Ok I opened the game and went through the intro where it tells what they are doing and how they get to the new island. Anyways I'm a little sad I hope moms don't carry babies longer. I started out with a mom and she still has 246 mins before the baby can go own its own. Anyways I just thought we needing a thread for people to share how the fell about game!!

Well I was hopeing you would be able to strap them on the back so the moms could work but no. I only played the trial but I liked it very much from my hour of play.

I noticed the time. It's probably set to normal speed - if you change it to 2x it'll probably be similar to VV2 (which I always ran on 2x and a mother nursed a baby for 100-120 minutes or so)

so far I like everything! Guess we need to keep more than one kid onhand since collectables pop up more than one at a time!!

I like everything too! Its wonderful. I love all the new actions and wanderings of the villagers. I think the puzzles will be great fun to figure out, and I love the new look of all. I don't want to go to work tomorrow, lol!

I love how they drink rain! I couldn't stop laughing!

Ok, has anyone else noticed that the picture with the kids in the cave that appeared to be looking at books was not part of the intro? Is there a separate part to this we haven't seen yet or did they just decide not to use this picture in the game after all?

It's still in the game.

It's probably going to be the final thing we see when we finish the game like the pic from the cave in vv1 and when we clicked on the gong in vv2... intro to vv4

I love it! The new little details such as footprints are awesome!

Thank you LDW!

so do I!! how will i ever finish my assignment now!!

Cute how they actually go into the huts to "get outta the rain"!

I love the game! I didn't get too far though because my sister was hogging all the trial time, but I did get long enough to have a good explore of the island, and see all the details
also there is this thing. When my sis was in the tutorial, she went to click on the detail screen after a new tutorial instruction popped up. The cursor went all funny and there was a huge trail of guiding hands behind it that wouldnt go away. Is it supposed to do that?

i'm still only up to 67% but i want it sooooo bad!

Aggghh! I want to be home and playing it right now! (stupid work)! jk. How would I afford this wonderful game without working? But I wish I were home......

becca, im having a couple of probs too....i had the same thing with the hands....im hoping any intitial problems will work themselves out....the ldw team have been under a lot of pressure to get this game out.....we all need to be patient and have fun

I know the tutorial is sensitive ... If you don't do exactly what it asks it throws a tantrum.

My game started me out with one villager already nursing & unable to work. Then right away another tried on the cloak & doesn't work. Other than that I'm just working on gathering points & collectibles.

Love that the kids can gather herbs. Just found out. What a time saver. Awesome. Thanks guys!!

just got level 2 medicine. awesome. thanks again for all the hard work trying to please us. you guys are great!!!

I think it's great more than one child can carry collectibles at a time...and they can pick herbs! That's handy.

Ugh, the tutorial. What if I don't want to lose a woman to a baby...so early at the start!! Yeah, not too fond of that! But I'm atleast glad I learned in the tutorial. Now when I buy it I can just skip the tutorial

I love the new actions. They're much more detailed. My favorite is the mom showing the baby the bees. I also am confused because in a few areas, I set the kids down and they disappear to another spot on the screen!

I think my fav new action is "drinking the rain". lol, they put their little heads up towards the sky and dance around. I can't help but crack up every time!

Yeah that is funny! But I also love the way they run when they're trying to get out of the rain! That makes me laugh because one of the villagers I have looks so freaked out when he's running.

i love the reef...i just think it's pretty to look at lol

So far i`m sorry to say i`ve been let down.

The tutorial was very lacking and it sorta left you there to fend for yourself.

There are many glitches that make gameplay hard.

And it took me forever to clear the rubble and I had 3 master builders and a chief directing them.

Other then that the storyline, new things, and graphics are great.

I'm getting frustrated cause the scientists keep leaving the table! I wish that collecting repeat collectables would add a few tech points. Cause it's taking way too long to earn enough to help them survive. I've actually restarted several times because memebers were dying before I could even choose a faction.

Repeat collectibles should be giving you tech points, just like in VV2. The more science tech you have, the more tech points you should be getting. The magic faction also gives more tech points.

I don't see any evidence of that - and I just can't keep my scientists to stay on the table. One keeps leaving to harvest honey and the other off to worry. I only have to leave the screen for half a second to check this board and they're off doing their own thing again.

Near the top of this forum is a thread "a place for logging bugs." Try posting the problem w/the repeat collectibles there, and administration can help you. They are really good about helping.

Good luck!:)

Are you setting preferences?

Usually, when you tell a villager to do one task (by checking it on the villager's detail screen) they'll stay at that task for quite a while...after they have gotten to "Trainee"

Yes I am, but this one guy just insists on going after the honey even though he's an adept scientist! One of my builders is doing the same.

The only reasons I can think of that would cause the villager running off is that your villager had been trained in farming before being trained in research or building and that's why they are running off to harvest honey and/or that they have more skill in farming than in research or building.

