Game update: 30/10/13

Halloween hits us tomorrow, and there's a great gift for players...

Notification for latest Halloween update

As I predicted may happen, all of the 2012 Halloween content has been re-introduced!

Here is a list containing all the returning items:

Tables:

• Monster Table - 6,000 coins
• Ghost Table - 3 gems

Chairs:

• Ghost Chair - 3,000 coins
• Monster Chair - 1 gem

Wall decorations:

• Time's Up! - 20 gems
• Gargoyle - 20 gems
• Pumpkin Sconce - 15,000 coins
• Zombie Attack - 22,500 coins

Floor decorations:

• Haunted House - 40 gems (LTO)
• Bat Balloon - 20 gems
• Plant Monster - 25 gems
• Evil Tree Spirit - 32 gems
• Count Dracula - 45 gems
• Monster Jukebox - 18 gems
• Spooky Piano - 60,000 coins
• Mad Scientist - 15 gems
• Zombie Waiter - 15 gems
• Frankenstein - 24 gems
• Headless Horseman - 24 gems

Wallpapers:

• Halloween Monsters - 1 gem
• Ghost - 1 gem

Floor tiles:

• Pumpkin - 1 gem
• Halloween Sweets - 3,000 coins

Counters:

• Monster Counter - 3 gems
• Ghost Counter - 3 gems

Boxes:

• Spooky Chest - 24 gems

Note that none of these items are listed as new, and are not situated at the start of each tab in Design mode. So you'll need to scroll through to find them.

Let's get the negatives out of the way first. Not all of the 2012 stuff is back. For example the two appliances - the Monster Oven and Witch's Stove - are not available. This is a shame, although players who are using the Halloween version on Android or still have access to the Halloween 2012 version on iOS can still purchase any item from last Halloween through those platforms.

Another con in this update is the release of last year's two Halloween recipes on the basic appliances. The Candy Corn Pizza (Basic Oven) and Pumpkin Porridge (Basic Stove) have been re-introduced, but only on Android. I have no idea why iOS players are being deprived of these dishes - I can only assume this is an error and will be rectified soon.

 Halloween 2013

 26/10/13 The Garlic Tree
 23/10/13 Box update
 16/10/13 Candy update
 12/10/13 Recipes changes
 09/10/13 Graveyard update 
 08/10/13 Recipe report

 02/10/13 Goals
 02/10/13 First update

But let's now be positive! There's a heck of a lot of content released especially floor decorations. Most of these are expensive gem buys, but in fairness there are some quality items among them. In fact the Zombie Waiter, Frankenstein and Headless Horseman were actually the goal prizes last year. I never managed to unlock Frankenstein as I was a newbie this time last year and failed to complete the goals, so it's nice to have the option to buy it now (even for 24 gems) after 12 months of seeing it locked in my Design mode.

Of all the Halloween stuff, I'd say that the Spooky Piano is the best value item - at 60,000 coins for a pretty large 2x1 piece you're getting plenty for your money there. And it's the only piano in the game that is available for coins! The Zombie Attack is also affordable and is a cool way to alter your windows for the Halloween season.

Another nice returning item is the Mad Scientist for 15 gems. He's a perfect match for the Lab Assistant and Lab Experiment from the Halloween goals. I was very tempted to invest in him, but decided that saving for Black Friday is the priority.

Meanwhile the limited time offer from 2012 is also back.

Haunted House limited time offer

The Haunted House is massive. I mean massive. It is 4x4 in size, and has the capability to strike fear into the heart of any small decorations in your restaurant. It costs 40 gems, which is the same price as last year. I remember it as being one of the most popular LTOs of 2012, and suspect there will be a few buyers this time round too.

The Spooky Box contains a few cracking decorations. Here's the distribution of it's prizes:

First Prize (1% chance)

• Vampire Bartender

Second Prize (10% chance)

• Zombine Butcher
• Were Sushi Chef

Third Prize (35% chance)

• Coffin Couch
• Haunted Food Cart

Fourth Prize (54% chance)

• Spooky Bookcase
• Ghastly Cake Display
• Trick or Treat Ghost
• Witch Chef

Source: TeamLava Forums

And here's a peek at all the box items courtesy of the TeamLava Forums:

Items from Spooky Chest as shown on TeamLava Forums

As the notification says, all of this Halloween themed content is back for a limited time only so will not be staying until the holiday content removal for 2013 which is likely to be in the New Year. I assume that the 2013 content will be hanging around until then but there is no guarantee. And since none of the 2011 stuff has been given another airing I suspect that this will be your final ever opportunity to purchase anything from Halloween 2012. So have a serious think about it!

Finally, the Candy Corn Cupcakes which were released two weeks ago on the Basic Oven have moved - they are now between Strawberry Shortcakes and Mud Pudding.