it is more a time management game but it does have a flavour of adventure about it as you set out on a rescue mission. In this game, set in a land of magic and challenges, your role is that of Eugene who is an apprentice to a kind, old wizard named Godgory. At the start of the game, Godgory is kidnapped by Oyzo, an evil scientist, who hopes to force the old wizard to do his bidding and we all know what that means as science and magic do make strange bedfellows. It is up to you, as the Beardless Wizard of the title, to defeat Oyzo and recue your beloved master.

When setting up your game profile you can adjust certain settings. You can individually adjust the volume levels for music and sound effects (sorry no spoken dialogue in this game). There are also options to use a system or game cursor, play in full screen mode and show appropriate hints at various stages during the game.

This game is spread over various levels with each one starting with an illustrated outline map of the world in which your journey will take you. As you complete each stage of your journey, that area will be coloured in and an arrow will indicate the direction to take for the next stage of your journey to rescue Godgory from the clutches of Oyzo.

Each stage contains a number of challenges based around completing specific tasks. Often these tasks will involve the removal of obstacles from your path to open up other areas while helping other characters in the hope they will provide assistance to help you on your ultimate journey. With many of the various levels, you are provided with at least one little helper who will scurry about the landscape and gather together the raw materials required to complete other tasks.

Icons representing the raw materials and how much you have of each of the different materials will be displayed across the top of the screen. You do need to keep a close watch on this area as it is quite easy to run out of a commodity which you will require to complete a certain task. You can add to your store of raw materials by spending time collecting items such as food, wood or stone. In fact with enough raw materials at your disposal you could build facilities, such as a garden, sawmill, mine or mill, to help increase the goods at your disposal. There is even an option to lay to waste something you have constructed if you feel the space could be put to better use latter in a level. The decision is yours to make.

Being a wizard, even just as an apprentice, you do possess some powers which can be enhanced by mana that conveniently appears at regular intervals for you to collect. This mana will often be required to complete some of the tasks that will face you during this game. You do possess a couple of special abilities which can be used at various points during the journey to rescue Godgory.

Even an apprentice wizard needs somewhere to lay his weary head during those moments when he is resting. As a result Eugene carries his home or castle with him. This castle will also house any helpers that are currently being employed by your character on a no-fee basis. From time to time you can enhance the castle using raw materials and increase the number of helpers available to you.

The second useful ability is that of morphing into a different character. At different stages of the game you will be endowed with the ability to morph into a giant stone golem, a dragon or a ghost. Each of these entities has its own skills to help you complete certain tasks. Your character’s icon appears at the bottom of the screen and show which of the morphing characters are available to you. To change from one to another, you just need to click on the appropriate icon.

As well as the raw materials and mana, you need to be on the look out for flowers, which can be used to create potions, and artefacts. Your character, in its various guises, can learn new skills that could prove useful latter in the game. At the conclusion of each level, you will be shown a report card showing how well you have performed along with an option to replay the level or continue.

Along with the opening animated comic book style sequence, the game has a number of static conversational interludes as you discover what is expected of you. Disapprovingly none of these sequences feature spoken dialogue which would have helped improve the game. Instead the game relies on printed text. Also before each level you are shown the same image of the wizard and his apprentice which does become boring.

Overall The Beardless Wizard is an enjoyable game with which to past several pleasant evenings of wizard rescuing. The lack of spoken dialogue is a little disappointing while some variations in the image shown between levels would have been appreciated.

Edited reference accessed HERE. Original review written by mfereday on 18th June 2014

Other Reviews and Videos

There are short community reviews of The Beardless Wizard HERE and more information in the Big Fish forums HERE.

You can see some videos of game play HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.

Conclusion:

Seems like a typical time management game, gathering resources and completing tasks within a certain amount of time. Not played it long enought to give a fair assessment of the game. The file size is quite large for this type of game at just under half a gigabyte once installed.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank MyPlayCity for giving away The Beardless Wizard and also to the game giveaway team, as always, for securing other ways to get free games, in this case Steam keys.

Useful Information not related to today's game giveaway:

The problems section that used to be posted here in the Game review is now included in the Game Discussion FAQ's thread; which you can find HERE.

I've updated the games section that used to be posted with the review. The thread is now called 'Weekly round up of game deals', formerly the games section of the weekly reviews. You can find the new thread (which I've posted in the sticky section of the game discussion forums to make it easier to find if you are perusing the game discussion forums) HERE.

The rest of the information that used to be posted here can be found in the forums HERE. Don't forget, if you have an account with DOT.emu, you need to download any games you have before June, when the site closes permanently. Finally, check out Delenns thread over in the forums HERE. There are games available for free, some of which are limited to the number of free keys available.