Well, one was a builder before he came to the island, but I let farm a smidge to harvest fruit. One was actually a kid who I wanted to be a researcher but he apparently started farming before I could get to him. Now even though they have higher skills in science and building they won't stay away from the hive!

Everything looks beautiful in the game. I like the "playing in dirt" action. The sharks make me nervous LOL.

Jami, if the food in the bin is low and there is anything to harvest, any villager with even a bit of training in farming will go and get it, while the others will worry.

Once you get more food in the bin, they tend to stay with their preferred task.

That is one of the biggest things I don't like in the game--- that fact that the mothers take so long to 'nurse' the babies. They should work--little things, maybe gather some of the fruit, research, etc.--- and let them go a lot quicker. But other than that, I love the game!

Maybe they'll change that time on the next game *hint, hint*
Hope they do another one-- I think many people would be upset if you didn't!

You don't get the extra tech points from children picking up repeat collectables until the child brings the collectable to the research table. Keep an eye on the Tech points at that point and you'll see an increase.

I really love it.

But I hate that it takes forever to earn tech points even with two adept researchers.
Clearing away leaves or rock take forever.
Mom's nursing is sorta annoying.
Cheif seems to kinda useless when they direct work...it doesn't seem to change.

And did I mention the tech points?
I've been playing 3 hours and their is only 2399 tech >>!! (and how am I supposed to upgrade when one is over 50,000?!)


Other than that

I have 'Magic' and a chief directing plus:

3 adept scientists
2 master and
1 trainer

I gained about 4000 tech points in about an hour (science level 2) - but that's with constant picking them up and putting them to work cos they hungry - it certainly not fast!

I love the game! I have nature instead of magic. The only thing I don't like is the mothering time. I always keep mine on 2x so they can get back to work faster, but that's still 2 years they could have been close to mastering a skill.

The map is great. All of the new things in it make the game more interesting.

My favorite thing would have to be the new expressions and actions that the villagers have. Looking up to the sky, putting their hands on their hips, ect.


Great Job LDW!!!!!

I really loved VV1 and VV2. I do like alot of the new things in VV3. I have all 5 tribes at level 2 on all tech's and faction and now find that to get any further ahead, I must keep them all at fast speed and just check back on them every hour or so. Trying to get enough points to do further puzzles it taking much to long. About all I can do at this point is keep them fed and breeding when there are too few little ones to collect goodies. The tech point issue is a big draw back.

I agree with the tech point issue. I'm just stuck now. Nothing to build at this point until I get more tech points. I've got at least 15 people at the research table. Perhaps I'll just start another tribe.

I love the new things the children do and my favorite is the playing in dirt.
I love VV3, and as I stated in a different thread my hubby says I spend WAY too much time with my villagers. He even laughed at me when I told him that in the pictures of the Magic Fish & Magic Plants, they left out the Magic Fish of Mutation. He just laughed and said I play all these way too much and will be grounded from the comp for a while if they come out with a VV4, PT2 or FT2 (Like I'd listen to him).

people say tv & computers break the tradition of family but this game has meant cross refferencing & game strategy talking betwee me & my 18year old who is now into the game as is one of his friends my son has aspbergers so is has not got the social skills of some kids & his interests are usually hotwheels, airfix, lego noy really my hot topics. Now he is asking for hints we.ve been talking about the forums the puzzles etc so thankyou LDW for helping my family connect :)))

I waited so very long for this game. I bought it right away. I've been playing it pretty much non stop since I got it.

I was delighted to see that some of the suggestions that we players made were taken seriously (ie including weather and a need for leadership).

As always the graphics are pretty and I wish I could have a larger version of the reef as a screensaver. Overall I am enjoying the game.

BUT...

I was VERY disappointed to see that nursing mothers still can't work and still get NO parenting experience for their efforts. I'm starting to think the design team are misogynsitic. Let's face it... who's the better parent? The male who makes dozens of babies and then has nothing to do with them or the female who has one and devotes years to its care? CHANGE IT for vv4!! I can guarantee that if this doesn't change for vv4 I won't be buying it. Yeah I am that ticked off by this. (and offended too)

I'm very happy except that I can't tell the difference between age 13 and 14. They don't have the dramatic growth spurt at 14 as they did in previous games. I'm constantly grabbing 12- and 13-year-olds trying to make them work. Or, someone will be standing around doing nothing, and I don't realize he turned 14.

I hate VV3. I love 1 and 2. But in 3 and this is the 4th time i started over, if my screen gets off of the chief while they are moving the statue, then he leaves. Sometimes, he even leaves while on the screen. If i close the game, he leaves. this time i have had the screen sitting on him for 12 hours running at 2x and finally got the statue at the top of the walkway, however because i can only get 7 workers up there, i estimate it will take another 12 to 14 hours for it to get in place. If my chief dies this time, i am finished with VV3 and will go back to 1 and 2. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. It is not fun just letting the computer run by itself for 24 hours to get it done.

BUT...

I was VERY disappointed to see that nursing mothers still can't work and still get NO parenting experience for their efforts. I'm starting to think the design team are misogynsitic. Let's face it... who's the better parent? The male who makes dozens of babies and then has nothing to do with them or the female who has one and devotes years to its care? CHANGE IT for vv4!! I can guarantee that if this doesn't change for vv4 I won't be buying it. Yeah I am that ticked off by this. (and offended too) [/quote]

AND allow the parnets to interact with their children! It takes more to being a parnet than making them and birthing them. How about whne a child gets sick, it is the mum or dad that 'heals' them? As a mum, I home was overrun by playthings and books. where are the toys? Island children have toys and gamse too! How about a dad craving a little boat for his children to float in the water? Corn Hush dolls? A game of marbles? Sorry, but I too am bothered by the lack of care of the children. Or respect for family life.

First and foremost, I love VV3 so far. But the lack of parental care, or even elder guidance truly bothers me. I've not noticed the adults tell stories to the children anymore. I like the teaching, which is very cleverly done. I'm not so sure that little boys would deliver turtle shells to the scientists immediately. (I rather think they would put them on their heads like hats and walk around trying to keep them on, or make a game of who keeps theirs on the longest gets to take all of them to the scientists. Inverted turtle shells also can float, so they could play sea-faring games with them.)

I've noticed in the teaching that there doesn't seem to be much medicine or science taught, nor childcare. And are these villagers eating all their fish raw? Lots and lots of sushi, perhaps! I like the conical food bin, but am disappointed that everything is raw, and that the villagers no longer cook.

Thank goodness for that Hospital!!! It is amazing, and I love that most of all.Not having to drag villagers from plant to plant is a blessing!

If you have about 15 builders, it doesn't take that long on 2X speed. About 10 hours was all it took for my statue to get completed. It's no worse than uncovering the mosaic in VV2.

I'm afraid I haven't gotten very far in the game. Since I'm so busy I have to keep pausing the game and go back to it once in a while, so I haven't seen a lot of the things I've read about. I really appreciate all the new things that are in VV3. The graphics are so different from the first 2 games and I think they made it more difficult too. I really appreciate that. I'm glad I don't have to drag doctors from flower to flower. It takes a lot more time and work for the builders to achieve skill and that's better than the 2 previous games. I'm glad the chief is not like the golden child which I totally disliked. I absolutely love the rain and thunder!! My favorite type of weather. I imagine as I get further on in the game I will eventually get to know everything I like and don't like about the game. As of right now, it's great, different. There's just a couple of things that bother me. I read there are no totems for esteemed elders. I'll miss that. Could they come back for VV4, maybe in smaller versions? It takes quite a long time for a mommy to carry the baby. Is there no way to change that without changing game speed? How about if mothers carry the baby in their backs for part of the time they take care of them so they can work a little. Sort of like change the baby, bathe the baby, show the baby the reef etc., etc., and take your baby to work day!

I think my biggest dislike of this game so far is how long it takes to earn Tech points if you only have lvl 2 Science. For 3 days now, I've been running the game at slow speed, just trying to earn enough tech points to buy either lvl 3 Science or lvl 3 Leadership. I still don't have enough points earned.

I love the game, I still play 1 and 2 if I have nothing else to play. But I am at the end of the game and waiting on tech points, and beleive me I play for hours collecting every little thing I can for tech points, I may die before I get enough to finish the game.

If you run it on normal or fast they will accumulate faster.

I love the game and all the new puzzles, but I really miss the elder totems. I know some people found them annoying, but now there is really no reason to have them become elders. Also there is really no reason to keep playing the game once you have solved all the puzzles, bought all the tech and built all the buildings. At least in VV2 the totems kept me coming back and interested in the game.

**************** SPOILERS *****************************

So first of all, I would like to thank Arthur, Carla, LadyCF, and everyone else at LDW for all of the hard work they have put into conceiving, producing, and testing VV3. You have done an amazing job and VV3 has so many wonderful improvements:

1. Visually, there is so much beautiful artwork: The hidden room, the coral and fish that swim through it, the bath, and collectibles...

2. The puzzles are more logical in nature and hence more enjoyable to figure out. I was banging my head against the wall over the last few puzzles in VV1 and the puzzles in VV3 felt more intuitive to me and hence more gratifying when I actually solved them by myself.

3. There are fewer bugs and a lot of actions in the game happen more smoothly. I like that panning to a selected villager occurs more quickly and that exercising villagers no longer get stuck. I also like that kids can pick herbs.

4. I also love the additions such as the rain, the chief, the orchard, and the alchemy room.

And I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but I do have 3 quips:

1. No longer being able to finish off annoying villagers with potions.
In more detail: http://www.ldwforums.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/151870/page/0/fpart/3

2. I understand that there will be a VV4, but would a little more closure really be so bad?
If anything I think it would encourage the people to buy the games because they would receive a mini happy ending and would eagerly await the next game in the series in order to have that experience again in a new way. An excellent example of this is King's Quest which ran through the 80's and 90's and was so popular that it continued for 8 games. Each game in the series was a self contained story but still drew back the crowd for more.
I have to admit that I feel a little irked that I was left "floating in mid air" er... hanging with VV3, just like I felt irked with VV1 when I waited so long to open the cave.

I find it unsettling that the villagers are happily and obliviously going about their daily tasks, knowing that the balance of nature and magic has been destroyed by the two ghosts that periodically hover in the hidden room. If VV4 does not continue this story and instead has the villagers go to a new part of the island to only repeat the same thing again, I will be very disappointed. I think LDW should use the same current village map, but open up an adjacent side with an additional village of the opposite faction. The hidden room, the bath, and cliff to the right of the village could easily be utilized for new puzzles, but I'll save the bulk of my ideas for the vv4 suggestions forum.

3. My final complaint is the resolution of puzzle # 12. I believe that the bath should be utilized for something special, and I feel aromatherapy does not do it justice.
The bath looks magical and I don't feel it's being used to its full potential. It has emerald eyes and a mouth that looks like it could have something inserted into it to activate it (a sun disc perhaps?), but right now it's functioning like a sophisticated candle holder. I guess I was expecting it to shoot lightening out of it eyes or something... or at least have villagers heat up rocks in the burners and drop them into the bath and make a steam bath!

First of all I Love VV3 and LDW. I am not a big complainer,but there are a few things that I don't really like.

1. The Lift/Seeds- After you have planted your 3 seeds in the Orchard, the Lift is no longer useful. If you use the lift after the 3rd tree, a seed/fruit will fall, a villiger can pick it up, but the it will not give you any food more points. I was hoping that the villigers could use the lift when it rained to get more fruit from the tree, unfortunately that is not the case.

2. Lift/Sesaw- there should be 2 kids (one on eah end)when they are playing Sesaw.

3. Bath- What is the bath for??? Everyone seems to like bathing in the waterfall:0) Aslo, why don't children bathe...(since the like to run around and play in the dirt all the time)

4. Child Chief- I have a 3 yr old chief and he still likes to run around and play in the dirt(this is frustrating)especially when I want him to manage the workers. Also, my kid chief can not educate the other kids with his faction magic.... I have to wait until my kid chief becomes an adult to use this faction... However the kid chief can still pick up collectables.

4. I miss the Kids playing tag (VV2)

5. I really wish that there were a statistics screen in VV3 like VV 1&2. I want to know how many potions I have made so far, how mny child births etc...

I do like the fact that you can see green smoke when you make a bad potion. When this happen I know not to let my villagers drink that potion.

I love the reef, it is beautiful.

I also like that there is a place for the sick to go.

Now, that's one thing I like. More than one thing onscreen, at once. And that you start with about 3 kids (8 villagers), rather than just 1 kid.

I've noticed it happens a lot when they're low on food. As soon as there's honey in that hive, off they go.

Yeah, it gets pretty boring, when your next Tech Level is 125,000, and you have to wait for them to get that. Even when you've got 30 adults (15 Masters, 10 Adepts, 3 Trainees, and a couple "Untrained"), working at the research table. The only thing to do is constantly scan. Mushrooms, I don't really need anymore. They've reached 20,449 in the food bin. I've been getting the same collectibles repeatedly for two days, now. Still need 1 rare shell, 1 rare coral, 1 rare feather, 3 rare tablet pieces, and 1 uncommon tablet piece. None of these have appeared, for two days now. Only repeats. It gets boring, constantly scanning, while waiting for them to hit that 125,000 mark--and constantly keeping them at the table. They like to run off to wash their face, look at the fishies, go swimming, enjoy the bath, look at the statue, and the ruins. Yet I'm afraid to NOT pause the game, when I leave it. For fear something will show up that I need.

VERY FRUSTRATING!!! Too bad we can't turn off collectibles, and leave the game running. So we don't have to oversee them go from 824 to 125,000!

And I, too, was oh so disappointed in the lift. When that first fruit fell and the second tree was planted, I thought it was so cool. The fact that the people kept calling it an orchard, I thought they'd be able to keep planting until they had a full orchard. NOT SO. After the third tree, all they do is deposit food. But you don't get any food points for it.

I do, however, love the fact that the Chief can produce 300 magic food, every day. That's what really saved my village. Between that, and constantly scanning for mushrooms. They hit 0 twice,and nearly died off. If it'd been VV1 or VV2, I'd have lost my villagers right there.